The Classic White Shirt

Tags

#buildyourwardrobe, blouse, classic, McCalls, National Sewing Month, sewing, white

Continuing my journey sewing along with the #buildyourwardrobe challenge with a few fabulous sewing icons. You can find the information on Instagram under the tag ‘buildyourwardrobe’. The first item was the LBD. You can read about that entry by clicking the link.

My pattern of choice is McCall’s 5138. I’ve had this pattern in the stash for a long time. I guess now it’s time to pull it out and get it done.

Actually, I’ve had several in the stash for quite some time. So this was a toss up between B4659, S1279, M6076 which I’ve made before, and B5678 with a few mods.

I found more blouse patterns I. the stash since then that would have fit the bill.

I started out like I would usually do when sewing from a new pattern. I’d head on over to Pattern Review and see what others that have already sewn the pattern had to say. When they say a picture is worth a thousand words, believe it. I found myself skipping over the photos that showed the finish garment no justice. So, I made a note to myself to be sure to take good photos because I wouldn’t want to be skipped over because of sub-par photos. I need a photographer or a remote camera.
I got really upset because I was on a roll. I mean, I was late getting started and was behind. But I was on a roll! Then my iron decided it had to have a peepee break…on my white! Aghhh!

So, I done what any great sewist would do. I cursed the damn iron out. ( Yeah, like it heard what I was saying.) Yanked my blouse off the ironing board. (I was trying to make it feel like I felt – hurt. Just hurt.) Then I turned off the machines and threw the blouse in the washer with some Tide pretreat spot and stain remover. OMG I swear by that product now! No stain.

I’m really on the fence on how I want to finish the hem. Do I want to just let the serged end be or go ahead and turn the hem and sew? I may just turn, hem, and press.
I love my new blouse. It will surely get lots of wearing.

I see pairing it with jeans and heels. A leopard print skirt. A brightly colored bottom and topped with a blazer.
I’ll have to make one more of these for sure and move on to the other patterns in the stash. But I will have to wait on the prefect fabric because it won’t be another classic white.
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Since I drafted this blog, I went ahead and turned that little hem and stitched.

Until later
Scheryka at
Designs by Scheryka

Little Black (Pinstripe) Dress

Tags

#buildyourwardrobe, Butterick, dress, LBD, National Sewing Month, OOTD, pinstripes, sewing

I haven’t been doing much personal sewing lately. I just had a baby girl. As I’m starting this post she is 8 days old. And such a cutie pie.

I’ve decided to kick off my sewing adventure by participating in a sewing challenge of a sorts that is run by That Black Chick. It’s in collab with a few great fashion bloggers such as Erica Bunker and Adrienne Nixon of Adrienne’s Essentials.
The first challenge is the LBD. An item that I need in my wardrobe. I have two but I need more. And I know I want one in pinstripes. And with the mega stash of fabric, I already knew I had about four or five different pinstripes, two in black and white. It feels very tropical-ish and have a good drape.

The pattern also came from the mega stash. Butterick 4974. I’ve had it for eon years. I just couldn’t bring myself to sew it up until I had a suitable fabric or a reason or purpose. Now I have both – good fabric and a reason.

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So, I was trying to sew along with the #buildyourwardrobe but with a new baby that didn’t happen by the deadline 3 which was Friday. Today is Monday. But what counts is that I got it done.

I kept it simple using a black with white pinstripe fabric. I don’t know the fabric content but it feels like a breezy tropical like fabric. I used #butterickpatterns 4974.
I didn’t have the rings for the back in my stash so I made a loop de loop and kept it moving.

When I wear it, I plan on wearing them with my peep toe bite inn the back heels that I love so much.

My jewels are from Kakila at #anextratouch. Check her out on the IG and FB.

So, I’m off to my next challenge that’s taking place on FB. It’s the wrap dress challenge. See you in the next blog post.
UPDATE: how I wore my LBD (little blue dress). I thought it was black. That good light (sun) tells it all.

Scheryka at
~~ Designs by Scheryka

V1250 in Black and Brown Houndstooth

Tags

dress, houndstooth, Michael Kors, MK, Moleskin, OOTD, sewing, Vogue

At first, I loved this dress. Then so many people were making and reviewing it, it absolutely got on my nerves! Here’s a gallery of almost 120 reviews and this does not include those who made multiples of this dress. I eventually made mine, especially since I had bought the pattern already. I didn’t do a full review because I was preoccupied with a lot more other issues.

Last Sunday I needed a quick something because I didn’t want to wear what was in my closet. You know when you have a closet full of clothes, that you made, yet there is nothing to wear, Yeah, I was there. So, Saturday night I’d cut and sewn my version of the Vogue 1250.

This fabric is a moleskin. It doesn’t have a good drape but it does stretch. I kept fidgeting with the front drape, trying to manipulate it to either stay down or just stay out of my way. I wore it with my famous black bolero because the weather is cold and I needed my arms covered. I wore a pair of two-tone heels that were given to me (along with SEVERAL other pairs of heels from an associate.

There’s really no extra to say about this dress as it’s a very quick sew that yields great results – if using the appropriate fabric – and wears wonderfully.

My oldest also left back to AIT, so he wanted to make sure he took a photo of me with my Christmas gift he’d bought.

My new MK bag. I love it. Until the next project.

Smooches and Smoothies.

by Scheryka

Operation Night Pants

Tags

flannel, fleece, night pants, pajama, sewing

What is a Mommy to do when she will donate too small, too much, do not wear, more than one of, and too similar to the next item? She sews more. Yeah, like what was the point, huh?

Well, my daughters all will donate a lot of clothes to the local women and children shelter on Monday. This left them with not a lot of night pants because the ones they had were either too small or they didn’t really wear them. So, this cool Mommy that they call Mom went into the stash of her mini fabric store and brought out some fannel to make p’jammies.

Three girls. Three prints. Three pairs.

I made them free hand. Therefore, the first pair, which was for the oldest, was a no-go. It was way too small in the waist. I forgot to give myself the room where the elastic will cinch it in. So, I trashed them.

On to the second pair for the middle one. I got them point on. Still free hand and this time being careful to include the seam allowance, hem allowance, AND adequate waist amount. BINGO! Then my daughter decided she wanted the print from the first pair to be a trim at the bottom of her new pants, so I added it. This made the pants to be bit a longer. I didn’t fell like cutting and measuring. But what’s wrong with a little longer? Nothing at all when it comes to kids who sprout like beans.

So, at this point I have one pair of nities made and two fabrics gone.

So, this made the last fabric for the youngest. But the oldest daughter decided she wanted the last print for her pants. Yeah right. She just wanted to make sure she had a pair. I’m no dummy Mommy. He he he. So, I obliged because at this point, I had a brilliant idea. Her nities came out point on as well.

So, back to that brilliant idea. I took those first pair that were WAY too small in the waist and made the baby her pair of jammy pants. Just cut them right on off, hemmed and put in the elastic. et viola. Let there be pair three.

Self drafting simple pieces are easy long as you remember to add the seam allowances and if using elastic make that area large enough for the cinch.

It’s been about two hours or so since making them, the photo shoot and finally getting around to blogging and they still have not taken them off. Guess what they’ll be sleeping in tonight? You guessed it. I’m just glad the baths are already out of the way.

Until later, by Scheryka

Asymmetrical Blouse and Straight Legged Jeans

Tags

blouse, denim, jeans, OOTD, rib knit, sewing

Trying to instantly satisfy my needs and my wants in one shot, I decided to do some therapy sewing. I needed to mend my feelings, mend a new pair of jeans, mend a piece of mind and, mend a different style blouse. Of all the vibrant and not so vibrant colored tops in my closet, I cannot believe that I did not own a blue blouse. Well, I do own a strapless pull up bandeau type top but that doesn’t count because I do not wear it that often. I’m not too fond of having my girls flip and flop all over the place and have yet to find a strapless bra that ACTUALLY HOLD UP MY GIRLIE POO’S!

I used a couple of stash patterns that I’ve had for a while. The pants are Butterick 5682. It has five different types of pants. A is the slim ankle length; B is the straight leg. I made the straight leg version. C is the boot cut; D is the flared leg; and E is the trouser pant.

I cut the 14 in a stretch denim that is also from the stash. The end result? Too big. I guess I’ve been really losing weight. I would usually cut the 14 and it would be a smidgen tight, but something I could tolerate.

I made this pattern right from bag. Like I said, I wanted instant. Well, I learned a few things about this pattern. Compared to the J. Stern and the Jalie Jean – this pattern does not come close.

1. This pattern IS for the petite. I’m just 5’3” and the length is kind of short, but ok. Or I may just like my length a little longer. If you plan on wearing your pants with heels ADD MORE LENGTH.
2. There is not enough zipper coverage if made as is. You will need to move your zipper a little further back to get more zipper coverage.
3. I prefer the pocket bags to meet in the center with the zipper. That adds a little bit of a tummy control. You’ll have to draft it out or use a piece from another pattern if you want that feature.
4. I don’t know if the pattern is meant to be low rise, mid rise, or mom rise. The zipper is short for a low rise. The place where the pants hit on the belly is mid to high rise and the way the pocket area lands seems like mommy jeans. I mean, what exactly are these hybrids?

Other than the previous, everything else is ok. Like I left any likes, huh? I can say that I will not be making these again because after I make my adjustments, I might as well just make a pair of J. Stern’s or Jalie’s and skip the headaches.

I guess I could have taken a photo of the back pockets and front details. My ‘diamonds’ came off and therefore I was not showing them. I need to find another way to make those ‘crystals’ stay on.

Now, for the top, I was quite surprised. I used McCall’s 6797. It’s a Palmer Pletsch labeled easy knits. I made the medium. First, let me say, I love my new top. Maybe not. Well, honestly, I don’t know. It’s so unique that I don’t know how… well, I don’t know if I like it. And if I do, I don’t know why I do. Confused yet? Me too. We have a love hate relationship. I love the color, which is of my genius taste and choice.

It’s asymmetrical in hem and sleeves. It’s described as a pull over draped top. The right side hem is lower than the left and the right sleeve is a wide draped long sleeve. Meaning the right side of the top is heavier than the left, thus making the top seem to slide or hang to one side if you are not careful. So, this is where my I-don’t-know-if-I-like-this-top-or-not comes in. It’s the only thing I’m not so sure of. Other than that, I may make another one.

I used a rib knit. Again, from the stash.

This pattern goes together quite fast. A beginner may not need the instructions. Caution from a wiser, though: Do not forget that if you are making the B and C versions (the ones with the sleeve option) that you do not put the sleeve band on. There’s a sleeve that goes there. Yeah, I did that. Just stitching along and dang on it, I’m about to put in the sleeve and I’d already put the band in.  And. That. Is. Just. The. Way. I. Left. It. So, now I have a blue rib knit sleeve that is waiting for a body to be attached to. Maybe I’ll do a color block top. I do have some white, gray and yellow rib knit in the stash.

This look was actually sewn and worn on the last Sunday in 2014. I’m just now blogging because well, I’m slow blogging. I really need to get out that funk real quick.

by Scheryka

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Peace and hair grease!

2014 Recap of My Journey (Photos in Links)

Tags

recap, sewing

I enjoyed 2014! Even though there were highs and many lows, I am still breathing and among the living. I am grateful for the lessons learned. The tests that will soon be a testimony one day. God has truly blessed me. I may have wavered and temporarily lost sight of the path but i didn’t give up and quit. I have not given up my faith.

My sewing year was not extraordinary but it was truly a good one. I had four sewing projects either in progress or to be made at the beginning of 2014.

V8576 was already in progress in a green knit. It was a bomber and have been trashed. You can read about it here.

NL6035 jacket was intended to be made in some left over fabric I’d used for a pair of trousers. It was already cut out and ready to be sewn up. And it’s still not sewn up.

M6076 was made in a chambray-like fabric. I don’t really love the top but I do wear it from time to time. I paired it with an animal print pencil skirt, blogged here.

And S2508 has been being made for about a year already. And it was still not complete until a few months ago. I’d worn the jacket with white buttons that I really didn’t like but I found some that I liked and had them personalized. I’ve worn it several time since it’s turned cold this winter. I haven’t reviewed my coat, yet, but maybe sometime this season since it’s cold and I will most likely be wearing it much.

I’d done a place mat clutch tutorial on my She’s Crafty Blog (sadly, that is the only post on it.)

I love my new white shorts! I named them Defiance because I love to wear white after Labor Day. Who says I have to conform to society and their fashion rules? No one. That’s who.

The best damn pair of pants I’ve ever made! Notice I made that whole sentence a link? I love those pants just that much!

You can visit more of my 2014 sewing adventure by visiting my blog (That I don’t plan on using anymore since I am here at WordPress).

Time is winding down and I refuse to bring 2015 in with a headache or migraine, so i am going to lay down for a while so that I can be on my knees and praying, praising anf thanking God for was, is, and will be.

See you in the New Year 2015! God bless and God speed.

Scheryka

Hello!

Welcome to by Scheryka.

This is where you can see what I’ve been up to. It could be anywhere from sewing to cooking to school work to handy work. But mainly sewing. (Smile)

Come along for the journey.

by Scheryka