Where did September go?

So much for September being (at least in the US) Sewing Month! Things have been slow around here, as far as sewing.

On Friday I managed to cut the Burda dress above. The temperatures around my area have gone up again so I decided to go ahead and make a sleeveless dress.

I have been trying to finish a quilt which is a gift for a newborn baby. I decided to quilt inside the rectangles and while I like how it is turning out it is taking longer to finish than I thought. Of course it doesn't help that I have been having a flare up with the back/leg pain; it's time to have some diagnostics tests done.

Stay well and happy sewing!

How visible are you?

I recently discovered a new (to me) blog Not Dead Yet Style, catchy name no? I have enjoyed reading it so I decided to participate in Visible Monday.

The dress above I made last summer and I love it. I have always loved red (and orange as well) and while I feel very visible in this color, I also feel very me when wearing it. How many things stay constant through the years? not many.

My first thought when I started to write this post is that as sewers, knitters/crocheters of garments we want to be noticed, but always in a good way! We are proud of producing one of a kind and well fitted garments. I enjoyed the creative process and everything in between that leads to a garment I can be proud to wear and say "I made it!" if complemented on it.

How do you feel visible?

Verena Knitting Summer 2009 #6 Apricot A line tank

Here it is this very simple to knit tank top with a swingy hem which you get with uniformly adding stitches. One thing I love about Verena Knitting magazine patterns is the finishing details, in this case you are instructed to finish the armholes and neckline with crochet, it makes all the difference in my opinion to a well constructed knitted garment.

This picture taken before blocking

The magazine shows this top being worn over a breezy blouse; I plan to extend the wearability by also using it as a layering piece once it gets cooler.

I used a linen yarn, more details at Ravelry.

This morning I had a very early appointment and it put me in a neutral color mood, I also wore a light tan cardigan for the cooler temperatures earlier.

A quick turn around

My son had been asking me to make him a cloak to wear to the Renaissance Festival for a while and I had procastinated, so when the time came I had to hustle. The fabric, 6 yards of a wool/poly blend crepe from Fabric Mart Fabrics arrived on Friday at 3:00. It went into the dryer to pretreat as I prepared the pattern and readied the floor for cutting since my table was not big enough for cutting this full length cloak. The cloak was done Saturday afternoon in time for my son and his friends to attend the festival on Sunday morning.

I used McCalls 5957 and cut a men's medium, my son is 13 years old and 5'11". The shoulder pad was added as per his design; I have used this pad shape many times before out of this Simplicity pattern reduced in size for his smaller shoulders. He made the pattern for the hand appliqued to the pad. The closure I found of all places at Michael's craft store. Except for hems all construction was done on the serger for speed.

It gives me great joy to be able to render my son's vision for his costume. Every year he has a new idea which becomes a wonderful collaboration to bring the project to its ta-dah! moment.

Vogue 1179

This dress has been made many times by many sewists but mine is super special because the fabric was given to me by my friend Andrea =)

I knew right away that this was the pattern for this rayon blend knit. The fabric feels great, very "buttery" and the colors were so summery I hurried up and used it so I could wear it this summer.

The pattern is simple to make, comfy to wear and stylish (I think!). I was having trouble with the side seams puckering and not hanging right, so I stabilized them as I was sewing them with Seams Great(as were the shoulder seams). The hem I stabilized with a strip of fusible tricot interfacing.

One thing to note is that the armscye in this pattern is very high, which is very different for Big Four patterns.

I have one more summery garment to show you (knitted top) and then I will start on cooler weather projects. First I have to make a baby quilt for a gift and quickly (hopefully!) make up a cloak for my youngest who with his friends is attending the Maryland Renaissance Festival in costume.

Happy Sewing!