Burda 7364

I continue sewing for summer I guess I'm not ready to let it go yet. I bought this pattern last year but didn't get around to making it and now I was inspired to use leftover from another Burda dress and an ITY knit that I purchased during NY PR weekend.

I love how easy to wear this dress is. I inserted elastic at the waist instead of the elastic/cord combination that the pattern instructs you to do.

I have plans to make up the cardigan also.

I also took some ease off the bodice since when I tried it on there was just too much around the armhole; if you look at the picture that it's how it is designed but I didn't like it on me like that.

I also raised the neckline almost an inch.

 

Neckline binding
 

 

Pattern matching, not perfect but close enough ;-)
 

Vogue 1247 The top

 For the top of this very popular pattern I used a very lightweight linen from Michael's fabrics that my mom had given me; she made a beautiful tunic with this fabric years ago.

I believe this pattern needs  a  drapier  fabric than mine even though this was one of the recommended fabrics. As you can see there is poofiness going on with my top.

While I will wear the top it is really nice for hot weather, it is not the most figure flattering top I own. Like I said before I think this needs a softer fabric.

So in full disclosure the below pictures show how this top looked on me when I was done with it, yikes!! The neckline had stretched out and I thought I could fix it by taking it in front center above the waist, which gave me that nice peak right on my belly, not an attractive look.  Of course the rectangular shape of the design did not do me any favors.

 

So I removed the binding in the front pieces, stay stitched plus the neckline and brought back to its original length. I also undid the front seam to take in the same amount above and below the waist. Of course there were all the french seams meeting at center front that had to be partially redone.

I also added a lingerie holder at the shoulders to keep the neckline in place.

Looking back I should have taken into account the very wide neckline in this design which is hard for me to pull off with my narrow shoulders and I should have thought more about my fabric choice. I won't be rushing out to make another but I'm glad I was able to save this one since I do really like the fabric.

What I'm knitting

 Although I still have knitted garments that need seaming, I didn't have anything on my needles (well I have a "Missoni" style scarf that is my easy portable project) so I started this cardigan in the spring planning I would have it for the summer to use in air conditioned rooms. The pattern is from Filati Pocket which has a great selection of styles from a number of their publications. I think this issue is still available at Barnes & Noble and Joann's.

I'm using a cotton yarn ,GGH Scarlett, which although a bit splitty, has a very pretty shine and drapes like I hope it would. This design is a nice change from the lace top I worked on before. The only deviation from stockinette stitch is the lace detail on the sleeves.

I finished the top from Vogue 1247, pictures to come later. I also have planned the next project, still summer sewing.

Just one more...I went to Ikea to buy some bedding for my oldest move to a dorm in the fall and couldn't resist this embroidered pillow. The hydrangeas are from my garden and the Dr. Seuss was a gift from the Seussical production team signed by all the kids =). In the background is a diorama made by my oldest in photo class and a picture of my boys from long ago. After I took the picture I realized there were quite a few things in it that make me smile so I had to share.

Simplicity 2599

This top was made with the fabric that I intended to use with the top of Vogue 1247, there wasn't enough fabric so I used the Simplicity 2599 thinking that I could still wear it with the skirt tucked in.
The picture was taken at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. What a fun museum! Highly recommend it!

 I did not use the facings, I made bias binding with batiste in white since I did not have enough fashion fabric. The back seam has no shaping, I kept it in since I wasn't sure if I could pull the top over my head without an opening (I can). I added a little bit of shaping at the waist in the back seam.

 I also used the binding in the armholes.

The ruffles I made using my serger. I love how you finish the edge and gather at the same time. It took me a while to get them right, but it was worth it!

I leave you with a couple more pictures of the museum.

A birthday celebration

My son turned 18 last week. Yesterday he had a second celebration with a couple of friends at home so I baked a cake and made quesadillas for them.

The cake is a recipe from Martha Stewart and the quesadillas she showed how to make on a show many years ago and have become a staple that I make for parties. It is a great recipe since you can add many things depending on what you have available. I have made them with black olives, salsa, chicken, green onions and then you can serve them with sour cream, guacamole...you get the picture. Here is a video showing you how to make them except I heat up olive oil in the pan.

The cake I have made before, yellow cake with lemon curd filling and chocolate frosting. I did not make the lemon curd, it came from a jar, but the cake and frosting I followed the recipe.

I used to watch the old Martha Stewart show but I'm not a fan of her new one. I do still go to her website from time to time.

Vogue 1247 Skirt

Obligatory shot to show pockets

Like everyone else who has made this skirt , I love it! As you can see I added quite a bit of length and it works just as well as the original short version.

The top is from Burda magazine made in 2005. Here is the review , but I'm afraid the original picture has gone missing.

 The most time consuming part of this skirt is the seam finishing and it looks so pretty you don't mind the extra time spent on making your own binding and then applying. I used a light weight cotton, and although I love it is a little too young for me but it is perfect for details like these.

The zipper does not match because it was the one I had when working in this project so I used it, after all it is an invisible zipper so it doesn't matter right?

Forida Vacation

This year for vacation we went to Florida. We spent about 5 days in Sanibel, enjoying the beach and the warm gulf waters. The rest of the time, 5 more days, we spent visiting family and surrounding attractions. Hope you enjoy my pictorial trip!

This was the start of our nature walk at "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge

The best part of Florida vacation, anoles! Used to try catching these when I was a kid, my kids still chase them.

Yum! Sea grapes...

Although we enjoyed our 4 mile walk, other than anoles and a few birds, wildlife was no where to be seen... The only alligator we saw

The shade and water provider in action

Leaving Sanibel we stopped at Edison and Ford Winter States, Ft. Myers. I fell in love with the location, the houses, porches and the gardens.

Fairy tale banyan trees

The living room at the Ford family winter home

Lunch stop in historic Ft. Myers

 Canoe trip, my boys and my niece

Homasassa Springs Wildlife Refuge State Park

Honorary Floridian hippo

Taking shelter from afternoon storm

Manatees one of the main attractions at Homasassa

Busch Gardens

One of the highlights of the Busch Gardens visit, feeding the lorikeets

Great vacation! Glad to be home!

I'm back!

I had all intentions to post while on vacation but it did not work. I have to show you the skirt from Vogue 1247, which I have worn several times and I love! I don't have a good picture to show so it will be reviewed  on my next post.

Here are pictures of my beloved Framboyan (Delonix regia), it is original from Madagascar but it is very plentiful in Cuba. I had my family drive around Sanibel/Captiva Island, where we spent part of our vacation, looking for it. More on my vacation on another post!