The 2nd Quarter Begins..... Sewing Updates

Today, is Monday, April 1st -- Me Made Monday: I'm wearing V8541 Black Skirt and a RTW top


I haven't done nearly as much as I thought I would at the beginning of the year.  As I'm looking ahead to the next few weeks, I hope that I will be able to get more sewing done.  Needless to say, there's an issue at work and although, it's not my issue --> it is my issue.  So, for the next few weeks, I'll be working Monday - Friday.  That means more time before and after work to get sewing.  And, a chance to get caught up on reading all of my favorite blogs.

The weather made a drastic change last week, so I wasn't able to wear (or, take pictures) of the projects that I have completed.  Hopefully, Atlanta's fickle weather will work with me this week!

Projects in Progress
V8815 Top - Essential Top Sew A Long. I did prepared the pattern, but I still haven't cut the fabric.  I haven't been able to work on this project as I initially planned (issues at work - smh), but I hope to have a completed shirt by the deadline.

Fabric Samples - I need to organize my fabric samples. With the 1 year challenge - I want to be able to plan the different projects that I want to make over the course of the year. So, I don't have a repeat of last year - specifically, all bottoms & no tops. Also, I want to make sure I'm working on projects where the colors work well together (to create a functional wardrobe). OMG!

NL6757 Jumpsuit - I was able to pin up the halter pants on my mom to get an idea of the fit. I may decide to get a different zipper - I was going to use black for me, but I'll try to find a pink zipper that matches the fabric for mommie. I need to read / watch you tube on inserting zippers. 3/31/2013: I really need to finish this so that I can send it to my mom for Mother's Day. Where did the time go?

V8541 Skirt- I want to get this pink skirt (and, hopefully a jacket) finished before the weather changes for good. Once, I make this skirt - I'm retiring this pattern (it starts at size 16, and, now I'm between a 12-14 in bottoms). 3/15: I spent some time with this skirt. Since, it's been a while since it was originally cut (and, re-cut) I ironed the pieces and finished the construction. Now, I just need to finish the hem. I'm planning on wearing it on Easter Sunday (although, I'll wear it before then - haha!), but I may need to buy some shoes (LOL!).  3/31/2013:  I decided to wear a pair of shoes that I have.  And, I finished the hem of the skirt this morning before heading to church.  My plans were to finish it sooner, but, the weather changed last week and I wouldn't have been able to wear it.... So, there went my motivation to get 'er done.

V1250 Dress - I've been able to get this dress fitted to my shape and now I can finally finish it! I've taken out a total of 3 inches from each side and now the dress fits perfectly (well, it's only basted) when I try it on. 3/15/2013 Before I finished this dress, I marked on the pattern pieces the size that should be cut for the waist and below, since I didn't make a FBA. Winning! I'll post a review once I'm able to get some pictures.... OH, yeah!

Brand Spanking New Projects
NL6130 - I want to make the sleeveless peplum top (View C) and the zippered skirt. I have a few different cuts of cotton fabric and now, I just need to decide which colors I want to work with to achieve my desired look. 

V7975 - Jacket using the pink and white fabric. Originally, this is something that I wanted to have completed by now, but my life has gotten in the way.

Projects for Fall / Winter Sewing
Infinity Scarf - I don't have a pattern for this, but I saw a great tutorial.

V1320 (Winter Coat) - I have the pattern, I may have the fabric (I have fabric, but I'm not sure if I want to use it for this jacket) - the biggest thing will be mustering up the courage to do it.

Completed


Color Coding Chart
Black - Project Completed 2nd Quarter 2013
Red - New Project (pattern and/or fabric hasn't been cut)
Purple - Project in Progress that needs more work..... (in example, needs to be hemmed)
Blue - Project in Progress that is very close to completion (wearable) or is completed, but needs to be reviewed.

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

Still haven't sewed, but I do have updates.....

On MLK Day, my Grandma B turned 80!
There was a huge family celebration at her house in South Carolina and I was so happy to join everyone.   I can't believe the entire weekend - the only pictures that I have are of me wearing things that I made (on second thought - I CAN BELIEVE THAT).  You know I need pictures for my blog.

Really, that's my lead in - because it's the 23rd day of January and I still haven't turned on my sewing machine..... OMG!  I had so many great plans that I just haven't had the opportunity to get started on.  I did get a chance yesterday to pre-treat some fabric and on Monday night my mom and I worked through the fitting issues on two of my current projects.....

Although, I have some pending commitments for the next few weekends - I'm also looking to get back to my regular work schedule, so I'm sure I'll have more time going forward to get some sewing done.  So, here are my *New Sewing Plans*...

To Be Completed
Write a review - S1885 - When I finished this dress, I never wrote a review for the pattern.  I like writing reviews and having 1 central location where I can see all of the patterns that I have tried.

Fabric Samples - I need to organize my fabric samples and post on it...
Projects in Progress
V8541 - When I get back sewing - this project is on the top of the list.  I want to get this pink skirt (and, hopefully a jacket) finished before the weather changes for good.

V1250 Dress - I've been able to get this dress fitted to my shape and now I can finally finish it!  I've taken out a total of 3 inches from each side and now the dress fits perfectly (well, it only basted) when I try it on.

NL6757 - I was able to pin up the halter pants on my mom to get an idea of the fit.  I may decide to get a different zipper - I was going to use black for me, but I'll try to find a pink zipper that matches the fabric for mommie.  I need to read / watch you tube on inserting zippers. 

Brand Spanking New Projects
NL6130 - I want to make the sleeveless peplum top (View C) and the zippered skirt.  I have a few different cuts of cotton fabric and now, I just need to decide which colors I want to work with to achieve my desired look.  I will be making the shirt in February - depending on my time and progress before the 1st.  I will start by making the skirt.

V7975 - Jacket using the pink and white fabric.  Originally, this is something that I wanted to have completed by now, but my life has gotten in the way. 

Infinity Scarf - I don't have a pattern for this, but I saw a great tutorial.  Once, I'm able to get to this - I'll be sure to post a review of the tutorial and I'll show some pictures.

Hopefully, now that I've finished year end close at work and I'm back home from visiting with family - I can get to my sewing plans

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

2013 Goals & 2012 Reviewed

2013 Goals (listed in no particular order):

1. Learn how to Make a FBA (Full Bust Adjustment)
2. Purchase a Dress Form
3. Make 18 - 24 Wearable Garments (about 2 per month)
4. Since, my size has changed - find a new TNT (Tried N True) pattern for skirts & pants
5. Make a LBD (Little Black Dress)
6. Learn how to insert a zipper
7. Make a shirt

Highlights of 2012 Completed Garments - Sew ReInvented Audrey

My goal was to make at least 12 wearable garments during 2012.... And, here are my totals:

Total Completed Projects - 12 (well, really 11 - see the biggest success & failure of 2012)
Total Projects-in-Progress - 2 (Vogue 1250 & New Look 6757) *I'll have to post about my V1250 disaster.

Projects by type (only completed projects):
Jacket - 1
Dress - 3
Skirt - 5
Pants - 3

Projects by Pattern Company (all projects attempted):
Vogue - 10
Butterick - 2
Simplicity - 1
New Look - 1
Mimi G's Pencil Skirt Tutorial - 1

Fabric on Hand 12/31/2011 - 7 yards
Fabric Purchased in 2012 - 39.5 yards (**Black Friday purchases not included - that fabric was for 2013)
Fabric Used in 2012 - 28.5 yards
Fabric on Hand 12/31/2012 - 18 yards (okay, can you tell that I work in Accounting - OMG!)

Total Spending (Fabric, Books/Magazines, Notions, Patterns & new Sewing Machine): $493.35 ($41.11 per month)

2012's Biggest Success & Failure - Butterick 5672 (Gray dress in collage at top)
This is my biggest success because it was the first project that I worked on this year.  Of course, in my typical style - hence, it is also my biggest failure - I totally jumped in before I even knew what I was doing.  Needless to say, I started this dress with the wrong fabric, the wrong sewing machine needle, the wrong thread (you mean, there's a difference between cotton & polyester)....With all of that - I did somehow manage to finish the dress.  Oh, yeah - I forgot to mention - it's way, way too short.  That didn't stop me from wearing it 3 times (ha-ha!  I made it, I love it), but it's troubled.

2012's Most Used Pattern Vogue 8541 (Jacket, Skirt & Pants)
Of the 10 times I used a Vogue Pattern in 2012 - 8 of those times it was Vogue 8541 (1 Jacket, 4 Skirts, 3 Pants).  There's no greater feeling than knowing when you pick up a pattern that 1) it will fit and 2) it will go together easily because you've done it so many times before.  I didn't really branch out to try my pattern different ways, mostly I just used different colors or fabrics and I was very satisfied with the outcome each time.

2012's UFO - Butterick 5664 (Pink Dress, no pictures)
There's only 1 project that I consider an UFO for 2012 - Butterick 5664.  It's a See & Sew Pattern for a dress.  I was attempting to make it in a Pink Polyester Crepe.  9 Pattern Pieces (for fashion fabric and lining) - this was my 2nd project of 2012, my 3rd sewing project.  Total Fail.  I did use some of the fabric to make my pink skirt (V8541), and to cover the boxes that hold my notions & patterns in my sewing studio.

2012's Most Complicated Vogue 8541 Jacket & Vogue 8541 Tweed Skirt
Jacket - This was just the most complex project that I worked on this year, but it was a jacket.
Skirt - This was complicated because I didn't  know that I needed to plan first (you need to interface tweed edges so that they don't fray).  I knew I wanted a Tweed skirt.  I could see me wearing a Tweed skirt in my mind.  My real life skirt and the image in my mind match up perfectlu, but, the fabric started fraying even when I only looked at it.

2012's Most Worn Vogue 8541 Pants (Black Polyester Crepe)
I wore these pants into the ground!  To work, to Church, hanging out with friends, running errands, everywhere.  If they were lined pants, I would even wear them now.  As it is, I'll have to wait until it starts to warm up.

2012's Biggest Surprise Purple Scarf
I learned how to crochet and I made a scarf!

2012's Completed Projects

Black Skirt - Polyester Crepe - V8541

  Pink Skirt - Polyester Crepe - V8541

Purple Skirt  - Polyester Crepe -V8541

Black Pants - Polyester Crepe - V8541

Red Pants - Cotton Blend - V8541

Black & Purple Dress - Black & Purple Polyester Crepe - V8786

Mimi G's Pencil Skirt (from her online tutorial) - Print Rayon Challis

Pink Pants - Polyester Suiting - V8541

 Purple Jacket - Polyester Crepe - V8541

Skirt - Black Multi-Colored Tweed - V8541

Purple Scarf - Crocheted - Lion Brand: Learn to Crochet Kit (no picture)

 Multi-Print Dress - Cotton Print - S1885 (finished 12/30 - review hasn't been completed yet - no picture)

 

  Looking forward to making more happy noises in the sewing studio in 2013 and beyond!

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

Full Bust Adjustments?

So, I haven't made any tops - yet.
Well, I did make 1 dress, but it wasn't a shirt or a top.  And, the pattern says it was loose fitting.
I've been looking for top patterns - I just haven't found anything that I was dying to make... if you know what I mean.
But, if I haven't made any tops - that means that I haven't made any Full Bust Adjustments......
Que the soap opera drama music - you've got to know where this post is going.

Now, I've been working like 10 hours on making this halter top jumpsuit (NL6757).  I know - I totally missed summer.  This was on my list as a Summer project, but initially I didn't have enough fabric (see One Project Down and Out).  I'm at the point where I need to insert the zipper.  I pinned down the zipper - tried it on.  And, you totally guessed it - I can't get it to zip up over my breasts!

The
Worst
Feeling
Ever.....

You can't even imagine the number of happy dances - I have done up to this point.  I've never made a halter top.  I've never made a jumpsuit.  This IS my most challenging project to date.  And, most importantly - even without the zipper - IT looks like the pattern envelope.  AND, it doesn't fit!  <Insert hissy fit.>

So, I'm moving on to my next project - the jacket from V8541 (hopefully, I'll have more success).  And, I'm putting this jumpsuit to the side for right now.

Hopefully, I'll work on some other projects and figure out a snazzy way that I can make a full bust adjustment at this point in the game.  (P.S. I already tried the sports bra over my bra and that didn't help.)  Otherwise, I'll finish the project and give it to my mom for Christmas.  We are shaped the same - except her breast are a little smaller (like, I'm DDD and she's D) and she's shorter than me.

Here's to making lemonade, when the need for a full bust adjustment has given you a lemon!  LOL!  (At least, I've been making happy noises - and, dances - in the sewing studio.)

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

One Project Down (and, Out)....

I purchased this Zebra Print / Black Cotton to make the pants jumper on the right of this New Look 6757 Pattern.  I was so sure I had enough fabric (1 yard of Zebra & 2 yards of Black).  Not to mention the time & energy I have spent, pre-treating, ironing, cutting out the pattern pieces.  Then, I laid the pattern pieces out on the fabric and I realized I don't have enough fabric to make it.  OMG!  I purchased 2 yards of 45 inch Black cotton - 2 yards of 60 inch would have been enough. 

I still can't believe it - I don't have enough fabric to make this project.  I'm looking through my patterns to see if I have something else I can make.  Or, I'll have to purchase more fabric.  Oh, well - onto the next one. 




Needles Up,
Always Audrey