Fearless February Sewing Plan

Hi All, I  know it's been ages but my sewing mojo has gone hiatus recently due to job commitment and deadlines, by the time am home from work I am so exhausted that sewing is the last thing on my mind.  But during a recent site visit to SK I was able to attend a 3 day class hosted by Ron Collins of Power Sewing. It was an excellent event  and  I plan to incorporate some of my new learned skills in my fearless February garments. My list for the sew-along will include;
1. A jacket with bound buttonholes, and welt pockets
2. A lace dress, or lace (skirt and top)
3. A vogue dress
4. Some tops
Hope I am not over ambitious but will try and stick to the plan and take a day at a time.
What are sewing plans for the new month?
Happy February all and happy sewing.

Fearless Jacket - Newlook 6188 - Done

I finished this jacket about two weeks ago but couldn't find the right buttons to use, you know this little thing can make or break a project. I was able to get one but not the best I wanted, though will suffice for now.
My sewing mojo went  hiatus due to recent flu that's been going on in my little corner of the world, and being the mom  (aka caregiver) to the kids and hubby,  I eventually broke down too with fever, cough and body aches, it's been so terrible, have been off work since Tuesday afternoon, but thank God things are getting better, my peeps are back to work and school, I just need sometime for me.
While all that was going on, I was able to complete two new office shirts as well. Full reviews will follow later;  please enjoy these for now..

Parting shots, my 7 year old made me a matching purse........ wink

Fearless Jacket - Newlook 6188 - Progress

Hi all, thanks so much for all your comments on my  Newlook 6188 jacket. The whole process really got me thinking  about my main goal of joining the fearless sewalong, aftersome thought I came into a conclusion, I re-cut the back and front bodice and exercised as much patience as possible to join them perfectly, afterall "what is fearless if I am fearful". Few hours later I got an excellent matching plaids and am so proud of myself.
I even did a bit of couture sewing (if that's what's called) I used tie neck interfacing to gather the armhole for sleeve placement, this method worked perfectly without any puckering. Got a bag full of ties for $2 at the thrift shop which I will also be using to make some bias strip for future use.
 I added a real pocket instead of ordinary welt by combining view A welt and view B pocket, I also removed the chest welt because I don't really like any detail in this area.
So far here are what have got, I am working on the lining, hopefully I will have it done in few days
What do you think fellas?

Fearless Jacket - Newlook 6188 - Pls Help

OK ladies and gents in the house, I am starting with the first project on the list, Newlook 6188 jacket something just drew me to this pattern immediately I saw it, maybe the style or the perfect fabric in my stash, or combination of the two....
Have had the fabrics (Lining and Shell) since 2010 and you won't believe where I got the two from WALMART, when it used to be walmart..... (selling fabric).
The initial thought I had for the fabric was to make the popular vogue Chanel jacket, but  I don't have to deceive myself, I don't have neither the patience nor time for hand sewing anything, so this style fits my life-style better, who knows the time, need and patience might come one day....

I have spent more than 2 hours prepping the fabric and the pattern. I made some alterations based on my measurement, these were;

1. 1/2" FBA
2. 2" sway-back adjustment
3. Steamed the fabric and interfaced
4. Cut the fabric and lining
5. Shell sewing in - progress

Because of my impatience, I didn't single cut the fabric to match the plaid, I used a method thought by Ron Collins, where you fold the fabric into two and pin about 4" apart to match the front and back plaid.(which I have used in the past and worked so well), but due to the unevenness of the plaid , I spent way too much time doing this, and if you look closely you will notice that the left back&front patterns didn't match well with the center back and front, I have tried and used every method I know but couldn't make the match, I will say the issue is due mostly to the plaid and a bit of impatience. I should have been more patient ...mmmm,  it's a virtue I am constantly praying for.
I will like to go ahead and not sweat this but I am just not sure because I want this to look professionally fearlessly made.....when I asked my husband he couldn't see anything wrong with it, but I don't think he's the best candidate for this job. So fellas what do you think to go ahead or try another fabric? Please advise.

Look closely to the left

 Look closely to the left

PS;

If you are interested in the thread magazine giveaway, please don't forget to leave a comment on the post here, the draw is this Friday February 8th



Fearless February one down - Newlook 6130

There is nothing to this pattern  because it's been made more than 2 times, one being here, but I usually like to start a new challenge with something easy before I move up gradually to my goal. My plan for the fearless February is to make some improvement in my sewing skill.  Here is my list of things I have in mind for the challenge( in no particular order) but mostly depend on my mood
Hope am not being over ambitious, but let's wait and see .

1. A jacket ( With some details, must include lining, and fit to my satisfaction)
2. A LBD ( Must be fully lined and fit to my satisfaction)
3. A pant (This is going to be my major challenge )
4. Two Tops (Not just easy tunics)
5. A skirt (Let's see how it goes, must be lined)

Now to Newlook 6130, the only alterarion I did this time around was
1. Lowered the neck
2. Interfaced the neck, and the arm-holes for stability, and;
3. Added lining .Yes I used the bagging method, it's so easy to do and am becoming more comfortable with the technique and  plan to use it more.
I love the lining fabric so much, some kind of knit fabric from fabricland and the shell fabric was the reminant (ponte knit) from my previous project.

 
                                      
                                  

Have a great week all !!!

 

Color Blocking with Butterick 5677 - Done

This dress was generally easy to make but time consuming. I find it difficult to quantify the amount of time I spent due to distractions here and then, but all in all it was well worth's all the efforts.
Pattern review after the pictures: Sorry for my look in these pictures, they were taken after a long day at work;

Pattern review:
Fabric: Ponte and Tricot knits from Fabricland, these fabric have been in my stash for about two years. Pattern Description: Close fitting, lined dress has cap sleeves, front and back seam details, exposed zipper
Pattern Sizing: I cut size 14 for bodice and graded up to 16 from waist down using the waist markings and  pattern line drawings .
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing it?: Pretty much I will say
Were the instructions easy to follow: So easy, especially with the pattern numbering, the odd and even pattern pieces were grouped by colour which makes it so easy
 Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:  I did few to achieve my desire look.

1. I lengthened the hem by 2", I could have added more because I had to reduce the hem to 1/4" from 1 1/4" which makes a total extra length of 3"
2. I interfaced the neckline
3. I used invisible zipper
4. Used bagging method for the lining,

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Love the style and the fit.
Would you recommend it to others?: I highly recommend to everyone who likes the style. I think one of this style is enough for me, so won't be making it again.
Conclusion: One of the reasons I joined the Fearless February sewalong  (though not February yet...) is to sew outside my comfort zone, with this pattern, I will say I have been able to achieve at least this goal. I have used the bagging method of lining once and only in jacket lining, I never knew I could do the same with dress, until I read mimig blog's  where she mentioned  the process again and that was when it occurred to me that I could do the same with my dress. I plan to use this method more in any sewing that involves lining, because of the cleaner and more professional finish .
I am still a work in progress but enjoying every process.
Lesson's Learned: Bagging method of lining dress

Color-blocking with Butterick 5677 Part 1

With commitment comes  responsibility right. Based on my previous post on Fearless February  that I will try as much as possible to update my blog regularly, so am starting the challenge with Butterick 5677 pattern.

This is a well drafted pattern, the center back piece pattern was drafted to follow the back curve, which eliminates the need for a sway back adjustment. 

So far these are what have done
1. Dress sewn and zipper in (not exposed zipper)
2. Lining in progress
3. Basted the back and the front together to check fit, fine so far

Did I mention Ponte knit is so good to sew? it's such a lovely fabric

 Full review to follow after.;

Have a great week everyone.