B5664 Pink Dress

On the Horizon

For my next project, I will complete a pink dress (Butterick Pattern 5664 see the pattern, fabric ordered in December from fabric.com) a fitted & lined princess seam dress. This dress minus the sleeve/shoulder is just like Rachel Roy's Origami Cap Sleeved Fitted Dress see the dress here. Hopefully, this pattern will become my TNT for a fitted dress and by the summer I will make my own version of the Rachel Roy dress in Tangerine Tango (Pantone's Color of the Year).

I have already cut the fabric, cut the lining and sewed & pressed the darts (ha-ha! learned how to sew on a curve).  I should mention, that I had to do the darts twice (OMG!) and I still think 1 ends a little higher than the other.  "It's not right, but it's okay!"  I get a pass - I'm still getting back into the swing of things.

Super excited to get this dress done.  Hopefully, it'll be finished within the next week.

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

B5672 Updated Again

I stopped sewing for 2 weeks - I know what you're thinking....you just started sewing again a few weeks ago.  LOL!  My mom and aunt came to town, so I pressed pause on the extra-curricular and spent time enjoying the fam!  Their visit was great, with major drama (such is life!), but everybody had an amazing time.  We went to visit my Grandma Bessie (she turned 79 this month).  So, it was really, really good seeing the whole family (it's been way too long).

B5672 / I got a little frustrated with this dress because the fabric kept jamming in my sewing machine.  I was thinking that I needed to buy a different type of needle, but later realized that I needed to adjust the stitch type & width to accommodate the fabric.  I'm making progress although not quite as fast as I would like.  I know today's the 30th, but I want to have this dress finished by tomorrow so that I can stay on target with my sewing goal for the year (and, I'm participating in the 1 garment a month 2012 on patternreview.com).

I'm really excited and I'm back on track!

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

B5672 / Update

The dress is slowly coming along.  I think at this point --> I'm just over thinking the process.  Still fighting to get the material to do what I want it to do.  Still slowly progressing.  But, mostly - Still hopeful!

Pattern Markings are finished....

Up next, Sewing, Pressing & hopefully (all smiles) Dressing!

Needles Up, Always Audrey

My Magic Maker

I've been trying to decide where to set up my sewing machine.  I don't have a separate sewing room, so it was either the dining room, the living room, or the bedroom.  Well, it's found a home in my bedroom on the nightstand when it's being used.  When it's put away it's kept in the box in the dining room.

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

Fabric.com Order

I just placed my order for fabric.com on Christmas Day.  And, I received my order (it arrived on Thursday - with the holiday this past weekend, I'm catching up).  The pink fabric is so beautiful - I can't wait to wear it!  Here's a picture of my goodies....

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

Maggie London Dress Update

I was so excited to get this pattern and purchase the fabric and the lining.  And, now I realize - um, I really should have picked a project with a woven fabric --- this knit material (although, beautiful) moves way too much.  I'm having a difficult time handling the material.  Enough said.

I want to make view A (sleeveless dress).  Initially, I wanted to make view B, but I need the dress top in a size 18 and the sleeves in a size 16 - and, I figured it would be easier to just make it without the sleeves.

Today has been a busy sewing (well, prepping) day.  I read the instructions. Prepped the fabric and the lining (although, after pre-treating, I don't think I picked the right lining).  OMG!  I've read all of the reviews of the pattern on patternreview.com, so I feel confident that I can make the dress without the lining.  Really, I'll probably make the dress and make the lining - just not attach them together (this material will either need a lining or a full slip).  We'll see.

Now, that everything has been cut out - it's time to make the pattern markings on the fabric, then - I can start sewing.  I'll keep you posted!

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

2012 Sewing Goals

So, my sewing goal for 2012 is really simple - make at least 1 item per month.  It's not an overly ambitious goal, so hopefully I'll be able to reach it.

January 2012 - the ideal project is the Maggie London dress (Butterick #5672).  It's a grey knit dress and really, since this is my first official project - I think I should have started out with something a little more simple.
February 2012 - pink (Polyester Suiting from fabric.com) dress --> I have 2 patterns that I can choose from, so I'll make the decision when I'm ready to tackle that project.

Hopefully, both of these dresses will be ready to wear in time for my birthday and vacation in Miami in March.  Here's to a prosperous New Year! 

Needles Up,
Always Audrey