Grannie-Chic Bomber Jacket (Part 1)

“The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”
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John‬ ‭3:35-36‬

    Hey everyone:) I decided to divide up this blog post into at least two parts. I thought it might be helpful to share photos showing how I lined up the front print with the zipper. I didn't want to drive myself crazy trying to make it perfect but I think it looks pretty good if I do say so myself!:)

  Please be aware that I'm using a different method than the pattern instructions recommend. I'm adding a lining and wanted to use a different method than my last jacket (thats my disclaimer, lol). I'll hopefully do a more thorough review once my jacket is complete:).

    My fabric is a beautiful quilted-knit I got from Fabricville. My sister jokingly referred to it as "Grannie-chic", hence the title;) The fabric reminds me of our grandmother who loved to sew and made lots of quilts. We affectionately referred to her as "Grannie"). She certainly was a big influence on me taking an interest in sewing.

The pattern didn't call for it, but I (very lightly & carefully)  added a narrow strip of knit interfacing to help stabilize the zipper area.
 
    First, I laid the jacket down and positioned the zipper where it should be before basting. I then marked the *back* of the zipper with a white marking pencil at three different spots (you could do more if you wanted to be *really* accurate. For me, three was enough.

 

   I found it easiest to just mark one side at a time with the purple marking pen.

      I took my jacket to my ironing bord (less slippery than the floor!) and lined up the print as best I could & used a clear ruler to draw a line across to the other side.

    I used basting tape to position the zipper & it made it adjust. I didn't take a photo of that step but the zipper is inserted as instructed (for an exposed zipper).

I sill need to sew it in place but looks pretty cool eh?:)

Floral McCalls 6886

"Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."

Hebrews 13:20-21

        Anyone else getting a bit tired of Winter? I know I am & since Spring is just around the corner I decided to make a quick dress with McCalls 6886. This time, however, I didn't bother to adjust the back like my green cowl version (laziness). I did change the sleeves though, to look more like my favourite RTW shirt. I also added a bias-cut neck band instead of the instructed turn-under-hem. I trimmed off the 5/8" hem allowance from the dress before adding the band. I used a 3/8" SA & the finished band was about 5/8" (the band strip was 2" wide before folding lengthwise and the cut about 10% less than the neck opening.) I think I may remove the sleeve cap ease next dress.

 
       I simply used Steam-a-Seam lite2 on the bottom hem. I used it on the sleeve too and topstitched with a twin needle. There is a bit of tunnelling (bah), so I opted not to topstitch the bottom. I'm definitely going to wear this dress a lot once the weather is better, but I think I made it a tad too short:p I can see myself making several more of these for summer, so I'll keep that in mind for future versions.

My cute little photo-bomber:)

       I looove this dress! Its a great wardrobe builder and an "instant-gratification" project to boot!:) My next item in the works is a second McCalls bomber jacket, this time in a quilted floral print knit!! I definitely have flowers on the brain, lol:) Bye for now!
 


































   

DIY Cape

"After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means."

  Luke 8:1-3

      Hey y'all!!! I'm very excited about my latest make!! This super-easy DIY Asymmetrical Cape is from a post Margo had on her blog. I liked her "Lumberjack Chic" version so much I got a fabric in a similar plaid. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery after all;) This is one of those truly "instant gratification" projects. Basically a rectangle of fabric, folded with a zipper on one side.

 

     I recently made this "carseat poncho"for my son using the same idea (minus the fringe & zipper). Since the fleece is stretchy, I just left an opening big enough for his head to poke through!:) Its very handy to get him to and from the car. I take it right off once he's buckled in though, otherwise he would get too hot. I love it & I use it all the time!:)

    

   Hmmm, I may make another with large button holes to pull a belt through and cinch it at the waist!

Exposed zipper & edges fringed:)

Well, thats all for today folks! Next blog post will be another McCalls 6886 t-shirt dress. Til next time!:)