July: La Strada T-shirt by Hot Patterns

I realize I'm a little bit behind in my sewing goals, but I had some work to do and had to take care of the neglected chores. Yup... sewing first, then chores...  until it gets to be an intolerable mess.  LOL

So it's already the end of July and I haven't updated my blog for a couple months.  I made this top last month and am finally getting around to posting it.

 It's Hot Patterns 1167:Fast and fabulous La Strada T-shirt.  Check out the soft gentle lines on this one... all those flowing gathers and the curved hem.  And I'm loving this soft rayon knit... I think I got this fabric from Fabric.com and if I remember correctly, it was about 6.00/yd.  I squeezed most of it onto a Fabric.com 1 yard piece.  I did, however, make up the facing with a piece of  leftover grey rayon knit I had in my stash.

There is a problem with the armhole on this pattern.  I'm not sure, but I think the mark to end the armhole is missing.  There are some notches, but I raised my armhole by at least 1 1/2".  Here... let me show you the alteration to the side seam:

 It was also a little too big around the bust so I reduced the width a little bit when I fixed the armhole.  Next time, I'll cut one size smaller on top. All in all though,  I'll be making this top again.  And again... I really love this elegant, drapey top and would love to have more in my closet.

I've made a couple other tops using some of my knits, but nothing worth using out of the house.  I'm still refining a tank pattern and am also working on a v-neck top from Craftsy's Sewing with Knits class. Making good progress on those, so I'll post those next time...

I'm supposed to have at least one of quilt completed already so I've also been working on that in my spare time.  Hopefully my Craftsy BOM from 2012 will be done by August.  I'm learning a lot of Free Motion quilting techniques and am excited about the progress I'm making.

Back to the sewing room!  :)

April Sewing - KS Yoga pants and top

I'm a little late posting, but I did get these items done last month.  Using Kwik Sew 3115, I made 2 pairs of  long yoga pants, and 1 shorter one, and two tank tops.  :)   Here they are:

After making the mauve tank top, I decided to lower the neckline by about 1" and cut it slightly wider.  It's more comfortable.  I used the leftovers from the pants to trim the neckline and armholes and to add a strip across the bust since the grey fabric is a little thin and might become transparent if it gets wet. It was recycled from an old polo shirt that belonged to my husband.

For the shorter length pants, I sewed the leg openings much smaller than the pattern.  Mine are about 12". I tapered them from the hip to a couple inches below the knee to get them to a length I liked.  These are comfortable, but the brown fabric is slightly thinner than the other two.  It's still usable though, and very soft.

And yes, at least 3x a week I get in a short workout, though I got lazy this week and skipped workouts.  But next week, I'm adding 30 minute walk/jogs on alternating days.  Doctor's orders...  I need to get exercise.  And now I can use normal workout gear instead of  jeans. 

April was a productive month for workout gear.  May (nearly over, but I think I can squeeze in something...) will be either a set of undies, or a new knit top.  I found lots of  knits for 2.99/yd and am looking forward to making them into some summer tops, but I desperately need to replace some of my shabby undies. 

Yoga Pants

I bought this wonderfully soft, comfy Ponte de Roma from Fabric.com about a month ago and am loving it!  I will have to buy  more!  I wasn't sure I'd like it, the fabric content is 80% polyester/ 15% rayon/ 5% lycra.  I was thinking of those 70's double knits whenever I heard "ponte", but after learning a little more about it, I found out it's totally different.  If you look for Ponte de Roma (not just Ponte) you'll end up with a nice quality knit.  This one is perfect for my yoga pants. It has a little bit of weight to it and is soft and smooth.

 I'm using Kwik Sew 3115, a TNT pattern in my stash.  According to my measurements, I cut a size Medium.  My waist is between M and L, but I'm hoping to lose a few pounds now that I've started working out with my son.  He keeps me motivated.  This fits me well enough for now and maybe in a few months,  it will look a little smoother as I get into better shape. It has a loose comfortable fit and doesn't cling.

This pattern is really easy to put together and can be done in just a couple hours.  I used a drawstring waistband elastic instead of regular elastic.  It gives it a more RTW look.    Pull the cord out before sewing the ends of the elastic together for obvious reasons...  And make eyelets on the waistband to stick the cord through.

 

Here's what the waistband looks like from the inside before sewing it onto the pants.

 

And here's the finished pants.  Comfy and ready for a workout!  :)

Type 1 Dress up time! RWBY - red

I had an unfortunate playground accident and could not use my fingers for a week.  Thus all sewing had come to a halt.  But with tender fingers now healing, and I can get back to sewing for a few hours a day.  I've been finishing up the RWBY cosplay for my daughter.  Here it is. She is definitely a Type 1... cosplay is one of her favorite things to do.

And now I can get back to sewing some things for myself.  This month, I want to finish a pair of yoga pants and a casual t-shirt or workout shirt.  If I have extra fabric, I'll make a pair of yoga shorts too.  I do have a bunch of stuff for work, but I'm pretty sure I'll have time for my own things this month.  :)

Personal Sewing Goals for 2014

Having some goals for myself helps me remember what I had planned when my head is full of new ideas I want to try.  It seems every time I finish a project for work, I sit in my sewing room, spending hours trying to decide which project I want to finish, start, plan or just do!  Today I'm going to prioritize my goal list so I'll know where to start.

This was an AHA" moment for me, and I know it's a little late, being the beginning of March already, but I'd better make them now so I don't spend the rest of the year muddling around in my sewing room on those days when there's no work.

1)  Sew 1 or 2 garments a month for myself, following the DYT - type2 guidelines for dressing.
2)  Finish 1 quilt per season.  I have 1 finished quilt top, 1 partially quilted BOM project, 1/2 of a quilt-as-you-go type quilt I use for practicing FMQ, and a bunch of McKenna Ryan blocks that I cut to make into some window shades.     4 quilt projects to finish this year.
3)  Make new window blinds/shades/curtains for ALL my naked windows at home.

Okay.  That's it.  These are the things I'll focus on when I don't have other sewing commitments.

First though, I've made a commitment to my daughter.  I promised I'd make her a cosplay for the upcoming Kawaii Kon this year.  That was her Christmas present so I'd better get to work on it now.  :)  Kawaii Kon is the first weekend in April.  Here's what I'll be working on when I don't have work:

She's doing the accessories, I'm just sewing the garments... whew... I'm glad I'm not making that scythe.