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burda 02-2009-123 Wrap top

My first encounter with Chiffon was a good experience.

(for design lines and picture see below post)

side view

back view

sleeve vent

this pattern is really simple, its all in the pattern drafting which looks really weird when you first see it. 

I didn't get how the collar was going to work out, because when I looked at the photo in the magazine it looks like the raw edge was out when you folded the collar down.

I tacked mines down at the neckline so it doesn't fold over to the point where you start seeing the shoulder seam underneath.

its so much better this way.

The other thing is the fact that I made my elastic the sleeve band shorter because the pattern recommendation was to big on my wrist.

I love this pattern and how it turned out. It very easy but time consuming because you have to zigzag the edges then make the narrow hem to the collar and hem. Its a time consuming when you are accustomed to using a serger that goes by really fast.

so there will be more chiffon because its not as problematic as I thought. 

It really breezy and even though I plan to wear with a capri pants or linen long pants I think it will be so nice as a beach cover up too.

My next project will be this maxi dress from the May issue of BURDA.

I have a few maxi style dresses I want to add to my closet for the summer and this is the first. I'm look at the dresses in the July issue also.

the model is sitting down so I hope its really long, I might just add a couple of inches in case. I can always cut it off. More later.

finished objects and stash diving

Simple summer sewing.

I've been sewing but I haven't really felt like I've been sewing alot. Grated, I've made so far:

7 tops and 2 bottoms in less than a month.

Why?

Because its lazy sewing, everything is so easy and no fitting with muslins, ahh, so good.

June burda love continues

So, the last time I checked in I told you about 06-2009-118 that was sitting on my sewing machine cut out but not sewn up.

Easy, the only thing I can say about this tunic is that I modified it only by leaving the slits open and not sewing the seams up. I love the "slit" feature in my tunics so I left mines open.

06-2009-103

I would never make a real "wrap skirt" only a mock version and I think, after making this one that burda did such a good job with this one. It fits like a pencil skirt with a wrap, that is the best way I can describe it until I get mom to take some photos when she get here. It has such a nice silhouette when you put it on.

This is the front as you can see its a full skirt. I added the fasteners as an additional closure

front and side view

The biggest thing about this skirt is that I finally used the fabric which I've had in stash for 3 yrs that I bought in Trinidad. I am so happy that I finally found something that really made use of the stripes of the fabric.

The pattern calls for TOPSTITCHING but I substitute that by using a stripe pattern fabric, laziness is good!

I love this skirt, oh, I'm going to have to force myself to not wear it more than twice a month.

One last FO, I promise.

New Prefall Simplicity 2554. View B

Absolutely love this top. It fits like the perfect cowl neck tee,, it that possible, yes, it is.

I am a huge fan of cowl neck sweaters so having a summer weight tee that has a cowl and flatter the arms is fabulous.

I did use a choice of curse words when I was doing the gathers but the result was well worth it. I didn't topstitch the gusset because I really didn't see the point. One again, laziness kicked in and I just blasted it with some steam and the seams and gusset laid flat.

I wore it with some ankle length black capris and black skinny belt when I was having my little Audrey Hepburn moment on Wednesday.

Next project.

I'm still stash diving. I was going through my burda magazines looking for chiffon dresses because I have a few pieces and I want to see what are my options without investing any money in the Big 4.

When I saw this top

Burda 02-2009-123

I love how lose and airy it looks on the model and right now I'm looking for garments strictly for going out.

I think I'm good with work clothes for now, so the next few projects will be for stepping out for the summer.

ohh, and the fabric

yes, summer indeed another piece from Trinidad that needs to be turned into a long lasting styled garment.

I have more ideas to through out there but I'm tired of typing so more later.

burda on under my needles.

Very very good weekend for sewing.

First the photos then the rambling.

Jalie and Burda 10-2008-126

Burda 06-2009-122 front view

Back view.

About the tunic, if you love tunics during the summer you got to make this, one of my coworkers told me she loved the arm detail so much it makes the waist look smaller. 

Got to love that right?

And it does, its so flattering I'm really happy with it. The constuction was easy to follow. everything went together by the book. its a great starter pattern.

I used 3 hidden style buttons to complete the look.

Pictured with the burda 10-2008-126 skirt is that jalie 2805 that I love. I will have to force myself to not use yellow for anything else for the rest of the summer, but once fall hits all bets are off.

The skirt was another easy sew. I wanted a simple pencil skirt to work as summer basic. 

I omitted the topstitched hem band at the bottom because I didn't want to adjust the pattern for length, total laziness here but I'm happy with the results. 

The pattern comes with lining instructions, which is good when you don't want to think about it. Plus I love the loops, so I can wear tops in and out with some cool belts.

and that is it for finished objects.

Progress Report:

06-2009-118 is still in progress, I got super motivated to start working on 06-2009-103 after I traced and cut it out, so the former got put on the back burner.

06-2009-103 was a dream to sew... yes, WAS. Once I started I couldn't stop, so I traced it out last night and its done already.

I traded in the stone colored fabric for a white on grey pinstripe that has been in my stash for 3 years and it was the perfect thing. 

I will talk a little more about it when I show you some more detail shots this weekend.

The new simplicity, pre-fall has made it to my Joanns in time for the sale this week. 

I picked up simplicity 2554 and 2560. 

I figured the easier my selection the more likely I will be to make it.

I cut out s2554 in black jersey this afternoon when I got home, View B and I got some orange jersey for view C. 

I want to get View B done by Sunday. 

I got some other projects on the mind so I'll post those later in the week. I've been going through the older burda magazine trying to figure out what I could use some of my stash to make. 

June Burda: so many easy options so little time

First, let me apologize before hand for the next sentence of excessive gloating. 

Please skip to your next blog if uncharacteristic un-call-for rejoicing become way to much for you.

Eh hem!

It was the only package I was expecting, so you know time stopped when I saw it had came as I opened the door to my apt.

Squeeee!

I had to dive into it, immediately and let me tell you, I am so, so freaking happy I got myself a copy of this magazine. For me, this is not an exaggeration because I am that excited about it.

Where do I start?

The layout is Great, very fresh and inspiring and correct me if I’m wrong, I didn’t see any designer articles in there, just how to’s right?

Interesting!

It seems like they are in full, all about the sewing only now. I love it.

I feel like we should have a version of a sewing magazine like that which is American based where you get patterns in one magazine a month instead of picking up each pattern. Not that I don’t like the single patterns but another option would be nice also.

But that is another post all together.

June Burda!!!

OMG, so many quick and easy, lots of 2 dot projects, which I love. There is nothing like simple projects to get a girl’s mojo going after a drought.

So everything I liked before I still have in mind to make but as for what’s going on now.

I traced (as soon as I got the issue)

2009-06-122

 

 

It’s a simple tunic, which I’m using some yellow poplin that has been living in the bottom of my stash forever, to make.

I’m in a really bright mood right now and yellow, orange and hot pink is my favorite colors at the moment.

It was a quick sew and its already done. Photos will follow in the next post

Next thing will be:

 

2009-06-118

 

 

I used a pink, orange and white cotton for this. I decided to hold off on the other version 2009-06-119. Which is the same pattern but with the addition of the frill. I'm still contemplating weather a mandarin style collar will be better and not a standing one. This is what is on my machine right now so photos will follow soon too.

 

2009-06-103

 

I was going for a black denim look but then I changed my mine, I wanted a light grey skirt for the summer. I couldn’t find anything in a solid texture so I opted for a stone grey block textured twill. This is a mock wrap so it should be interesting to make.

I don’t plan on making this by the end of the weekend but cutting it out on Sunday afternoon is a good aim for me right now

 

2008-10-126

 

Is completed. I omitted the band because I didn’t adjust for length and it would have made the skirt way to long for me.

I also made another Yellow Jalie 2805 top- I told you I'm feeling "bright right now" 

And that is about it.

 Next post will be some finished garments, shopping for the summer and my pre fall simplicity favorites.

 

 

 

shh, don't tell anyone

but I have proof that I have been sewing.

All weekend long.

From last week, jalie 2805

I made this out of one of Joann's designer knits. The print is just okay but I love the color combo, the pink is a true hot pink and the yellow is that rich sunflower yellow that summer is all about. 

Yesterday, I needed a break from the BWOF skirt, more on this later. So made one of the New Look tops 6807 view A.

The neckline is low and the sizing is huge, I made a 10 and I could have made an 8 and these are way smaller than my breast size, I guess New Look does run really big for sizing.

This morning, I made version B after my coffee run at 7 am.

The first one I modified the back and removed the tie back, but this one I added it and I think it sags a little, of course I'm still going to wear it because some faults can be seen as a fashion but I will be omitting it going forward.

They all fit good enough, a little excess in the back but nothing that don't happen if it was a RTW knit top so I'm not having a nervous breakdown. 1'm not getting "fit happy" as yet, Goodness knows I want to continue sewing not fitting ways to get frustrated.

So you probably see a few more knit tops, I'm still looking for patterns that is worth trying. The February burda has a simple boatneck that is worth making in a few colors.

Back to my skirt because when my June 2009 get here, I want to be ready..

One of the great things about taking a hiatus from sewing is re-discovering your STASH.

 

I mean, WOW.

 

Now I know why I was such a sewing fanatic, Fabric is GOOD.

 

Yesterday after a less than incredible day at the office and an even less fulfilling jog on the treadmill, I found myself diving into bags of STASH in the closet.

 

The overwhelming Joy that came over me to see my “friends” again is indescribable.

 

I pulled out yard after yard of knits, wovens and even interfacing.

 

I hugged and caressed them so sincerely.

 

Let’s just say, “ I had a really good rump in the… stash”

 

Hmmmm…

 

You know, people would think I was going crazy but I know you guys would understand.

 

Words like

 

“Ahhh”

“Oh my God”

“squeeeeeee”

“Awwww”

“this is still so cute”

“Okayyyyyy”

“Mine, mine, mine”

“What did I buy this for”

“you are way to nice to cut, back in the bag for you”

“LOVE”

“You are so soft”

“I love you so much”

“you are good enough to steal”

“you are probably why I’m broke right now, tee hee”

 

I was so freaking happy, it’s like they were saying “remember us; we are ready when you are”.

 

And I am definiately ready.

 

In other news

 

From yesterdays in ode to June Burda, if you can recall I said I had re-sub’d just because I really wanted the June issue.

 

How about!

 

I got an email from GLP News yesterday saying that the June issue is SOLD OUT.

 

UGH……

 

You can’t win for losing; let me tell you, I want that issue even more now.

 

I was even at Joanns yesterday gawking at the most suitable tan cotton twill for 2006-06-104 even though, my heart was crushed from the sad news.

 

Luckily for me, Melody of Fashionista Fabrics was so kind to help out, in more ways that one.

 

So I have to shout you out Melody, “Good on yuh”, and I’m so happy store owners are bloggers too, believe me.

 

Now I really,, really have to use that issue, No excuses.

 

As I wrote before I want some summer skirts and because my focus is on that, separates is ALL I SEE.

 

As you guys know, I love sewing dresses but you can totally “play out a dress especially if the print is stunning”.

 

I love them so much, I feel like I’ve been squeezing the life out of them and I’m starting to look like a “Re run of the

Crosby

’s”.

 

I need tops to and I’ve been looking at NL 6807, which is NOT in my pattern stash.

 

I figure if I can sew a top after work while watching some tv I won’t feel bad for not getting any major sewing done at the end of the week.

 

Before I go

 

 

This skirt is very chic and I wish I could wrap my head around how to add zippers to a basic skirt pattern because I would wear this to death- D-E-A-T-H.

 

And seriously….

 

When are people going to wake up and realize that these are NOT FLATTERING. Sheeeeshh!

June Burda- something I can work with, finally.

Its been too long.

But its been so good. Things are finally settling into normalcy again.

For those of you that know of my pending divorce, you will be happy to know that the paperwork is finally,,,, finally in progress and they will be ready by the end of this week.

Please, Please keep me in your prayers that he signs them without any BS.

I will keep you guys updated, if everything goes well, it should be filed before the end of this month, so by Christmas I will be a “free woman” again.

In sewing news.

 

Still Not much, I made two tops so far Butterick 5354 and Jalie 2805 just to get my feet wet.

 

This weekend I pulled out some white fabric for Burda  2008-10-126 to go with my brand spanking new Jalie 2805 and I hope to get that done between Friday and Saturday.

 

I need a new white skirt and a new tan skirt pronto, so I guess I’m pulling inspiration from what I need in my closet instead of what I would like to sew for the fun of it.

 

I just renewed my Burda Magazine Sub. I promised myself I wouldn’t do it because I haven’t been in sewing mode lately and I haven’t been motivated by anything Burda had since the beginning of the year.

 

But June has peeked my interest and I got another 3 month extension…. Probably should have gotten a 6 month because the fall issues are always great but we will see.

Back to June, things I would make if I could clone myself.

 

2009-06-101 & 102

 

 

 

I feel the same way about this as I felt with Burda 2008-10-114 & 115, which I made both. I will be making both versions of this and it is the reason why I renewed my sub. I love the pleating. I imagine it will be very flattering.

 

2009-06-104

I love this skirt. I can see it in the classic summer colors like red, navy, white or black, trimmed with white buttons apart from the seersucker its showcased in.

 

I would love this to be my Tan skirt though,,, ugh.

 

2009-06-112

I love how this Capri length pant looks so relaxed and it’s the one thing I may never try but its very tempting.

2009-06-125

I love the waistline of this skirt and I think if I don’t make it for summer I will make it for fall to wear with leggings. I can see a tank tucked inside with a cotton cardigan for work… more on this later .

 

 

2009-06-119 

This top is just beautiful, with all the frilly looks out there this one is up there with the best of them, I thought the collar was part of the frill at first, beautiful.

 

And lastly.

This dress, short sleeved. 2009-06-129

 

It remains me of ISSA’s wrap over dress

 

 

Now coming to think of it, I can see the first top and dress being tweaked for this look also. so many possibilities.

 

So let me see what's going on with the skirt this weekend and I will let you know how it worked out. You will most definitely see pics of the Jalie top because that is finished.

 

More later