What I Made this Week: 7/13/24

I started a new project this week ... a summer dress for myself!

The weather has been so hot that I decided I needed cooler clothes, as in dresses!

Modest clothing is a priority so I took a look through some of my dress patterns and found one that I thought could be made modest and help keep me cool.

I've made this pattern before, only I made the blouse.  This time I'm making view C, which is the third one down on the right.

I wanted the dress to be oversized, so I made adjustments and cut it out using the largest size in the size range as a baseline.  I also deepened the neckline a bit as it has a high neckline and to help with the overall oversize look I was going for.

Because I made several adjustments, I made a new pattern using Pellon 830, Easy Pattern Non-Woven Tracing Fabric.  Several years ago, I purchased a whole bolt at half price.  It works really great for things such as this and can be folded when finished and stored with original pattern pieces in the pattern envelope.

I used seersucker for the fabric as you can see in the photo.

I stitched in the bust darts and did the stay stitching around the neckline.  (I pinned the front on Issabelle, my dress form, to get a feel of how 'oversized' it was going to be.) I have the back pieces stay stitched around the neckline and the pieces pinned together ready to be stitched. There's no zipper in this pattern ... Yeah!  There is instead a seamline opening in the center with a closing at the neckline.

My plan is to make the dress knee-length.  

I'm pleased with the way it's coming together and hope to get it finished next week!

That's it for this week.  

Please share what you stitched up or created this week, I would love to hear about what you're working on!    

Until next time ...

patsi @ Grandma's Got a Sewing Machine

My other blogs:

A Working Pantry

From This Heart of Mine

Thank you for using my Amazon affiliate link when placing your Amazon orders. I earn a small percentage that doesn't increase what you pay, and it helps keep in sewing supplies.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links.  This means that if you click on the link and place an order, etc I earn a small fee at no increased cost to you. Thank you for your support through these means. 

What I Made This Week: 7/6/24

This week has been extra busy and honestly, I didn't know if I would have time to do any sewing or creating.

At one point, when I was trying to find some time to do at least 'some' sewing/creating I thought about what I could do that would be quick and not too involved.

I decided on this upcycling project that I've been wanting to do for quite some time ...

This oversized man's pullover t-shirt was given to my hubby, but it was not his style.  I claimed it with the intention of recycling it into a nightshirt for myself.

However, it looked a little masculine for my tastes ...

The first thing I did was cut the neck band off and stay stitch around the 'new' neckline to keep it from stretching completely out of shape.

Next, I shortened the sleeves by cutting the same amount from each's length.  Before shortening them, they reached to my elbows ... that didn't work for me!

I left the raw edges on the sleeves and neck unhemmed because I wanted a soft natural 'rolled' look for each.

The last thing I did was cut out the little polo guy design and replaced it in the following way ...

I was going for a somewhat rough, but soft shabby chic look and I think I achieved it!

Before (left) and after (right).

That's it for this week.  

Please share what you stitched up or created this week, I would love to hear about what you're working on!    

Until next time ...

patsi @ Grandma's Got a Sewing Machine

My other blogs:

A Working Pantry

From This Heart of Mine

Thank you for using my Amazon affiliate link when placing your Amazon orders. I earn a small percentage that doesn't increase what you pay, and it helps keep in sewing supplies.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links.  This means that if you click on the link and place an order, etc I earn a small fee at no increased cost to you. Thank you for your support through these means.