Long weekend is done...

We're back from camping!! Nice trip, but COLD!!!! Needless to say, sewing was not on the agenda.

Instead, here's my writeup, finally, on Simplicity 3775. As I mentioned in the previous post, I really like how it turned out.



Let's take the easy way out and use PatternReview's breakdown...

Pattern Description:
This pattern is for a knit dress in 6 variations. I did View B, which is the one with the waist ties, but with the sleeves from View C.

Pattern Sizing:
I started with size 18 and altered for fit. I increased the arm width, waist width, and hip width. I added a tad bit extra to the width of the skirt so it would be just a bit fuller.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yeah, I think so. Hard to tell sometimes when the models are so fit and I'm so not!

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Instructions were easy-peasy. Only I didn't follow them exactly. I changed the order of construction so that I could sew the sleeves in flat.

One note, the waist ties turned out rather long. I've read other reviews were folks had to tighten these up and I had to do the same. I ended up taking about 4 inches off the length of the ties so they would lie flat instead of sagging.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I really like the swishyness of the skirt.

Fabric Used:
Japanesque from Gorgeous Fabrics. This is a very nice knit. I love the print. You can't really see it in the picture, but it has some nice gold highlights in it.

I did have to be careful sewing it as it's pretty stretchy. I starched all the edges heavily before sewing to stabilize them.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I think I may sew this up again; maybe try one of the other views. Although, I'm not sure what luck I would have with any of the cross-over styles. The last cross-over style I tried didn't work out all that well.

Conclusion
Did I mention that I haven't worn a dress in years? I think the last time was over two years ago and it was for a job interview. But dresses were so very popular this past summer and every one's was so cute, I just had to try one too. I was not disappointed - a little late to the game, but not disappointed. This dress' popularity is thoroughly understandable.

PowerDry and Flannels

I feel like I'm so behind. I can't seem to catch up on my project or my blog reading.

I did finish up Simplicity 3775 during the week, but DH has run off with the camera so I won't be able to do my writeup until a little later. I will say that I'm really pleased with how it turned out.


In the meantime, I've started working on this pile.



This is some PowerDry and Flannel that I got from the FabricandNotions yahoo coop. There are 24 yards there altogether. Everything is washed and ready to go.


I'm starting with the PowerDry first. I've started cutting out DS' tees (Kwik Sew 3043). DD has grown so much in the past few months that I'm going to have to re-do her pattern with the next size. I'll either do that next or cut out my tees. And I never did make up a muslin with DH's pattern, so I'll need to do that real quick before I cut into the good stuff for his tees.


I sure wish I had gotten this started a little sooner. We're off for a long weekend in the woods this next weekend and it would be nice to have a few of our new shirts done. But I don't think that's destined to happen, as I've spent a huge chunk of this weekend babysitting my two-year-old nephew.

Once the t-shirts are done, I'll dig into the flannel. The little doggies are for DS, the flowers are for DD, the leaves for DH, and the "Queen of sparkle" is for me. At my rate, It'll be spring before I actually get these done! HAHA!!!