Burning up for you...Jumpsuit?? {Vintage McCall’s 2185}

I did it. I MADE a jumpsuit!! Meeting another goal for my 2017 Make Nine!

I was originally going to tell you exactly how this came to be because the plan got changed a lot and not because of my indecisiveness either... As I was writing it out I realized it was going to be way to much to read. 

You’ll just have to take my word for it...or watch my jumpsuit video coming soon to the Jewberly Emiris YouTube channel! Subscribe HERE so you don’t miss it!

WATCH IT HERE

This pattern choice was the last straw... (I had only three patterns to chose from) It’s vintage 1970 McCall’s 2185.
I found it at Gem’s and Junk in Beatrice (Nebraska) for $1!
They tend to have a good amount of patterns to look through when I stop in...unfortunately I think the worker has caught on that all I buy there is patterns because now they price some of them at $3.50 which still isn’t bad especially if you find a “gem”. ;) Although, It does feels strange knowing you personally influenced a price increase though! lol

To the pattern itself...I ended up adding some length under the waist (for my long torso) increasing the hip width, raising the neckline by an inch and working the waist a bit. I say “working the waist” because I started slightly grading (adding) there for the hips but ended up having to take most of that out for a better fit.

The fabric was not from my stash. I actually thrifted it...on Wednesday! 

We’re visiting Edwin & Samantha in Texas and I always love making an effort to stop at Saver’s! They tend to have a good selection of fabric and this trip was no exception...actually it was so good I had to be extremely picky to stay in my budget!

I’ll be sharing my entire haul soon but for now we’ll just chat about this fabric.

My guess is a silk-like-polyester of a deep blue base. So deep blue it’s hard to even notice my black stitching!

This fabric actually worked spectacularly well because it is a patterned print but doesn’t need to be patterned matched! Pattern matching the front and back would had added hours of work to the cutting and sewing of the jumpsuit!

I didn’t measure the fabric but I was able to get the jumpsuit and still have some left.

With the fabric at $6.99 and the zipper at $2.97 the jumpsuit came out to be decently priced at $9.97.

By this time you may be wondering what the title has to do with this jumpsuit... I was hoping you wouldn’t notice that...because...it’s sad. 

I had just pressed the crotch seam with the iron on the lowest setting barely above the minimum off position and I was starting on the side seam when I smelled this burning smell!
The iron had blitzed and melted my seam!!!!!!!!!
What a way to damper the project! Due to the location of the burn and the wideness of the leg I was able just to pull fabric over and topstitch the patch/side seam the rest of the way down.
Whew! That was almost a disaster!

Even with all the planning that didn’t work out...the worst part of this project was burning a hole into it! At least it all worked out in the end...

• STASHBUSTING SEWIST SECRETS:
• PATTERN: Vintage McCall's 2185
• FABRIC: $6.99 THRIFTED Fabric FROM SAVER's IN TEXAS 
• NOTIONS: INVISIBLE ZIPPER - WALMART
• RATING: SUCCESS! 
• FABRIC STASHBUSTED SINCE JANUARY 1ST 2017: 25 3/8 YARDS

January Stashbusting & Pattern 'N' Fabric Fast Round-Up

January is over and it is time to gather up the information of the past month and see how well I did!
If you've been following my blog for awhile you know I'm trying to sew through my stash of mostly gifted fabrics. My grandmother, grandma, and Mom gave me their stashes when I started sewing since they had all quit many years prior. So...it's a bit overwhelming.

This year's stashbusting goal is to sew through 100 yards of fabric!
All fabric purchases will be subtracted from the sewn amount so it's not just sewing 100 yards it's getting rid of 100 yards!

As another goal, I made a personal pledge for a pattern 'n' fabric fast. On November 12th 2016 with the follow sewists and stashbusters of Stashbusting Sew-A-Long as my witnesses I said:

• "✋🏼 "I, Jewel McClellan. A dedicated sewist and lover of fabric and patterns. From this moment on will buy no more patterns and/or fabric until 2017. 
• I will restrain from online window shopping and every time I get an urge to do so will sit in front of the fabric shelf or pile the baskets of patterns around myself to be overwhelmed until the said feeling passes."

After a successful month and (about) a half with great expectations I decided to extend it to June of 2017.

I'm confessing to you today...I have broke it. Not with fabric. No! But with a few patterns... I know...I know I said I wouldn't. :( 

I was in the car with (my sister) Tiffany, checking my email and there was a JoAnn's sale email...
I clicked to find when the patterns were going to be on sale. (Bad, bad choice Jewel!) 
Getting to her house I got on the computer and started browsing to see which ones I should get. Again...setting myself up for failure...

I only purchased a single pattern for myself. Simplicity 8248 a 1930s reproduction pattern. Since it came out I've been drooling over it and seeing so many different versions in my head! 
I've also been watching Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries an Australian show that's based in the 1920s (currently on USA Netflix) and love the fashion! 
From a production element, I love how they put Miss Fisher (the leading lady) in rich, true and bright colors as the rest of the cast are in browns and neutrals.

The deal breaker for me was finding this pin on Pinterest! How gorgeous is this dress?? The design elements of the pattern and dress are so very close! I'm pretty sure I can make it! 

I also wanted to get some patterns for TaMera. I know so much more about her personal style then before. Many of the patterns I've previously purchased for her she wouldn't wear. She may "like" them but that doesn't mean she'd like to "wear" them. Big difference. Finding your personal style could possible be the hardest thing about fashion. At least I think so!

Burda 6551

I chose this pattern because TaMera wears a lot of button-ups. (Not necessarily what I'd chose for her to wear but again this about HER style.)

Simplicity 8214

This is a cool little pattern! It's a jumpsuit and dress pattern that can be easily transformed into a coordinating outfit. With a jumpsuit pattern you don't have to worry about your shirt untucking and such.

Burda 6549

One of TaMera's favorite ready-to-wear (RTW) dresses is very similar to this style. I'll just have to raise the neckline for comfort's sake.

These three are for Tiffany and she chose them herself. Tiffany can still wear clothes that she wore 5-7 years ago. (Yes...don't we all wish we could say that!) She's just tried of her closet and for good reason too! She only buys three maybe four new garments a year so she has a reason to be. I hope to start bringing some more custom-made garments into her wardrobe these coming years.

My fabric stashbusting efforts on the other hand were much better. 

0 yards of fabric in and 8 yards out!

Items sewn:

2 Lissette Dress for Hannah (I'll be sharing all four in one blog post soon) - 6 yards
TaMera's Sweater for the Wardrobe Project - 2 yards 

I have a few un-finished projects I'm still working on so February's totals should be a little higher then January's! Here's to hoping anyway. ;)

-'- Jewel

TaMera's Christmas Dress

Merry Christmas! I am incredibly excited to share TaMera's Christmas dress with you!

The pattern is vintage mail-order pattern Sew-Rite 8238 that was originally our Grandma's. It has slight gathers where the front bodice and yoke join (I'd consider them more the shoulder straps but the pattern called it a yoke) and pleats above the waist seam for the bust shaping.

At TaMera's request I moved the zipper to center back instead of the side zipper. To cut it out without distorting the look and shape of the dress I simply cut the back bodice and back skirt as two pieces (rather than on the fold) and added 5/8 for the seam allowance at the center.

I love the ever so slight shaping at the neckline! Curved edges and sharp corners...this dress has it all!

This fabric has been in the stash for ages...I remember Mom making us dresses out of it when I has about 7 or 8. Yes over ten years ago! 

Because of the way I had to layout the skirt pieces to get the border print to match up there's only a strange shaped scrap left. At one point, I was worried if I'd even find an area big enough (after cutting the skirt) to get the bodice pieces out. ...Misreading the perforated dots and cutting the front bodice wrong didn't help either... 

Thankfully everything came out alright! *sigh of relief*

I'm also relieved that I chose to make a test dress prior to sewing the actual dress. Since I had already made the pattern for TaMera by making the test dress I had already figured out the few fitting tweaks that needed to be made and was more familiar with constructing it.

I really have no regrets with this dress! Which is amazing because I tend to over-obsess about the mistakes and little things in projects even when it's something only I'll probably notice.

 I'll be sharing my own Christmas outfit soon so keep watching... 

Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a fabulous weekend!

-'- Jewel

See the dress in action in Episode 5 of Sewing Desk Sit-Down with Jewel HERE: 

• Pattern: Vintage Mail-Order Sew-Rite 8238 / Fabric: Stash / Fabric used on project: 3+ yards (not including test dress)
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What I'm sewing...

Wow...this is crazy!! I haven't blogged for ages...but hopefully that's going to change. Because I have have missed every aspect of it...taking the photos, editing the photos, writing the posts and the sense of accomplishment that comes from sewing and documenting my projects.

This summer has been one of the craziest and one of the weirdest summer's I've ever had in my life! 

I won't go into detail but instead talk to you about what's on the sewing queue...

I'm super excited about what in the plans to sew! 

Are you ready to hear it???

It's a Lucille Ball inspired 8 piece wardrobe for TaMera for the Seasonal Sew Wardrobe on the Sew Alongs & Sewing Contests group!!

TaMera and I have been saving a ton of photos of Lucille's fashion and style! 

(Yes, we are planning on recreating the outfit and photo on the left as well as quite a few others!)

The first item, I'm working on now, is a necessary one in TaMera's closet...well fitting pants. 

Pants are one of the hardest things to get a good fit on and I decided if we were going to do this...I needed to at least get her one good pair of pants. 

...Just in case I run out of time for the deadline of the Seasonal Sew Wardrobe. 

The whole reason behind this is to get TaMera a collection of well fitting and very "her" styled garments so I just thought I better start with the hardest and most needed item!

I could show you some of the photos we saved and screenshots from Pinterest...but I don't have a rock solid sewing "plan" just Lucille Ball inspired garments that fit TaMera to a T. (...did you see what I did there?? ;) )

I should have an item to share with you in the next couple of days!

-'- Jewel

The Flowerbed Pajama's (SSW:SE) {Oywn & Esme from Everyday Style by Lotta Jansdotter}

I'm a terrible host.
We are into the second month of the Seasonal Sew Wardrobe and I'm just now sharing my first and second piece!
It is time to bring the hammer down and get moving!

I'm currently working on my 1940's pajamas, after which I'll move onto my Aunt's pajama's and hopefully get to my brother-in-law's pajamas before too long!

But you didn't come here to read about me falling behind and trying to get myself into gear...nope. You came to read about my "Flowerbed Pajamas" and all the details are below!

Overall Dress - Vintage Simplicity 7006 {SSW1}

This project started unlike any other and it could not of happened without the help and love of friends.

You may be thinking that I'm stretching the truth but I'm not! 

The main fabric was found at a garage sale by my sister who lives in Texas.

The pattern was from a sweet friend who found it thrifting.

The scraps of fabric I used for the lining and facings was from my Grandmothers stash and the only thing I actually bought was the overall buckles, top stitching thread and buttons!

Much different then my other projects.

A Different Colored Bobbin [Sewing Tip]

Some fabrics wrong side look identical to the right side. ...and I used to hate using any fabric like that until I figured something out that changed the way I sew with them forever!

Little Rough Around The Edges... {Simplicity 1196}

It was cold this morning when we took these photos. I'm surprised you can't see my goosebumps in the pictures! (Promise, I didn't use airbrush lol) I wanted to get the photos taken so I could work on finishing the skirt that was also on my sewing desk. (The skirt is finished, photographed and waiting to be written up! Yay) 

This dress was supposed to be a changing season type dress rather then a sun dress, It wasn't supposed to be sleeveless but the long sleeves with the pattern came out tiny!
(The pattern did give arm measurements)
Since, I'm trying to use the stash fabric I didn't have enough to make bigger sleeves.

The image that I had in my head (for the dress) was really cute and I still wish it would worked out.
...I'll have to keep it in mind for another time.

The pattern is Simplicity 1196 and the fabric is all from my Grandmother.

I'm glad that I actually stuck it through on this dress...even after the mountain of problems.
I named this post "Little Rough Around the Edges" because frankly it is.
Up close and on the inside you can see the "roughness". lol

It didn't come out at all like I planned...but it's still alright!
I might not wear until the spring though. haha

 For my next project, I really want to sew a pair of Moji Pants from Seamwork Magazine. They would be great for work pants! :)

I'll also be joining in on the Japanese Knot Bag sew-a-long (here) you should join, too! It's going to be a ton of fun!

Smiles!

-'- Jewel

Fabric busted on this project: 3 1/8 yards (2.8575 m)

Fabric busted since March 1st, 2015: 63 1/8 yards. (57.7215 m)

See Jewel's pledge and get more information on the 2015 Stashbusting Sewalong HERE

We would love to hear from you! Say a quick "hello" in the comments!

An Apron For The Bride

 My cousin got married!!! Yay!

I wanted to make her something special. 

Our Grandma Carol passed away last year and I thought it would be cool to sew something out of one of her shirts.

I decided on an apron and went to work right away...

I chose a shirt that had a matching under-shirt because it meant more fabric for the apron and it worked with the colors of her kitchen.

The pattern is see & sew b5125 option A.

Have a great weekend!

-'- Jewel

2015 Stashbusting Sewalong

Today, a sewing blogger I follow, posted about a stash buster that she had just pledged to do and I thought it would be a great thing to do, myself! Considering, I have already used two fabrics from my stash this year! (One I just finished today! :))

I am starting three months late...But there is no better time then NOW! :)

You guys are going to be my accountability so here it goes...

"I, Jewel, commit to using 12 pieces of stash fabric in 2015. I also commit to not buying any new fabric/patterns except for lining and some notions until I have made at least six projects from my stash."

I know, I will probably be able to do more...I just have no idea what the rest of the year is going to be like. So much "new" coming for me, I'm not sure when I'll be able to sew. That's the reason I chose 12 pieces, one for each month!  A somewhat easy goal for whatever my schedule will be.

I looking forward to telling you all about it! 

Talk to you soon! 

-'- Jewel

To find out more about the sew along visit the Stashbusting Sewalong 2015 Headquarters HERE!

Bland Gold to Bold Black (A Light Refashion)

We went down to Samantha and Edwin's at Thanksgiving! 

We always do some DIY/refashion projects while visiting and this was no exception.

First up: A Light Refashion

Samantha found the tutorial on Pinterest and Dad wired the light up into the tree for super easy access.

The mirror is another DIY project of Samantha's she used the same black paint as the chandelier.

It looks fabulous! 

-'- Jewel

Supercalifragilisticexpialidociously Easy DIY Stationary

I'm going to show you a supercalifragilisticexpialidociously easy stationary! 

You need a few items that I'm sure you have around the house! 

You will need the following:

• 8 1/2" x 11" paper
• A stamp
• Washable colored markers
• Cutting board or scissors
• An Envelope - 3 5/8" x 6 1/2" or A2 invitation 4 3/8" x 5 3/4"

Step 1:

Cut your 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper, directly in half. (Making it 5 1/2" x 8 1/2")

Step 2:

Take your stamp and colored markers, begin to color on the lines of the stamp. 

Not in the lines but on the lines. 

I used pink for the top sherbet (2a), purple for the middle (2b) and of course brown for the cone (2c).

Make sure you get every single detail. What you don't color won't show up on the stationary.

After you have finished coloring your stamp, this next step is essential.

Step 3:

The "Ha" step. Breathe on your stamp as if you are fogging up a window. 

The markers dry while you are coloring the rest of the stamp. "Ha"ing on it ensures that the color will be moist and able to apply onto the paper.

Step 4:

Firmly press your stamp to the paper. 

And DONE! Repeat the process on the other piece of paper and envelope!

The left envelope is an A2 invitation, you fold the stationary in half.

The envelope is 3 5/8" x 6 1/2", you fold the stationary in a three-fold. 

The options are endless! You can use whatever stamp you have!

Smiles!

-'- Jewel

Repurposed Water Bed into Shelving

Dad and I have been working on organizing the shed. Rearranging, adding shelves, getting rid of stuff and trashing old boxes! Yay!

Last Saturday, we made some shelves. Using scrap wood and the frame boards from our old water bed. 

(Before)

Getting the supporting boards measured!

This little brown board is my baby. I cut it all by myself! Dad taught me how to use the chop saw and some other kind of saw. Hand saw? Maybe? Lol

We are only going to put light stuff on this longer part. With that in mind, we made an "extension" on the back of the shelf, to make sure nothing will fall behind.

Ta-Da! They aren't fancy, just functional. Perfect for the shed!

I think it looks cool, with the different colors of stained and unstained boards.

Smiles,

-'- Jewel