New Look 6578

A simple pinafore in the last of this fabric, stashed for years and used a couple of years ago for a dress for the same little person, who was sad when she grew out of it.

The pattern is New Look 6578

A well used pattern, as you can see by the state of the envelope

Jenna Magenna

Jenna cardi; the sequel.  

In magenta wool jersey:

I made the plain front version this time, waist length, long sleeves.  I narrowed the sleeves and cuffs for this version and they fit much better.

Version 1 is here.

Simplicity 2995

I bought this Nani Iro double gauze from etsy seller Miss Matatabi last year, mainly to try double gauze as I hadn't sewn with it before.  Turns out it is lovely to sew with.  It presses well and sort of sticks to itself a bit so not much pinning is necessary.  The fabric is quite narrow (108cm or 42 inches wide) so it limited what I could make with the 2 metres I bought.  I used Simplicity 2995 and extended the shoulders for a cap sleeve effect.

I used purchased bias binding for the neckline and just overlocked, turned and topstitched the sleeve and bottom hems.  Lazy!

I didn't have enough fabric to match the pattern on the back pieces, but who am I kidding I wouldn't have done it anyway, because unmatched doesn't bother me one bit.  Unless it's plaid.  How many plaid frocks have I made? None.  Told you, I'm lazy!

This shift style is a little bit of a departure for me.  I'm used to more waist shaping, but I think I'll wear it because I do like it.  I pieced a tie belt from the scraps to act as wearing insurance, in case the shift silhouette doesn't appeal to me after all.  

Butterick 4607

I made another thing which is not a double knit boat-neck frock so I felt I could blog it.

I have been looking for some wobbly rayon challis to make a button front shirt, but not having much luck finding prints I like. Anybody seen any cute prints, which are not multicoloured florals?

I found this cotton voile at Spotlight and there was 1.4 metres left on the bolt, which was enough to make this shirt, minus the front and back yokes.  I would have had enough to make pockets, but nah.  I'm happy with the print as it is.

I used my vintage buttonholer again, ahhhh so easy and fun!  I also sewed on the buttons using my sewing machine. WHY WASN'T I TOLD THIS WAS SO EASY?

I used the method I saw in this youtube tutorial: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-ZoGnZ_ZX0

using my new-to-me Bernina 801 I got for $37 at our local auctions!  Hurrah!  I took the presser foot off and used my low shank adaptor.  It worked perfectly.

A year, you say?

We're still here.  Still sewing.  Not been blogging, obviously.

I've mostly been making ponte boat neck frocks and tops, so not great blogging material; great wardrobe material though.

This weekend I made a Jenna cardi in orange merino (from the Remnant Warehouse).  I chose the gathered yoke, waist length, full length sleeve version and used vintage buttons from my button jar. I was a bit nervous about doing the buttonholes.  I don't think I've ever done buttonholes on a knit jersey before.

I thought it would be interesting to try out the singer buttonholer I've had sitting around for a couple of years and never used.

I did some practise buttonholes on scraps first:

and then jumped in.  Of course I got the placement wrong on the first buttonhole on the actual cardigan and had to unpick it, grrr!  Which made some holes in the merino of course.  So the first buttonhole is messy now, but it's all learning, right?  

The finished cardigan:

The sleeves are a bit too wide, but I've run out of orange thread so I will take them in later.  The hem band at the waist is a little out of alignment too, even though I was careful; not sure what happened there, although by the time I get to wear it I might have forgotten about it.  That's what I get for sewing winter clothes in summer.  I'll probably wear it with the lower buttons unbuttoned too, so it won't be obvious hopefully.

I love this pattern!  I have some gorgeous magenta wool jersey (also from the Remnant Warehouse) which I think I will use to make my next version, once I decide on hip or waist length, three quarter or long sleeve, gathered yoke or no....