Saturday, December 01, 2012

Reflections on a Saturday Afternoon

These are just a few things roaming through my brain...

**It's December 1st.  There are only 30 more days until 2013 and my sewing vacay!  Yes!!!  Last year since I planned the cruise and took off two weeks in late August so I had to forego my winter sewing vacay.  But this year it's back on!  So of course, I'm already planning what to sew during my 9 days off from work!

**The Vogue 8824 dress is very similar to a dress that I made in 2011.  I was knocking off a DVF dress and used my TNT dress pattern to recreate it.  Here is my version:


Here is the V8824 version:


...and these are the differences between my amateurish pattern drafting skills and what the professionals did to make this such a great pattern...
  • The darts at the neckline on the Vogue pattern are ingenious.  That's what my version is missing and what helps make the Vogue dress lay flat at the neckline and not gape open. 
  • Honestly, my dress hangs a little funny at the front.  Probably because I added a seam down the front to get the v-neckline when the V8824 uses a place on fold application.
  • I also think I made a better choice material-wise with the V8824 dress.
  • My version is unlined.  The V8824 dress has a lining which I think helps with making the dress hang better.
  • Finally my version has a zipper...the next V8824 dress will have a center back zipper.
**During the Black Friday after Thanksgiving Day sales, I bought the Colette Anise jacket pattern along with the additional download which I printed out and made into a flip book.  Seeing it this way has only made me want to move it up "the must sew" list.  I just have to figure out what fabric to use for it.


**I also bought a lot of patterns (10) during the last Club BMV sale.  In my defense, I was waiting for a good sale and had a wish list full, so ten new patterns showed up on Thursday.  You know how pattern purchasing is, you may or may not see them made up anytime soon so lets just leave it at that okay?!  *smile*  

However, I did purchase three little girl patterns for my one and only granddaughter.  I've decided that I want to make her some things for Christmas, so that's what I'll be working on for the next couple of weekends.  Here's what I got to start working on a wardrobe for her...





**This weekend, I'm working on two relatively easy projects.  A skirt using one of the Mood border prints and the lined pants for the CIW Collection that I didn't work on during the Thanksgiving break.  Or I could change my mind and work on something else.  I think I'm going where inspiration strikes!

**Also a few more pieces of fabric arrived. *sigh* What can I say?  I'm an addict...an admitted addict but an addict nonetheless! 



So I saw this dress in Dress Barn (local women's chain that carries regular and plus size goods) when I was there last Saturday morning (noticed that was after the Black Friday sales).  Now Dress Barn carries a really good selection of plus size garments, (although the fabrics they use definitely reflects their price points) however, this dress was not made into a plus size version.  

While browsing sewing blogs, MimiG made a sweater using Butterick 5679.  I'd never really looked at that pattern before but after seeing the dress at Dress Barn, I knew the pattern would work for how I wanted to interpret the dress especially the raglan sleeves.  So with my new fabric I'm going to try out this pattern.  Another garment that's not a part of the plan, *sigh* I know!  But I do intend on making several pieces from the CIW collection during my winter sewcation.

Robin author of the blog, A Little Sewing asked this question:
You have so many beautiful outfits - I bet you can go a month without wearing the same thing twice. I wear the same things over and over! What is your secret? 

I have a lot of clothes so you're right, I rarely repeat an outfit in a month or two unless I really want to wear something twice. How have I accomplished that? Well about 10 years ago I made a conscious decision to make most of my own clothing. At the beginning, I wore things more than once because it takes time to sew most of your wardrobe. Sewing a lot of TNT (tried and true) patterns has also increased the amount of clothing I own. Once you know something fits and have the time to spend on sewing instead of fitting garments, you can accumulate more faster.  

My second conscious decision was to make things I liked making and to purchase all others. That's probably why you haven't seen a sewn coat on my blog. I can buy that and it takes considerably more time to make a coat. Also I'm kinda impatient and need a lot of instant gratification. This is an interesting principle since I do make pants. So I guess it's what the sewist is comfortable sewing.

Anyway, the simple answer is that I sew a lot and most of it is from TNT patterns. If you're sewing and not fitting, you're accumulating quite a few new pieces.

I know this is one long post but there is one more thing, I would like to thank you all for the very kind and wonderful comments you've left on my last three garment posts.  I'm so appreciative of the fact that you stop by, read my ramblings and then take the time to leave a word of encouragement.  Even if you don't stop to say anything, just look at the pictures and move on...my appreciation extends to you too.  Every visit is important to me because you took the time to come by and check out what that obsessed sewing woman is doing now!  I mean I would still document what I do if no one came around but IT IS so much more fun sharing it all with you!  Thanks again!

...as always more later!


20 comments:

  1. At first I thought you meant a vacay from sewing, and I was wondering why on earth you would do that! Then I figured out it was a vacay where you sew and sew and sew. LOL Much better.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You create an incredible amount of stunning clothing, at the same time as juggling work, life and being a women. Just imagine what you will complete in the 9 straight days of your sewing feast...J

    ReplyDelete
  3. Carolyn, you have inspired me to get my own TNT patterns... I think I have a TNT pair of pants now. Next up on my list is a TNT knit top pattern.

    Thank you for being so fanatic about sewing and sharing that love! :) I really love that about you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It is always fun to stop by and see what you have been doing, so thanks for sharing. I think you need to stray from your plans every now and then cos that makes it more fun! So have fun and I will look forward to see what you come up with.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I always love your "ramblings" and knowing what is going on in your sewing cave. Interesting comparison between the two dresses, by the way. I do like your conscious decision to only sew what you enjoy sewing, and to buy the rest - that is why I don't see curtains!

    ReplyDelete
  6. oh, but i would totally consider the anise a coat!

    i'm with thornberry on your ramblings. and i'm still blinded by that gorgeous green with the zip pocket. it is SO chic.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I enjoy not only your beautiful garments but hearing your sewing thoughts such as " only make what I like!"


    ReplyDelete
  8. I love sewing for little girls, but my youngest niece is now 26 (sigh.) I'll just have to wait for some grandnieces to arrive.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I just love seeing all your garments and I love them all. I learn a lot from you and love reading your blog. The green wool crepe with zipper pocket is wonderful, you look great!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love that V8824 dress, and the way you styled it.
    And little girl clothes? I am sure I could not resist sewing little dresses if I had a granddaughter!

    At the rate you sew, your purchases seem very reasonable. I like what you have to say about using TNT's and getting more garments for the time spent.

    As always, a pleasure to read your ramblings :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. As another plus size gal I love and appreciate all the beautiful garments you posts as well as your "ramblings". Like you I prefer to sew what I enjoy (jackets) and buy the other stuff. I have a solid army of TNT jacket patterns (thanks to you) and finally developed pants pattern for knit and woven fabrics. Thanks for your fabulous blog!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love your Vogue dress. Also,I have been looking for a great cowl neck pattern and wonder how I missed this! Please! Ramble away! I always enjoy what you have to say.
    BTW, I just love sewing for my grandaughter too! The Junie Moon patterns blow me away!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh I just can't wait to see what you create for your granddaughter! Sewing for mine is one of my greatest pleasures. Enjoy yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love the comparison of your TNT to the new Vogue pattern. You continually inspire me. I swear - one day soon - I'm gonna sew with wool!

    g

    ReplyDelete
  15. I don't always comment but I always read your posts. I love seeing all of your creations. I'm intrigued with the Dress Barn dress. I think McCall's M6612 view D cut to View C length would work. I need to do an FBA. Hmmmm. Thanks so much for the inspiration :)

    CarlaF-in Atlanta

    ReplyDelete
  16. i just love reading or looking at your photos of your beautiful work!!!! it is always inspiring

    ReplyDelete
  17. I don't always leave a comment but I always stop past to admire your latest garment. I have four days off next week and sewing for DGD is on the list of things to sew. She is a little tomboy but loves pretty dresses.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Bet you will have a good time making little girl clothes. After three boys and nothing but overalls and pants, I was happy to branch out when I had a daughter and make a few dresses...that is, until she was old enough to decide dresses that she wanted to wear only pants and overalls. She's 29 now and still prefers pants.

    Looking forward to more of your creations.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am so with you on the TNT pattern benefits. I think it frees you up to be creative with fabric and embellishment and minor design changes. And yes, purges are good for us since they free up space to make sure that what we have is beautiful and useful.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I can't wait to see what you make your granddaughter!

    I enjoy reading your 'thoughts' and you've made me concentrate on TNT patterns as well! I've visited your blog (initially not commenting) for a while now. I got hooked once I saw your fabric collection. :-) Made me lose the guilt over all of my fabric...just need to make sure I sew it and not just look at it.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! It is so appreciated!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails