A UFO – not lost, but found!

Last weekend I attacked with renewed energy one of the UFOs I found when I was analyzing my #MMMay2018 results and inventorying my fabric. (Found? First I would have to I admit it was lost! Never!)

I had previously made a Designer me-made Copy of a GAP tank top for my sister with a beautiful deep teal green stretch knit, 90% polyester, 7% rayon and 3% spandex, posted here. Since there was fabric leftover from that project, and it is a beautiful fabric not to be wasted, I told my sister that I was sure I could squeeze a simple tee shirt out of the remnant. Continue reading →

Stripes!

I’ve had this striped fabric in my stash since my visit to my sister a summer or two ago. It’s a heavier weight knit than what I usually have and I quite like it. The red stripe is quite bright too, which brings the grey, blue and black to life for me.

I had always planned to make this skirt, Vogue 1292, a “Today’s Fit” by Sandra Betzina, and I purchased this striped fabric for that sole purpose.

But you might already know from personal experience how easy it is to get led astray by fabrics and patterns. Continue reading →

Don’t need buttons for this one …

… and I found the perfect buttons for my last project. But before I show them to you, let me show you what I made with the remnants of my paisley Topaz knit. I had some of this lovely fabric – 85% polyester, 10% rayon, 5% spandex – left over, just enough. I think I have made a few of these McCalls tops before – one of the other ones I made is here.

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My Designer me-made Copy …

Happily, I have managed to get everything finished on time and was only waiting for some nice weather to take photos outside. This is not a photo of MY weather but the weather in Calgary, Alberta. I’m so happy we don’t have this kind of snow! We actually have had some pretty good weather here for photographs!

I wanted to copy this Designer Original, this kimono jacket from zasue.com and this dress, but I was hoping I could make it a skirt and top instead of a dress. I have been searching for the name of the dress designer but I must be cursed, whenever I look for it on Pinterest (where I found it) it only circles me back to my blog!

I chose these McCall’s patterns, M7200 and M7574. I love the sleeves on the top/dress pattern. I plan on using both of these patterns again!

How did my Designer me-made Copies turn out?

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My sister’s Designin’ December idea!

Yes, my sister, who isn’t fond of sewing (she loves to draw), asked me a few weeks ago to make her a top. No rush, no pressure, it would be great though if it was ready by the date of her husband’s Christmas party, this Saturday – which actually wasn’t a problem.

She had already purchased this GAP top, in grey, but she wanted another just like this in her favourite colour. Easy! I could trace the grey one!

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The battle is over!

It started off bad. I wanted a dress like my mom and aunt. I wanted it out of this fabric (100% Rayon, which I love) and I thought I could alter this pattern to what I wanted. That’s when my problems started. If you missed it, you can read about it here.

So forget about the dress! I managed to salvage as much of the fabric as I could and I made a top instead. Continue reading →

A long drawn out battle with beautiful fabric …

and I’m not quite finished yet!

Let me tell you what’s up …

I have been searching for a pattern and fabric to make a “replica” of my mother’s and aunt’s dresses in this photo. My Aunt was a seamstress back in Europe and she not only sewed for clients but also for herself and my mother. She used no patterns and could make anything! I thought I had the magical combination for this dress with this 100% Rayon Denim Challis I had in my stash – a favourite fabric of mine!

I still think this pattern, Vogue 1395, might work but it doesn’t have the rounded neckline that I want. Being lazy, I thought I might just make two bodice backs and use those to make the bodice instead.

Continue reading →

… and it’s the last of it!

Last week I made a lovely dress out of my Tower print fabric, here. I purchased enough for a dress and a top so I was determined to get a dress and a top out of it, even if I made an error cutting out the directional print on one of the skirt pieces last week!

This is one of my favourite patterns for piecing tops together. I also have had success with the “By Hand London – Polly Top” and the “Teach Me Fashion – Two Tone Singlet“.

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A bit of a set back …

Yes, I had a bit of a set back. As soon as I returned from my lazy holiday in Mexico my back went out. Walking is fine, standing is fine. That’s about it. So … no sitting in my sewing chair. 😦

I couldn’t help but dream, browse, and plan my future projects though … and I started seriously searching for my DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER outfit. I know DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER is far away yet, but I am not the type of person to leave anything to the last minute.

I started my search looking for designer fashion on Pinterest. I managed to “pin” quite a few favourite dresses and jackets to my DESIGNER FASHION board. Continue reading →

Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!! goes to Mexico!

My sister was lucky enough to win a trip to an all-inclusive resort in the Mayan Riviera for two and I was able to jump in and go when her husband was unable!

So begins the adventure. There was a lot of time spent eating at the resort’s various fabulous restaurants, walking the grounds and beaches, lying by the pool, watching the outdoor entertainment and movies, etc. I have been posting photos frequently on Instagram of our trip and our mascot “Jerry the Minion”.

My me-made swimsuit and cover-up blogged about previously were the most used garments in my suitcase. I was quite surprised the stitches and fabric of my me-made swimsuit didn’t fall apart while I did my laps in the pool!

Let me take you through the photos and commentary of our one excursion – to CHICHEN ITZA – a long, hot day trip that was more than worth it! Continue reading →