Complete! Simplicity 2572

Alright! My first official project using a Big 4 pattern. It turned out well, could have been better but I wanted Laila to wear it to our weekend assembly, so I was on a time constraint. I took one week to do the jumper, hoodie & diaper cover. Looking back, I'm a little surprised I finished it, because I know that I even took a couple days off from sewing.

The jumper went together pretty easily, the neck & armholes are bound by bias tape, which was a challenge, just because baby neck & armholes are so tiny. I even did my first zipper.

I sewed size XS which is rated for 1-3 months & 7-13 lbs. The hoodie has some room to grown, but the jumper...it's a little short. Which is understandable since it is a jumper, not a dress & Laila is pretty long. Comparing it to a RTW size 0-3 months shows that they are just about identical.

The hoodie was a real challenge--in a good way. Mostly. There is a place or 2 that I caught some of the jacket in the seam when I was attaching the hood, but I didn't re-do it simply because I knew it would become a wadder if I tore out one more seam. And Laila would likely grow out of it before I even got the ambition to fix it. So, I left well enough alone. And no one has been the wiser. In fact, people seem shocked that I made the outfit. I just love it when that happens.

Whole Lotta Sewin Goin On...

...in my head. I haven't actually sewed a stitch in about a week (except for some mending) but I have plans. And lots of them.

First & foremost, I am tracing Kwik Sew 3693 & should be able to start sewing it up tomorrow or Wednesday. I'll be starting with View B (the more casual of the two) and this project will be the beginning of my journey in both knits & garment making. So, it's kind of a big deal :)

I also need to post reviews of Simplicity 2572, I sewed up both the jumper & also the hoodie jacket (and matching diaper cover) & they all turned out well. Here's a sneak peak of the jumper:

I'm also trying to draft a pattern to make a pin cushion/tool organizer/thread catcher. There are some great tutorials out there (which I will share in a post to come) but I'm picky & have some specifics in mind.

I also have some gifts that I'd like to make. Coffee Cozy, anyone? And, some labels. For my new garments, of course.

So much to sew, so little time.

Body Shapes & Shopping

The things you learn from sewing. Turns out I'm Pear shaped. I probably never would have even cared if it weren't for sewing & now I feel like I'm better equipped to find a style. As a stay at home mom, I find myself in jeans & t-shirts most days, but I would love to venture out of my box.

Image Credit: The Fashionable Housewife

In an effort to start making garments for myself, I figured a good start (obviously) would be taking my own measurements. So, voila. Here they are.
High Bust: 32"
Bust: 34.5"
Waist: 32.5"
Hips: 37"

I thought it was interesting. Now, granted, my measurements are probably going to fluctuate quite a bit in the coming months (year??), being that I'm both only 3 months out from having a baby & breastfeeding. Hopefully I won't lose any more weight, but I think things are still...shifting.

Anyway. Shop Your Shape is a website I found trying to figure out what my "body type" is. You type in your measurements, where you tend to gain weight (for me, I gain it in my thighs & butt before my belly. Even when I'm pregnant).

After you do that, Shop Your Shape tells you what shape you are & what you should accentuate in your clothing choices. Then you get to see examples of outfits that would be flattering. For example:

And then it even gives you customized shopping. I didn't play with that much because I'm more interested in finding patterns for now.

Notice that the pants above have the same lines as my Yoga Pants? I'm going to have to find more trouser style patterns.

What shape are you??

So that's what polyester is.

Last week I ordered some fabric from Hancock's Fabric & it arrived on Friday. They were having a huge sale on fleece & so I picked some up. I also grabbed some 2 yards of a floral polyester that was on sale.

The "Black & Ivory Flowers on Fabric" really threw me for a loop. I was expecting something different. Something not so fancy. You know, something sort of like cotton. But not. In fact, the reason I even ordered it was because it wasn't cotton. I wanted to make myself a skirt.

The fabric I got is shiny. Smooth. Fancy, even (this coming from someone who has only worked with cottons thus far). It's beautiful. And it will make a lovely skirt-just not the one I had in mind. And google tells me that polyester is great for garments. But I think sewing this is going to be a challenge. It's silky. Slithery. This thread at Pattern Review should prove helpful when I do decide to sew it up.

Anyway, I guess this means I have a lot more to learn about fabrics. Perhaps another book is in order. At least now I know what polyester is.

Toddler Backpack

I think this is my favorite project so far. I sewed it up before starting this blog, but I thought I'd share anyway.

This pattern was complicated enough that I feel like I really learned a lot working on it, but the steps were laid out so simply that I didn't get overwhelmed.

It certainly wasn't a project that I saved money on...the fabric alone (Michael Miller's Dig It & Clown Check) cost about $20 including shipping. Plus the pattern...yikes. Let's just say I never would have spent this much on a RTW toddler backpack. But look how cute my little guy is!! All in all, I highly recommend this pattern. People cannot believe that I made it & I get at least 2 compliments whenever he wears it. I can't wait to make more.

I bought both the pattern & the fabric from Etsy. I apologize for the so-so photography--Shawn doesn't yet quite understand the "modeling" concept & the backpack just wasn't the same just hanging there.