Shift (Dress) In Silk - New Look 6125

my mom had been wanting me to make her a dress for some time.  since school was still in it was harder to be able to do any outside sewing.  so finally i could make her her dress.  she originally wanted a solid black dress using a pretty black eyelet lace and black lining.  well, i laid the pattern pieces out on the eyelet lace and there wasn't enough.  the lady who cut it didn't know what she was doing when she cut it and gave me less than what i asked for.  it was much later after we had bought the fabric i realized this and they didn't have anymore.  so we went to JoAnn's and she found a cute patterned silk in the clearance section for $5/yd!  for the new dress she also bought a new pattern.

since my mom is short-waisted i shortened the waist of the pattern using the lines they had on there.  also, the fabric didn't need to be lined, so i took the facing pieces they had (front neck and back neck) and taped it to regular printer paper and traced around the armhole to create a facing piece that covered the neck, shoulders, and armholes.  this way i didn't need a lining and it gave the dress the stability it needed around those areas.

to finish off the hem i simply serged the edge then used the good ol' Stitch Witchery.  I knew a regular hem with a seam on the outside wouldn't look right with this silk fabric.  it was actually easier doing the hem that way too.

now i just need to get around to making her a skirt from the other fabric so it doesn't go to waste.

Feelin' Groovy - Simplicity 1609

for my latest dress i used my new favorite pattern.. as soon as i saw this pattern in an email Simplicity sent me i knew i had to buy it! hello, 1960s obsession!  so i swung by Hobby Lobby and bought it when they had their $0.99 Simplicity sale a while ago.  then came the task of finding the perfect fabric to use with the pattern.

i discovered this awesome bright floral print when my mom, my aunt, and i were shopping around in the new JoAnn they opened in KY in the small town we used to live in.  as soon as i saw it i knew it was perfect for the style of dress.

(hmm, not sure why the right picture is blurry. it def wasn't blurry in iPhoto.)

my original plan was to make the dress in the solid green view with the awesome collar.  i changed that plan when i saw this great fabric.  i knew a collar would be too much since the dress was already patterned.  my next version, though, i plan to make it with the collar.  with this pattern, i followed it to a 't'.

this pattern is very easy.  there are only four pattern pieces: back piece, front piece, back facing, and front facing.  my kind of pattern, not complicated.

when it came to the hem, i actually was able to take 3" or 4" off before hemming it.  once i cut the excess off, instead of doing a normal turned up hem, i decided to do a faced hem for the first time.  i simply took some leftover cream single fold bias tape i had an sewed it around the right side of the bottom of the dress.  once that was sewn on i pressed the bias tape down, then pressed it up against the inside of the dress so i could sew it in place.  very easy!  i am loving faced hems now!

once the dress was finished i added another little detail by sewing three white buttons on the front.  another thing i like about this pattern, is that when you sew things like buttons on it's easier because you have that front seam.

all-in-all, i really love this pattern and plan to use it quite a bit.  one change i would make though is getting the back neck to fit better.  for some reason the back neck sits out off my back.  should be an easy fix though by tweaking the back neckline darts.

after i had finished the dress i had fabric leftover and knew i couldn't just let it sit around.  so i decided to whip up a skirt.  for this skirt i used New Look 6053 i had in my pattern stash.

due to my farbic restraints i had to cut about 2"-3" off the pattern to make it fit.  since i had to cut some length off i did a faced hem using some leftover satin balnket binding i had.  i didn't have enough binding when it was folded in half, so i cut along the fold line and sewed one end of the two pieces together.  then the edge that was made by me cutting the piece apart i sewed that to the skirt bottom.  the other edge of the binding was already sealed so i was able to just sew it in place.

Retro In Lime Green & Cherries - Simplicity 2176

so for all you lovely readers who don't know, i absolutely love the 1950s and 1960s.  my love for these eras is what inspires almost all of the clothing i make for myself.  so, i was really excited when i found this awesome dress pattern by Simplicity!

Simplicity 2176

for my first version of the dress i opted for the view made from the plaid material.  this view features a flap-type band around the top of the dress.  since i have an obsession with anything cherries, i decided to make the first version from this awesome cherry print cotton i bought at Joann.  to jazz up, the top band flap i added red piping.  i love piping too, and the little hint of fun it can add to any project!

as another bonus, i added pockets to both versions of this dress.  i mean, pockets only make a dress even better!

a couple changes i made to this first version of the dress were: 1) doing box pleats at the front and back, instead of regular pleats and 2) doing a centered zipper, instead of a lapped one.  i don't know what it is, but for some reason i'm not a fan of regular pleats...but i do love me a good box pleat!  plus, box pleats are so easy to do.

to finish off the dress, i did a simple blind hem.

now i can enjoy another retro-inspired piece of clothing made by my own hands! (ps - the dress isn't lopsided, leave it to me to stand weirdly.)

once i had the cherry version of Simplicity 2176 made, i knew i HAD to use this awesome lime green pique cotton when i saw it in Hancock Fabrics.  once again, i decided to use some black piping to jazz the dress up a bit.  with this version of the dress, i didn't do the flap-like band around the top.  for the piping i added it to the outer edges of the straps, around the bottom of the top band, and along the princess seams.  also, lesson learned, put the piping in away from the edge of the fabric, instead of making it flush with the cut edges of the pieces.  i didn't realize until it was too late that i should've done that, so the bodice fits a smidgen big, but not too much to bother me or be noticeable.

i also added the awesome pockets again and did my infamous box pleats.

with this version i decided to go ahead and do the lapped zipper.

to finish off the dress i ironed up the hem then hemmed it by hand using a slip stitch.

now i have two versions of this awesome dress, and am looking to make more if i can get my hands on some awesome printed fabric.  prints i would love to use with this dress pattern include:

Really, Really Retro - Glasses Black

Amy Adams for Riley Blake, Geekly Chic, Records Teal

Ragnar, Mad Mod, Main Abstract Ecru

until next time my fabulous readers!

50s Pink Lady

Halloween is upon us and my friends are having a party at their house this weekend.  i was told to bring myself and a costume.  at first i said i probably wouldn't have a costume because i had already used up my other costume ideas: 2 yrs ago i was a hippie and last year i wore my poodle skirt.  so i got to thinkin'.  i love the 50s and 60s, so what can i do?  then it came to me!  i can be one of the Pink Ladies, from Grease.  i figured: i have the saddle shoes, i have the black skinny jeans, and i have the hair scarf.  it was a no brainer!

so i went out and bought some light pink satin when it was on sale at Jo-Ann and some black ribbing for the collar and waistband and black knit cuffs.  for the jacket, i used them same pattern from the footed pajamas, but took the kid's size large and just shortened it.  i added the knit cuffs and made a waistband and collar from the knit ribbing, which i ordered from Jo-Ann, and voila i had my jacket.

to finish up the costume i did a simple appliqué on the back of the jacket.  since it was just me being a Pink Lady i decided to do Pink Lady instead of Pink Ladies.  now if you were going out with a group of friends it would be fun to have them all say Pink Ladies.  for my appliqué i simply printed the words from a word doc, traced it onto the fusible Pellon interfacing, ironed it onto my cotton fabric, cut them out, and ironed them onto my jacket.

i must say I'm pretty excited about how it turned out...especially since i made it up as i was going along!

Raspberry & Teal Retro Beauty

not only have i made a new top and new skirt this time, but i've made an entirely new outfit...and i must say that this is the cutest outfit i have in my closet now =)  so, if you've read my previous post, you know that i've been accepted to O'More College of Design where i will be getting a degree in fashion design.  well, every year the school puts on a fashion show showcasing the designs of select juniors and seniors.  as an admitted student i was invited to attend the show and i couldn't be more excited!  this is why i needed a new outfit.

so, for my skirt i reverted to my favorite design...the circle skirt.  i saw this gorgeous polka dotted stretch cotton fabric at Hancock Fabrics a while ago, but continued to pass it by.  when this opportunity arose i knew exactly that i was going to use it.  i mean. it just screams vintage and retro! 

in making this skirt i actually used some new techniques other than the ones i typically do for my circle skirts.  for this 1/2 circle skirt i inserted a side zipper.  for the waistband you will notice i strayed away from my usual elastic waistband and did a real waistband, featuring two fabric covered buttons-which i covered myself-for a tight fit.  another change was to the hem.  usually i do a bias tape hem so that i don't have to go throught all the trrouble of trying to do a hem on a circle...b/c it can be a pain.  doing the narrow hem actually was fairly easy.

i absolutely love how this skirt turned out and next on the agenda was to make a top that complimented the skirt.  for the top i went to Joann Fabrics.  while perusing through the red-tag fabric section i spotted this raspberry-colored chiffon.  in my head i envisioned a sheer chiffon top being paired with the skirt, so i knew this was the fabric.  i had also bought this great pattern from Simplicity a while back and knew this style was what i wanted.  i love the vintage feel the ruffle adds to the top.  for those of you that have done/do quite a bit of sewing, you probably just read this section and thought, "chiffon? nooooo! what is she thinking?!"  well, i did some research online about sewing with chiffon and found all the horror stories.  i was a little afraid before starting the project but decided to continue on.  since i used chiffon i did have to do some tweaks.  like for the seams, b/c chiffon frays easily, i used french seams. and all hems and edges, unless encased, are double turned.  doing those little changes did add extra time to the process, but i knew if i didn't do them i would be very unhappy once the top was finished.  even with the difficulties i went through in sewing the top it turned out great and looks gorgeous with the skirt.

now, i am ready to put my best foot forward at the fashion show tomorrow night and watch all the amazing student designs head down the runway!

Goin' Retro

i decided it was time for a new dress, so i went to my fave pattern...Simplicity 3833.  i was in Hancock Fabrics browsing one day and this patterned cotton caught my eye!  the pattern has a unique retro vibe to it, and i immediately envisioned it on this dress and knew i had to get it.  i also bought some solid blue cotton for the front bodice b/c i wanted the dress to be two-toned.  i love this dress and it turned out better than i expected!

another project i worked on this week was a sewing sample.  now that i have discovered my new found love, and wonderful talent, in sewing i decided to apply to O'More College of Design in Franklin, TN to get a bachelors in fashion design!  to finish up the application process i have to submit a sewing sample to the fashion design dept.  this sewing sample consisted of sewing eight 9"x4" fabric pieces together and then sewing on bias tape.  easy enough, since those are all things i've done before!  hopefully all my hard work pays off and i'll be able to proclaim myself as a student at OCD! *it's also funny the school's initials are OCD, b/c that kind of describes me. hehe!*

Purple Circle...Skirt, That Is!!

so, no surprise here, but my latest project is ...a circle skirt!  i keep making them b/c they are so easy to make and so easy to wear!  not to mention, they are cute too.  for this skirt i used some leftover stretch bengaline i had from making my purple dress.  due to the fabric the skirt has a wonderful drape, can be worn any season, and if you wear it in winter you don't have to put on a slip or add a lining.  i may just have to make more skirts using this fabric!

 

i used 2" elastic for the waistband and i did a new technique for the hem.  usually when i make my skirts from a cotton fabric, i use coordianting bias tape for the hem. for fancier fabrics like this, or corduroy or something to that effect, i fold the hem up and press, then fold it down in the crease and sew it.  not this time!  this time i first serged the raw edge then i just rolled it as it was going through the machine.

gah, so much easier than my usual technique!  if you decide to venture out and make a circle skirt, def try this hem technique, or the bias tape, and it will save you a headache.  now, i've decided i want to make a pettiskirt, aka crinoline, to wear with my skirts sometimes and give them a little more pizzazz.

Dots All Around

so, i recently made myself a new dress.  i originally bought the fabric to make another circle skirt, but then thought how i would love to have a new dress.  then i remembered my awesome retro 60s dress pattern i bought, and hadn't used yet!!

and how fitting to make a 60s retro dress using a printed cotton called 'retro dots'?!  thus, lo and behold, i created this dress!  when i tried it on before hemming it fell below my knee and after hemming it was too short to be a dress so i now have a new tunic. lol  nonetheless, i still love it!!...although i am a little sad though that i won't be able to wear it with my awesome red tights.  i can't wait to make more, and see what other fabrics i can try out.



Goin' In Circles

i know, i know, i've needed to update, but i've been busy making things! 

so, i am completely in love with the styles of the 50s and 60s and have become inspired by them.  lately my new thing has been making circle skirts ofr myself.  they are sooo easy to make and are classically cute.  here,http://ficklesense.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-to-make-circle-skirt-full-34-12-14.html, is the website where i go to get the equations to figure out the measurements for my skirts...and what's even better, is that they have four different skirt variations.  full circle skirt, 3/4 circle skirt, 1/2 circle skirt, and 1/4 circle skirt.  the only one i haven't made is the 3/4 circle skirt.  so far, all the circle skirts i've made have been out of printed cottons i've gotten from Hobby Lobby.  i use 2" elastic for the waistband.

this cherry skirt was my first ever circle skirt, and is a full circle.  i was really excited to find this fabric b/c i love cherries, and it has that vintage 50s look!

this skirt was my second circle skirt and is a 1/4 circle.  for me, this skirt only requires one yard.  i took this picture before i got a chance to add the black bias tape to the hem, instead of doing a regular hem.

this skirt, probaby my fave b/c of the colors and pattern, is another 1/4 circle and has an off-white bias tape hem.

this skirt is a 1/2 circle and has a turquoise-y bias tape hem.  i absolutely love the pattern b/c it has a wonderful retro feel to it.

this, is my latest skirt, just finished it today.  it is an awesome printed corduroy i found at Joann Fabric and Craft store.  i figured i needed to make some skirts that had more of a winter-y feel.  since it is corduroy i added a full lining.  i also did an invisible zipper and...a ral hem!! yes, i did what seems like the impossible to a circle skirt and did a real, turned up hem.  now granted, i did cheat and use my new-found friend, Stitch Witchery, instead of having to sew the hem.  i did the same for the lining.

so, as you can see, i have been busy over the last few days adding new clothing to my wardrobe.  for the cherry skirt and the green dot skirt i added tutorials on my site here, http://www.burdastyle.com/profiles/betterhandmade/my_studio.  i am also keepin with my new tradition of making christmas presents for family and friends, and seeing as christmas is in 10 days, i guess i should get to workin on the fleece infinity scarves i am going to make for them.  of course i will post pictures of the finished products.  so, until next time, happy sewing!..and a little inspiration from a fabulous pin i found on Pinterest