Professor Plum

On this very snowy evening, I have finished my "Professor Plum" skirt! I have had this wonderful plum wool-blend for a while now, but finally got to make use of it. The pattern used was McCall's 5523, view C. I left off one of the ruffly bits, added some buttons, and took up the hem a bit, but other than that no alterations were needed. I had taken this pattern out of the package and tried to make sense of the instructions about a month ago, as I was planning on this being my first project, but quickly got overwhelmed and put it away. I went back to it last night and the instructions and construction were easy peasy!

Here's the front:


And the back, with a little gathering and some cute buttons:


A close up of those cute little buttons:



And a SUPER close up :)


And a side view:



I call it the professor plum skirt, well, because it's plum, and because I made it to wear for a final presentation in my Public Health class that I wanted to look professional for (but still cute!). I think this mission was accomplished!

The Day of the Dead Party Skirt!

So it was another late night last night when I couldn't put my project down, once again. For my second project of the weekend I made this day of the dead party skirt!


For the detailing on the waistband, I sewed some silk flowers onto lapel pins so they can be removed for washing, and to tie in the colors and flowers from the hem fabric:


I love everything about this skirt, except that it is a little billowy on my frame. But I don't really have any skirts that are like it, so maybe its not so bad to have a tea-length big billowing skirt in my wardrobe. I'm on the fence, what do you think? Should I take it down a notch? Tell me your thoughts!

P.s. I entered this skirt in the fall party time competition over at Sew Retro! So far, people are liking it!

Holy Gathers, Batman!

I was about to write an email to a seamstress down the street asking if I could bring my machine by for a looksies, but I figured I would try to solve it's issues myself one last time, and that apparently did the trick! I have no idea what was it's deal or what I may have done wrong, but I re-threaded the bobbin, re-threaded the top thread, made sure everything was squeaky clean and running smoothly, dials properly adjusted, and we were in business! I jumped and screamed and did a little dance. My roommate even came over to join in my rejoicing! I had tried all this about 1o times before, but the 11th time's the charm in my case, apparently.

Unfortunately, it was 11:30 at night when my machine was resurrected, and I couldn't help but start sewing when I should have just gone to bed. So the result today is one very tired girl wearing one very fabulous skirt! I was up until 4:30am putting it together, being a bit obsessive over the details, as it was my first "real" project and I wanted to get it just right. But it was so (sew) worth it! I wore it today and already got compliments! I followed the instructions that Gertie had on her wonderful blog. Thanks Gertie!

Here is the unveiling of the "retro bubble" gather skirt, as I call it!


A close up of the gathers:


My first zip!


I hand stitched the inside of the waistband to the skirt:


A little button for subtle personality:


A view of the inside:


I also had my first experience with interfacing. It went well, except I used some muslin as a pressing cloth, and when I had to get it damp it smelled HORRIBLE! I had to open my window because my entire room smelled like a large family of cats had crept in and peed everywhere. I have no clue what the deal was! I was hoping the smell wouldn't fuse into my skirt as I was ironing the stenchy fabric on top of it, but all was well and my skirt smells fine :) The zipper was a bit tricky withe gathers, and I had to rip it out about 3 times, but I am pleased with it now. The skirt came out to the perfect length and fits perfectly around my waist, yet again. It was quite enjoyable to make I foresee a few more of these in my future. I think this weekend I am going to make a heavier red one, with this fabric around the bottom for a wide hem:


and perhaps some kind of festive embellishment on the waistband. Maybe try my hand in a little embroidery?

After that, I am ready to move on to something a bit more challenging. I am thinking a blouse of some kind so I will have the basics of the bottom and top learned separately, and then combine them to start on some of my dress patterns!

This whole sewing thing is coming to me a lot more easily than I thought it would... what's the catch?

Creation

Have you ever taken the time to watch the original Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein? Well, I did last night, and I must say that I was a bit disappointed in the Bride of Frankenstein. She was barely in the movie at all! And the monster wasn't named Frankenstein, he was called "The monster," even in the credits, so the movie should have been called "The Bride of the Monster!" I do realize that she is technically the bride of Frankenstein, since he did make her, so she is his, but it still bothers me.

Ok, I'll get off my high horse and get to the sewing. I watched these two movies last night as I practiced buttonholes and zippers, and they are both MUCH easier than I ever imagined! I watched some tutorials on youtube and referred to my lovely Dressmaker's Technique Bible for guidance. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick reference of clothing techniques (not just dresses!) to keep close to their sewing machine. I am very much a visual learner and can do something after I see it done (usually) so both of these resources are god-sends for me.

I made a trip down to Fields Fabric's last night and picked up some awesome retro fabric for my skirt!


I actually found many other colors of this fabric and thought to myself, if only they had a yellow and gray print of this, and then tucked away in a random hiding spot, there it was! It's not exactly what I had in mind when thinking about what I wanted to happen with this skirt. I was envisioning it to be white with red polka-dots, with a lipstick red waistband and a chunky 4" hem around the bottom, also in the red. But then I saw this fabric and said, polka-dot and red fabrics are always going to be around. And my mother also said I should go for the "funky" one, hehe.

I am running to the Jo-Ann's Superstore this afternoon to pick up some pinking shears, interfacing, and some other fun fabrics to have on hand. They are having a great sale where you get 20% off everything you buy ALL WEEKEND! Plus I have two 40% off coupons, too, and they usually take all my coupon's together, so I am beyond geeked! I should also share that all threads and buttons are 40% off at Fields, so I might head back there today and pick out a few of each, just to start building my collection.

I know it's not how the usual 22-year-old spends their weekend, but I like to create things and engage my mind, and sewing seems to be just what the doctor ordered to fulfill both of these. Plus, all of my roommates are gone this weekend, so it's just me and my sewing machine!

From What I Can Gather...

I write to you now as a woman accomplished, currently dressed in a not-to-shabbily constructed gathered skirt! I made use of some of my muslin, mustered the courage, and sat down to start my very first project. It took me about 4 hours, but I have my first wearable piece! I wouldn't wear it out, however, because it is made of muslin, but now this weekend I can make the same skirt (for real this time) with a red and white polka dot cotton... or maybe a houndstooth? It fits my waist perfectly and hits right above the knee. I had to fuss a bit with the waistband, but a little fuss is expected! My bedroom looks like a tornado ripped through and deposited pins and fabric and thread everywhere... but it is worth the clean up. I love my new sewing machine! It has really been a treat :)

And here is the very first Kelsey O'Donnell creation!



It is as bare-bones as you can get, but remember it was just for practice...I've got big plans for the "real" one!