2 Monetas for the Price of One....

Okay obviously I am terrible at coming up with blog post titles, but I think we've already established that. Anyway, I made these two dresses a couple of weeks ago, but haven't had a chance to take photos or blog about them until now.  We are back in the city and yesterday I went out in the backyard with the tripod to take photos and was startled by a landscaper who had come in to start lawn maintenance - awkward! I smiled, grabbed the tripod, and high-tailed it back into the house until he was gone. Blogger problems! Anyway, I am quite happy with how the photos turned out. Here is my first version:

For my first Moneta, I went with the short-sleeve view in this pretty galaxy print I got from Girl Charlee. It's much thinner than I thought it would be but it is deliciously soft. Like flannel pyjama soft.  So what it lacks in weight, in makes up for in prettiness and softness.

I really like how comfy this dress is, and I feel that while it's still casual, it makes me feel a bit more put together than shorts and a tee. I was on the cusp between sizes, so I went with the L, but am wondering now if I could have gotten away with the M (it's a touch big in the shoulders). I chopped a whopping 2 inches off the bodice so it would hit at my (very short) natural waist, and then I took 1 inch off the skirt. What can I say? I'm short. My only real issue with the Moneta is figuring out which side is the front, and which side is the back. Looking at these pictures, I think there is a distinct possibility that I have it on backwards.

I guess I'll have to put a little tag in it or something. I wore this dress the night we went to see Guardians of the Galaxy and I didn't even clue in until we were leaving the theatre and someone gave me this knowing smile - and then I thought - I'm such a nerd, I wore my Galaxy print dress to the Guardians of the Galaxy! Cosplay and I didn't even know it. LOL. Not really, but I thought it was funny.

For my second version, I went with the sleeveless bodice and no collar. I feel like I have a ton of dresses with collars and I was worried about how the collar would lay in a knit, so I ditched it.

Are you sick of looking at pictures of me yet? Sorry to bombard you, but when I look at sewing/fashion blogs, I like to see all the angles so I can figure out how the pattern/outfit might look on me. Do you do that too? Plus, if you don't like to/have time to read you get a good idea of what's going on based on the pics.

This guy is also made out of a cotton lycra knit from Girl Charlee. It's super soft and I love the print. This bodice is lined and the Colette way of finessing the neck and armholes really is ingenious, but tricky. Thank goodness for the video, or I never would have figured it out. (Note to self, if you are going collarless, finish the neckline first!! And/or read through the entire tutorial before you start so you don't have any surprises at the end.) I have a bit of gaping at the neckline and armholes on this dress. And I am wondering if it's because the bodice is just a bit to big, or if I need to do some minor alterations - but alterations seem like such a pain in a knit dress.

I don't know, maybe a size down would be too revealing of all the lumps and bumps? Am I the only one who gets bra induced back fat? Is that okay to ask on the interwebs? Okay, maybe not bra induced but bra accentuated. And what is going on with the back of my hair? I need a haircut!

So that's it for my Monetas. I really like this pattern and I can see myself making it again - in fact I have some fabric already earmarked for a couple more. It's super quick to make and although I thought the elastic gathering at the waistline was kind of weird (and tricky), I really like the effect it creates and how it gives the waistline a bit of structure too.

I'll leave you with a couple of more pics of how I would wear this dress around town. Unless it is smoking hot out, I don't really love having my arms exposed in public so this is how I would wear this dress to run around - plus sometimes air-conditioned places are freezing! Hope you are having a great August so far!

My Summer Hawthorn

I am so happy that I love this dress, because it was a nightmare while I was making it. I am really glad that I didn't give up on it, as I was tempted to do a number of times, and it actually turned out to be exactly what I was looking for: a comfortable, light, casual summer sundress.

So the pattern is Colette's Hawthorn. It's a great pattern and even has a cute peplum top variation. I decided that I would make the top as a wearable muslin first, and this would help me practice making button holes and also give me an idea of any fitting changes I might need to make. The top turned out pretty well except that the fabric I used was pretty thin, and I'm not entirely sure that I will wear it, but it was good practice. I debated and debated looking at the top if I should shorten the bodice a little bit, but I really wasn't sure - I made a note in my sewing journal (yes, I am a nerd and take notes on every project I make). It was little bit tight at the waist too and I couldn't decide if that was because of my fat belly or if it was because the waist was not at the right level, but thought I could just let the side seam out a tiny bit at the waist if need be. I also made a note to do a narrow shoulder adjustment too as I wanted it sleeveless, and there was just a touch to much fabric across the shoulders. Fast forward two weeks when I decided to finally make the dress version.

I had this swiss dot chambray I bought at Denver Fabrics in my stash for months with the plans of making an Emery, but seeing as my last Emery was a bit of a flop, I decided it would be perfect for this Hawthorn (and I was right). I decided to ignore my notes on shortening the bodice, but I did narrow the shoulders by 1/2". The construction went along beautifully. Everything fit together perfectly, the insides looked beautiful - I was even thinking how this would be a dress that I took pictures of the inside for my blog so you could see how great seam work was. I sewed the button holes, but before I cut them, I decided to try it on. It looked horrible. It was too big, the waist was definitely too low and John was not in love with my fabric choice (not really a surprise as he doesn't really like anything denimish if it's not jeans). This was about 11 o'clock at night, and John and I both decided I should just scrap the whole mess, chalk it up to a learning experience and start over. I was upset, and of course obsessed about it all night.

When I got up in the morning, I decided it wasn't as bad as I thought and that I needed to save it. I just loved that chambray, and I had already put so much effort into it. I ended up unpicking the waist seam (and two button holes - such a pain) and shortening the bodice by an inch. Then because the waist was now in the right place, I took in the side seams by about a 1/4'' and it fit perfectly. I re-spaced the two button holes I unpicked and re-sewed them (so now the button spacing isn't perfect, but it's not really noticeable). And voila, perfect fitting Hawthorn. I am really glad that I persevered because I love this dress and I have worn a bunch of times already. It's cool and comfy, and as an added bonus, I think it flatters my shape really well too. It's a bit wrinkly in these photos as I had been wearing it all day, but it presses really nice.

I have now transferred all my changes to the flat pattern, so my next one should go much more smoothly, and I will definitely be making another one. Thank goodness for my inherited OCD and determined, won't let it go attitude, it really paid off this time.

Has something like this ever happened to you? Have you ever worked on a project to think it was an epic fail, but then found a way to save it? (It happens to me all the time, ask the boys - they've been served many a grilled cheese that was burned on the inside from me turning the bread around because I had used up the last slice. What can I say, I'm crafty ;) )

The Rough Diamond Washi

Ah...yes, the rough diamond, not the diamond in the rough, as I seem to have way more washis than there are Aladdins in Akrabah. But anyway the point is I'm attempting to get more creative with my titles to lure you in. Do you feel lured? :) Not yet, how about with this weirdo come hither look:

I am not entirely sure what is going on in these pictures. I took them awhile ago (myself) and I seem to have some strange angles and facial expressions going one. Plus my dress is wrinkly from wearing it all day. It really is much better when John takes my photos, hooray for helpful husbands!

This is my favourite Washi so far, and I'm sure I've said that before, but this one really is. I actually addressed some fit issues in between this one, and the one I made before this. I once again used the Washi expansion pack and chose the curved peter pan collar and the normal curved sleeves. I also went with the elastic casing for the back, instead of the shirring. I found that this worked really well.

I think the elastic in the casing is a little bit stronger and cinches in the waist a bit more. I also haven't quite mastered shirring with elastic on my new Pfaff, so this was easier.  The bodice is also lined, and I loved Rae's crazy all in one lining and finishing method. Thank goodness for videos, because I'm not sure I could have done it without those. It's really cool and I need to figure out how to do it on other dress bodices too!

I lengthened the bodice by about an inch and now I think it hits in exactly the right place - it's amazing what such tiny amount of  seam movement can do. I also took about a half inch dart out of the neckline on either side, so now the collar and neckline lay flat  - unfortunately I forgot to make the collar smaller so it overlaps a little at the front, but you can hardly tell so I didn't bother unpicking it.

The fabric is from Fabricland out here in Salmon Arm. I think it's an apparel cotton and it was a dream to work with. The perfect weight. When I saw it, I really loved the colours, but the diamonds were actually meant to go horizontally. How weird is that? I didn't think that would make for a very flattering dress, so I cut my dress so the diamonds would be vertical. Luckily for me, I am short enough that it worked out and no one is the wiser. There are definite perks to being vertically challenged.

So there you have it, fourth Washi completed! Just seeing these pictures makes me want to make another one. What is it with this pattern? I actually think, I might pick apart and remake my Apple Washi, as it's a bit tight across the boobs and it has that weird neckline thing going on which I have now figured out, and I think I have enough fabric left over to remake the bodice too.

Are you addicted to any one piece of clothing? Or maybe a sewing pattern? Are you sick of the Washis yet?

The Hummingbird Dress

I'm so good at coming up with names, aren't I? Very creative! This is my easy, breezy, hummingbird dress.

And apparently I'm all about the short hemlines this summer, must have something to do with the heat we're having out in BC.

I am beginning to realize that all the ground in front of our house is on a slope (that or the tiles are sinking) and maybe it's not the best place for blog photos.

This dress is the Angie Dress by Sis Boom. It's quick and easy to sew up (great for a beginner), and it pops over your head so no finicky zips! Yay! It's got a small piece of elastic hidden in the back waistline - you can't see it as it's sewn into the seam allowance on the inside. It gathers up the skirt to make it a little more fitted and adds to the comfort level of the dress as it moves with your body when you sit down or bend, or whatever it is you like to do in a dress. Also, it has pockets!

I decided to finish this dress with store bought bias tape, and have it show for contrast. John suggested I add it to the hem of the skirt, so I did and I really like the finished product. This dress also has an included optional sash, which I decided to make too as it cinches in the waist just a little bit more, and I like the look of it.

I am thinking that a black sash would look really sharp as well, so I plan to make one soon too.

I really love the fabric of this dress. I don't usually wear grey, but I fell in love wither little colourful hummingbirds. I picked this fabric up in the quilting section of, you guessed it, Fabricland. It's a medium to light weight cotton and worked perfectly with this pattern.

John and I were goofing around, can you tell I'm having fun? I don't think this dress really goes with my brown clogs, but they were the best choice I had with me. It was brown clogs or beat up runners, so the clogs won out. Perhaps this could be an excuse to buy another pair in black?

Hmmmm...what else can I say about this dress? Oh, the pdf pattern was awesome! It was super easy to assemble and the instructions that came with it were extremely detailed and helpful. Lots of great pictures, and descriptions of techniques. This is a great, comfy, and easy to wear day dress, and I will definitely make it again.

Happy Sewing! (Or Cooking, Baking, Crafting, Knitting, Writing, Eating, Watching TV or whatever it is you like to do!)

The Sunflower Laurel

Okay guys, confession time - I bought fabric! I was trying to do The Summer Stashbust, but I just couldn't handle the restriction. All I could do was think about fabric shopping. I was looking at fabric online, filling up virtual carts, looking at crazy patterns I would normally never buy.  I was having nightmares, tossing and turning, and all I could do was think of fabric - must have more fabric, must have more..... My pulse would increase and my knees would weaken every time I saw my dwindling stash (who am I kidding, my stash is pretty huge for only sewing for 7 months). Okay so that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I kept wanting to make projects that I just didn't have the appropriate fabric for, so I cracked. John said it isn't really cheating, because he bought the fabric (and came to Fabricland and picked a bunch out with me). But my indiscretion was gnawing at me, so I felt that I needed to come clean. Funnily enough, as soon as I allowed myself to buy - I didn't feel the intense need to hoard anymore. Apparently I don't do well with restriction! Anyway, on to the dress. This is a summery short-sleeved little shift dress called Laurel by Colette Patterns. This pattern was the first dress pattern I ever made, and I would show you the dress, but it literally fell a part at the seams. I'm not sure what happened, I blame cheap fabric, but nonetheless, here is my successful version (which hasn't fallen apart yet).

I love this dress! It's light and super easy to wear, perfect for summer! Plus it's colourful and has kind of a tie-dyed, hippy vibe going on. The fabric is from the aforementioned trip to Fabricland and it's a little stiff, but I am hoping it will soften up with more washes and wears.

I am not thrilled with the neckline, and I might unpick it and redo. I didn't have the exact right bias tape and I thought what I had would do, but in looking at these pics, I'm not so sure. But I am thrilled with my invisible zip - you can't even see it at all!

I really need to come up with some more interesting poses. John's taking my photos for me now by the way. My neckline isn't really that gapey, I think it's just from the stiff fabric lifting up the dress with my ridiculous pose.

This was a super easy dress to make, hello instant gratification and I am super happy with it. It's unlined so it's light and airy and summer (so it qualifies for the Summer Sundress Sewalong - at least I am making good on one challenge). It may be a pinch too short. It looks fine when I am standing up straight, but I have to be very careful if I drop something, or when getting into the car. Maybe I should just make myself some matching undies LOL.

Are you wearing sundresses this summer or are you more of a shorts person? Either way I hope you are enjoying your summer! 

The Emery Fail

I'm really not sure what went wrong. Maybe it's because I started this dress back in May, and finished 2 days ago. Maybe I made the wrong size. What I am pretty sure of is that I picked the wrong fabric.

See what I mean? I think the fabric on it's own isn't bad, but it is not very flattering on me. This is the Emery Dress by Christine Haynes. It's a lovely design and lovely pattern, but unfortunately, it may not be for me. Although, I did make another version a few months ago, and I don't remember it being this unflattering. I think it must be the plaid causing some kind of weird optical illusion or something.

It actually looks better in the photos, than it does in the mirror. The fit isn't spot on, but it's not too bad. I think if I do attempt this pattern again I'll make it in one size up. This size  fits okay (I think), but it's a little tight across the boobs. Perhaps I've been eating a few too much pizza and chocolate. (Mmmmmm...chocolate...) I'm still learning, and I'm not really sure at how to identify my fitting issues, so if you have any ideas or advice for me, I would love to hear (read) it.

The collar isn't perfect either. I'm not sure what I did wrong, but something isn't right with it. Is it maybe on backwards? I also didn't bother with pattern matching. Why? I'm not sure, probably because I don't play by anyone else's rules. Ya - let's go with that.

This fabric came from somewhere in London (I can't remember exactly where), and its a lightweight cotton seersucker. I thought it would be perfect for a light summer dress, and it probably would be in a different print. Turns out I should have attempted to make John a shirt instead. Oh well, you win some you lose some.

Happy Sewing (or doing whatever it is that you like to do)!

The Out and About Dress(es)

I was going through my closet the other day and stumbled upon 2 little gems that I made back in February, and I thought, Hey, these are so cute, why don't I blog about them! So here we are the Sew Caroline Out and About Dresses (why is it that I seem to make at least 2 of everything?).

I'm also wearing my new Lotta from Stockholm clogs which I am super in love with - John is not the biggest fan, but I LOVE them! (And I've decided that they go with everything, so expect to see them a lot.)

Look at those white legs!!

I made both of these dresses out of fabric I got from my first Girl Charlee order and with both of them I was a little surprised (and disappointed) at how thin the fabrics were, but they are both soft and have cute prints, so I went for it, and I thought they would go great with leggings. I think that's why I kind of forgot about them, in my mind they are winter dresses. But in actuality they are the perfect summer weight.

John took these photos for me so no remote! Yay! I do have some silly faces going on though. I'm lucky to have such a supportive husband - he really has been super supportive of my new obsession hobby: listening to me ramble on, giving me fit advice, fabric shopping etc.  And the pugs had to join in the fun too. Check out that massive Jackie Boy yawn in the picture above.

Goofy action shot!

I think this was my second ever knit project and my second experience with a pdf pattern. The pattern was great, as were the instructions and this was a really simple sew. It took me about one afternoon of sewing for each one. I also learned a trick to gather the skirt using my serger/overlocker. All you do is set the needle tension to about 8 and the differential speed to 2 and voila - a perfect gathered skirt. Super easy!

I think that's all I have to say about that. Trying on these knit dresses again, makes me really excited to try the Colette Moneta pattern too. Knit dresses are so comfy - it's like wearing dressy pyjamas! I hope it's nice and warm where you are.

Happy Sewing!

The Summer of Washis Continues

Are you sick of hearing about this pattern yet? Good, cause I am definitely not sick of sewing it. I have plans for a few more. For this lovely dress, I used the Washi expansion pack to add a pointed Peter Pan collar and pointed cap sleeves, and I LOVE it!

I was in Fabricland the other day to buy some thread, and saw this adorable apple covered cotton and I just had to have it. It's a pale pink in the background and deliciously soft.  I decided to go with a black collar, so I used some black cotton batiste from my stash. I'd like to tell you that I came up with this combo all on my own, but I was inspired by this dress here.

I could probably get away without leggings with this one, but I think it looks really cute with my black espresso leggings too, so I know I will get a lot of wear out of this guy year round.

For this little baby, I went a size down, but it ended up being a little too tight across the bust, and it didn't fix my neckline problems. So my neckline is a little wonky especially when I am not standing up straight, which who am I kidding, is most of the time. So for my next Washi, I will have to bite the bullet and adjust the pattern.

Cutesy pose, for a cutesy dress! Sometimes its good to embrace the inner cuteness.

I am so in love with this dress! Neckline aside, I am super happy with how it turned out. I also learned a new lining technique sewing this version. The collar is attached and then the lining at the neck, and then you do this crazy inside out pulling thing, sew one armhole, then the other,  and voila, neckline and armholes finished. It's really quite ingenious, but I don't think I could have done it without Rae's amazing video tutorial. I am discovering that I am very much a visual learner. So that's it, third Washi complete!

Also, I feel like I should tell you that I have joined in the Summer Stash Bust by the Quirky Peach (isn't she adorable?), and also the Summer Sundress Sew-a-long by Handmade with Heather B (one of my favourite bloggers). I am really loving the sewing blogging community, so I was happy to find a couple of ways to connect with my fellow sewists.

The Summer Sundress Sew-al-ong is a great way to keep motivation and do some great summer sewing. My Washis all qualify, and I am anxious to get sewing some other sundresses I have planned, and excited to see what everyone else who has joined in sews.

As for the Summer Stash Bust, well that's another story. It really only requires one thing, but it's a really big thing: no buying any new fabric until September 21! September 21st!!! I have to sew only from the large amount of fabric I already own?!?!? (heavy breathing, panic and anxiety ensue - pass the paper bag).

Anyway, despite my apprehension, I know I need to do it. I have tons of beautiful fabric taking up all kinds of space all over the place, and I know my pocketbook will be happier too. Plus, if I sew up all the fabric in my stash (or most of it), then I'll have to buy more, right? Right? So I can't promise I'll make it, I mean September is super far away, but I will promise you that I am going to try. I even made sure to tell John about it, so he can hold me accountable. I do have to confess something though, on June 20th, I ordered some more knit fabric from Girl Charlee to pad out my stash (I had too, I NEED knits!). But that's it, no more! Wish me luck!