Dressing the home too!

Since this is a project journal, I wanted to make sure that I remember all of my sewing projects. Even this one that feels like less of an accomplishment. It's just sewing rectangles, so... for future reference: here's that time I made those curtains.

I've learned through countless moves that it takes me a very long time to settle into my space. Unfortunately, this means that with most of our moves, I was just settling in as the movers were packing us back out! This house is half the size of our last, which should mean that settling in should take half of the time, right? I'm not certain that math will work out but I definitely feel ahead of schedule.

These were such simple valances that there really wasn't a pattern involved. Simple ruffles.

Fabric: Calico from Malone's Fabric

Project review: I absolutely love them!

Blue Jean Making Machine

Pattern: Ginger Jeans, view B meaning mid rise

Size: 14 (bad choice)

Fabric: Blue denim with 5% stretch

I chose to purchase the Sew Your Dream Jeans course from Closet Core and also the jean hardware kit. I was a bit intimidated by the magnitude of making jeans. I wanted to set myself up for success as much as possible. This class is the absolute BEST! One of the things I absolutely LOVE about the class is that it's broken down into chapters. It makes it very easy to reference and review. It also segmented the jeans into small bite sized bits. The course is self paced and is accessible forever. Love it!

Project review: BIG WIN! I absolutely LOVE my jeans though I made a major miscalculation. I followed the recommendation and constructed a basted muslin for the purposes of fitting. BOY, did I need it. It helped me make the following adjustments one at a time:

1st adjustment: Inside back thigh taken in by 1" to remove bulk from the seat.

2nd adjustment: Yoke taken in with a V shape by 1" at the top edge to 1/4" at the bottom. The waist band was also taken in to match the shape and size.

3rd adjustment: Removed 1/2" front and back outside seams for a total of 1" removed from each side to fit to form.

4th adjustment: center seam adjustment from the top of the seat to pull in the bulk.

5th adjustment: Waist band taken in at four spots spread evenly around the band for a total of about 2".

Clearly the legs are still looser than the pattern is designed. After all of the adjustments, I really was just happy to have something wearable. They stay up without a belt. Both legs are the same size and length. I very carefully transfer all of the adjustments to the pattern pieces for 'next time.' After seeing all of the ink and finished project, I decided to just scrap the pattern and make a smaller size next time.

I feel like with all of that, I need to focus on what went well:

1. I love my jeans & they are wearable.
2. The top stitching looks better than I hoped.
3. My machine is more capable than I thought it was.
4. I can actually install jean buttons
5. The polka dot lining fabric just brings me great joy.

Camo Cruise Shorts

These shorts!! I love them. I want them know in every color. The short pattern was for a dressier short. That's not my life. I'm either business or casual or church. Dressy short is a life style I don't understand. Suiting? In a short? In truth, they were supposed to be more Bermuda length. At 5'2" long shorts is another thing I just can't identify with. I purchased a couple of different fabrics trying to make it work. I ultimately decided on this camo and boy am I thrilled. Absolutely perfect choice for a great pair of shorts. These are perfect for travel though I could have benefitted from making a smaller size. These are 44 in Burda and a 42 with the stretch in the fabric would have been absolutely perfect.

Fabric: Stretch denim

Project review: I LOVE them. I've found that Burda seems to really make for my shape. The shorts are perfect at the waist and the hips. I love that the shorts call for a slide instead of a button at the waist. I think this makes the waistband lay flat and a smoother silhouette. The pockets are tucked into the side seam which again makes for a smooth silhouette. The pockets are also large enough for my cellphone which is a huge priority in travel attire.

Adjustments made - I strongly recommend a thinner cotton fabric for the pockets to keep from getting too bulky. I also significantly shortened the length to make the shorts more appealing on my frame.

White Summer Dress

 I am in absolute love with this super comfortable and airy summer dress.

Fabric: already smocked white cotton from JoAnn's

Pattern: self drafter - I mean it's a couple of ruffles for sleeves and shortened with a ruffle to pull up the hem. I'm not doing anything fancy over here.

I love everything about it. I love that I was able to keep the beautifully embroidered and scalloped hem. I love the shoulder ruffles. I love that it's so big and cozy that I can knot it up and garden in it. 

My New Favorite Black Shirt!

Burda Pattern: Gathered crepe long sleeved blouse. I can't seem to locate the original issue. So unfortunate... It says 109.

Fabric: Black crepe from JoAnn's

Project review: This shirt is absolutely perfect with jeans and dress pants. It's perfect half tucked, fully tucked, or completely out. The length hits me right at my hips. Absolutely perfect for my fitted red pants. I made a couple of adjustments. One for a little extra style and one for my lack of skill. Such is life.

The sleeves were to have elastic at the wrists bringing the fabric back in. I elected to replace the elastic with a thin ribbon made from the crepe fabric. I made a casing for the elastic but left a space at the bottom seam. After threading the ribbon through the casing, I made a bow and stitched it permanently in place. The bows are the perfect finish to a rather simple blouse.

The top included gathers at the shoulders and a v-neck. The adjustment that I needed to make due to lack of skill was the interfacing on the neckline. I'm unsure if I made an error in the shaping of the interfacing or maybe it was too thin? Whatever it was, I could not get it to lie flat without a wrinkle. I elected to remove the interfacing and just finish the edge. I think it works very well for this top. I have not had issues with interfacing in the past so the jury is still out whether this is an actual skill that I lack or just a rough try.