March Challenge #9......... Newlook 6922

Taadaaaaa!!!!!! I did it.......Yes I did it, I couldn't believe it myself. My first self imposed sewing challenge ever. It was a great challenge and like I said in my previous post I enjoyed every bit of it. Not only did I sew, it was quality sewing, I added some few professional touches to all the garments and I made sure I finished every garment neatly, I wasn't in any hurry at all to finish them (except for the white shirt...lol which I have refinished) and I am so glad I spent those extra minute/hour to perfect them. However, I am still a work in progress and I hope to do more of this and learn more.

Most importantly I am so grateful to all of you for all your nice comments and beautiful encouragements...You all rock!!!.

For the finale, I made a cardigan instead of a jacket, this is so nice for spring and when I tried it over my dress  it was like a marriage made in heaven.....I will be making this again in a spring color... I will post a picture of me wearing the garments when hubby is around ....but for now please enjoy these shots........................

Fabric: A lightweight sweater knit from Fabricland

Pattern Description: wardobe knit pattern consisting of cardigan, pants, top, and dress

Pattern Sizing: 10-22, I cut 14 and graded up to 16 from waist down

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?: Absolutely yes

Were the instructions easy to follow: Super duper easy

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: Not so much
(1)I added 1" to the sleeve
(2)I reduced the sleeve width by 0.5" (was too wide for me)
(3)I bond the armhole and the facing with seam binding
(4)I shortened the length by 2"
(5)I coverstitched the sleeve and the hem

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Nothing to dislike.... Nice for spring and those early summer cold weather

Would you recommend it to others? Yes....

Conclusion: Beautiful and easy pattern, I will make one more in a springy color...and I am making a cream color top to wear under................

Refinished cuffs..(from previous post)

Thank you all so much and enjoy the rest of the week...

Aminat

March Challenge #8...........Butterick 5284

One more to go and am done......This has been a great challenge so far and I am honestly enjoying every aspect of it.... To complete the 3 shirts as stated in the side bar, I made this lovely ruffle butterick 5284 shirt. For unknown reason I spent so much time on this project than expected, it was so dragging and I was lazy to finish it. I started on Friday evening and was so busy with kid activities on Saturday and when I had time later that day I just didn't  feel like sewing,, same story on Sunday, but later that evening around 10pm  I started working on it again and was so determined to finish it, eventually it was done at  1(one) am this morning...sigh, and it was like a 50pd weight off my shoulder....lol... The review goes

 

 

 

 

Fabric: 100% cotton shirting fabric from fabricland
Pattern Description: Shirts A, B, C, D have front band, collar, collar band and sleeve variations. A: self-double ruffles and cuff with slit. B: flounce, front and back darts. B, C, D: gathered sleeves with continuous lap and cuff. C: front panel with tucks. D: front and back

darts, ribbon sash

Pattern Sizing: 8 - 22. I cut the 14 and graded up to a 16 from the waist to the hem

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?: Yes Were the instructions easy to follow: Very easy, I followed it throughout because I wasn't just in the mood to use another technique , great instruction and easy to followPattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
(1) I lenghtened by 2"
(2) I sewed in french seam throughout even for the armhole
(3) I shortened the collar and collar band width by 0.5"
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Nothing to dislike I love the ruffle and the shirt variations
Would you recommend it to other? Absolutely, it's a great wardrobe builder and the details are exquisite
Conclusion: Great shirt,  am looking at the views C and D but not sure when I will be making them.

CAN YOU SPOT A MISTAKE? ...Look again at the sleeve cuffs...ahahah..lol. I will fix that later


Ok gotta go now....lol. I will start the last project tomorrow and hopefully finish and post before midnight Wednesday....

Have a great week everyone.

Enjoy!!!!

Aminat

March Challenge #7.........Kwik Sew 3625

I am really getting there. This time I didn't start any pattern from scratch, I reused my one and only TNT pant pattern KwikSew 3625, I am so much in love with this pattern that I am finding it difficult to use another pattern. You can read the review here. This is my third time of making it,  the first one was a wearable muslin, the second was paired with simplicity vest and this is the 3rd one, and everytime I make this I fall more in love with it....lol..
I used navy blue Garbadine from Fabricland..., I enjoyed working with this fabric, its so smooth and nice to iron.....
The only thing I did differently with this version is that I scooped out 0.5" from the front waist, I started from the middle and tapered to nothing on the front sides and I added a ribbon to hang it......
So here are some pictures from my dearest amateur photographer.....lol

Have a lovely weekend everyone

Enjoy!!!!

Aminat

March Challenge #6........ Simplicity 2455

I am still here and doing my thing.... I will be so happy if I can accomplish my set sewing goals for this month, but let's just wait and see..................Here is my review of thread simplicity 2455 dress..... I love this dress, the colour of my fabric and the simplicity of the pattern...just like the name says.....lol...

Inside look of the sleeve

Fabric: Suiting fabric with a little bit of stretch from Fabric land

Pattern Description: 2455 Misses' Sportswear...Threads Collection. Misses' dress or top, pants and jacket sewing patterns.

Pattern Sizing: K5, 10-16. I cut 14 upper and graded to 16 from hip down
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? For most part, except I didn't make the belt

Were the instructions easy to follow: Nothing can be easier.....

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I didn't really do much alteration.
(1) I made 3/4" swayback adjustment
(2) I didn't put the zipper, because when I tried it to check the fit, I realised the stretch in the fabric is enough to put it on/out so I omitted the zipper.......

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Nothing to dislike at all, I love the style and the fit

Would you recommend it to others? Absolutely......stylish, simple and can be worn as you desire

Conclusion: I am getting in love with threads collection now...lol, I have not been disappointed so far with any of their patterns.. I might be making this again in another fabric that will require lining.... I love it

Have a wonderful week everyone

Enjoy!!!!

Aminat

March challenge #5....................Butterick 4789

A lovely Maggy London twist dress B4789, easy,  simple and flattering.........most importantly 2 piece pattern, less than 3 hours project nothing can be better.......lol... So here is the review.....................

Fabric: Matte Jersey


Pattern Description: Pullover top and dress have twisted front detail, back darts, extended shoulders, v-neckline front and back. dress is 2" below mid-knee length.

Pattern Sizing: Sizes 8-14........... I cut size 14


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


Were the instructions easy to follow: Very easy.....


Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: Not really much.  I stabilized the twist hole and used steam-a seam for bonding all the hem lines and finished them on my CS machine


What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like everything, nothing to dislike at all.....


Would you recommend it to others? Highly recommend


Conclusion: Very easy and simple dress..................

PS
Please let me know if you like this fabric, I have more yardage left...Thanks

Enjoy!!!!!

Aminat

March Challenge #4..........Simplicity 2475

Still doing my thing...lol. Simplicity 2475 skirt pattern was used for the pencil skirt, but I must warn this pattern runs so huge, although I knew about this earlier because I read the review on PR, I just love the style and I thought I could make it work, I am glad I did because it's so flattering on me....wink. I chopped off a total of 4" on the waist i.e 2" on each side and about 0.5" on the hip.

Because I knew before hand, I didn't do any wedge alteration on the back piece like I normally would, but I folded out 0.5"on the front piece and tappered to nothing on the sides like I showed in my previous post.

I fully lined the skirt by folding out the pleats on both back and back side pieces to make the lining pieces...as shown below.

Back

I am really getting "gooder" inserting invisible zipper now...lol

Lining pattern pieces

Fabric: Suiting fabric from fabricland, it has a little bit of spandex to it

Pattern Description: Amazing Fit - sewing pattern skirts. Misses'/miss petite skirt sewing pattern in two lengths with individual pieces given for slim, average, and curvy fit.

Pattern Sizing:  16-24.. I cut size 16 curvy

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?:  Nope mine is curvier.....

Were the instructions easy to follow: Very easy and even shows how to fit the skirt on the sides. I didn't actually follow it because I have made yoked skirt before.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: Like I said, above....in addition, I attached the lining to the yoke facing

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the style. This is actually my first pencil skirt ever made. My dislike is the too much ease....

Would you recommend it to others? Yes, just be prepared to work with the unnecessary ease

Conclusion: Great style , and nice skirt for work or casual.....

Now to the next project...You all have a lovely Weekend....

Enjoy!!!!

Aminat

March Challenge #3........... Simplicity 2451

The first skirt in the March challenge. I revisited my simplicity 2451. I didn't make much modification to this version, but I  added 2 " to the sides and center back pattern and removed 1" from the waist. I cut size 16 in the earlier version which maked it snuggle on the hip until I  reduced the seam allowances to 1/4" before it could fit. So this time
(1)I added the extra needed and reduced the waist as well
(2)I didn't put the tab .
(3)I fully lined the skirt using Sharon's technique,
(4)Used invisible zipper like the first one

This skirt fits like a charm, I love it so much and very comfy to wear with the bemberg lining. The fabric is 100% italian wool from fabricland , but it's soft and drapy, and has been in my stash since 2008, it goes very well with my Mccall's shirt and of course nicer on me than the dress form.....wink!!!!!!!
 

Invisible zipper 

Pocket detail(shining due to reflection)

Topstitching detail

I received several emails about how I did the wedge alteration on the skirt, so I am posting the pictures as well.
 

Back Wedge on the side and center back pieces

 

Front alteration on side and center front pieces

You all have a good one....So off to the cutting table for my next pencil skirt.....
 

Enjoy!!!!

Aminat

March Challenge (#2).........

Yes another shirt for the office, I am really rocking this pattern lol. This time I made view D in a light weight broadcloth. I have one more to go , but not sure if I will make the last one with this pattern...... who knows.....

I bought this fabric because of the colour which I really love .....

I stabilized/finished  the shoulder seam with seam binding because of the weight of the fabric and as usual, I bond the armhole.

So here it is......... yet to do the buttonholes & buttons 

My junior photographer chopped off the head.....

You all have a wonderful week

Enjoy!!!!!

Aminat

March Challenge (#1).........Mccall's 6035

As per my earlier post, I am now working on my March challenge. I am planning on making about 10 garments this month... So here is the first, I used my wearable muslin to make this shirt in another beautiful checks fabric.

 

Needs real pressing 

Close-up 

Arm-hole finishing

Remember I said I didn't make any alteration on the muslin, but with this version I made a few, and here they are:

(1) I reduced the sleeve cuff by 1"
(2) Removed 0.5" for the neck band
(3) Removed 0.5" from the collar
(4)Bond the armhole with bias tape

Alterations (2, 3) were necessary because when I measured the collar on one of my RTWs, the band was 1" and the collar was 1.5" but this pattern had excess. I am so glad I reduced the collar, I wouldn't have liked it. On my next pair I am going to remove another 0.5" from the collar. Overall, I love this shirt, great wardrobe builder but  I am so much in love with the colour, a  stretch cotton  fabric I got from Fabric land.

Enjoy!!!!!!! And more later

Aminat