Chevron Seafarer

This is my favorite piece I think I've made. I love to wear it! It's the Seafarer Top pattern. Here are my variations.

1. Didn't fold armband and extended the length so it would be a bracelet length sleeve.
2. Lengthened the top by 1-2".
3. Cut the front piece on the bias. I did this by laying the piece on the fabric diagonally. Cut out one piece, not on fold. Then I took that piece and laid it on top of the fabric diagonally, right sides together, and matching up stripes and cut out another piece. I forgot to add a seam allowance to the center seam but would recommend doing that.
4. This time I bound the neckline instead of using a band.

Also used my favorite trick for matching patterns to get that chevron in the front perfect.

~ ~ ~ Risa ~ ~ ~

Girl's Striped Tunic using M6785

All I have to blog this week is stripes. Maybe I need to branch out! I have some other things to sew up in other patterns but for now it's stripes galore! Add to that a repeat of yesterday's fabric.

Yesterday's dress took about 1 1/4 yards of fabric but I had purchased 2 yards which of course left me with 3/4 of a yard... which was perfect for this pattern because I needed 3/4 of a yard! Yeah for using up leftover fabric. Plus my daughter loves when I make her things... and thinks every piece of fabric in my stash should be for her.

A quick thought: I strongly encourage sewing for toddlers and kids when you're new to sewing. That's how I started and I learned so much. When sewing for kids it's easier to let imperfections go because they move so much no one will see them... and they'll grow out of it soon enough. Plus you learn the basics of sewing wearable clothing and that knowledge can then be applied to sewing for yourself. Just my 2 cents ;)

I bought M6785 as soon as I saw it in McCall's new pattern brochure. I thought it would be a great pattern set for my little girl for fall.

Pattern Description: McCall's 6786 Pullover dresses and leggings. Many variations.

Pattern Sizing: I cut the size 3. The fit is great in the body and length... but I did a bit to the length. The sleeves are long and might need to be shortened. Also the sleeves are really big and I might take them in. I'll be making all the variations of this dress so if I'll make sure the sleeves fit better in the future.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done with it? Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes they were really easy and things would have gone even easier if I had actually read them.  I have a tendency to just sew things in the order I like which messed me up royally when it was time to put in the drawstrings. If I had followed the instructions it would have been so easy and perfect... now I know for next time.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love how comfy it looks, and it looks great for playing. It's a fun top and she likes the drawstring bows. I'll be making more for sure!

Striped Dress

I've loved this dress for a while:

When I was first checking out girlcharlee.com I saw this fabric and she had suggested making this dress with it. Um, yes! So eventually I bought the fabric to make the dress.

Here's my version:

I used a new favorite pattern and my TNT S2599 combined with a self drafted A-line skirt. I used the Seafarer Top pattern from Sew Much Ado. I made a shirt using this pattern too but I keep wearing it and not photographing it. Anyway I love the pattern and plan on making 2 more for fall in the next couple weeks.

I used the Seafarer Top pattern for the neckline and sleeves. Then I laid my S2599 over it and used it to make the bodice wide enough and know where to cut for my elastic casing.

I matched up my stripes using my pattern matching trick! I love it... I'm blowing through my steam a seam now because I keep sewing up stripes!

For the skirt I just made sure to cut the waist the same width as the bottom of the top and then I went out from there.  Also I always curve the hem a little at the side seams so they don't get too pointy. I might have to draw a pic of that sometime because I'm not sure I'm describing it very well.

I pair this with a belt when I'm wearing it out and about. I love how the dress turned out and might have to make another next summer. Next time I plan on turning the neckline under... for some reason my banded neckline seemed a bit small this time.

~ ~ ~ Risa ~ ~ ~