Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Butterick 5619

Here is my new A-line denim skirt.  I wanted a simple skirt, so I fished around my patterns for something suitable and found Butterick 5619 (out of print).  The fit and shape are just what I wanted!  I added single welt pockets on the sides and back (yep, I'm pretty proud that I made that happen with no pattern).  I also added a center front seam to make it more denim-style.


 I used some pretty Liberty fabric that my mom gave me for some fun inside.  I have a bunch more of this fabric and am not sure what to make with it.

Monday, July 28, 2014

SouthShore Handmade Trim Tank Pattern

So... I did it.  I put up my Trim Tank sewing pattern on Etsy.  :-)  It seems like such a cliche, but I started making this pattern because I couldn't find what I was looking for.  I live a casual lifestyle in a hot climate, and I wanted to make a tank top that was cute and interesting!
All sizes are included in one PDF, covering busts 33-47" (84-119 cm).  Three options are given for the straps and trim at the neckline - purchased trim, plain fabric trim, or braided fabric trim.

The example tank with plain fabric trim made from a mid-weight knit:



Here is an example of the braided trim in a very lightweight knit.

 Through the end of August, I have a coupon code on Etsy so you can get the pattern for $5.  Just enter NEWPATTERN at checkout!


Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Burda Style Retro Bikini 05/2013 #132

I saw this bikini pattern last year and thought it would make a cute sundress.  I bought the pattern through the online BurdayStyle store since I didn't have the magazine.  I made up the dress pretty quickly but wasn't crazy about the shape when I just added a gathered rectangle skirt.

Skip ahead a year and right after I altered this skirt, I remembered this dress.  A couple of zips through the sewing machine with the side seams, and it's now wearable and quite cute, if I do say so myself.  Perfect for a day at the beach! 
  The tie top provides a surprising amount of bust support!  I originally planned to sew in cups but just got lazy during construction.  No problem (for small-busted me, anyway).  I can still frolic in the waves with no worries.
In case you can't tell, it was quite a windy day.  How is it that the Victoria's Secret models look extra attractive in the wind??  I need their secrets.
The fabric is waaaaaay old from fabric.com, I think.  It's a purple/white seersucker.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

SouthShore Handmade Podcast - Episode 4

"Home Sweet Home"

You can download the podcast on iTunes to listen during sewing or knitting (or housework!).  You will need to search "SouthShore" because it doesn't have enough reviews to show up under sewing or knitting.  You can also just play it at the bottom of this post!


SHOWNOTES:

My Life

Sewing - Messenger bag - Simplicity 2911




           








              I'm thinking of sewing a denim skirt.  Any pattern ideas?

              I also want to sew some batik into a dress or skirt.


Knitting - I set aside my Ocracoke

              Beacon Hill Cardigan

              I'm waiting for these buttons!


              Green girl's cardi just needs button band

              I'm not loving my yarn choice with Bazan


Things I don't get  (well, things my mom doesn't get this week!)

Gift Knitting - I want to make socks for my husband and Beacon Hills for both my mom and mother-in-law

Living Handmade - I'm loving my new planner from Simply Paperie!

Pattern Update


Where to find me:
Ravelry - JennyAnne
Twitter - SSHandmadeJenny
Instagram - SSHandmadeJenny


Friday, July 18, 2014

Some Fall Inspiration

It's going to be about 95 degrees here today and swimming in humidity, so of course I spent some time this morning looking at fall clothes (which are actually "dead of winter" clothes for me here in the tropics of Florida).  Here are some favorites:

This is called a Knit Moto Jacket and looks great for an extra layer when it's chilly or even as a sweater stand-in on cold days.

I have a white skirt that hits below the knees that I LOVE.  I'm curious how I'd like something similar with pleats.

I also have some slim ponte pants that I love equally to the skirt mentioned above.  I baby them like nothing else in my closet since I'm afraid of ruining them.  I'd love to be able to make something similar if I can find a great quality ponte that won't pill badly.  I like the zip pockets on these, but I don't know how much you would see them since I usually wear my tops out over my pants.

This top reminds me of this free pattern.  How perfect!  I would probably wear this to death, and I even have some suede scraps for the elbow patches.

Finally, there is this Kate Spade sweater.  I like the less traditional color blocking with the contrast neckline.  

What are you anxious to wear this fall?


Monday, July 14, 2014

McCalls 6707

Here are some fun cropped trousers I made a couple months ago (for the botched SWAP contest, but oh well).  These are all photos I took to submit for the contest (and then forgot to!) but I have to say, I prefer them with a white tank that my mom happened to give me recently.

The pattern is McCalls 6707, and the fit on these is quite great, I have to say, and I did no big alterations.  Just took them in a smidge at the waist.
 These have a cute waistband detail, but I just don't like them with a shirt tucked in.  I don't have a tiny waist (not complaining... very happy with myself... etc. etc...), and prefer not to highlight that part of my body.  I blogged about the orange top here.
 This top is Vogue 1259, here.

 All in all a success in my book, that I'll be able to wear easily into fall.  I definitely recommend this pattern.  The fabric is from JoAnns, a plain gray twill and one of their "fashion bottomweights," I think, but I can't find it online anymore.
 This sweater is blogged about here.