Wearing Yesteryear: Class of August 2012

Posted in 2012 Sewing, Wearing Yesteryear by

Wow, it’s already the very end of August and I have two posts to write, this one and my Sew Weekly Reunion one (my creation for that post has been done for a few days now, so I’ll need to skedaddle and take some photos!).

I’ve been working on a button for the Wearing Yesteryear series so others can join in – thanks so much for expressing interest! While I meant to have it ready for this month’s entry, I got caught up on a bunch of things and will have to delay its grand reveal until September.

In the meantime, it’s time to open the yearbook and have a Class of August 2012 reunion!

The Caged Bird Sings Dress

Blog Debut: August 28, 2012
Pattern: Vogue 8380 (view B)
Worn In: Summer
Wearability Meter: Oh goodness, I have not worn it at all this summer!
Lessons Learned: Don’t rush; don’t tuck your lining into the hem of the fashion fabric on a floaty skirt like this; add some darts or take some of the fullness out at the top of the bodice.

Well, geez, this is an easy post. I just made this one garment – automatic Valedictorian! Did that really happen?! Actually, I did finish another one, but since I ended up posting it in September I’m just going to leave it for then. Simplifies things for the administrative department here at Sewin’ in the Rain Studios. ;)

I fell in love with this cotton lawn fabric the moment I saw it at G Street Fabrics in northern Virginia two summers ago. Little birdies coming out of their little cages – it was all too irresistible. Overall I was happy with this dress. I made it specifically for a Sew Weekly challenge (before it froze in time forevermore?) so when I had a chance to bring it on vacation to Maine for a fun photo-shoot I rushed to get it done.

And if there’s one thing that’s never worked for me in the sewing world, it’s rushing.

I tried to hurry along in hemming the lining, a voile that was proving to be tricky to handle (keyword: rushing), so I decided I’d be all clever and tuck it into the hem of the fashion fabric. I didn’t realize it then, but wowser was that a big mistake! If you click through to the original post you may notice the hem pulling at some points. That’s all the lining’s doing. I’m thinking that was just a no-no thing to do with a skirt so floaty and full like this.

Also, if I make this pattern again, which I would like to do, I would re-work the neckline/bodice area. See how my neckline is kind of curving inward? That’s because it was all a bit loose up top (you’ll notice on the Vogue model how the neckline sits a bit differently) so I had to tighten the bow. Not too big of a deal, but I don’t think it’s a very flattering neckline look on me as it currently stands.

I had this goal of fixing the hem before this post and that didn’t happen. Drats! I might have to check in on its two-year reunion next year since I think it does have potential.

Any questions about this pattern? Have you made it? I’d love to see!

I’m on Instagram!

Posted in Musings & Everything Else by
instagram-beginnings

Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start…

Hi readers, just a quick note to say that I’m now on Instagram!

I’ve posted my very first photo of the fabrics I’ll be using for my upcoming Minoru Jacket from Sewaholic Patterns. I thought I would be all super hip and holler at Sewaholic with the magic @button, but she doesn’t seem to be on Instagram. D’oh.

In any case, can’t wait to sport the jacket around France this fall… Oui, France!!

Are you on Instagram? I’ve already found some of you. You can follow me @sewinintherain – see you there. :-D

M6696: The Indian Amazon “Hamaca” Dress

Posted in 2013 Sewing, Finished Projects by

m6696hamaca

  • Pattern: McCall’s 6696, view C
  • Size: 10 at bust transitioned to 12 at waist/hips
  • Fabric: 3 yards of Kaffe Fassett Ikat Streak (succulent colorway)
  • Notions: 8 c. 1900 vegetable ivory buttons from Archangel Antiques
  • Alterations: Raised armscye 1″; removed front darts at skirt; removed 4″ of width from back bodice to reduce poofiness caused by gathers; machine-stitched button placket and waistband facing instead of hand-stitching; used self-fabric instead of purchased bias tape (other changes for next time below)

This is the dress I wore to MPB Day 2013! I made it with fabric I bought at Z Fabrics in Portland, Maine during a New England road trip last summer. Paired with the sleeveless bodice, it’s a perfect weight for summer. Some folks on MPB Day asked me about the fabric, and it wasn’t until I looked at the receipt later that I discovered it’s Ikat hand-dyed and hand-woven in India. Neat!

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MPB Day 2013 And All That Fabric

Posted in Reality? Check! by

Yesterday was a great day in sewing land as ladies and even some gents came out for the third annual MPB (Male Pattern Boldness) Day. Even the weather cooperated. I attended the first MPB Day back in 2011, but missed last year’s because of a bachelorette party.

I didn’t get any photos, but Peter will be doing a recap of the day tomorrow so check out his blog for visuals and entertaining commentary! It was fun to see familiar faces and also meet new ones. There was Wanette of Sown Brooklyn, Clio of Clio & Phineas, Sonja of Ginger Makes, Vicki of Another Sewing Scientist, Suzanne of Beau Baby, and many, many others. I’m hoping to get a hold of the names of other bloggers in attendance!

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M6696 leading up to its MPB Day appearance!

I wore my latest creation, the McCall’s 6696 shirt dress. I will be blogging about that one soon! I can already tell it will be a TNT pattern.

After seeing the RetroSpective exhibit at FIT, we all gathered for lunch and a pattern swap (or “a pattern take” as Peter called it). I put in four patterns I just knew I was never going to make, including Colette’s Lady Grey coat. This actually worked out well because I had been eying Colette’s Chantilly dress for a while now and guess what pattern ended up in the pile?! Good times, good times.

A group of people went straight to Mood after lunch while the other half followed Peter to smaller shops on 39th Street. We checked out Chic Fabrics, Fabrics for Less, Paron’s, and AK Fabrics. I bought a red and black Buffalo check cotton flannel at AK (below), which is so super soft! I’ve been on the lookout for winter fabrics and had first contemplated this print a year or so ago, but I wasn’t sure if it would work as a dress. A vote of confidence from Peter convinced me to take this future dress to the check-out counter.

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MPB Day goodies – I guess I was in a red and black mood!

Next came Spandex House on 38th Street, and even though I’d been there during what I’m dubbing “Meg the Grand Day” I had no idea there was a HUGE second floor of more and more fabric! I had run off to Sil Thread quickly to pick up a zipper for a planned skirt and when I came back to Spandex House I thought I had lost the group. But then as I went upstairs they all magically appeared from the bolts and bolts of polyester.

Afterward we went to Mood where I picked up a couple of knits to make a couple of Sewaholic Renfrew tops (above). Our group was given a 10% discount and a free Mood tote bag. Victory! There were many great quotes from Male Pattern Boldness Day, but one of my favorites was when Sonja said someone from Mood asked if we were with “the balding men group.” Ha!

The day ended at the Kinokuniya Bookstore and then Bryant Park across the way where we all recounted the day and shared our fabric goodies. During your average day you might get asked, “Did you make that?” but with a group like this you get asked, “Is that the Colette Ceylon dress? I love that you matched the stripes!” Or “I knew you were part of the group because I recognized that fabric!” All in all, a great way to spend a beautiful Saturday in New York. Thanks Peter for the great day and I like your idea for a winter meet-up, though no pressure!

Oh, and we even met Charlotte, the founder/designer of By Hand London, who happened to be in the city this weekend with her beau! I haven’t made any of their patterns yet, but I’ve definitely seen them pop up in the blogosphere. Charlotte wore her Anna dress and seems like a super cool lady.

thebooks

Reality check.

And I’ll leave you with a little exercise in reality I completed today, courtesy of this paper ledger (am I a dork or what?!). I decided to write down all the fabric I have and their cost as a way of putting it to me plainly how much I’ve spent on fabric I have yet to use. I knew what I was in for but it definitely helps to see it all written down and added up (total = major yikes factor!). As the daughter of an accountant, you can bet your bippy it’ll be thrilling to move the costs to column 4 after finishing up a project.

I’m starting with a couple of pieces from my stash to make an outfit for the Sew Weekly Reunion. Are you joining in for the big September 1st reveal?

Sewaholic Cambie: Snowflakes in July Skirt

Posted in 2013 Sewing, Finished Projects by

Oh, I’m so glad you liked my Wearing Yesteryear series kick-off post! I’m working on a button for it if you’d like to add it to your own blog and join in on the good times.

Today I’d like to share a simple project I worked on during the heat wave we had here in New York. It took me a little longer than expected to finish it because finding energy in this hot weather was a little tricky!

cambieskirt

  • Pattern: Cambie (skirt portion of view A) by Sewaholic Patterns
  • Size: 6 at waist transitioned down to 0 at hips
  • Fabric: Less than 1 1/2 yards of “Pocho” Nani Iro double gauze from Purl Soho; light yellow cotton voile for the lining
  • Notions: Dark teal regular zipper
  • Alterations: Used a regular zipper instead of an invisible one

I bought this fabric not too long ago and I’m glad to see it’s made a quick turnaround. It was one of those purchases made when I was in the store looking for something else (you know the kind!). After being slightly delusional and thinking I could make a circle skirt with 1 1/2 yards of fabric, I tried different skirt options until I settled on view A of the Sewaholic Cambie dress. There’s a small amount left over that will go to the remnant pile.

I think of this double gauze as having tons and tons of snowflakes on it, perfect way to mentally stay cool even with sizzling temperatures in abundance, ay?! Didn’t hurt that a song from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” randomly played on my iTunes as I finished pressing the skirt.

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