Where do I begin? I LOVE THIS SKIRT! I’ve definitely made pencil skirts before, but what drew me to this one is the idea that it would be custom to my body. In the past, I’ve had to make many adjustments for the waist or create a hip curve so it’s not just a straight skirt, fit and re-fit so that a simple skirt becomes a major project just to get the look I wanted. This tutorial teaches you how to create a CUSTOM pattern that essentially gets all of that right from the beginning. After having three babies in 6 years, my tummy doesn’t remember flat and there is little junk in this trunk but the customized pattern allowed me to adjust/compensate for that and make the perfect skirt for me.

 

 

I used this tutorial to create a custom pattern for this skirt.  The other cool thing is that should my measurements change, I can just create a new pattern and still get a great fitting skirt.

 

Pattern Description: High Waist Pencil Skirt
Pattern Sizing: You draft the pattern according to your measurements
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  I think so.
Were the instructions easy to follow? I have watched a lot of sewing/crafting videos over the years.  I continue to be impressed by Mimi’s teaching style as she walks you through every step and tells you why you’re doing what you’re doing in simple easy to understand terms.  Mimi has produced another winner. 
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  The tutorial is full of techniques and manages to give you all the information you would typically learn in a sewing 101 series yet presents it in a way that is so matter of fact and encouraging that you don’t even realize you’re learning intermediate techniques.   Pattern drafting, fitting, topstitching, edge stitching, the COOLEST, EASIEST invisible zipper insertion technique known to man (this alone makes the video worth the price) are just a few of the techniques you’ll learn in this tutorial. 
Fabric Used: Stretch Denim
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Not necessary since the pattern is custom
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  Honestly, I don’t know what to be happier about, my perfect skirt, how much use I will get out of this pattern or the unlimited options that can be created using the basic skirt pattern. 
Conclusion:   This will be my TNT pencil skirt pattern

B5679

Pattern Description: MISSES' TOP: Slightly fitted through bust, stitched hems. A,B: self faced collar. C: loose fitting, shaped front panel with pocket, raw edge finish. D: draped front neckline, shaped hem.

I've been working on this sweater of an on for a minute but I had to set it aside to get the Christmas gifts and Christmas PJ's done. I finally finshed today so I can rethread my machines and move on to sewing my cute little jacket.

Front

 

 

Back View

Pattern Sizing: Y(XSmall-Small-Medium), ZZ(Large-XLarge-XXLarge)

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? Definitely

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I would say that this pattern runs slightly big. I am actually pretty happy about it because I was able to sew it right out of the envelope but if you have a normal sized bust, you might want to adjust in the bust area.

Fabric Used: A metallic sweater knit that was a BEAST on my sewing machine.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: N/a

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I have an idea for another of the views on the pattern.

Conclusion: Super easy, great options

S2504 Part 1

It's been so cold here all I can think about is ways to stay warm. Luckily I've been on vacation since right before Christmas so I had more options but it got me to thinking about finishing up some those outerwear patterns I have. First up is this leopard fleece little casual jacket as I pretty much wear one of my jean jackets or no jacket most of the time. I thought this would shake that up a bit.

I'll probably will work on this this weekend after I cut out a few more things.

Christmas PJ's

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas most of my time was spent with these little ones and sewing matching Christmas PJ's for the entire family because the kids wanted us to stay in pajamas the whole day.

B5679 - Sneak Peek

I woke up yesterday morning feeling cold. I always feel like I don't have anything to wear so I decided to work on this sweater/tunic a bit before work.

Front

Don't mind the dress, it's another Mimi G T-shirt maxi that I wasn't able to finish before the weather turned cold and wet.  I will definitely finish it and wear it Spring/Summer 2013.

Back

I love this fabric. It's warm and stretchy and sparkly.  Those little sparkly bits were killing my machine.  I have some sewing/craft deadlines to meet so I probably won't get back to this until this weekend but I should definitely be able to finish it since I only have to put the sleeves, collar and hem in. 

B5789

My daughter is here to spend Thanksgiving with us. Since she used her employee flight benefits she flew standby which from my perspective is not always all it's cracked up to be. Since she was supposed to come in on last Friday we hung close to the house waiting for her to tell us what flight she'd be on and planned to run a few errands while she was in the air and the boys were in school.  But since she couldn't make it on a flight, I had to run last minute errands for my 2 year old's birthday party and do some Thanksgiving grocery shopping with my three little ones in tow while my husband drove the 80 miles round trip to get her from the airport. Oh what fun.  So because I didn't have enough to keep me busy, I decided to make this sweater to wear to dress things up while braving the weather and crowds.

I've wanted to make one of these cascade front jackets for awhile but hadn't gotten around to it. I'm really trying to beef up my Fall/Winter wardrobe with versatile pieces so this really fit the bill.

Pattern Description: MISSES' VEST AND JACKET: Vest and jacket (wrong side shows) have neckline and length variations. A and B: front extends into back collar, front and back cut-in-one, no side seams, cut on crosswise fold of fabric. C and D: collar. D: button closure. A, B, C and D: draped front, narrow hem. E: front, sleeve and hem bands, topstitching.

Pattern Sizing: Combinations: Y(XSmall-Small-Medium), ZZ(Large-XLarge-XXLarge)

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? Super easy. I only looked at them to see how the collar was gathered.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love that this pattern will allow me to add many light to mid-weight outerwear options to my wardrobe. This pattern runs kind of big and since I have sloping shoulders, that's not good but thankfully, because of the unstructured nature of the garment, it still works.

Fabric Used: This was sold as a ponte knit but it is really more of a french terry.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I definitely plan to.

Conclusion: I've had this pattern for awhile, I'm glad I finally got around to sewing it. A nice entry into outerwear for beginners.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone is having a lovely day with good food, good family and good friends.