sleeveless tova

This is my second time sewing the Wiksten Tova, the first, which I'm realizing now, I never actually blogged about (but if you want to check it out, it's over here). It's a fantastic pattern and overall, a pretty quick and simple project to sew up. I had finished this sleeveless version about a month ago, but didn't get around to taking pictures until a couple of weeks ago. And then, well, I got side-tracked and blah blah blah... So anyways, here it is.

 

I used an off-white, light-weight fabric I bought at a fill-a-bag event put on by Our Social Fabric (I had also meant to do a post about this not-for-profit organization whose goal is to keep fabrics out of landfills, but I never did get around to it. If you're interested, Tasia of Sewaholic did a great post about it over here.) I thought it was cotton at first, but it doesn't seem to wrinkle very much so I'm now thinking it's a blend of some sort (I haven't ventured into any burn-tests to figure that out though). Anyways, it cost next to nothing and has the subtle stripes throughout it so I thought it would make a sweet tunic top. Although I made this Tova in the dress length, the sheerness of the fabric pretty much limits me to wearing it as a tunic over leggings or skinnies and a tank, which is pretty much my daily 'uniform' anyways :)

 

The overall construction of this dress/tunic was very simple, especially having left off the sleeves which aren't all that difficult, but a bit finicky with the gathering and all. To finish the arm holes in this version, I  just used the bias binding technique from the Wikstan Tank pattern which worked perfectly well. The trickiest part of the body is the front yoke which, again, isn't all that difficult if you just sew slowly and carefully when working around the corners. 

 

I made this in the size large (same as my flannel Tova) and didn't do any adjustments to the pattern other than omitting the sleeves. I love how it fits and looks from the front, but am still having issues with the back which is looking pretty 'tenty' (I didn't manage to get a picture of the back yet but trust me, it's not very flattering). I'm thinking I need to add some darts or cinching or something. 

Anyways, I've been wanting to learn more about tailoring and pattern alterations, so I decided to sign up for this pattern fitting course through Craftsy. (They lured me in with the 'we miss you' super promo deal so I actually also signed up for this 'pattern drafting from ready-to-wear' course which I'm pretty excited about!) I also took out this book from the library which I haven't had a chance to really read through yet, but has a nice section on adjusting patterns to your body type. If anyone knows of any other good books or resources for altering patterns or tailoring, please share! I have heard that this Palmer/Pletsch book is great, but I haven't gotten my hands on it yet. 

melissa x

a heart. just because.

I've been in a bit of a sewing rut lately. Every night, I stare at my machine. Fiddle around with some fabric, and shuffle through patterns, but don't actually get anything done. It's not that I haven't been feeling inspired to sew.. I actually think that I've been feeling a little overwhelmed with everything I want to/have to sew in the next little while. Even though it's still summer, holiday markets are sneaking up fast. I'm signed up for only one market so far but feel like I'm already behind in my sewing for it. Also, with all of the awesome, newly released patterns out there (yup, it's that time of year), I just want to sew up everything I see but am feeling discouraged even before I begin. Really, I just don't feel like I have the time or energy to start any new projects right now.

So, I figure the best way to pull myself out of this rut is to just sew something. Anything. Preferably something without a pattern or a purpose. Something to sew 'just because'.

Inspired by 'The Family Heart' in Amanda Blake Soule's book Handmade Home, I tried my best to channel my inner dottie angel while I rummaged through my stash of vintage sheet scraps. Grabbing colours and patterns that may or may not go with one another, I just cut ('no precise measuring tools allowed' as dottie would say) and sewed up this little heart. 

The back is a piece of remnant fabric that was included in a 'craft kit' I picked up from Smoking Lily a few weeks ago. I think it's some sort of a wool blend. I stuffed the heart with some leftover wool batting I used when I made my sister's lap blanket, and sprinkled some organic lavender in with it just for fun. And of course, added a little pocket for sweet notes, star wars lego pieces, little chocolate bars.. whatever. It's not perfect in any way, and I don't know what I'll do with it, but it makes me happy :)

x melissa

wiksten tank #3

So about a month or so ago, I made myself another Wiksten Tank out of 'good fabric' (and not cheapo wearable muslin fabric). I used a beautiful Lecien Lawn (Memoire a Paris) fabric in a berry and cream colourway I picked up at Spool of Thread. Again I attempted to modify the body a bit (previous tanks here and here) so that it would be roomy enough in the chest but not too tenty around the waist. I lowered the armhole a bit and adjusted the side seams by measuring 1 1/2" in from the hem and drew a diagonal line to the edge of the armhole. Then I measured approx 1" from the armhole and drew another diagonal line to the edge of the hem as well. So when I followed/sewed the outer line, the side seam curved in a bit around the waistline but then out again at the hem. I don't even know if this makes sense to anyone but I'm writing it in here because the result actually worked for me and I'm hoping to recreate this again using these notes.

I took a few pictures of the tank when I finished it but didn't write up a post because I wanted to get a picture of me wearing it so I could show the difference in fit from my previous tanks. But alas and alack, it was not meant to be. Although I've been wearing the tank quite a bit lately, I didn't take any pictures and today, my washing machine decided to take a big-ass bite out of it :(

Ah well, I guess it's on to #4 then.

x melissa

specimens

Today we went for a walk in search of dinosaur bones.

Found some very interesting specimens.

And came home to sketch them. 

(Along with a picture of a man sleeping with a dog and, oops, forgot to take off his hat!)

And here's my Hazel dress so far. I just need to get an invisible zipper foot to finish it up. Kicking myself because I was at the sewing shop just on the weekend but didn't want to shell out $28 for an invisible zipper foot. Thought I would be able to sew in the zipper without it, but then remembered the last invisible zipper I tried to sew on with a regular foot turned out rather crappity-crap. So, I'm going to spend the $28 in the hopes that this time, my zipper installation will be beautiful which will make my dress beautiful and I'll wear it all the time and it'll all be worth it in the end. Fingers crossed..

x melissa

oh hello..

Whoa! I just realized it's been almost a month since I last posted anything here! Crazy! It's not like I've forgotten about this poor little blog of mine.. I kept thinking of things I wanted to post about and share on here but just never got around to writing it all out. It's been a busy month I think, and I've actually been doing a lot of sewing, some for friends, some as donations, but mostly for myself. Here's what I've been working on:

I completed two blocks (of nine) for my Swoon quilt! I'm doing this at a rather slow pace but totally loving the process. Because each block is so big, it's like nine mini quilts in one!

I made another Wiksten Tank muslin (wearable of course) trying to adjust the size a bit. I made the top part one size bigger than the first one I made and the bottom part the same as the first. Although I still love and rave about this pattern, I think I can still do a bit of tweaking on the fit to match my body type. I think really what I need to do is add some mini darts and possibly lower/widen the armhole (is this called the armscye still when it's a sleeveless top?) a bit on the original size. And I'm sure this is old news now, but Jenny now offers her two amazingly awesome patterns as PDF downloads! That means no more waiting for a restock of patterns, and no more shipping fees. Just instant gratification!

I've also been working on a muslin for the Sewaholic Crescent Skirt and have been following this old sew-along which is so fabulously detailed and easy to follow. I have completed my muslin in, well, a rather drab, worn out muslin fabric so I won't  show a picture of me wearing it. I'll be sewing up the 'real' skirt in a lightweight denim fabric for a look that was inspired by this version.

Finally, I have also started sewing up a 'dottie angel-esque' frock from this sweet vintage pattern I bought off Etsy. I'm hoping to have it completed for when I head out to the dottie angel workshop in Seattle in just over three weeks (I AM SO CRAZY EXCITED ABOUT THIS!!)

And just for fun, check out this sweet little scrap pack Laura of Charm Stitch sent me! She was cleaning out her sewing space (something I've actually been doing as well) and she was offering out some little fabric scrap packs for free! I was totally stunned to find such wonderful scraps included in this pack! Look at those mermaids! I've wanted those mermaids forEVER! and lots of other Heather Ross, Nani Iro, and Amy Butler scraps. Thanks so much Laura!!

And aside from non-sleeping children, sunny days mixed with random snowfalls/hail storms, spring break, spring cleaning/organizing, sewing with good friends and many trips to the thrift stores and a fabulous flea market, that pretty much sums up what I've been up to this past month. Hopefully I'll be back here before another month passes. I miss this space and want to thank you all for continuing to visit and read my ramblings :) What have you been up to? What have you been sewing/crafting/creating? 

Wiksten Tank muslin

Sewing Project #1 - Wiksten Tank Top, a hand-drawn sewing pattern by Jenny Gordy. (Full disclaimer here that this is a pretty pricey pattern. But in my opinion, especially after sewing it up, it's totally worth it! I love the cut and the simplicity of it and can definitely see myself making many more of these tops and dresses in a bazillion different fabrics.)

Fabric - Cotton poplin (for my test-run, wearable muslin)

Inspiration - here, here and here (actually, I think I pretty much love most versions I've seen so far. The dress version, included in the pattern, is also super cute and is definitely on my to-do list)

I'm thinking this might be one of the quickest, most satisfying sewing projects I've come across so far! (Sorry about the bad, glaring lighting in these pictures. I'm going to add 'Take Better Pictures' in my list of goals for 2012.)

I'm not sure if this actually qualifies as a muslin as I made it complete with all the little details so it's absolutely wearable. That's one of my problems with doing up muslins (other than just being lazy). It  feels like it's a waste of fabric, which I know deep in my heart it really isn't because it could prevent total disaster with your good fabric. (There's actually a great post about when to sew up a muslin over here.) So, determined to do a 'test run' to make sure the sizing was ok, I decided to use some inexpensive fabric I had lying around in my stash. I used a cream coloured cotton poplin with tiny grayish dots that I got on sale at Fabricland (maybe $6/meter..), and aside from a few, very minor fitting issues, I really do love how this turned out!

I wasn't sure if I liked how much the tank flared at the bottom as it looked to me to be a little 'tent-y'. I think this might be due to the fact that I have pretty small hips for my size. My body measurements are all about a size medium, edging on a large, but my hips measure a size small. I'm also pretty sure it just has to do with how this particular fabric drapes. But after wearing the tank out yesterday (and the day before..), I've decided I like the roominess in the body so I'm going to keep it as is. I would definitely still like to try this with a softer, more flow-y fabric though, and I think the nani IRO double gauze I have lined up for my 'good' version of this tank will drape a bit nicer. My other issue was how the fabric 'sat up' at the back neck. Again, pretty sure this has more to do with my body than with the pattern. I think I hunch a bit (or maybe a lot!) and I have a bit of a strange curve at the base of my neck. I might try taking in the back a bit to close the gap.

And this is how I'll be wearing this tank for the next 5 months or so.. wrapped up on a chunky wool sweater and boots! Next up, the 'good' version of the Wiksten tank in Nani IRO Saaaa Saaa..

sewing goals and my first project

Well hello folks! Hope everyone had a fantastic new years eve/day that was either as exciting or as relaxing as you wanted! We opted for a mellow, stay-in lasagna dinner (which seems to have become a tradition for us since having kids). I feel like this last little stretch of the holidays has paid a bit of a toll on me and my kids' minds/moods (basically, they've become super whiny and demanding which then makes me super grumpy..). Disrupted sleep patterns, too much party food, the anticipation of Santa is over, the new toys already seem 'old'.. And of course, D heads back to work and C to school so a bit of anxiety there too. I'm guessing this is pretty normal for most families with small kids.

As bummed as I am about D heading back to work (it's been nice having not only back-up, but lots of little breaks of 'mama alone time'), I gotta say I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine with the kids. Preschool and other classes. And, I'm looking forward to getting back to sewing more regularly again. I didn't end up sewing much over the break. Just a couple pairs of flannel pj pants for the kids (didn't feel like sewing up the matching tops..) and a few scrappy tissue cases for a handmade exchange. But, I have been thinking a lot about what I want to do this coming year.

And here are some of my goals:

- Focus on techniques, as in learn and re-learn basic and more advanced garment sewing techniques. I'm essentially self-taught when it comes to sewing. I took basic sewing in the early years of highschool, and my mom is an amazing seamstress, but since I only really started sewing again a few years ago, I did most of it on my own, reading sewing books, following patterns, reading blog tutorials, watching You-Tube video how-tos (and of course the occasional tip from my mom).. This year, I want to really get back to basics and set a solid foundation for all my future sewing endeavors.

-Make muslins for any new pattern before cutting into the 'good' fabric. I tend to get a little impatient when starting a sewing project. It's bad enough I really dislike pre-washing fabric, tracing patterns and all the other things that have to be done before actually starting a sewing project. I never had the patience to do up a muslin to make sure the pattern and/or size worked for me. Sometimes I've been lucky with the fit, but there have definitely been times that I've cut something too small, or way too big and then banished the poor garment to the 'scrap pile'. This year, I'm going to slow down and and try to do things properly.

-Make more clothes for myself. I love clothes and I love shopping. But lately I've been unsatisfied with what's generally available in the malls. I find I like clothes that are classic yet still on trend, and unique enough that I won't end up running into someone else wearing the same thing. Which is essentially why I love handmade clothes. Etsy and internet shopping are fantastic and I've probably purchased at least 1/3 to a half of my current wardrobe through Etsy, but it can get pricey with shipping etc and it's hard not to be able to try stuff on before buying. Same with local independent designers. I try to support them as much as possible, but it does get expensive. So, even though fabric and sewing patterns aren't necessarily cheap, I hope to use my sewing skills to make the type/style of clothing I want with a proper fit.

I hope you don't mind me using this blog as a means to keep myself accountable to these goals. I find that if I 'put it out there', I have to actually do it or at least suffer a bit of shame for not. So, I hope to do more posts about the sewing projects I want to do and their inspiration, the process and progress, and of course, hopefully have a beautiful new garment to show off at the end. And I apologize for these long rambly posts. This blog is very much a personal sewing journal for me too so I sometimes get carried away with my thoughts.

So, to kick-start my 2012 sewing, I'm going to start with this

I'll get into more details about this in my next post. How about you? What are your sewing/crafting goals for the new year? What will you make first?