Monday, November 17, 2014

The mini SWAP continues

Lots of sewing has been going on but you'll have to settle for Zillie doing the modeling for now. And crappy nighttime indoor photography, which is doing horrible things to the colors.

I finished the next Jenna cardi. You saw a sneak peek of this one last post.


While I didn't use the gathered front version, I did use the shoulder yoke pieces for a contrast and applied them over top. Also contrasting is the neck, button, and sleeve bands. I have used what seems like a TON of this gray sweater knit in the last 10 days, as you'll see. It's been in my stash for so many years I've lost count. And I still have at least 2 yards left. Holy cow ... it must have been a really good deal whenever/wherever I bought it.


I also made another KS tank so the cardi becomes a twinset.


But I made this one with a little "twist." It's party in the front, business in the back. A un-mullet. Ha.


This way I get a plain gray-fronted tank to layer under the cardi and other things when the mood strikes. I'm a little proud of myself for thinking of this. I know it will come in handy.


Next in the queue was this Simplicity gored skirt. Trust me, it's purple, not red/maroon, and matches the new cardi. This pattern is made for a woven but I used a knit. I omitted the back zip and inserted some elastic into the sides of the waistband to snug it in when worn. I have no idea what this knit fabric is. It looks like a double-knit or golf/pique knit but it's really stretchy and drapey. It's also been in my stash for a long time. A. Really. Long. Time. As you can tell, I'm on a flippy skirt jag at the moment.


The skirt ... again, really purple, not red ... also coordinates with the other Jenna. Looks like Zillie is leaning like the Tower of Pisa. Weird.


I'm now in the process of making this HP Uptown/Downtown knit dress, with yet more of the gray sweater knit. It's my plan to have it finished tomorrow night so I can wear it Wednesday, when it's supposed to be quite FRIGID here. What the heck northerners ... keep that stuff up your way, OK? It's not even Thanksgiving and we're dropping into the 30s?? Yikes. Good thing I've been sewing (and buying) cardigans.


I still have to add the waist elastic and sleeve bands, plus decide on either a hem or hem band for the bottom. I wore the heck out of my summer version of this dress and decided I definitely needed a winter one. The plain gray is going to be a great blank canvas for layering. Obviously the new Jenna matches perfectly. I kept the neckline lowered per the last make and didn't add length to the neckband even though this knit is a lot less stretchy ... which made for a bit of gathering which I actually quite like. Happy accident.


Here are the patterns, for anyone interested.


Muse Jenna for the cardigans.


Kwik Sew 2759 for the tank underlayer.


Simplicity 1697 for the purple-not-red skirt.


Hot Patterns 1090 Uptown//Downtown Knit Dress.

The new job is going well. Thanks again for all the good wishes. I'm working with a really great and fun group of people in a really great firm. I'm so thrilled that a permanent position opened up at just the right time. And I really, REALLY hope this is the last job I have to get for a good long time. It's going to take a little while to get my finances caught up but it's so nice to finally know it will happen. I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, and your virtual support is truly one of the things on the list.

23 comments:

  1. Some fabulous outfits there Debbie. Can I ask how you did the reversible tank? Is the armhole shape affected? Are there darts? Or is it basically 2 dart-less fronts sewn together. Love the thought of this

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  2. Hi BeaJay, It's just two dart-less fronts sewn together. The armholes are high on this (after I altered them to be so during a prior make). And, thanks!

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  3. Great idea and thanks - may have to "borrow" this - it really is brilliant.

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  4. Love the reversible tank and how all the pieces work together! So glad that everything is working out on this job. It is good to hear joy in your posts again! These are wonderful pieces and look forward to seeing you model them!

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  5. These look fantastic. I love the basic grey pieces with the wonderful print.

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  6. Yes, I agree with Carolyn that it is so good that you're upbeat and sewing. I knew there was plenty in your stash so it was circumstances and maybe the need for notion that held back your creativity!
    All your new makes are great and so you.
    May your new job last as long as you need it and we have the bonus of getting "Our Debbie" back.
    Very best wishes

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  7. It's been below freezing for a week here -- sorry :)

    Love the mini wardrobe!! Those skirts are so cute and I've always loved a good twinset.

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  8. Love the coordinates. The colours are beautiful. Thanks for the inspiration on the dress in different fabrics!

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  9. The reversible tank is a great idea! I have trouble photographing purple as well; it seems to always look red/not purple.

    Mmmm...30 deg F. That's beach weather up here. LOL It was 16 or something last night and temps won't get above freezing for a few days. I have a student from Florida who was excited to see an inch of snow. Poor child has no idea what a real snow fall looks like!

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  10. May I borrow all these pieces? I love everything here, and you are a genius for doing that reversible tank top.

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  11. Thanks Debbie for the great idea on the tank . Glad you are sewing again !

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  12. Wow, you have been busy! Everything looks great, especially those shoulder patches on the cardigan.

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  13. My dad like to call me from Brooksville and tell me how warm it is. He is the worst.

    I have that HP pattern and was thinking about it in a ponte. Looking forward to yours.

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  14. What they all said.
    Esoecially love the cardi.

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  15. Perfect timing, I'm freezing and it's supposed to be worse tomorrow. Glad the new job is working out well, you sure are catching up quickly on the sewing output! K

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  16. You are on fire! Especially love the cardigans and feel inspired to eventually make one myself. So glad to hear things are going well at work. We can't know the future, but when the present is happy, that's a good sign!

    I just made three more pairs of your slipper socks, btw. I swear that's the greatest pattern ever!!!

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  17. Wow, you have been sewing like crazy. Great job and fabulous update on the job. I think I need that cardigan pattern, I just need more time to tape all these patterns together!

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  18. Love the new outfits! Almost makes me wish I had a job so I would need some stuff like that! Hahahahahaha. Not really. I'll just enjoy seeing yours!

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  19. I'm happy for you. Your sewing is going well, probably because you're inspired by your job.

    And the frigid air? It was 17 here this morning, so the 30s don't look quite as bad by comparison. Still, I hope it warms up for you soon. Enjoy your sweater dress and so forth in the meantime.

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  20. Verrrrrry cute ensemble! That cardi is great. I love the contrast yokes and the fact that you avoided any boob bulls eyes!

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  21. I really like these pieces they are so beautifully sewn.

    And Debbie I always enjoy your blog, friendship is two way and your tutorials and all the help you put on this blog has been invaluable to me and no doubt many others. I am as thrilled about your job as I would be if I actually knew you. I hope it is an enjoyable working place for many years to come.

    In northern England it is sunny and bright and blooming freezing!

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  22. I want your wardrobe. Such classy wearable outfits, beautiful colour combinations. So nice to have a good job to sew for. So happy things turned out.

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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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