Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Enter Stage Right

Yep, I'm back. I didn't think I'd be neglecting my blog for so long but I'm finally sewing again and so I should be more regular here now. I feel like I have lots to catch you up on and I will over the next few posts or so. But for now, I'm just going to talk about the first finished sewing project to come off my machines in close to (if not over) a year. Although time has flown, I still can't believe it's been that long. And boy do I NEED clothes.

Here's McCall's 7254, one of the newer releases. Although I've been off-blog, I've still been buying patterns. :-) I cut out and started sewing it this past Saturday and finished on Sunday. It's a very quick sew and I can see adding at least one more to my wardrobe soon. I sewed a blend between the L and XL (the only two sizes in this envelope) and made no other alterations, and the only thing I'd change for a next time is to narrow the shoulders a bit. So nice to have a Win after such a long absence.


I sewed View C, which is the view on the left in the second row below. The instructions call for interfacing one layer of the all-in-one collar/front panel/peplum. I didn't for two reasons. First, LAZY. And second, it's a casual, unstructured knit jacket and I thought interfacing only one side of the panel would do weird things to the hand/drape of the knit. This was confirmed when I read some reviews, so I'm glad I left it off. My finished jacket hangs nicely and I'm not missing the interfacing at all.


Here's a shot of the inside. Seeing this, I'm thinking that with the right combo of two-sided fabrics, it could easily be reversible. My fabric came from Fabric Mart last year-ish and is not reversible. It's a textured knit which I think is part cotton, part synthetic. I had a near-disaster with the iron but luckily it was on the inside of the two-sided facing and doesn't show. Whew!


And the back.


I edgestitched the entire collar/facing/peplum piece and also the princess seams to hold the two-sided panel together better and to set off the seams (which shows more in real life than here in pics). The instructions don't mention either of these steps, but I would recommend at least edgestitching the collar/facing piece so it doesn't roll outward.


Here's a quick nighttime shot of where my machines are set up. Lots of windows in here but not enough room for a cutting table or fabric and pattern stash so I've had to spread out into other rooms and my pattern cabinet and most of my fabric currently live in the garage. It's still a work in progress but I'm slowly getting there. I'm hoping to get a good portion of my fabric into the house but I need to do some rearranging of armoires/shelving first.


Up next is the new Cashmerette Appleton dress. I was supposed to test this before its release but my lifestuff interfered. Jenny was very nice to send me a pattern (and fabric kit) anyway. I finished cutting it out tonight and hope to start sewing it tomorrow night. Stay tuned for a review on it soon.


After the dress, I'm wanting to make a long-ish black skirt. Once that's done, I'll pair it with the jacket and take some photos of me in everything.

Thanks to those who sent notes of concern and search parties. I'm doing great and happy to know you're still out there. I'll see you again here very soon!


49 comments:

  1. I've made view E of this, the longer one (I didn't interface either) and now I really want to make the shorter view too, yours looks great. I agree that the edge stitching adds a nice finishing touch, will do that next time.

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    1. Thanks Allison. I missed yours so I went and found it on your blog. Love it!

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  2. That is a cute jacket and welcome back.

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  3. Nice jacket! Glad to see the mojo returns!

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  4. You're alive!! Goody. I've missed seeing your posts. I've been looking at that jacket pattern and really like yours. Making the jacket reversable is a good idea. May have to get the pattern. Your sewing machine looks familiar. I have the Babylock ESG3. Good machine.

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    1. My sewing machine is a Viking. :-) It's now about 10 years old and I hope it lasts a while since I'm not flush enough to replace it.

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  5. Welcome back - I've missed seeing your sewing skills.

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  6. Yay, you're back! Very cute jacket.

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  7. YaaaaY! Missed you. So happy to see you again.

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  8. So happy you're back and sewing, I missed you!

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  9. Glad you're back! And inspiring, as always. How did I miss this pattern? Very pretty jacket!

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  10. I was going to buy this jacket pattern but was put off by one review in particular, from someone whose views I trust. You've cracked it, though, and I want it again! The key problems in the review I read were about interfacing the collar and the lack of edgestitching, both of which you solved. Looks great. Reversible would be good, too.

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  11. Happy to see you back again. Nice jacket!

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  12. Welcome back! Your jacket looks great. I have that pattern and fancied making view C also. Your review has inspired me to go for it! Thanks for the interfacing/edgestitching tips too - I'll certainly be implementing them.

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  13. Yea for the sewing win 😊 glad to see your mojo is ok x

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  14. Cool jacket! Welcome back! Can't wait to see your Appleton!

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    1. Thanks Meg! Me too on the Appleton, especially because I want to wear it. :-)

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  15. That jacket is going to look great on you! I'm so glad you're going to do the Cashmerette Appleton dress, by the way. I've admired that pattern but there are so many wrap dress variations out there that fall short of our hopes and dreams (and flash way too much boobage to the world!). I'm really looking forward to seeing and reading your Appleton review. Welcome back to the Land of the Stitching, Debbie! :-)

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    1. Thanks so much. I'll get that Appleton dress and review done as quickly as I can. The sewjo is now on FIRE! :-)

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  16. Glad to see you back! I've missed your writing & seeing your projects.

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  17. So happy to see you are back & love your jacket !

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  18. Welcome back! I looked at that pattern and passed it by. I may have to reconsider after seeing yours.

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  19. I think I need to add this pattern to my list especially since it works with my lifestyle now. Love what you've done with it...can't wait to see pics of you wearing it and WELCOME BACK! You've been missed!

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    1. Thanks Carolyn. I think you'll enjoy this pattern. It's cute but super fast to sew. It doesn't even take too long to cut out. For my next one, I'm going to try morphing the narrower collar area onto the long peplum area. I think that will be the most flattering on me, although I do like this one too.

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  20. I have this on my to do list and I really love how yours came out. AND I have that fabric! So good to know to be careful with the iron.

    I wasn't sure how to use it but I like it as a cardigan...

    Welcome back!!!

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    1. OMG definitely take care with heat on this fabric. I totally killed a pressing cloth but thank heavens I was using one or this jacket may have been toast. Literally. Hahaha

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  21. What a beautiful jacket! I'm new here. So glad to see you back!

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  22. Great looking jacket. I love that pattern and will be looking for it for me. I think I want to make the vest version with some color blocking. Glad to see you back and good luck in your new home.

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  23. Welcome back! I like the jacket and of course the colors! I am looking forward to your version of the Cashmerette dress.

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  24. welcome back and nice jacket. and yet another interesting pattern that skipped my notice when released.

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    1. Isn't it funny how we totally miss some patterns? This one JUMPED out at me, though. Others don't grab me until someone else makes it.

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  25. So glad you're back, missed ya! Love the jacket. My bucket list for 2016 is to amp up my sewing. It died! lol

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  26. Love the jacket. Must get that pattern. Glad to see you back.

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  27. Love the jacket. Must get that pattern. Glad to see you back.

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  28. WHEEEE! You are back in the game!!!
    Also, bizarrely, i've seen this fabric for sale at my local Fabric store!

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  29. What a great jacket. I loooove the print. Welcome back!

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  30. Yay! You're back! I use your blog roll as my blog reading list. A couple of days ago I popped in, or tried to, and your blog was down and I had heart failure! I was worried you had taken it down! Love the jacket and love that my favorite sewing expert is producing again. Yay!

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  31. Delighted you are back! Great jacket.

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  32. So wonderful to hear from you! Beautiful jacket - I love to read your sewing adventures. I have the Cashmerette pattern and fabric ready to go soon - cant wait to read about your experience with it. A lot of what you do mirrors my sewing style and teaches me tons as well.

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  33. Welcome back and what a cute jacket!

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  34. That's a great jacket, and I think you'll enjoy your dress; the ones others have made have been really cute. I'm glad life has settled back down, so you can return to the important business of replenishing your wardrobe!

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  35. Sew happy you are getting your sewing stuff and your new place set up so that you can sew some again. Remember we still think about you and hope all is ok even when you are not sewing just having a life outside of blog land. I feel as if I have been reading your sewing blog and about your family so long, you are sort of a longtime next door neighbor of sorts. Lol!

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  36. I was so happy to see you post again UNTIL I saw your jacket! I've been on a pattern buying vacation for the past few month, but YOU have went and messed all that up! Love your version of the jacket and I'm on the lookout for the pattern! Glad you're back to sewing and posting! You've been missed!

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  37. So very glad to have you back, Debbie. You were missed. Great jacket. Love the leopard-ish spots.

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  38. This is a neat design, and it's a shame a few have not had success with it but glad you managed to show it who is boss! I suppose interfacing only the collar area is an option too for some fabrics. It is very cute and versatile. Good to 'see' you!

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  39. The design is really gorgeous! Thanks for sharing! I love the leopard spots and the contrast black and white create. Grey makes the contours more vivid and eye catching.
    Merry Christmas and warm hugs,
    Amelia Lee

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Thank you for each and every comment. I appreciate them all, but I have to be honest and let you know that I'm usually bad about answering questions. I hope you understand that there just isn't enough time in the day to do everything I want to do.

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