Mccall's 6886...

What not to love?  The pattern, the style, number of pattern pieces or  design simplicity?
I spent approximately 2-1/2 hours making this beautiful dress, including pattern alterations, cutting and sewing. I am trying to gradually getting back to sewing and blogging so I will be starting with this little number so help me God....Please see pattern review below.

Fabric: Stripe Ponte from my local Fabricland.

Pattern Description: Close fitting, pullover dresses have neckline variations and stitched hems

Pattern Sizing: E5- 14 to 22. I started with size 14  and graded to 16 from hip down, but I should have cut 12  and graded to 14 because the pattern runs a little big IMO.I had to remove at least 1" each from both sides.

Were the instructions easy to follow:  They should be easy I guess but I didn't use them

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I made few alterations;
1. Cut view D and lengthened by 1"
2. I did 1" sway back
3. Added 2" to sleeve hem

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Only dislike is the extra fabric in the back even with the swayback adjustment, but not a deal breaker at all, I still love the dress. Next time I will cut 2 back pieces, instead of on-fold and insert exposed zipper.....
All in all great pattern and great wardrobe builder

 Enjoy!!!

Simplicity 2215 Skirt - A Cynthia Rowley Pattern

First of all, I want to thank you all for all the wishes and prayers. I am feeling much better now and trying to take a day at a  time all , I give all Glory to Almighty God for everything.
To jump start my sewing, I made this beautiful S2215 pattern in a rich oriental brocade fabric. These pictures didn't do justice to the skirt at all but I will share anyway until I am able to showcase it better.

 

My Review
Fabric: Oriental Brocade lined with a beautiful pink silk cotton
Pattern Sizing: 14 to 22. I cut size 16 and modified the waist to fit.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?: Pretty much
Were the instructions easy to follow: I didn't pay attention to the instructions until I wanted to insert the zipper on the pocket, which I didn't understand at all, I eventually removed the pocket from the side the zipper was inserted.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I lengthened by 4", lined the skirt and  omitted one pocket
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Nothing to dislike, though would have preferred deeper pleats, but still love how this turned out .
Conclusion: Very great pattern

It's official

It's official, have joined Victoria's Fearless February Sew-along. I have to do something that will take me out of my comfort zone. My plan this year is to make challenging outfits that will include some tailoring techniques, make a LBD, some jackets with details, learn some new techniques, stop being afraid of many pattern pieces especially Vogue patterns, improve my overall sewing skill and be a better blogger.
 Am sure this sew-along will be a perfect fit for me as long as am true to myself, focus and take a challenge at a time. Personally this won't just be Fearless February but Fearless 2013.  It's going to be a really mojo booster, will help me to stop procrastinating, and  get down to business, so thanks Victoria for hosting the sewalong there is never a better time.
 Let's get started ladies and gents, the more the merrier.........

Newlook 6648......

Another easy pattern Newlook 6648,  Have I mentioned how much I love few pieces patterns?  they are great mojo boosters. I made this in less than 3 hours . I have read from other reviewers how wide the neck is, so I made these few modifications to mine.

1. Reduced the front neck by 1.5"  and the back neck 1" 
2. Lowered the front neck by 1" so that it can sit nicely on my chest
3. Lengthened the bodice by 2" 
4. I stabilized the neck and the sleeve with interfacing,  folded and sewed down, I did not use the neck band

I used Mate Jersey from my stash and it sewed up like breeze. This is a great and simple pattern, very flattering on every shape. Highly recommend

Enjoy the rest of your week.......

Simplicity 2599..Again

This is my go to pattern for motivation. Have made it several times and most recently here.
I did some few things differently from the previous versions though, these were;

1. 1/2" FBA
2. I lengthened by 2"
3. I curved out the hem, for more feminine look...   

Enjoy the rest of your week....

 

Butterick 5562....

This space has been neglected for too long....sigh, I know , I know have been a bad blogger but I just couldn't find time or motivation to blog . Winter season is always busy at work, I hardly have anytime for myself, I work for an Engineering consulting firm and work can be so crazy in the winter season. I always look forward to the Summer months when things slow down a bit....However, I guess  am getting back to my normal self ....another sigh.... Enough said lol. Here is one quick top I made yesterday to jump start . I fell in love with this pattern because of the sleeves and aren't I glad I bought it?. It's a flattering , quick and simple top to make, highly recommend.....

Here are details of few alterations I made to the pattern
1. I cut medium and lengthened by 1"
2. Did  1/2 inch dart-less FBA as shown in the pics.
3. Used 1/4 inch steam-a-seam to press down the neckline and the sleeves-hem and turned in another 1/4" before I sewed it down......... viola !!!! a hot pink top made with a moderately stretch knit..

Enjoy!!!

Mcalls 5523....Misses straight skirt

A wardrobe staple Mcalls 5523. I completed this project last weekend but didn't have time to finish the hem. Another quick and easy project
I love everything about the pattern, very easy and flattering, it’s officially my TNT. I made a wearable muslin from old denim that’s been in my stash forever, and that too is going to het lots of wear.

Fabric: 100% wool, and lined with Bemberg lining
Pattern Description: Straight skirt, mid-knee length, has side zipper and faced waistline; Skirt A has shaped lower back flounce; Skirt B has pleated lower back; Skirt C has gathered lower back with self-fabric ruffle; Skirt D has two lower back flounces
Pattern Sizing: 12-14-16-18 , I cut between 12 &14 at the waist and graded up to 16 just below the waist
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?: Pretty much, but love mine better…wink
Were the instructions easy to follow? Absolutely, I only checked for the pleats direction
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: My usual alteration on pants and skirts as shown below.
I added 1” wedge, so that the back wont be jumpy when I wear it, and I lined it as the pattern didn`t call for lining.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like everything , more importantly I can wear it with any top....

Stay Tuned for more!!!!!!

Butterick 5488.....

Another easy and simple dress. The only thing I dislike about  this pattern is that it runs so big, I cut my usual size 14, but  removed at least 4" total to make it look flattering and I lengthened by about  2", no other major alteration, every other thing was straight from the envelop..... few hrs later I was done . Another wardrobe staple to be worn with tights and high boots.
Here is my version: I used a knit polyester fabric that's just a bit over 1 m.

Worn with cardi

No Cardi

I guess I like it more with the cardi. I wore it to work today, our weather has been so nice since Tuesday with the chinook  , but I am sure it won't be around for long, I better enjoy my dresses now......

Enjoy!!!

Butterick 5260.....

I am gradually coming out of my shell...... I used this B5260  to jumpstart the mojo, less than 3 hrs project...Hopefully it stays around for a long time because have got nothing to wear.....This pattern is actually an OOP  tunic pattern, I have made it before here so all the review is available there. I just lengthened the pattern to make a dress instead.

 I wore this to work today with tight and knee-length boots.......

Stay tuned for more!!!!!!

Another Simple Top S2554

Another easy and quick one I made last Thursday, The fabric is a bit stretchy not sure of the fiber content but it's some kind of knit, very soft and lovey but I have just enough to make this top. Also have made the view F of this pattern before and love everything about the pattern, so this is just another quick top for me, I used the serger blade to finish the ruffle by removing the serger threads so that the cut can be even. These are all mojo booster, have got lots to sew but I have to start from somewhere ..... right?...wink.
So here is another one of those.

 Please stay tuned for more!!!!!!

 

Colorphobia

I used to be so much afraid of colors before I started sewing and blogging,.... my wardrobe used to be all black, brown, navy blue and in short mostly not so colourful solid fabrics, but since I started sewing and blogging...boy I have been seeing lovely fabrics both in print and solid beautiful colors that my fellow bloggers sew, and that has really helped me to step out a little bit....ah ah..... But now sistahs/broders, I am stepping even further out of my comfort zone, I want to be liberated....ahahahah lol.... I want to try colors, lovely prints, beautiful solids and do something I wouldn't have done ordinarily....................

So, dear bloggers seat back and see Aminat in action....lol although there might still be some solids but in vibrant colors, I might still do some of my old self...You all know it’s not easy to change, it’s a work in progress, but I will try as much as possible to include at least one vibrant colour in my projects......

Beautiful colors are not only beautiful, they are very liberating, they change your mood positively, you feel alive in them and most importantly they are great mojo boosters... So dear friends, are you color phobia, trying to be liberated just like me, or already a pro?... Please, I would like to know I am not alone in this.... Let’s get going friends..............


Enjoy the rest of the week you all and let me know what you feel...............

Enjoy!!!!

Aminat

Where is my mojo???

I want it back right now...I have lots of beautiful fabrics in spring colors but can't get around them. I joined a stash buster sew along at a local meet up, joined the spring top sew along, and I have been seeing all the beautiful things my peeps are making, that should be enough to jump start my mojo right? .....uuuummmmh let's wait and see......

In another news, my hubby is back from his vacation and he brought these lovely African fabrics in nice and beautiful colors, I am still finding it hard to decide what I will be making with them but I have to narrow down my pattern choices because every pattern I see I want to make.......lol...

These are 100%  light weight cotton, common in West Africa (mostly Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea and other African countries), they are folded in 6 yards each...so that's a total of additional 36 yards to my stash....lol...

Weekend is almost here, I pray it brings some mojo booster and sewing time along.....

Enjoy the rest of the week everyone

Aminat

This is what am talking about...............Newlook 6429

Thank you all for all your wonderful comments on my last post. That dress really made me look 10 years older and it's a goner, goner goner............lol. I nearly lost my mojo after making it, but fortunately got  it back from my TNT pattern.....................

Talking about the right dress... I love my Newlook 6429. This is my second time of making this dress and I am still very much in love with it...  I am (hopefully) going to make every version....lol....

Here is the first one and you can read the review there as well. However, I did some quality sewing with this version:

(1) I finished  the armhole SA with seam binding
(2) I slipstitched the neck facing
(3)I bond the hem with lite steam- a-seam and this time used my coverstitch machine to finish it. 

Next time I will add about 1" to the sleeve if I have to make this long sleeve again ,I forgot to do the flat measurement of the sleeve before cutting the fabric so I had to do 1/4"  on the cuffs and armhole... it  looks pretty nice  on me and I love it............................

Here are some pictures for you...........................wink

Close-up

Armhole

 Happy Valentine's everyone...

Enjoy!!!!!!

Aminat