New Look 6356

I made this top a week ago. It’s a very easy “2 hour” pattern of a basic top with different necklines and sleeves or sleeve-less. I need some more tops that aren’t T-shirts, so I figured this would be a good one to have. It is very easy to make. I made view E which is with the rounded neckline. I used a cotton shirting fabric I bought last Spring from G Street Fabrics that I never got around to using. It’s almost an eyelet-like fabric, so it’s very cool and breezy which is great for the kind of summer we’ve had! This is a great pattern for someone who is either a beginner or someone who needs a quick project.

The only thing I might do differently next time is to decrease the width of the neckline. It is a little wider than what I’m used to. But, it is very comfortable as is.

McCall’s 5633

This is the latest project I’ve completed. I made View A (based on the amount of fabric I had). I planned to to this about a year ago, but kept putting it off. The reason being that these have a fly front and I was terrified of making anything with a fly. Well, now that I’ve made several pairs of jeans with success, I knew it was time for these. I used some kind of linen blend fabric (washable) that I had remaining from a previous project. I do like the fit and style of the shorts/pants.

I definitely think that this is something that I can see myself making again. I actually prefer the pants (Views B and C), so I think I may tackle that next time. Here is a picture of the shorts not rolled up:

Since I’m more used to the Bermuda shorts style, I tend to wear them like this more often. But either way, this is an easy pattern and very comfortable to wear.

Reading about sewing…

The other day I was reading an article in the August/September Threads magazine. I was particularly interested in the article on determining your figure type ( http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/26235/get-the-ideal-silhouette-self-evaluation-worksheet).Thwas This was easy for me to determine for myself because I have always been a “column” (I say rectangle). Pretty much straight up and down. I guess that’s why I tend to gravitate to dresses with princess seams, because they tend to give some waist definition – something I’ve always wanted. But, I’m 50 years old and things could be worse – LOL!. I’m trying harder this year to see myself as I am and deal with what I have, rather than to think of myself as I wish I was. Regardless, the article is very good and worth checking out. I need to figure out what style separates are best for me (especially skirts). I know what I like (A-line) and that’s usually what I make for myself.

Anyway, I’m finishing up a project now that I hope to have completed sometime this week.