Mccalls 6741- a Marsupial Housedress?

Tags

Mccalls 6741, sewing

Today I’m going to be that person on pattern review that I just hate. I love getting  new patterns then checking out what others have done with it on PR or Flickr. Except, when I really need to know what some Big4 craziness really looks like without all the editing, photoshop, weird poses, smoke, mirrors and palm trees. Like this one:

Wanda, I love your cruiseship handbag. I do. But it is distracting me from noticing that you have marsupial pockets. Oh, you meant to do that.

So I haunt PR looking for people who have dove in before me and tried out a new pattern. Then  I see that someone has altered the snot out of something so much that it is barely the same pattern and no help at all.

I did that. I customized this badboy like a fancy lowrider.

I know sweetie, but I was really thinking more along the lines of a fancy altered car. Sorry. By the way, that is Liesls ‘ thinking’ pose.

OK, so I am loving my new dress- I tried to get out of my print rut and try something different and I was worried at first that it has a little housecoat feel, but I think adding the little tucks at the neckline and the buttons and tapering the waist in a bit helped that. Do you think? I am still weirded out by this pocket placement- it feels clumsy or like a very low set hoodie. Ah. Lowrider pockets. How on theme!

The front tucks started as a fix to the gappy neckline that resulted from little me thinking a center front seam just had no purpose and distorted my adorable par-cheesey print fabric. Then I just liked it more than the slashed neckline and kept rolling. Design option or  miscalculation? You say tomato, I say tomatoe….

I used to feel great shame if the pattern didn’t look like the envelope- I took it to mean that I couldn’t follow directions. Like PR was judging me with that question on the review template. I always feel like putting in ‘No! …and I’m really, super sorry!’  Now I think it’s more about personalization.

Ok, more details. I skipped the back zip, removed the center seam, no lining, I created a neck facing once the tucks were set and oh, hey, thats all I changed. Next time I’d like to try the slightly funnel-necked version. What do you think? Is it a marsupial housedress?

Now. Lately I have read alot about blog comments seeming too kind, or just repetative and not very informative. So, let me tell you- I love some constructive thoughts, it’s a big help. On the otherhand, if you just wish to repetitively praise me, let me make this easier. Please select A, B or C and drop it in the comment both.

A- Damn, Anne- your proportions are practically willowy in this! When is Colin Firth leaving his wife for you?

B- Never have I seen such raw, gaudy talent outside of the Chanel workroom

C- Why do they not let you grace the covers of all big4 pattern envelopes? They are missing out on huge revenue.

Oh! I forgot-

D- All of the above and a german chocolate cupcake is in the mail!

photo credits: Pattern Review, google images,  meadhawg. All images remain the property of their original owners.

Simplicity 2025 meets the Sui

Tags

sewcialists, sewing, simplicity 2025

I started back to sewing for me about 3 years ago, after mostly sewing scrub caps and doll clothes and selling them on evilbay for years. My me sewing years before had  mostly been post-Home Ec budgety stuff that had all the style of….ok, I wasn’t the stylish beastie you see now, ‘nouff said.

This pattern was one of the first I bought 3 years ago- it looked easy, it looked reasonably stylish and from what retail was telling me, it was sack-like  enough that I was entitled to it. Perhaps this is why I wasn’t over-upset when I read all the blogs this week discussing the lack of decent fit in the big4 patterns.

I’m a big girl. I know this. I wasn’t always, but I am now. I’m almost cool with it. Until I go into a chain retail store and hop around from rack to rack looking for my size like a needle in a fat stack. Finally in a dim recessed corner I find the size that I am currently- it’s boxy, it’s shapeless and if I’m lucky, it isn’t also doubling as maternity. I’ve let retail convince me that I don’t belong in anything else. Like the sight of fabric skimming too close to my hips would bring the villagers with torches and they would run me to the belltower to live alone, where only my cartoon rat companions have to look at my hideous form. Ok, it’s not that bad- it even sounds like I’m headed for a musical number. 

So this week I’ve been asking myself why I’m not more bothered by the lack of fit and over-ease I find in the big4. Well, I have been comfortable with the semi-fit of the styles I have chosen. I like a sheer floaty thing. I like a loosely belted business. I guess I lead a pull on over the head lifestyle. I am just not Ms Button down. Tho Lord knows I have been told to button up!

So for me, the ease issue is not a huge one (joke, did you see it? Go back and read it again) but I totally understand what it means to others.  I know bad fit when I see it. There is a strong possibility that my Bond Girl name is Boxy Le Smut, but I know that when I make a dressier dress, I want the option of having it fit me- dare I say it- like it was made for me. So I’m really in agreement that the ‘design for a 6, grade up 3 sizes,grade  down 3 sizes-sell!’ is not good enough- and shameful coming from companies that we use to express our creativity, solve figure problems, and find custom chic from. It is time for the big4 to stop resting on it’s laurels and bring in more designers with modern eyes and stop just repackaging the 80′s for us.

Now, complaining aside, lets get down to my latest boxy creation. I am thinking about install a paypal button on the side of my blog so that you can send me donations to help cover the cost of these divine Dr Martens that would totally suit this Anna Sui fabric beautifully- don’t you think? Is it not wrong that I don’t have these? Wouldn’t the world be a better place if I had these? Yes, of course it would.

photo credits: Dr Martens, meadhawg, google images. All images remain the property of their original owners.

A girl such as I…in Simplicty 2936

Tags

sewing, Simplicity 2936

You know, sometimes a girl such as I, who basks in the luxury of a decadent, carefree lifestyle of hummingbird tongue niblets and having Colin Firth give me pedicures while Jeremy Northam makes me a frappe,  likes to shrug off her ocelot capelet and wear something everyday. It makes me feel ‘down with the people’ as they say.  So I tried Simplicity 2936-

Such variations! I was giddy. Now the trick for me was to not segueway too far into a Daisey Mae zone.  Just- no.

I liked it with a floral and the little tied off sleeves, but I skipped any other embellishment to keep it simple. This little pattern is a new favorite.

Lately I’ve been sewing alot of tiny rompers for someone special and I have probably developed a little obsession with my snap press.  Seriously, I’m starting to think a little hammering will solve anything! It does get the GD cat off the sewing table, I’ll give you that!

So I blew off button holes and gave it black pearl snaps. I tell you, I’m thinking of installing a gong and then Bruderlein can strike it to announce my millionth snap hammered into innocent fabric. Hopefully this will happen before Liesl runs off with the striker or Mr B confiscates my hammer. Got to work fast!!

Oh, but where to wear something so casual- it’s far too subtle for my Marie Antoinette lifestyle of tiny dogs and soirees.  Perhaps some pictures in the front yard of our servants quarters- this isn’t MY front door of course…..

This has alot of collar and sleeve options, but my favorite option is to tuck or not to tuck the front and back. I did one on either side front and back and felt that it was just right- yes, not to baggy, not too constricting. Basically the fit is for me, the porridge that Goldilocks ate- just right.  Check out my dandy little sleeve rabbit ears. My underarms have gotten amazing reception today with this on.

Well, I’d better go and dress for dinner. Thanks for popping by.

photo credits: google images, Pattern review, meadhawg. All images remain the property of their original owners.

Ahoy, Simplicity 1651

Tags

sewing, Simplicity 1651

I’m very, very behind. This was supposed to be my April Challis make, but things got in the way and I didn’t finish Simplicity 1651 until last week. Nice. I love the Project Runway patterns except for my tragic math skills trying to decipher yardage.

‘For dress with full skirt 3.5 yards. Add .78 yards for peplum, .3875 yards for 3/4 sleeves, only 1.78 yards for pencil skirt, add 6.75 yards for cathedral length and add 3.75 yards for matching duffel bag’. Oy! Luckilly I overbuy, so by midsummer a little top will also sport this tealy business. I chose the view with the keyhole front and did not choose to layer the cap sleeves. It felt weird. Why make a little jacket for the cap sleeves? It wouldnt have suited this fabric me thinks. The twisty business in front was alot of fun to make, tho I am having trouble keeping the facing from rolling over a bit. One less twist? A bit of stabilizer on the edge of the front upper facing? A voodoo charm? This never happens to Savannah Guthries twist fronts!!

I also realized that it really didn’t need a zipper, I was slinging it over my pointed head just fine. Please note in the background another bizarre fish on a stick that our town proudly displays. I can’t explain.

I really like this dress, I surely do. It’s girly, swishy and ok, semi-obscene. I have worn this to work- yes, yes, I have. BUT I created a little inset- call it a breastal dickie is you dare. Because as you can see- this is one major keyhole.

See? I totally love this fabric- I think they are angry roses. Thank you fabricmart, your deliveries fill me with much joy.

I was laughing at my husband here- when even he thinks I’m revealing too much cleavage, you know you have gone from keyhole to porthole. There was a lot of ‘No, don’t turn to the side so much’ in my posing instructions! Don’t worry, none of the bunnies escaped the hutch!

Seriously, I think I killed some ants with the concentrated glare off the bunnies. I really must remember to only use my powers for good.

Look out, ducks!

photo credits: google images, meadhawg, pattern review. All images remain the property of their original owners.

I’m only happy when it rains- on my Victory

Tags

sewing, Victory Patterns Nicola

I was very tempted to title this post: ‘Nicola meets my little fat-rolla’; because I’ve been speculating that perhaps this pattern company, tho lovely is just not geared toward my frame.  Look- even the model is exercising!

I love Victory Patterns and I have really enjoyed seeing other sewcialists makes. I made the Anouk previously- it was  a size grading job a little beyond my abilities, but it is sooo pretty! I’m rambling. I know. Ok, here we go. You know looking glamorous is all about your setting. While waiting for the rain to stop, I broke down and posed in my husband and his brothers makeshift brewing area. Boil and bubble- I’m like a white trash Lady Macbeth over here. 

I’m actually very pleased with this- I think it’s flattering, tho maybe a narrower belt would be better…you think?  Since I can’t arrange a narrower me.  By the way, this according to my husband should be my signature vanity lighting. Rain and steam. Nice. My pores are amazing here, aren’t they?

This is another fabricmart sale fabric that followed me home- look- floral animal print- grr! Cuz baby, I am vicious! I didn’t do many changes to this- I only did 1 dart on each side on the back and that was enough to get my caboose covered. Here’s a casual spin to show the lining.

This is one of those dreses that for me is more decorative than functional- I ride a desk chair all day, with intermittent parades to different departments, so wrap dresses always seem to need a lap robe after a few minutes- or perhaps a well- placed dachshund to hold it in place.

This make has given me the courage to try another Victory pattern- in a wild moment I bought them all! So if you think there is one that would lend itself better to my girlish contours just let me know- before the glow of this success wanes- or I wake up! Here’s my ‘What are you wretched crumb snatchers next door doing in my lilacs?!’ face….

photo credits: Victory Patterns, Google images, meadhawg

Mccalls 6652- on being a reluctant dragon.

Tags

Mccalls 6652, sewing

I have a need to keep buying top patterns. I never seem to find the perfect one. I have a few I’ve made multiples of-  Simplicity 3786 and 2059 are sort of go to,  but I swear, I will find the ultimate pattern and we shall roam these hills in sassy splendour evermore. The latest  new victim was Mccalls 6652- or, as I like to think of it: Mccalls, Curse of the Reluctant Dragon!!

I know, I know- you are thinking why would I even pick this up? Its a prehistoric mullet top. Not exactly a thing to behold. Does anyone yearn for their tush to form a windsock?  I like how they threw a snowy background behind the model to keep you from picturing Charlie Brown and the kite eating tree.

But as usual, I tapped down my feelings of impending sartorial doom and cut into some pretty stuff to try this one sans tail. View B or as my husband thought of it: ‘DaVinci’s flight suit girly version’ – doesn’t feature the el camino design and looked nice and airy. Airy is good in SC in the summer. Naked in a dark air-conditioned room is better, but hey, I have to leave the house and earn the kibble money, you knows. Dig how full and flying squirrelly this back is:

This went together like a plan- I french seamed it and used an Anna Sui print for the center panel- I worried that in just one color, I would in repose resemble a giant floral whoopie cushion. We all have our little fears, right?

This pattern will not be the goto blouse pattern, the search resumes, but it’s doable. It’s frisky and different. Now here is the part I found amusing. I’m wearing it backwards. All that heavy gathering in the back to form your tail is still there on this view and the weight just drags it back and gave me a little strangled feeling- it’s crazy- I felt like Isadora Duncan. You can see how the shoulder seam is pulling backward on wind sock model. So I tried it on backwards- viola (and other stringed instruments!) it’s much more comfortable like this.

Who knew? Don’t tell anyone- it gives it a secret Walk of Shame aspect, doesn’t it? In the dragon theme I give you my ‘Mother of dragons’ concept. Look at their fierce, fire-breathing selves! Grr! Look out Goffrey! Really, I don’t hate this. It’s comfortable, but less than flattering, but I knew that going in. Billowy and flattering are never used in the same ad, are they?

photo credits: Pattern review, Meadhawg, google images. All images remain the property of their original owners.

We Spoke of Was and Where…..Burda 7127

Tags

Bowie Sewalong, Burda 7127, sewing

In 1984 cable came to Somerset, New Jersey. life as I knew it was about to change.  Up until MTV appeared, I had led a sheltered life at a small religious private school. My older siblings didn’t have the same musical taste as I did and I was left with just the music approved by my schools rigorous views of hellfire and damnation. By my 16th birthday, I had seen Amy Grant in concert 3 times. Seriously.

I rushed home to catch an hour of newish music and try desperately to grasp some cool points. I dropped my trapper keeper and le sports sac in front of the family room tv and hunkered down. Oh, crap.  MTV was showing creaky old crap from the vintage vault. Whatever. I rolled my eyes and thought about shaker knit sweaters  and Matthew Broderick for a few minutes. Then it happened. I saw him. He was magnificent and a little scary. He was singing right to me. From the past. It was an old concert clip of Bowie singing ‘Changes’.

I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence and
So the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They’re quite aware of what they’re going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don’t tell t hem to grow up and out of it
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Where’s your shame
You’ve left us up to our necks in it
Time may change me
But you can’t trace time

Strange fascination, fascinating me
Changes are taking the pace I’m going through…..

Ok, it didn’t hurt that I misunderstood the lyrics as ‘turn and face the strange‘  and felt like he was giving me license to not only make art, but in my small way..BE ART! Not fitting in to my tiny surroundings no longer seemed like such a bad thing. It seemed like the goal. Bowie was a gateway drug. I hopped from him to Marc Bolan, to Iggy to Warhol, to the New York Dolls, to Lou Reed- my favorite singer/songwriter of all.

Now I have to admit after al of this that glam rock is not a style that I lean toward, what I lean toward is the stylishness of it all. The sublime crazy- the insane but perfect tailoring and the inability to be pigeonholed with one look. Bowie has swaggered thru so many periods and still been BOWIE. For me the message is, enjoy trends, but be you above all and don’t apologize for the you that you were picked to be. It’s all beyond some, but they don’t matter anyway.

Thank you Tempest for giving us all an opportunity to reflect on some amazing music and some serious style.

I chose to homage ‘The Man Who Sold the World’. The husband doesn’t know its also a little tribute to his love of science fiction- he loves Robert Heinlein. I also loved that its release was very close to my own. 1971. The American album cover featured a generic cartoon- instead of David in what might very well have been one of Angie’s frocks. I’m alot less edgy in this one than he was! Burda 7127 just felt right for this. European and stylish.

The little sleeve details sold me on this- it elevates the basic shape a bit.

On a side note, I love this dress- my Mother referred to this dress as ‘the brown one that you aren’t going to like’ while I was making it. But hey, that just made it perfect for this salute to my angst, right? Nobody understands me! I’m a rebel! Well, a ‘Rebel, Rebel’, if you will……envy my savage footwear!

One more after we let down the puppy gate:

photo credits: google images, pinterest, meadhawg. All images remain the property of their original source.

Am I suited for Adulthood? Vogue 8442

Tags

sewing, Vogue 8442

Fabricmart- you are a friend to me! How I love the sight of a box on the porch. it makes me giddy, as you know. But also full of trepidation- the free bundles are my favorite form of textile roulette. Will it be lovely animal print? Will it be a matching lining for an ordered treasure? Lace? Almost always I get something I am as excited about as what I ordered.  Except this last time. Yes, I am about to kiss a gift horse full on the mouth, I am. Grey…..wool……suiting……with pinstripes? Um, what do you do with that? Do they have any idea who they are sending this to? Is it a joke? I ordered a box of my usual fiesta de tacky and they send me Gregory Peck wear????

Cosmic joke. Sure I have the option of wearing business attire to work, but lets be honest, an elastic waist totally rocks on any given day. Sure, I love to dress up, but the thoughtless ease of my lovely brown scrubs is just so perfect at 6:30 in the morning! But I digress. I pondered and I thought about it and asked myself: how can I Anniefy this mature fabric? Hmm…lets all think on it.

Solution:  Vogue 8442

I’m in love. Seriously- this ticked all the boxes. Comfortable, vaguely stylish, work appropriate. Do you hear this, Mother? I have an adult outfit!!

My only issues were fixable. I have no idea why it calls for a center front seam or even a zipper?! I left both off. Next time I will know better and not have a back center seam either. It’s not so fitted that it made a difference. What do you think? Just ignore all of that smut behind me- I swear it’s all religious tomes and higher thought!!

These pics are after work- so ignore the wrinkles, it was a long days! We trained an ortho office and I was bobbing up and down alot. Like you do when training, right?

Funny- well, to me at least. The sleeves are a little stiff at the cuffs and the buttons were a lovely metal Mr B picked out- every time I came thru my office door- they would hit the door frame on one side and CLANK!!! I know, thats not how ladies walk about- barrelling thru entrances like bulls. I need to insinuate myself into rooms- like Gigi’s aunt taught her! Now The Peck and the shape of this having me thinking noir, Susan Haywood ‘You can’t break me, Coppers!’ thoughts, so here’s my noir pose. Probably more effective without 2 Disney world potatoheads behind me, but hey, you get the idea!

photo credits: meadhawg, google images,pattern review, all images remain the property of their original owners.

NL 6000 or How empowering little girls will wreck your figure!

Tags

NL 6000, Polkadot Frock fest, sewing

Here they come. Ringing the doorbell, stopping you at the Sam’s, slipped onto your desk by co-workers. Yes, it’s that time again and Juliette Gordon Low, I am mad at you!

It was February and I wanted to be a Scruffy Badger Scout like all the cool kids-  I bought the pattern and the polka dotted (ok, sort of polka dotted) fabric for my uniform and I was really liking my dress- until YOU meddling kids showed up with your smiles promising girly empowerment, but  really just masking caloric intake! Shame on you! Now my NL 6000 is bursting at the seams and my breath smells of shame and thin mints! Oh, how evil you little moppets are! I’ve paid $3.50 a box to send you to sleepaway camp and now I can’t afford my much needed trip to a fat camp for me! I’m three more boxes away from looking like the First Lady- and I don’t mean the one who loves Jason Wu!?

Ah me, here goes nothing-

I chose View A and I really enjoyed making the pleats- can you see them around the peanut butter patties? That by the way is my new nickname for my hips.   I had to alter the pattern to my usual 18ish. Hey New Look? Where are the patterns for the dainty plussers?

Don’t make me put these cookies down and fire off an angry letter- cuz I just might!! Ok, maybe I’ll just finish this sleeve of thin mints first- I don’t want them to dry out. Or be eaten by the camera man. That would suck, too.

This is lined in an ivory batiste and I didn’t take into account that it might take up some of my ease space- yup, thats what happened, it’s that darned thick, thick batiste taking up all my oxygen room!

‘She looked like she had been poured into her clothes and had forgotten to say ‘when’ – P G Wodehouse.   I think that about sums it up. I think I will put my little frock in the closet until the weather warms up and I am out of cookies!!  I do love this look, I know I will wear it to death later in the year after I perhaps burn off a couple of hundred samoas walking the puffy-pups.

Aw, Juliette, I can’t stay mad at you- you’re just too cuddly! *Unsubstantiated Bonus Jules GL trivia: Samoas, the best cookie by far was named after Jule’s South Pacific Islander love toy Fetu- her first viewing of the prototype cookie made her weep and exclaim, ‘The rich caramel color, it is so like my Fetu…..so  yummy…..’.. *

photo credits: meadhawg, google images, all photos remain the property of their original sources

* This is of course folk lore and cann ot be used in earning your Girl Scout History badge.

Never trust your cameraman. Butterick 5561

Tags

Butterick 5561, sewing

I should have known he was being too agreeable.

When your husband tells you in the middle of your serious photo shoot to wave your arms wildly, think before you do it.  I guess you’d better just go to Pattern review for more detail- I can’t remember what I was going to say about this make!

photo credits: meadhawg