Another Double Peplum Mini

I've been working on this off and on for a little over a week. BUT since the kids are out on spring break for two weeks and my big girls are here I've had lots of other things to occupy my time. I only need to install the zipper and hem the neckline but that's enough to keep me from being able to wear it. Hopefully I'll get back to it in a few days so I can wear it and take pics. 

Mimi G off the Shoulder Maxi

I've been trying to get ahead of the Spring and Summer sewing game. It tends to be my busiest time of the year for sewing and for personal and family commitments so I thought I'd start now. 

I've made this dress before here and it went together very quickly so I though I'd use the simple design to show off this great fabric I picked up a while ago from Fabric Mart Fabrics for $1.99 a yard.

Check out that pattern matching.  Never again will I try to match a pattern without a walking foot.

I didn't line the dress because a while back I made a long half slip out of a lightweight knit to wear under my thinner knit maxi dresses.  It hasn't been warm enough to wear it yet so for now it will just hang in the closet waiting for nice weather. I'll add pictures of me wearing the dress when the weather warms up.

Mimi G Peplum Mini

You guys know how much I love Mimi G's tutorials and this  Peplum Mini is no exception.  It comes together really quickly and there are so many options.  I have a few other versions already planned.  This tutorial can work for sewers of all sizes as Mimi teaches you how to make custom alterations.  I love the top as you can probably tell by all of the pictures, but I would buy it for the alteration technique and the way she does her darts alone. I've been sewing a long time and know how to do a lot of things. But every time I make one of her tutorials I learn an easier, more efficient way to do something. That alone makes the price worth it. Now I'll just leave you with all of my pics.

M6209

I try to make something red to wear every year for Valentine's Day and most years I don't make it.  So this year I started a little earlier and since we're in the middle of a cold front decided to make an outerwear piece instead of a dress that I wouldn't want to wear because it's too cold.  I bought this pattern at the end of Winter 2013 but didn't get to it in time.  As I've mentioned before, I'm much more of a Spring and Summer sewer rather than Fall/Winter even though I am trying to change that. 

I wanted to make view E because I liked the idea of the cowl neck and I liked that the front is closed but I wasn't crazy about the idea of swimming in all that fabric and with such a full bust I could imagine it looking like a tent so I incorporated the button hole openings and belt from view A and I think it worked well to provide some shaping to the poncho.  

 

Pattern Description:   MISSES' PONCHO AND BELT: Oversized ponchos A, B, C, D, E have topstitch trim and shaped hemline; poncho A has belt; ponchos B, C have collar with tie ends; poncho D has hood and fringe trim; poncho E has collar.

Pattern Sizing: Y(X-Small, Small, Medium), ZZ(Large, X-Large, XX-Large).  I made the X-Large and could have easily made the Large

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Sort of I added an element from View A to View C but it definitely looks like a close relative.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Super easy instructions, didn't really need them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I like the style and that it is an easy outerwear piece.

Fabric Used:  Light weight wool

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:   I incorporated the button hole openings and belt from view A to view C to provide some shaping.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I would definitely recommend this piece to others.  I might sew it again next year if I find a nice boucle print that I like but I'm really itching to start my Spring/Summer sewing.

Conclusion:   This is a great little outerwear piece. The pattern has nice options and is very versatile. 

NL 0915/6230

I've been so busy lately with work and family things that I've barely had any time to sew.  The down time I have had has been tied up pouring over all of the fantastic creations people are posting over at Mimi G's new Facebook sewing group Make it, Mix it, Rock it!.  If you haven't checked it out yet, you really should the members are super friendly and helpful and the moderator *yours truly* is pretty cool too.

I bought this pattern to make a different version of this shirt with a sequined front but since I was having such a hard time deciding on what color to make it I decided to crank this one out, especially after seeing Adrienne's version here.

This shirt works up super fast.  Because sometimes I have no sense, I started cutting the pattern pieces out at about midnight and by 2:30 a.m. I had a complete shirt that just needed to be hemmed.  The neck band looks a little wonky in the pics because I didn't do a final press.  I had to work the next day and needed to go to bed.  I haven't figured out how I'm going to launder this yet, but who can be bothered with such details when one is creating?

Pattern Description: Knit baseball shirt has feminine fit, can be made with banded round or V-neck & 3/4 or long sleeves.

Pattern Sizing: 4-16. I had to make a few adjustments to this pattern as with the smaller sizes, my regular FBA just wasn't going to cut it.  The shirt is also close fitting.

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

Were the instructions easy to follow? They are SUPER easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the style of this shirt but I don't understand why New Look/Simplicity wouldn't have made this pattern in larger sizes since this style of shirt looks great on just about everyone.

Fabric Used: A super supple faux leather from fabric.com on the front and ponte knit on the back and sleeves.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I essentially had to redraft the front and back pieces, careful to keep the same lines so that the raglan sleeves and neck back would line up properly.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would definitely recommend this shirt to others if they fall within the original pattern sizing and/or know how to alter patterns.  I will probably make this at least one more time.

Conclusion: Cute, easy and great for beginners.

M6844

Generally speaking, I buy fabric that I like with little to no idea of what it will eventually become.  However every once in a while, I will see a piece of fabric and know instantly what it was meant to be.  That is the story with this piece.  On a trip to JoAnn's I saw this fabric and instantly knew it would become this cute little peplum cardi. 

I've paired my cardi with these coated rock star jeans from Old Navy.  The coated variety only come in Black and Wine but they do come in lots of other colors Here and I love the fit.

Pattern Description:   MISSES'/MISS PETITE CARDIGANS: Close-fitting cardigans (do not meet at center front) have collar extending into front band, and narrow hem. A and C: shaped hemline, wrong side shows.

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? I think so

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were easy to follow.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The pattern layout is TIGHT.  Did I say the layout is tight?  I would advise buying a little more fabric than they suggest.  I appreciate the effort at economy but I'd rather not be stressed out worrying that I have enough fabric.

Fabric Used: I used a sweater knit I picked up at JoAnn's

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I sewed as is.  No alterations necessary.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I could definitely make this again although I have no current plans.

Conclusion:   This is a very versatile piece that can be used to build your wardrobe.  

Can I just tell you how much I LOVE these shoes.  I'm a sucker for a great oxford and these babies from 9 West do not disappoint. I got these at the beginning of Fall and they have been completely sold out on the 9 West site for months but they are available Here

Here's a closer look at the fabric and you can just see the metallic threads between the dots.

ANNOUNCEMENT! NEW MIMI G FACEBOOK SEWING GROUP!

ANNOUNCEMENT! NEW MIMI G FACEBOOK SEWING GROUP! 

 

Post from Mimi G:

 
"Hi Guys! I am so excited to finally have a place where former attendees of the conference, future attendees and students of the blog can come together! This place is OURS and that means we w...ill ONLY be encouraging. This is NOT a place for judgement as many are in different levels of their learning so always remember to offer helpful suggestions and kind words.

If you have made something from my tutorials or have started sewing due to my blog and classes please feel free to post your pics and share with the group. If you have a question, post it and we will try to get it answered.

Also as part of the group you will get first dibs on tutorials coming out, announcements and giveaways."

 

I will be the moderator of the group so I will be there often and hope to see you in Make it, Mix it, Rock it!