Category Archives: 2015 Sewing

A Top When A Dress Won’t Do

Posted in 2015 Sewing, Finished Projects, Wearing Yesteryear by

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Sometimes you sew something and it doesn’t work out the way you thought it would. That’s what happened to me when I first tried on my Oreo Cookie wrap dress and realized the skirt pieces didn’t overlap properly! I had used Vogue 8379 for the top, but winged the bottom since I didn’t want the full skirt that came with the pattern. Mistake.

I thought I could save it by adding a snap-on-a-string contraption, but that really didn’t do anything to prevent the top skirt piece from staying in place (especially when I sat down). While I did wear the dress with tights to the office a few times, I just never felt truly comfortable in it.

And so it sat in my closet, largely unworn.

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M6885 Goes to Washington

Posted in 2015 Sewing, Finished Projects by

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How do! Last week, I headed down to Washington, D.C. for a work conference and brought a number of me-made items with me. In fact, I wore handmade all but one day while I was there. Hey, only the best for our nation’s capital. ;)

One brand new piece I brought (along with the M6886 dress from my previous post) was McCall 6885, which I finished in early October. (Just realized these two patterns follow each other in pattern numbering. Guess I really liked McCall’s offerings in that section of their website!)

The first few photos in this post were taken at the top of the Washington Monument, which is the center piece of the National Mall and built in tribute to our first president, George Washington.

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M6886 Dress in Blue Floral Knit

Posted in 2015 Sewing, Finished Projects by

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A quick make to usher in the fall, and what a nice fall it’s been! Bare legs on a November day? I’ll take that. Apologies in advance for the same smile in every photo. I’ll figure out variety one of these days…

This is McCall’s 6886, a simple pullover dress that I picked up last month during one of the McCall sales. It’s getting harder and harder to shell out more than a few bucks on a pattern! This one also comes with v-neck and higher neckline options; sleeveless, short sleeve, three-quarter, and full sleeve variations; and about three different hem lengths, from above the knee to maxi. That’s a lotta bang for your buck!

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V8379 & B5546 Candy-Button Wrap Dress

Posted in 2015 Sewing, Finished Projects by

First off, I keep forgetting to thank everyone for their response to my post on the old McCall’s building a couple months ago. Thank you! It’s especially exciting to see others excited about that post, considering historic building research is my other (full-time) passion. :)

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Speaking of forgetting (and historic buildings), here’s a dress I made the weekend before Labor Day…that I’ve continued to wear after Labor Day. You know how many random fashions there are in New York City (which is what I love about it)? I think I can get away with wearing a white dress, thank you very much! Actually, I’ve seen a number of people wearing white post-Labor Day. A bunch of rebels we’ve got going up here in the Big Apps!

I really love this fabric and how it sewed up. It’s 2 yards of sturdy double knit I bought down in Virginia on a somewhat recent trip. Even though it’s white, the fabric is thick enough that I didn’t need to line it. Perfect because who wants that if it can be avoided during the summer? Me, that’s who! I used the bodice of Vogue 8379 and the skirt and ties of Butterick 5546 in my attempt to create a classic “summer in 1950s Rome” look (AKA Roman Holiday). I’d love to do this again in a vibrant solid color.

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Pool Table Southport Dress

Posted in 2015 Sewing, Finished Projects by

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When I told friends I was making a pool table dress, they thought I meant a dress for a pool table. Some fancy covering or other. Nope! Just a green shot cotton dress with some 8-ball buttons I picked up along the way. All I’m missing is a cue stick necklace.

In any case, another Southport Dress by True Bias! I finished it earlier this month and have worn it a few times already. It’s so easy to slip on and go about my day, which unfortunately doesn’t consist of shooting endless rounds of pool (I’m not so good at it anyway).

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