Butterick 5191 - Wrap Top with Sash

Well I have finally gotten around to taking pictures and writing a review for this pattern. Here I am posing in the wrap top and sash. For me, a camisole is needed as the front is rather low and revealing. This is my second muslin (size 12) without any alterations.





Here is my first muslin in a size 10. This was my first attempt at sewing a woven wrap top. When I tried it on, I was fidgeting, tugging, and fussing with this muslin. It was too snug for me.

As I mentioned before, I sewed my second muslin in a size 12. The fit is much better and more comfortable. This is definitely a wearable muslin.

I have included a picture to show how I pinned one of the pleats for the back of the wrap top.

Here's another picture to show the start of sewing the pleat. Notice in the previous picture, I have placed two pins horizontal to the fabric to remind me of the area to start my stitching and the area to stop my stitching. Without the pins, I have to the tendency to sew fast and zoom past my mark.

You can read a more detailed review of my wrap top and sash at Pattern Review.

I am happy to be thinking about sewing again.

Happy Sewing to All of You!

No time to sew...Have you had this problem?

I have been so busy that I haven't had time to sew or even think about it. Sewing is a part of my life. When I don't sew, I can be quite irritable and impatient. And I smile less. Sad, isn't it?


I finally had a few hours to myself this afternoon. I pulled a Vogue pattern from my to do stash and decided to trace the pattern. Here is Vogue 8499, a Marcy Tilton skirt.

I have finished tracing the 4 pattern pieces (center front, front side, back, and the pocket). Okay, I am getting motivated.

Here's the fabric and one of the 3 zippers I plan on using. This is a blue/lavender rayon and spandex woven I found at Hancock's for $2.95/yard. I love the color of the fabric, but not sure about the color of the zipper.

I'm looking forward to getting back into my "sewing zone" and come up with something creative or inspirational for this skirt. If anything, I just need to turn on my SM and start sewing. *Sigh*

Side Trip

My DB is in town for an extended weekend.

Yesterday, we took an early morning trip into Washington, DC. We arrived at the Smithsonian metrorail stop and came upon the Washington Monument. It was great to get an early start and we were able to capture some "quiet moment" pictures before the tour buses arrived.

Our goal was to go down to the Tidal Basin to see if any cherry trees were blooming. Yes...I know we are late by a week or two to catch any late bloomers, but DB's flight was cancelled last week. You remember...American Airlines and correcting the wiring in their planes (glad they were able to fix that issue).

As we approached the Tidal Basin and the Jefferson Memorial, there was not a bloomin' cherry tree in sight. Sigh.

We continued our walk along the basin and lo and behold, we find a tree full of blossoms.

We headed to the Jefferson Memorial and walked up the majestic steps.

We continued our journey around the Basin, we came across the FDR memorial park. This was a nice surprise. Here, they had several "rooms" with waterfall displays, statues, etc.

A startled squirrel was also passing through this park.

We left the Basin and headed over to the World War II Memorial.

We had an incredible day walking around and the weather was perfect.

So, naturally no pattern review got done and I am one tired puppy. :)

Slow Going

I am still finishing my B5191 wrap top. All I have to do is hem the baby and add the snaps. I hope to publish a review on PR later this week.

I am also dealing with an on-going cold that won't go away and now DH has one (yeah...thanks to me). It's miserable to start the Spring season this way.

As I finish my wrap top, I need to start thinking of my next sewing project. I did manage to get the two new KS patterns (previous post). Nothing like adding more patterns to my "to sew list" and watching it grow longer and longer. lol!


At the last Butterick sale, I did pick up this shirt/blouse pattern (B4659). I love view A (purple) and the sleeves. Of course, I would probably make this up in a black & white fabric. That seems to be my unintentional color theme this Spring. So, I might as well buy all the sale fabric I like and just keep sewing. Wrong! I do need to develop my personal sewing plan. That will be an interesting post in the near future. :)

A Fun and Busy Sunday

First off, I have to show my second attempt at B5191. I traced, cut, and sewed a size 12 and tried it on...the fit is tremendously better. I did not fidget (pull & tug) with this wrap top like I did with the size 10.

Adrienne...thank you for mentioning the lack of ease in this pattern. Once I re-looked at the finished bust size on the pattern piece, I realized I should have traced a 12 to begin with.

So, Susie-Q is borrowing my top for now. I still need to finish the armholes, hem the bottom, and add some snaps (to keep the wrap in place). A very productive Sunday for me.

I also managed a quick trip to G-Street Fabrics. They are having their Spring sale with 25% off most things. I picked up some Weft and Fusi-Knit interfacings to replenish my dwindling supply. I also found some really nice remnants for future jackets. Half of what I purchased is being pre-washed. Oooops, I forgot to take a picture of my new fabric. Picture this...me hauling two large G-Street bags to my vehicle. lol! The bags weren't stuffed...they were just heavy. :)

I also saw some really nice knit jersey prints at G. I am hoping they will have another coupon weekend so I can make another trip.

After G, I headed over to Trader Joes. TJ's is my favorite grocery store and that is where I try to do my main shopping. Their prices are great! And being a vegetarian (one year and 3 months), I have no problems finding meatless/vegetarian products there.

I came home to fix my DH's computer. I had installed the wrong Kaspersky product on his machine and when I tried to add the renewal activation code...it choked. Duh! So, I installed the latest anti-virus software (correct package) and put in the code...worked like a charm. I do not miss my tech support hat.

I fired up my juicer and made a carrot, apple, and pear concoction. Then I made dinner.

You know, since I am back to juicing...I am finding I have a lot of energy. I don't feel like napping in the afternoons anymore.

New Kwik Sew Patterns

I love Kwik Sew patterns. Sometimes their line drawings and pictures are just...well...plain. Sometimes I keep looking at one of their patterns and then I have an "ah ha" moment when a bright light bulb pops in my head. A plain pattern has potential.

KS has their new patterns out. I love this blouse pattern with the front ties and sleeve details:

I really like this simple top below. I know one or two of the Big 4 Patterns (or was it New Look?) already has this style. I think it's really cute and I'm sure it can be made in less than an hour. I think this will work well for the typical hot & humid summer months we have in VA.

I love KS patterns because they fit me so well. Here's the link to the new Kwik Sew Patterns.

Enjoy!

Back to the Tracing Table...

As they say, it's back to the drawing table or in my case...back to my tracing/cutting table. I made a muslin top from this Butterick 5191 pattern in a size 10. I actually had fun sewing this, pleats and all. I figured I would have to wear a camisole underneath. I went to try it on and it is quite snug. I don't like how the back looks at all.

Do Butterick patterns in general run a bit small? Or is there less ease in their patterns? Inquiring minds (me) would love to know.

This weekend, I hope to trace/cut out a size 12. I really think this is an adorable top, screaming for an adorable fabric from my stash.

And once again, Susie-Q is proudly wearing the size 10. I really do need to give her more fluff and make her look more like me.

Vogue 8398 - The Cropped Black Jacket

I am finally getting around to taking pictures of my cropped black jacket. At first, I was not sure if I liked the look on me. I am getting used to it. I think I would feel a lot better if I made one in a print. I especially adore the black and white square fabric that is featured on the pattern envelope. I love black and white fabric and I am so glad to see this color combination at my local fabric store (e.g. Hancock's).

My version is a combination of view A and view B. I used the main jacket of View B (collar-less and below elbow sleeve), but used the rounded bottom of View A. Did that make any sense??

So, here I am wearing the jacket and providing you with 3 views (front, back, and side).

I am not so sure I like the side view. No wonder the pattern companies only provide the front and back views on their patterns.

My Susie-Q is always borrowing my garments and patiently waits for me to take pictures of her showing them off.

Hello Champion Juicer...Goodbye Jack LaLanne Power Juicer

Warning! This is not a new sewing machine or sewing gadget! But it's a new toy for me. Yippeee!

Our new Champion 2000+ Juicer arrived late last week. Finally.

I ordered this new juicer in silver. Not white, not almond...good ole silver to match our granite-like countertop. I knew carrot juice stains would be an issue. Black would have been another good color choice, but I also wanted to see what I was cleaning.

And doesn't the juicer look like a meat grinder???

I tried the Champion out this evening. Let me tell you...I love this Juicer! The quality of the juice is amazing. DH has told me several times he likes the results. The new juicer is 100x times quieter than our old Jack LaLanne Power Juicer.

Here's our new juicer without the feeding chamber/body attached.

There are 3 reasons why I love our new juicer: (1) more intense juice flavor, (2) noticeably quieter, and (3) cleanup is sooooo easy!

This particular juicer masticates or chews up the fiber and breaks up the cells of the veggie/fruit. This provides more fiber, vitamins, and enzymes in your juice. I have to agree with Champion's logo.

It is goodbye to our old friend the Power Juicer. It was a good juicer to start with and allowed me to figure out if juicing was going to be part of our daily vegetarian diet. This juicer basically took whatever veggie or fruit I threw in.

Pattern and Thread Storage

I have been under the weather this past week with a cold and so no sewing has been done.

I thought I would take this opportunity to show how I organize my threads and patterns. Most of my sewing storage organization comes from Walmart and Staples. I love my mobile carts. All of my Mettler threads are stored in two drawers on my mobile cart. I try to keep my cotton threads separate from my polyester threads. I also keep spools of my serger threads in one drawer.

Here is how I store my Mettler polyester threads (grouped by colors):

I use another cart to hold my patterns. Currently, I have them sorted by pattern manufacturer:

As you can see, one drawer can hold a lot of patterns and I can search through the patterns rather quickly.

I hope to get back into sewing real soon.