What a Ham!

I made a ham!  lol it was really too easy.  I've been wanting one for a while now but I didn't want to order it and pay what - $10 bucks plus shipping (Amazon)?? nah - I've got fabric-stash busting to do, so here's the little sucker:

 Cute right?  I just stuffed it with fabric scraps - some of them cotton, some of them knits.  I'm going to make a seam roll next - just after I gather some more fabric scraps.  It was easy and I found a tutorial for it - let me know if you'd like the link - I can post it.

Another link I found is a  great tutorial on the Narrow Hem Foot - there are great photos and everything: http://prudentbaby.com/2011/05/baby-kid/the-narrow-hem-foot-5-minute-tank-tunic-part-2-2/


Hope that helps (hope the link works - let me know if it doesn't, I'm still learning how to be a blogger)

So my latest project is the 2nd from the left - that pink dress:

While I was not blogging - I started a muslin on New Look 6097.  I love the way it looks in the photo~  and here's my muslin:

Of course in this picture it's unfinished as I still had to attach the bodice to the skirt and attach the sleeves.  It was tricky working with this jersey knit.  I used a ballpoint needle and a zigzag stitch.  The fabric was a bit slippery and stretchy and it took patience to sew with it.  I read somewhere that it's best to use a walking foot with jersey so that is now in my Amazon cart and I'll be ordering it very soon.  I find that pattern fitting with the jersey was easy.  This was good practice. 

So here I am wearing the dress - with sleeves and still unhemmed....

I think I really like the end result of jersey knit - it's kind to the curves of the body! And it's super soft and comfy ~ it feels effortless to wear.  I may have to wear something that covers up my girls a bit more.  Can't walk into work like that.

I'm almost done with the actual dress.  I just have to add the sleeves tonight and hem the skirt. I'm going to use my twin needle for the first time for the hem.

It's hard to see the bodice pleats and the pockets with this print but they're there.  This dress will be exactly the same as the one above.  I'll wear it with my favorite Kenneth Cole nude heels and belt. 

There's another version with 3/4 sleeves and a collar.  I'd like to try that one too but in a medium weight knit for the fall (which around here starts in late October, sigh).  I want a navy or royal blue one to wear with my knee high camel boots. 


So, what do you think?  Should I keep going or just stop now? lol

Well, I'm almost done with the last project.  I just have to make the sash and I'll think about modeling it (eek).

In the meantime, I have quite a lot going on.  Most of my busy-ness stems from my regular day job which can be sooooo boring sometimes.  Thank goodness I have a nice high-walled cubicle and privacy at work.  The other things that keep me busy are family, exercising (sometimes), cooking, housekeeping and just plain life.  When does that leave time for sewing, right?  Sheesh - I'm always trying to steal some time to sew.  So that leads me to my next issue.  Which project should I do next?
Here are some patterns I'd like to work on:

Of course, they are all (almost) dresses - just love dresses and how easy they are to wear and accessorize.  The other reason is that I'm not allowed to wear jeans to work, sigh.  So dresses make it easier but I really need a lot more.  

Then there is the issue of which fabric do I begin with?

Most of those are knits, one is charmeuse and there's cotton in that stash too.  Hmm, where do I begin?

I haven't tried knits yet so this will be first time.  Nervous!  But I hear good things about sewing knits - we shall see :)

Good night :)

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Class @ Jo'Ann's

Has anyone ever taken a class at Jo'Ann's Fabrics?  I'm taking one on August 16th - the pattern we're making is Simplicity 1878. It's my first sewing class ever so I hope it's great! :)

New Look 6120 - Pattern Review

Pattern Description:
MISSES' Six Sizes in One - dress
Pattern Sizing: 6-16. I cut a 14 top and a 16 skirt. The pattern has an elastic band at the waist so I just gathered up the skirt to fit the bodice before sewing them together. Very easy size alteration.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? I think so...

Were the instructions easy to follow? I was a little confused when it came time to insert the pockets - I improvised a little and they came out okay.  It has an elastic waistband which was easy to insert.  I had a little trouble sewing around the sleeve area as well but that's mainly due to the fact that I'm a beginner sewer.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the design of this dress with the fullness on the upper body and ease of the skirt. It was quick to sew.  It would have been faster if I hadn't messed up and sewn the seam on the right side instead of the inside.  Ugh - I had to rip up all the seams and do it over again.  I haven't sewn the belt yet since I do have my own but I will sew it sooner or later.  I think the belt on the envelope is really cute. 

Fabric Used: It is a silkly type poppy fabric purchased at JoAnn's.  It frays so easily so that made it a little difficult to work with.  I was nervous about sewing with this fabric but it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  I thought the fabric was pretty but I'm not sure how much I like it as this dress now.  

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I followed the pattern as directed.  I think I should have left out the pockets.


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I'm not sure.  If I do, I will choose a different fabric.

Conclusion: On a scale of 1 - 5 with 1 being the easiest - I found this to be a 3.  Please remember I am new at sewing and this was my first time sewing a bodice (successfully) and pockets.  I think for my first time it went really well.   I had trouble following the pattern with the pockets but I think it turned out okay.  


Here's the pattern:

and here is my final dress:

Would love to hear what you think ~ Thanks! 

A new skirt

Here's a pic of my new skirt:

It's simple, comfy and was super easy to make.  My hems are getting much better!  It has a side zipper and a facing but only in the front.  I didn't bother to make one for the back.  I self-drafted the pattern from the book Sew What! Skirts  - I love that book.  I've made four skirts already. 

Happy Sewing :)