Velvet Top - Kwik Sew 4134

I picked up a fun piece of knit crushed velvet when I was at the National City Swap Meet. I wanted it to be something fun. I finally decided the other night to make this out of it. I've used this pattern before here. I like the top and wear it often in the winter.

I only modified the length of the sleeves. I left everything else as is. What do you think? It's definitely a lot of this pink color which is not a normal color for me. I do love the back ruffles. 

I think I like it??

Yea, I do like it. I'm not sure it's love but I think it's growing on me. What do you guys think?

Jalie 2563 - Running Shorts

I have tried the sports bra from this pattern before but never the running shorts. These are just a basic, no-pocket, no-frills running shorts and I love them! I didn't realize until just now that I made a huge mistake on them though. Do you see it? Just keep looking at my pictures . . .

I used a black wicking poly/Spandex blend and a random piece of poly/Spandex for the accent panels. They fit really well and I have already done a short 3 mile run in them. They performed admirably (especially considering my mistake!) and I'll be making many more of these! Forgive my sweaty-ness. This was right after my run, and since I already had them on, I decided to just take pictures too.

Do you see it yet??? I can't believe I did that! See the contrast panel on mine? Now look at the pattern picture. I turned the entire leg upside down!!!! HAHAHAHAHAH! If they fit really well like this, I'm not sure I should turn them the correct way! In other words, the part that should be around my thigh is around my waist! Is that hysterical or what?? I will have to make them the right way now and see if they fit better. I was thinking this morning that when I make them again, I will lower the CF waist by about 1/2". If you look on the pattern, it is already lowered. Hahahaha. That's what happens when you ignore the notches and just think you know better! 

Fabric is from the National City Swap Meet (the black) and JoAnns (the crazy print). 

Ottobre 02-2018 #15 Knit Dress with V-Neck

Remember when I made my last Ottobre knit dress? The one with the v-neck? Do you remember that the same bodice had two different skirt options? Well, I had to try the top with the other skirt bottom. I like this one a lot too. Although, I think I like the other a-line skirt better.

Here's the line drawing. I was worried about the fabric around the hips. I knew I wanted to use a very drapey knit but one that wasn't too stretchy for the bodice. What I ended up using was a cotton knit french terry. This one is interesting because the pattern is printed on the french terry side so that the texture is facing out. It's not a fluffy french terry either. This fabric, of course, I got at the National City Swap Meet. (And does it drive anyone else bonkers that the Ottobre dress below had the chevrons slightly off center?)

I quite like how it turned out. I do like it more with the belt than without. 

See all that fabric around the hips? I was worried initially, but I think it's okay. As long as the waist is fitted, I think that the hips can have volume. One thing this dress has is huge pockets. Those are part of what create the large volume around the hips. 

Overall, another win from Ottobre!!!

Ottobre 02-2018 #4 Knit Dress with V-Neck

So I told you I loved knit dresses, right? Well, here's the first one and I love it as much as I thought I would. This is the v-neck bodice with the flared skirt. I made the bodice first to get the fit right. I wanted to make sure that the waist seam would hit in the actual waist. The only change I made to the pattern was to add my normal inch in the bodice for my long torso. This is made out of a Liverpool knit I bought in National City at the Swap Meet.

I really like how it turned out. I made it out of a crazy print on purpose. I wanted something stable, but stretchy and I wanted the pattern to hide any imperfections. This would be SO FUN in a striped fabric. My little darlings love photo-time. 

I love the flair of the skirt and I love that you can wear it with a belt or not. 

When I first made it, it was a bit loose at the waist seam even though I had added clear elastic to the waist seam to suck it in a little. After I tried it on, I added 3/8" elastic to the rear waist seam to really pull it in. I think I overdid it and you can see some gathers in the pictures of the back. I won't do that next time. 

 

I used red thread to do all the hems. 

I really like it and I've already traced out the other skirt bottom. I'mm keep you posted! 

Ottobre Twist Top Dress - 02-2013 #19

I've made this before in the tunic length and I really like it and wear it often. I love it with my black Ottobre leggings. This time I made the dress version and I like it just as much. 

How fun is this fabric too? This is another one from the National City Swap Meet. It's a cotton/poly lycra blend. I love that it's so springy and bright. 

I also love that it has this twist front but it has fabulous coverage and there is no chance of wardrobe malfunction. 

The back has a faux belt that is gathered and put into the side seam. It meets up with the front ruched belt. I almost matched them perfectly. 

Overall, I love this new, bright dress! 

Are you guys getting spring fever yet? It's been in the 30's lately which feels SO WARM since it's been so cold lately. 

Jalie 3355 Times Two

My twins are always in need of cozy, snuggly, warm sweatshirts. I love this Jalie pattern and I've used it so many times. I'm sure it's in the 30's by now. This time, I made them one size too big and added four inches to the length so they are more tunic-y length. I think they'll be perfect over leggings, which is their pant of choice at the moment. 

I couldn't resist adding a little bling to them. On the red/pink sweathshirt knit, I added a blue silk woven X to the front. I added decorative stitching to the sides to attach it to the front. I got this inspiration from the most current Ottobre kids magazine. 

On the second sweatshirt, I added a little orange rhinestone bling to the front and shoulder. This is a hard fabric to photograph. It's little darker and warmer than this picture. This is the same fabric as this Ottobre tunic. I didn't do the hood only because I didn't have enough fabric. 

I've talked about these before here. They are plastic rhinestones attached to this mesh and they are so easy to add. Plus, they are indestructible. 

I wanted to show you my little helpers. This is a small room with a lot of stuff in it. Why is it, when I'm in here, that BOTH furry creatures need to be in here too? Why can't they sleep outside the door?? The cat mostly leaves my stuff alone now and just sleeps on this dresser. Sometimes, though, the serger threads are too tempting and she gets "invited" to leave the room.