Where do I start?

Wow, it's been a while since I've blogged and there are so many things that I have made while I've been away.  I hadn't intended to stay away this long...the holidays and life just kept me away from the computer.

Let me catch you up to speed on what I've been sewing...around the holidays I sewed a bazillion Recess Raglan shirts for my son and he now has enough long sleeve tops for this winter and next!  I also acquired quite a few new patterns and I've been zipping through them and crossing them off my sewing list.  And before I forget, I have been mixing patterns and making alteration on the stuff I sew for me.

I hate to write a post and leave you without any pictures, so here are half the Recess Raglan shirts I created in my blogging absences.  You can read my original pattern review here.

My little photobomber!

Thanks for reading!!!  See ya all next time!!!

Recess Raglan Tee x2 - Pattern Review

This is the easiest pattern ever!!!!  This pattern has a lot of variations so your options are endless.  Also, if you're new to sewing knits, this pattern makes the process painless.

I fell behind on my sewing queue and I had the cut fabric sitting on my sewing table for a few weeks before I finally got tired of looking at it collecting dust.  I assembled both shirts in an hour with interruptions!  Sadly I wasn't able to finish them because I ran out of ribbed knit for the neck band on one of the shirts.    

I opted to use a serger on the bottom and not hem them as instructed.  My coverstitch likes to skip stitches at the side seams so I didn't use it.  I started using woolly nylon for the bottom thread and it helps but it doesn't solve the skipped stitches problem.  I also attempted to contact the manufacturer to see if they had any suggestions and their response was to take it to my local dealer.  I was a little annoyed that they had zero suggestions for me.  Ok...enough about my sewing problems.

After I whipped up these two shirts, I cut out fabric to make more because they are ridiculously easy to make and they cost me less than $6 each...and that's the breakdown cost of what I paid for the supplies that were sitting in my sewing stash.

I highly recommend this pattern, it's a great staple for your pattern library.

Zippy Top - Pattern Review

Every time I go to the fabric store I develop a fabric crush on a new print...le sigh.  Over time, I have learned that the best course of action is to take a picture of said fabric and move along (because my stash is getting out of control!!!).  A few months ago I found a lovely floral print that I liked and didn't know what to make with it, so I snapped a picture and kept it in the back of my mind.  After Kate released her Zippy Top pattern, I knew exactly what to do with that floral fabric...make a Zippy Top.

Much to my own chagrin, I cut the wrong pattern size and made the top too large.  Oy vey!  I could have tried to size it down but the neck was too big and I didn't want to try to fit it...I really really don't like fitting garments.  What can I say?  I am lazy!  Lucky for me, my friend loved the print and it fits her perfectly.  Yeah!  Everyone wins!

As for the pattern, I think it's perfect and it works well with light weight material.  I am planning out another attempt at making this shirt, except with different fabric and a smaller size!  Wish me luck ;)

Penelope Peplum - Pattern Review

I love peplums and I was sad that I could never find a top that looked good on me.  I had fit issues with RTW peplum tops because the peplum would fall above or below my natural waist and it'd throw off my proportions.  I contemplated making my own but I was too lazy to trace a paper pattern from any of the big pattern companies (ain't nobody got time for that), so I accepted the fact that I'd never own a peplum top.

Needless to say I was thrilled when I found Kate's pattern, even if I was a little late to the party...the point is I still made it ;)

The top came together with ease and everything was going well until I got to the facing.  I ended up topstitching around the entire neckline to help the facing stay put however it still raises up a little.  I think I'll try fusible interfacing the next time I try this pattern.

I also made the Pippa version of this pattern and I love it!!!  So dang cute!!!