Judy's Tube Dress in Progress

Judy wanted a Maxi dress so we went shopping for one. She tried on 18 dresses and not a single one fit. (She's 5' 10" tall and wears a size 4) So she tried one on in a large that was almost long enough and she said I'll just belt it in . Well that might have worked if it wasn't falling off of her back. But she liked the way the loose dress w/ belt looked. So we decided to make her one. All she wanted was a tube with a ruffle at top and straps that where pinched at front and back. So I literally just wrapped the material around her and decided what she thought was enough ease and cut a straight rectangle for the main dress. Cut another rectangle about 4" wide (cut on crossgrain)and width of dress (about 43") sewed them wrong side of dress to right side of ruffle together then flipped ruffle to right side of dress and sewed about 1/2" and made a casing , cut 28" of 3/8" elastic for casing. I tried finishing the ruffle three different ways- on serger, with coverstitch machine, doubled the ruffle- didn't like any of them. Judy said to leave it unfinshed which made me cringe but as she said thats what they are like in RTW at the stores. Still need to add the straps and hem. Will take a picture on Judy when I get it done. I tied a ribbon around the waist because she will were it with a belt and wanted you to get an idea of what it would look like. Oh yeah I forgot to say it's poly knit from Hancocks.

Sucess with Vogue 8580

Well I finished my shirt. Here's the review from PR. First picture is the top with white tank out of my closet. The second one is with the unfinished tank that came with the pattern. I'm going to reshape the neckline to use this winter on the 10 days it's cold enough to need an undershirt.
Pattern Description: Pullover Tunic and sleeveless tank.

Pattern Sizing: Large- XX Large

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Very easy. This is such a quick and easy top.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I'm not sure on someone as heavy and short as myself if the 2" elastic really works. I'm going to make this again in a solid and use 1 1/2" elastic and take the elastic all the way around the bottom of the chest. On this pattern you sop the elastic for about 5" inches in the front. I think for me it looks funny because I have a fat belly. But on someone who had a flat stomach or a tiny mommy tummy this would look great. I made the tank in grey, but didn't really like the neckline (to high -and I like high necklines -you can see it on my blog http://catsandcalico.blogspot.com/ . I like it better with a white tank I had in my closet. If I make the tank again I would lower the neckline.
Fabric Used: It's a poly knit that I've had awhile.
Don't remember where it came from. The grey tank was a cotton knit from Joann's.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: Did a full bust adjustment. Had to cut off about 6 inches in length. It was almost long enough for a dress. If it had been a few inches longer I would have made it a dress. It was cute as a dress.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I will sew this again. It's quick, easy and I like it.

Conclusion: Great quick and easy top and I think it would make a cute dress.

Vogue 8580- Traced and ready for alterations

I traced off Vogue 8580 last night after dinner. I started to make alterations but got sleepy and quit before I started making mistakes. I'm a morning person and I've learned not to work on sewing projects when I'm tired. I just end up re-doing it over and over again. I realized as I was tracing it that it was very close to the last top I made Simplicity 2773. I could have used that pattern and changed it up to look like this but oh well already had it traced out. I really liked the Khaliah Ali pattern. It was easy to adjust for narrow shoulders and FBA. Hopefully this pattern will be easy to adjust too.

33 and Counting

Today is my 33rd Wedding Anniversary. I can't believe how time has flown by. We've been so bleesed to have such a long and happy marriage. No sewing today going to get Outback for dinner. Kinda of a tradition, which might explain why I was about 1/4 the size I am now when I got married. TO much Outback. Look at those babies in our wedding picture. Have a nice day.

Mail Goodness

Some new fabrics in the mail. I've been trying to not add to the stash this year. But sometimes I fail something fierce. I just love fabric so much. I love the look, the feel, the dream of what it could be. But it's busting out of the seams at my house. I've been thinking of donating a bunch of it but don't know where to. If I could find a young family who sews and could use some of it. I've thought about putting it on Craig's list as a free giveaway. When the kid's were young I couldn't afford to stash a bunch of fabric. But now it's hard because I can afford it. I'm really bad when the fabric is a good price. I seriously need a twelve step program. I am out of control. But here's the goodies I got in the mail recently. I love the knits for pj's and undies for 5 granddaughters I got from The Fabric Fairy , the little pink owl buttons, and the Alice in Wonderland woven for Emma Daisy a dress. I got the other stuff from fabric.com . I got some blue poplin for a shirt, raspberry knit for a dress or shirt, cotton print for a skirt, the leopard knit for 5 granddaughters- pj's & undies, and the little star print for the stash.

Happy Father's Day

Today I'm thinking of my Dad. He's 82 years young. Soon to be 83. He still works, he's a small animal veterinarian. He runs a small clinic and charges reduced prices. Nothing fancy just basic animal care. I don't even think he makes a profit. But he loves it. We have tried to get him to retire and move near us but he says he'd rather be dead than not work. He's the most popular guy at church. He says to be popular at his age with the ladies all you have to do is breath. So he enjoys all the little elderly ladies attention at mass and working at the clinic. Here's to many more years Dad. He had 6 children, 19 grandchildren & 19 great grandchildren. Pictures are from his 80th birthday celebration that most of the family was able to attend. It was great fun.

Judy's dress finished

I finally caught Judy when she came in from work. You'll have to excuse her hair. She's a cheerleading / gymnastics coach and she had been spotting girls on tumbling so her hair was crazy. But she was a good sport and let me take some quick pics. I couldn't decide what method to use on the hem. I tried the coverstitch machine but it made it stretch out pretty bad. Tried binding it with the green ribbing and while it looked okay didn't really want the green on the bottom. Tried using a self fabric band at a 1:1 ratio but didn't like that either. Tried just a zig zag and it looked the best. It still stretched a little but when I wash it and dry it I'm sure it will be fine. She loves it.