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?