New Patterns!

I have exciting news! Today I took advantage of a pattern sale at my local fabric store and bought two new patterns: Simplicity 2588 and Simplicty 2848. They're both dresses from Simplicity's Project Runway Collection. I can't wait to get started on one of them.

Just glancing over the directions, they look much harder than the skirts and aprons that I've been making -- which is only be to be expected. I'm going to have to spend some time learning how to make the dress properly. In the meantime, I can always whip up a few more skirts, since I've been able to finish those off in about two days now. I'm hoping to make one of the jumpers from Simplicity 2848 in August, just in time for going back to school. I'm liking the one with the flaired skirt and they round neckline. The great things about these patterns is that you can mix and match the pieces.

Recently, I've been working on another skirt from the New Look 6843 pattern. It'll be finished as soon as I hem it. I also dug up a surprise from my basement, so you'll just have to wait to see what it is! As for now, I hope that you're all doing exactly what I told you sew.

Project #2: Vintage Apron

Recently, I came across an old pattern (Simplicity 6206) that included some cute vintage aprons. I've been wanting to make a sewing smock, so I decided to make Apron 2 (bottom right corner). I love how it has big pockets, which are going to be so useful for holding scissors, spools of thread, ribbons, etc. The fabric that I used has bright and cheery stripes, which remind me of different types of candy. I also put pale pink rick-rack on the top of the pockets.

One thing that this apron required that I had never done before was gather the fabric. This was done by making two lines of stitching at the top and then pulling the fabric down. I have to admit, it was pretty difficult! Everything was going along fine, until of course the thread broke when I was just about done. In any case, everything came together in the end, and I'm really proud of this apron.

Project #1:Green Skirt

I made this green skirt using one of my favorite patterns -- New Look 6843. I decided to go for the shorter, less-full version of the skirt to wear during the spring and summer. During my latest rendezvous to JoAnne's, I came across this green linen embroidered with white flowers, and I instantly loved it. Since it is linen, it does wrinkle pretty quickly, but the embroidery camouflages it nicely.I hemmed the skirt just above my knees, which was about two inches from the original pattern. One of the problems that I did have with this, however, was trying to find a zipper that matched the color of the fabric, but in the end I opted for the closest one that I could find. The zipper is in the back, so it doesn't' show anyway. The waistband from the pattern was also too short, so next time I plan on using the waistband for the next size up just to have a little leeway when I'm putting the hook in. All-in-all, though I love the patterns from this envelope, and it was a really simple skirt to make.

Later, I plan on making a clutch to go with the skirt from the excess fabric that I have left. I chose to match this skirt up with a white scoop-neck tee-shirt that I got from Lord and Taylor's, which isn't too dressy, and good for wearing out.

Next, I want to sew a vintage apron to use as a sewing smock and another skirt from this envelope using some fabric that I got from China. Until then, don't forget that I told you sew.