Here comes the parade

I've been so focused on staying warm lately (temps dipped as low as the teens and I had the frozen pipes to prove it) that I haven't had the time nor inclination to sew. Instead when I've had down time, we've been huddled under blankets and doing a lot of family movie watching. BUT when I have thought about sewing it's been of outerwear or layering pieces so be prepared for the parade of outwear items that are sure to follow as I. CANT. STAND. TO. BE. COLD.

Another OOTD

I rarely get my clothes ready at night but I generally at least know what I'm going to wear.  On those rare occassions that I wake up and realize that I don't have a plan, I will lay in the bed, mentally shopping my closet until I come up with something.  Today, I decided to wear my new scarf so I had to plan something that worked with it. 

Here's what I came up with.

My photos aren't the best and my 7 year old photographer cut off some of my head in a couple of shots  but you get the idea.

Scarf: Target similar Here; Jeans Torrid Here; Blazer Lane Bryant (old) but a good option Here

I love Torrid jeans these pants in particular because they are the slim boot cut so you get some of the flare without them being overwhelming.  HOWEVER, whoever thought it would be a good idea to have faux pockets in the front clearly was not having one of their best days.

OOTD - Just running around on the weekend

Hi guys,

I took these pics while on my way out to run weekend errands.  I don't have a lot of tennis shoes but most all of the ones I do have have some type of bling going on.  Keeping it real casual with jeans and a T-Shirt.

Shoes:  Nike (Old), T-Shirt Wal-Mart, Jeans and Belt Torrid Here and Here

I live in a fairly small city and my practice is in the same city I live in so I learned my lesson early on about being outside looking busted LOL!

Meow!!!

It's taken a few days to post this but this is what I wore on my birthday.  I used Mimi G's 30 minute pencil skirt tutorial to make this skirt which I have made before here.  I can't recommend this skirt enough. I used a sweater knit I got at Hancock and lined it with lightweight tricot. 

Shoes:  Steve Madden (old)
Denim Shirt:  Target here

Thank you all so much for all the birthday love!

Today is my Birthday!!!!

Today is my birthday and I'm super excited.  The celebration today will be low key since I chose to work today and take the next five days off but I love what I do so it's really not work at all.  I'm happy for another year and feel so blessed to have great family and friends.  Thank you all for your support during the year, I really appreciate it!

And the Winner Is . . .

Toni!

Congratulations!!!!!!!

Get your pattern girl - e-mail (hortonpsyd@aol.com) me your address so I can drop this in the mail.

Thank you all for entering and for the Birthday Wishes.

Birthday GIVEAWAY!!!

My birthday is next week on the 13th so in celebration of the day, I'm having a small giveaway on the blog!

I rushed and bought the new McCalls 6842 and was in such a hurry bought size A5(6-8-10-12-14) instead of the one I need.  Instead of returning it I decided to give it one of you as a gift for my birthday!

If you want it,

1.  Become a blog follower

                  OR

2.  Follow me on instagram @kellyhpsyd

                 AND

3.  Leave a comment on this post.

Include your screen name in your comment so I can find you.

If you already follow me both places, leaving a comment will be enough to give you a chance to win.

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13!!!!!!!!!

Vogue 1250

I must be the last person in the sewing world to make this dress but does it count that I cut it out last Fall? Or does that just make it worse?  I have seen the many versions of this dress but was hesitant because I don't wear very many short dresses, especially in the Fall/Winter because I work in a very old building and don't want to be cold.  However after seeing the few maxi versions of this dress, I thought I'd give it a try.  I like the easy style of the dress and the fact that there are only three pieces.  I used an ITY knit to make this which is kind of thin, but I made a half slip awhile back that makes the dress a lot warmer. 

Part of what took me so long to actually get around to this is I had to figure out how to adjust the pattern since there are no side seams which makes the pattern pieces quite unusual.

I managed to successfully make the adjustments however, for some reason I didn't take notes as I usually do when I adjust a pattern nor do I remember what I did since it was at least a year ago.  The morals of this story are always make notes and that this pattern can be successfully altered even though there are no alteration lines on the pattern.

This is a really quick and easy pattern to sew.  I picked it up about midnight just to see how far I could get before going to bed.  At the point in the photo there are only three short seams to put together and hem.  This could easily go together in a couple of hours.  This is a classic dress which you could make over and over and have it look different every time depending on the fabric choice. 

 

Pattern Description:   MISSES' DRESS: Close-fitting dress.

 

Pattern Sizing:  Combinations: A5(6-8-10-12-14), EE(14-16-18-20)

 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Sort of.  Although I didn't make any changes to the design lines of the dress.  I made mine a maxi dress.

 

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions are super easy. I made sure to follow them because the pattern pieces are oddly shaped so I wanted to make sure I put it together correctly.

 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  There's not a lot more to say about the pattern that the other 106 reviewers haven't said, but I think lines are interesting and it went together very quickly.

 

Fabric Used: I used an ITY knit from fabric.com

 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I didn't make any design changes to the dress.  I did however grade the dress up a bit to make sure there was enough bust room but since it was a year ago and I didn't take notes like I usually do, I don't remember what I did :-( so if I make it again, I will have to re-invent the wheel.

 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I may make a short version of this dress in the Spring.

 

Conclusion:   I think this is a great beginner Vogue pattern.  The style of the dress is classic and makes this a dress you can make over and over with great results.

 

 

 It sure feels good to finish this dress, it has literally been hanging around for about a year.



What had happened was . . .

So if you follow me on instagram (kellyhpsyd), you know that I stayed up pretty late last night and finished my V1250 and even altered a blazer I have to wear with it.

So why then am I wearing this today?

 

Sweater: Avenue (old); Boots: DSW; Leggings: Forever 21+

Because along the way, I've learned a few things about myself.  Among other things, I am obsessive about pressing my garments both during the construction process and the final product and since I didn't have time to do a proper final press on my dress and the blazer, I decided to delay the outfit for another day.  I suppose I could cut myself some slack as I used to send all of my finished garments to the cleaners before I bought my good iron now I reserve the cleaners routine for formal dresses only.

I'm also pretty obsessive about clipping threads too but that's a story for another day.  These leggings are fab by the way, come in a few colors and are only $5.80 regularly, and I got mine on sale for $5.00!

So excited!

My new opera length leather gloves came today. 

I got them to go with my new cape. V8776. 

It's all cut out. Now I just have to get to sewing. 

M5889 (OOP)

I kid you not, I have a minimum of 5 patterns for this style of pants with various detail differences I.e., pockets/no pockets, elastic cuff, drawstring cuff, etc.  Even though I am obviously drawn to this style, I have yet to actually make a single pair.  Well that ends today.  First with only two required pattern pieces, front and back, this has got to be the absolute easiest pants pattern known to man.  AND it actually yields a pretty cool pair of pants.

 



 

Pattern Description: Misses/Miss Petite Pants in Four lengths. Pull on pants have elastic waistline casing and self drawstring. I made view C, ankle length pants with elastic leg casings. There is also a version with a regular hem.

 

Pattern Sizing:  Pattern is available in X small to X large(size 4-22)

 

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?  The instructions were great, easy for a beginner. 

 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? This pattern has A.LOT.OF.EASE.  I mean A.LOT.  I had to take out about 2 inches on each leg to get the fit I wanted.

 

Fabric Used: a Gabardine from FabricMart that I got for $1.99 or $2.99 a yard

 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  This design includes a functioning drawstring and elastic waistband which seemed like overkill so I omitted the drawstring.

 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Maybe once more in black ponte.

 

Conclusion:   This is a quick and trendy look and great for beginners.

 

 

 



Meet up

I had the opportunity to meet up and hang out with the lovely Portia at a local JoAnn's last Friday. I also got to meet her ADORABLE 2 year old son he was so much fun and we had a blast. It's always nice to get to meet people in real life.

Jeans Buying 101

A few weeks ago Mimi G wrote this post about jean buying. This was especially timely because since November of last year I have bought five pairs of jeans that all fit fabulously in the dressing room and then I spent the rest of the time wearing them pulling them up. Mimi's rule #3 was right on time. I ordered these from Old Navy and they are having a site wide sale right now. I was super nervous about the fit but I.LOVE.THEM.






I got the top from Old Navy too and the shoes are old.

Excuse the crappy cell phone pics but my camera battery was dead and I wanted to get a picture of the pants.

Trying to Get it Together

As much as I have belly ached about it I can't believe that I haven't talked about how hard it is for me to "get into Fall".  I've given a lot of thought to it and I think my feelings are heavily influenced by my six years as a starving graduate student, intern and fellow and later my hard core maternity/new mom years with three babies in six years (all my kids are Fall/Winter babies) during those years I lived in jeans, sweatshirts, leggings and tunics, sweat suits and the occasional sweater. I didn't have the appropriate shoe/boot wardrobe nor the bank account balance to support much else.  Couple that with the fact that I HATE to be cold, I have mostly viewed dressing for this time of the year as a period of function over fashion. 

I have to say though that I was so completely in love with my Spring and Summer wardrobe this year and how easy it was to always looked pulled together, that I was inspired to continue the run into the new season. 

From time to time, I get requests from you guys to do  OOTD (outfit of the day) posts.  I've done a couple this year but generally haven't done them because I don't feel like I have enough "good" clothes to support that.   SOOOOOO . . . I decided to at least attempt to kill two birds with one stone.  In an effort to hold myself accountable, I will start to post OOTD posts more frequently.  They by no means will be be on a daily basis and some weeks you might not even get a post but I will at least be more motivated to pull things together and not just reach for things to keep me covered and warm and dry. 

Here's is the first piece that I am working on for my new Fall wardrobe.

 

This is McCall's 5889 which is an OOP pattern but there are a few similar ones out there right now.  I plan on making two pair this weekend including one made from a wool blend gabardine with a slight stretch and another in a gray ponte knit.  The pattern only has two main pieces, front and back, and an optional working draw string which I am leaving off because I don't see the need for it with the elastic waist.

 

I do have some other outfits lined up but you should see these pretty soon.

McCalls Winter/Holiday Collection

I haven't done one of these posts in ages, but since there is very little sewing going on over here I thought I'd talk about McCall's latest offerings. While I am always thrilled to get the "new pattern collection" e-mails, these last few have had very little to offer. Here are my picks from this lot.

 

M6833 - I think this is a cute classic.  I like that this dress has a v-neckline as I think those look better on me.

 



 

 

M6834 - This dress is fun and flirty but I have to say I thought work dress when I saw it although with the right fabric it, like most things can be made dressy.

 

 

 

 

Both of these are views from M6838, although not the primary view shown on the site.  Here's a little fact from the things you probably didn't know about me file.  I always buy evening gown and wedding gown patterns that I like in case my daughter wants me to make her prom and/or wedding gown for her.  That way she won't just have access to the styles that are out at the time.  I did this even before I had kids let alone a daughter. 

 

 

M6844 - More peplum love, what's not to like here?

 

 

M6846 - I love the sleeves on this and can see this in a variety of fabrics.

 

 

M6842 - This is a great little skirt and I can see it in many shades of double knit or leather.

 

 

 

 

And finally, M6843 I will admit, this is a little weird but I can see it.

 

Now to wait for the next pattern sale.

 

So those are my picks, what do you think?  Did you see any that you liked?

 

 

 



Raider Nation

Even though I have lived in a few cities around the Bay Area and have lived in my current city for more than half my life, I am an Oakland girl ALL. DAY. so on this NFL opening Sunday, I thought I'd take this opportunity to rep my city and my favorite football team. Go Raiders!!!

(I've made Raider gear for the whole family and we get dressed for every game)

McCalls 6752

This was before I broke out my walking foot so the pattern match is not exact but this is the last time that will happen.

 

This little girl is my heart and one day she will kill me for posting these pictures. LOL!

 Pattern Description:   MISSES' TOPS AND DRESSES: Pullover tops and dresses have neckline variations, and elasticized (seamed) waist. A: lower left side gathers and exposed zipper. A and B: loose-fitting . C: elasticized side seams on lower section. C and D: very loose-fitting, gathered (bias front) bodice. B and D: semi-fitted skirt. Stitched hem A, C and sleeves B. Narrow hem back neckline A, B and neckline/armholes C and D.

Pattern Sizing:  Combinations: A5(6-8-10-12-14),E5(14-16-18-20-22)

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? This pattern is so easy to make I only checked the instructions for the front draped neck detail.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I loved how easy this went together, there are only 3 pattern pieces, what's not to love about that?  Dislike:  This dress is SHORT.  I'm only 5'4" and usually have to shorten everything.  I added 1" to the hem of this dress because I had heard that it was a little short and it still wasn't enough.  I could easily be comfortable with 2 more inches.

Fabric Used: A Missoni-esque ITY knit from Fabric.com.  This fabric has been in my stash for awhile but I like this one and this one

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I didn't have to make a FBA which was pretty cool.  I added 1" to the hem and a 1/2" to the skirt front and back for a total of 1".  If I made it again, I would probably add a smidge more to the mid-section for a little extra wearing ease.  I also made a fabric belt to cover the elastic and add a little more interest.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I could see myself making this again but not until next year.

Conclusion:   This is a great pattern, easy to sew, easy to wear and can be dressed up or down.