Tropical Body-Con Dress, McCalls 7531

"God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

1 Peter 5:5-7

***Update*** Time got away from me, so I ended up using this dress for my "Pin it Sew it" entry.  I made my dress not thinking of using it for the event, but since I didn't have time to make something new, I decided to use it last minute! Lol. My inspiration Pin was maxi-length but I preferred to do mine knee length.

 


   

 
 












   Hey friends!:) My planned pattern hack didn't turn out as great as I was expecting. *Sigh*. It was supposed to be a sarong dress with this same tropical knit fabric. After a sewing fail its always nice to do an "immediate gratification" project, lol! This McCalls's pattern didn't have any reviews yet (at least I haven't seen any posted) but I hoped it would work ok. I love how it turned out! I think I'll get lots of wear out of this casual t-shirt dress!:)

  This is a "Learn to Sew for fun" patten, so there are a ton of tips and detailed explanations geared  for beginners. I glanced at them and they seem alright. I made view A.

   I removed the 5/8" seam allowance on the neckline (and then another 1/4", since I preferred the neck slightly larger. I probably could've taken even more, just my preference). My dress neck circumference was then about 28". I cut a neckband (2" wide, folded in half) to be about 24.5"plus SA. I attached the band to the neckline using a 1/2" seam allowance. I also shortened & curved the the sleeve a bit to be more like a favourite RTW top.

   I've made a bunch of knit dresses, but they usually have ruching. This one doesn't and has a curved centre-back seam, which is good for shaping. I may shorten the waist length a bit next time (maybe a 1/4").

       I had to use a slightly smaller seam allowance up top (waist up). I think my fabric is not quite as stretchy as the pattern recommends. Its a more "stable" knit, as opposed to a slinky 4-way stretch that would probably be best for this pattern. Unless I've already used a pattern, I always use a loose basting stitch to quickly sew the main seams of a dress together to check the fit (rather than do a proper muslin. I just can't be bothered for the most part, lol).

         Next up is a more relaxed-fitting summer dress in this rather 80's/early 90's looking tropical print rayon! I cut it out last night, will hopefully get at it tonight:)

Have a great day everyone!

Mother's Day Dress!:) McCalls 7465

"As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem."

Isaiah 66:13

      Happy Monday! And a (late) Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!:) Great Mother's Day message at service yesterday (on Hannah) & spent the afternoon hanging out with my boys & out to dinner in the evening with my husband while my own wonderful mom babysat!:) My oldest son likes to see me in dresses now and will say smile & say, "Mommy pretty" whenever I wear one!:) So sweet!

         I wasn't planning to have a special Mother's Day dress until the weekend! I cut it out Friday afternoon and sewed it up Saturday night after putting the boys to bed. I was on a mission, lol. I sewed like a madwoman trying to get it done! Because I was determined to wear it next day, I decided to sew it pretty much as directed and take note of any changes for the next one! I know! I know! Its not a good idea to sew in a hurry (bad Rikki!) but I took my chances, lol! I've had this pattern for a few months now and decided I needed to make it *now* after seeing Margo's two gorgeous versions!

 

        This fabric is a bright floral, textured knit. I think it was like, $4.99/m at Fabricville!

 Although I do quite like my dress, but I'm not so sure about the "blousy" look on me! May be because the fabric doesn't have a lot of drape. Definitely needs a belt. I'll probably shorten and narrow the waist next time. I think I may apply the elastic a little differently too.
   

               My next project *will* be my Hawaiian sarong dress! I really would like to get it done this week! I'm also am planning a couple of receiving blankets for my friend who is having a baby girl!:)
Til next time! Have a great day everyone!:)

High School Jacket Down-Size!:)

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

Hebrews 11:6

        Hey everybody!:) I finished taking in my jacket a few weeks ago, but just getting around to blogging about it now! I've been sewing a lot even though I've been slack on keeping up here. I just finished a rag quilt for my son. His birthday is coming up and he's *obsessed* with blankets these days! Very excited to give it to him!:) There's an event that the ladies on "That Sewing Blab" have started, "Pin it, Sew it", so that'll be the subject of my next post!:)

      Down-sizing my beloved (huge) High School jacket was trickier than I had anticipated. Mostly because it was shaped like a bag, lol (not even joking).  I'm sure I tried it on a million times! Turning it inside-out, right-side on, checking the fit, good grief I'm glad its done:p!! I detached the cuffs from the sleeves and simply tried to take in the sides of the jacket and lining separately but it looked *awful*. I ended up pinning it down the centre from the outside, smoothing it out and pinning out (photos below). I'm not going to go into too much detail, I think the photos are pretty self-explanatory anyway. I hemmed the bottom with bias tape and the sleeves using a technique on another jacket I have, so there'd be no stitching visible. The main jacket sleeve was left longer, while the lining was cut shorter & sewn together (sleeve pulled through the bottom hem and stitched by machine).

My only pic from my High School days! Man I loved that jacket!:)

Pinned down the middle, smoothing  and pinning outwards.

Used a RTW jacket as a guide to add a bit of shaping.

Used a jacket pattern piece to help with sleeve curve.

Bias tape hem & put the original draw-string back through.