Tag: #sewingwiththesewcialsewist

McCall’s 7946 Misses’ Dresses

I bought this pattern last summer for a quick summer. I typically lean towards the quick, Learn to Sew for Fun Patterns for quick outfits. Mostly when I need to get my sewing inspiration back up. It feels good to have a completed garment and it encourages me to keep sewing. This one did not disappoint.

I used some fabric in my stash that I purchased from Fabric Mart maybe 2 years ago. It was on sale and I bought about 2 yards of it. It has been sitting on my shelf that long.

I went with View A, although View D is also cute and I may end making it later. I love sleeveless or off the shoulder dresses, maybe because I like the way my arms look and I don’t feel constricted in sleeves during the summer months.

I love the sun on my skin, the warm sun makes me happy and gives me that natural glow. Love it!!!!

Pattern Description: Misses’ Dresses Learn to Sew for Fun Level 2

Pattern Sizing:4- 12 I cut a size 10

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it came out just like the pattern envelope photo.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were easy to follow .

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked that is was quick, easy, and very stylish.

Fabric Used: It’s a cotton blend of something. I have had this fabric for over 2 years and couldn’t remember exactly what it was, so the best way to describe it is a cotton blend.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I only used 2 rows of elastic, instead of 3, this was a personal choice, I am top heavy and have a tummy, I was trying to avoid the stuffed sausage look.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I would sew this again, because it was easy and I love the look, but I think one dress in this pattern is good enough for me.

Conclusion: I loved the dress and how it turned out. The fit for me was perfect.

Happy Sewing!!!!

The Sewcial SewistLeave a comment

Spring/Summer Wardrobe Planning with Seamwork

Spring and Summer are my favorite times to sew. Although I did make quite a few garments during the winter months this year, Spring/Summer hold a special place in my heart. This time I am doing the Design Your Wardrobe course from Seamwork. I tried doing the course for Fall/Winter and it just didn’t happen, life was busy and I was unable to finish. This time I am treating it as if it were a required course. I am doing each lesson daily as “homework” as it comes in. So far I am enjoying it. I am learning more about what I need in a wardrobe for myself. The 3 key words that I found to fit my needs are Functional, Comfortable. and Stylish, basically I need everything to be comfortable and also to function in either season and be stylish, well it has to make me feel good and I need to be able to move it.

McCall’s 7476 – Misses’ Drop-Shoulder Vest and Cardigans

I worked on this cardigan over the weekend and completely changed the color. I found this fabulous lightweight royal blue knit fabric at Walmart, yes Walmart, for $4.00 for 4 yards and I loved the color, not realizing it was the color of the year. I picked it because of the brightness, I tend to be drawn towards bright loud colors. I just love them.

This is a versatile cardigan that can be worn Spring/Summer or Winter/Fall. I work in an office where the air is cooler during the hot months of the year, but it can be really hot outside. I like to layer in the office.

The description for the cardigan is a semi-fitted vest and cardigan.I made the cardigan in View B. I had this mustard color knit fabric that I found at Joann Fabric picked out, but then I changed to the blue. The pattern calls for moderate stretch knits, such as sweater knits double knit, sweatshirt fleece, or cotton knit.

The Flor

It is a versatile wrap cardigan that can worn with a maxi dress, a skirt and tank top, jeans and sandals, you name it and it can be worn with it.

The pattern calls for medium-weight knit fabrics, like French terry, merino wool, and ribbing. Or a lightweight sweater knit or jersey type fabric. I have some rib knit, sweater knit, and lightweight knit in my fabric stash that I can use. Here are 2 samples of possible choices. I haven’t decided yet if I want to use either one of these, they both follow that Spring Floral theme. I can also see this in a solid mustard yellow or a deep vino. Love those 2 colors right now. More than likely, I will be using the mustard yellow from the cardigan up top for this one. Stay tuned.. I am forever changing my mind on fabrics once I cut the pattern.

Audrey

A denim jacket. I have only sewn with denim once and it was for a tote bag, which did not require me to be measured or fitted. In order to up my skills I selected this one to make and you can never have to many denim items in your wardrobe. There is also a video on how to make this jacket on the Seamwork site. You do have to be a member in order to see the items listed on the website.

The main suggested fabric for this jacket is medium to heavyweight denim or canvas. The lining can be 1/2 yard of cotton muslin. I have a lot of cotton in my stash and more than likely will pick a fun print for the lining.

McCall’s 7663 – Misses’ Hooded Jacket, Crossover-Back Tops, and Leggings – Out-of-Print

I workout at least 5 days a week. I have only made one set of workout clothes, which is wild with the amount of time I spent in active-wear clothing. I really like the top on McCall’s 7663 – out-of-print. This top can be worn with jeans and for working out.

For the top the fabric choices are Two-way Stretch Knits (50% Cross Grain), Jerseys, cotton knit, and athletic knits. I have a camo, my favorite print, that I will be using for this top. I love the tie back on this one, I think that’s what drew me to this pattern.

Simplicity 8787 – Misses’ Learn-to-Sew Knit Dress View C

This dress is close in style to what I normally wear. I have made 5 different versions of McCall’s 7531, you can checkout the blog post here for those makes. They are almost identical as they are knit body-con type dresses.

For this one I am making View C, the sleeveless version for Summer. I know I can use the one that is cut out from McCall’s 7531, but I am using the patterns I have even if I have one that is cut that is close to it. I have a goal to use as many as my patterns as possible. The fabric suggestions are stretch knits only, ITY Knit, Jersey, Single Knit, Stretch Velvet, and Velour. I will be using a Nicole Miller stretch knit that I found at Joann Fabric years ago, maybe 3 years.

Happy Sewing!!!!

The Sewcial SewistLeave a comment

Hello 2020!!!

Happy New Year!!

Welcome to my Blog, I am Riesha, also known as the Sewcial Sewist. If you are new to my blog, thank you for stopping by and checking it out, if you are a returning viewer, thank you for your continued support. I wanted to start off the New Year with a get to know me better post.

Me and My Family

I am Riesha, mother of 2 grown children who I adore and am so proud of. My daughter is a Communications Major, who graduated in 2018 from Sacramento State University, she is the oldest. My son is an Economics Major with an expected date of graduation from Sacramento State University in December 2020. Now can you see why I am so proud? During the day I work for the State of California as an Analyst working on the Finance and Administration Committee Board items, by night I am a Sewist who loves to workout. I have been married to my husband since September 1997.

Where I work

My workstation is my formal dining and living room that I have converted into my own space, except for the 2 fish tanks we own, everything else is sewing or crafting related. This is a great space for me, as it is downstairs and when everyone else is upstairs sleeping I can easily work downstairs without waking anyone. I sew on a Babylock Aria sewing machine and a Babylock Evolution Serger as my main machines. I do own 2 other sewing machines, 1 sewing/embroidery machine, and 1 other serger.  I do use them all depending on the project.

Sewing time

I have been sewing since Summer 2014 after the death of my mother. It was hard for me to deal with her loss, so I had to put my energy into something, to not fall into depression and not be able to cope. It’s not what she would have wanted for me. She would have wanted me to continue living. I did just that and now sewing has grown into a passion.  I try to get some time in during the week, even if it is only 30 minutes a day here and there. I get most of my sewing done on the weekends or during a holiday week.

My Favorite Garments to Sew

I would have to say right now that my favorites are dresses. I haven’t mastered the art of making pants, YET!!!, but it is on my top 3 priorities for 2020. I love a maxi and a mini dress. It just depends on the print of the fabric or the cut of the dress on how I decide which one I make at that moment.

The Sewcial Sewist6 Comments

Goodbye 2019!!!

Is that right? Is it almost 2020? Yes, it is so hard to believe that I have wrapped up another year of sewing. I didn’t sew as much as I wanted to in 2019, after I had foot surgery, but now that I am healing and things are going back to normal there is nothing I won’t try. I am actually excited for the year 2020. I have so many plans to do things and I can’t wait to get started. Lingerie, swimwear, pants, bags, scarves, and athletic/lounge-wear just to name a few.

In 2018 I did the Ready to Wear Fast, no shopping for store bought clothes, and that worked out great for me. Read the post here. There were so many garments that I was able to make because of this fast and I plan on doing it again for 2020, in a Facebook Group. I am so ready to start.

I have my space all organized and TONS of fabric to start with. I do plan on going to the Garment District in Los Angeles, CA in April. I’ll see how that goes it will be my 45th birthday then and what girl doesn’t want new fabric for her birthday? My girlfriend always says how my fabric stash gives her anxiety. She is way too funny! I really do need to use this up and that is my goal plan. I have actually already started on it, buy using a few for some of the end of year garments I have made.

Drum roll please!!!!! These are the garments I was able to complete in 2019 with a few on the sewing table now. I plan on working on them in the next few weeks to complete them by December 30. I have 3 sets of PJ’s I’m working on as well. Good thing I have my Sew JO back.

I hope everyone had a wonderful 2019 and I look forward to seeing all the loveliness that each of you are going to create in 2020.

I leave you with this quote to start off 2020.

“Don’t make resolutions without an action plan. The secret to success is right in your hands.”

Happy New Year!

The Sewcial SewistLeave a comment

Fall 2019 Sewing

It’s been a while since I posted a blog. Life itself has been crazy busy for me and my priorities shifted this summer, school, family, life, and taking care of myself. Yes sewing is taking care of myself, but it was taking up time I needed to spend elsewhere.

I had some work done on my house in August which started with new floors for my family room, laundry room, and downstairs bathroom. Once those were done I loved them so much that I had the floors in my sewing space replaced as well. So you can only imagine that my sewing space was a total disaster at the time. Now that the work is all done I have slowly gotten things back to normal.

Before

After

Here is a peak at the table I am using for my cutting table. It is the table out of my kitchen, it is the perfect height and width for me to cut without having to adjust my patterns and fabric when cutting. I actually taped the 2 cutting mats together on the bottom to make one big cutting mat. I am in search of a larger one, but for now this is working just fine.

Here are few of the patterns I plan on making for the Fall now that my sewing room is back in order and it is all done. I just need to take more photos when the lighting is right.

I have started on the first pattern Simplicity 8982 with cutting out the pattern and matched it to a knit I found at Wal-Mart in the 5 yards for $5.00 bolt. It is pretty sturdy and I think it will be perfect for this project. I will be working on it throughout this week and plan to have her finished this weekend. Fingers crossed I stick the plan.

Simplicity 8982  

Misses’ Knit Two Piece Sweater Dress, Tops, Skirts

View C and View D. Why view C? Well, the sleeves of course. I am so in love with these sleeves. View D, because every girl needs a pencil skirt for Fall.

Simplicity 8992 

Misses’ Sweater Dress and Cardigans with Pattern Hacking Options

There are so many options to choose from with this one, I am thinking to go with version 3. It has the option to have button holes and a belt. I am thinking this one in an olive green sweater knit that I also picked up from Wal-Mart.

Simplicity 8990

Misses’ Wrap Coats

I put a coat on my Fall Sewing list every year and what happens? I never finish it. Well this year my plan is to make this one from start to finish. It seems simple enough to where I won’t feel like giving up half way the the project. Not sure on a color or fabric yet for this one, but I will definitely be going with View B, the short version.

Simplicity 8988 

Misses’ Cozy Knit Tops

I love this top and I need more tops again this Fall. I tend to wear cardigans and a t-shirt, but want to change up my look a little this Fall. I love the exposed seams on view A, that’s the view I plan on making.

Simplicity 8987

Misses’ Tops with Sleeve Variations

This a simple top, but I can take Views B and C and make them with a fancy print fabric to get them to pop. There are a lot of other sleeve variations that can also be added to this top. It can be worn with casual wear and with the right fabric it can be dressed up as well. I will be putting elastic in the bottom of View C with the flared sleeve.

Bye for Now, Time to Go Sew Something!!!

The Sewcial SewistLeave a comment