2017 Make Nine / 9. Jumpsuit Video

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

My Clueless Dress?? [McCall's 6745]

Kimberly titled this dress the "Clueless Dress" because appearently there's a show (or movie?) called Clueless and the lady wears a yellow plaid dress?? I don't know but it's better then "The Yellow Plaid Dress". So? What am I going to say? haha

If you remember I talked about this dress way back in January in episode 7 of Sewing Desk Sit-Down. (Watch it HERE) It's been almost four months in the making but it's finally finished! 

For some reason once I reached inserting the zipper I didn't touch it until this past weekend...but the zipper is in, the lining sewn down and the hem finished so the dress is complete and wearable!

This is my second rendition of McCall's 6745 the first being the Spring Halt(er) Top Dress I sewed back in 2015! I think I'll get more use out of this version due to it not being a halter top...People look at you weird if you go out in the winter in a halter top... ;) Although, I do wear my white denim jacket which turns their judging eyes away. lol

One of my favorite design elements of this pattern is the pleated skirt. I love the shape, I love the fullness, I love the length and I love that it uses SIX yards of fabric! Yes VI, or S-I-X or 6 yards of fabric! Four and a half of that is in the skirt alone leaving the other foot and a half to the bodice and bodice lining. It will definitely help with my fabric stashbusting numbers this month!

-'- Jewel

• STASHBUSTING SEWIST SECRETS:
• PATTERN: McCall's 6745 (PURCHASED January OF 2014)
• FABRIC: black fabric for bodice - Grandmother's Stash 
• Yellow Plaid Fabric thrifted from Goodwill for $3.99 Purchased february 2016 
• NOTIONS: INVISIBLE ZIPPER - Walmart
• RATING: SUCCESS! 
• FABRIC STASHBUSTED ON PROJECT: 6 YARDS
• FABRIC STASHBUSTED SINCE JANUARY 1ST 2017: 20 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 Wardrobe Builder / Month 1 / McCall's 6992

A couple of week ago I came across the Wardrobe Builder project and thought it would help me stay focused on getting TaMera some good pieces into her closet. Month one is coming to a close and I'm feeling good! ...basically because I finished the sweater. haha

The pattern is McCall's 6992 and both fabrics are from Grandmother's stash!

February is Shirts and Blouses...and I just...uhhh...broke my pattern fast with this great blouse pattern for TaMera! So you might be seeing next month! 

Fabric used on this project: 2 yards
Fabric used in 2017: 2 yards

Sewing Desk Sit-Down Episode 6: New Year...New Skirt

2017 Make Nine

With just eleven more days of 2016 I thought it was time to make my nine-item goal for 2017!

Before we jump into the list of nine items I want to make...let's talk about 2016's list and how I did...

• I made three out of nine.
• Yes. 
• Three. 

Terrible I know...

Looking back I think I was too specific. Many of the un-made items I still want to make (such as Cat Overalls/Dungarees, a cape for Mom, something with lace and a button-up) but maybe where I went wrong was having the list so detailed and specific.

This year I'm taking a different approach.
I've been taking notes of gaps in my wardrobe and filled the list with the majority of those.

• 1. Relaxed Fitting Pants

I've noticed that I'm lacking in relaxed...lounging (if you will) pants. 

When I'm sitting at my desk sewing you'll usually find me wearing denim capris. They aren't the most comfortable pair of pants or the most efficient. When it's time to try something on it's un-button, un-zip and then reverse. Whereas a elastic band would make trying on so much faster...which is a more productive use of my time.

• 2. Little Black Dress

This year, has been a year of loss for me. More funerals then I wish to attend in three hundred and sixty-five days and every time I found out about the next service it was to the closet I went...trying to find something respectable to wear. 

I don't like dark colors and I don't wear black! I absolutely love bright prints so my closet has an abundance but naturally that's not something you wear to an occasion such as this.

My plan is two black dresses (or outfits) that are cute, can be dressed up for classier events and are respectable for funerals. 

• 3. A Classic Button-Up

It's no secret I want to sew a classic button-up. Hey, I even tried to sew one last year by putting it on the list! A classic button-up is going to happen in 2017. Period. 

• 4. Adorable Aprons

When you work at a cafe (located on the campus of your community college) you find yourself in black, navy, dark green or red boring aprons... but since I sew; I can change that! The aprons just need to do the job of an apron (protect your clothes) and look cute while doing it! ;)

I have a few patterns to choose from with varying styles and coverage choices. Now to decide on what fabric would be the best?

• 5. Workout/Gym Bag

My current bag barely has enough room for me gym shoes and a pair of socks. (Not kidding!) Forceably, I make it fit my exercise clothes or my work clothes depending. It's just not working. 😑 

I haven't decided on a pattern for sure but two of the options are Elsa Everyday Tote from "Everyday Style" by Lotta Jansdotter or the Cooper bag by Colette Patterns. I'd make slight modifications to both patterns because I'll be using it for a gym bag.

• 6. Yoga Mat Carrying Bag

I'll need to make (at least) two yoga mat carrying bags; one for my yoga mat and one for Kimberly's.

Lotta Jansdotter has the Cecilia Yoga Bag pattern in her book "Everyday Style" which I'll be using.

• 7.  Vogue 9201 Shirtdress

Every time, I start planning a new garment...I pull this pattern out.
There's a fabric I'd love to use but the pattern calls for more fabric them I have. I'm hoping after looking at the actual pieces of the pattern I can figure out a way to make it work!
We'll just have to wait and see...

• 8. Elliott Berman Textiles Digital Printed Wool/Silk Blend Classic Dress

Back in September of 2015 I won the September Sew-A-Long with my sewing group "Sew-A-Longs & Sewing Contests". (Join our group HERE) A part of the prize package was a gorgeous printed fabric from Elliott Berman Textiles! The print is absolutely breathtaking. It has taken me this long to figure out what style of garment is needed with such a unique and beautiful print.
It'll be a classic a-line skirt with a simple bodice and basic sleeves which will let the fabric do ALL the talking.

• 9. Jumpsuit

Jumpsuits have been on trend for awhile...and hopefully they aren't going to go anywhere because I want one!
Not as if it being on trend is going to determine if I sew one or not. ;)
We have a few modern patterns in the stash and also a vintage pattern I'd love to make!

Do you have any sewing goals for 2017? Or have any pattern suggestions for some of mine? Comment below and let me know!

• Watch Jewel share her plans here in video!

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!

June Stashbusting Overview

To celebrate the half-year gone by I grabbed an old photo from back in the beginning of my blogging days and the series Wildflower Wednesday. Where every Wednesday, I shared photos of different wildflowers that grow around our area. (You can see them HERE)

June I didn't BUY any fabric but my cousin did gift me some!

Which I haven't measured, but find it kind of interesting because I got fabric from my Grandmother last year around this time and it also grew my stash. 

Thankfully, we in the stashbusting group can choose to not count gifted fabric as "stash adding" and I'm doing that yet again! ;) 

But how much was sewn??

I sewed a lot more projects then I've shared on the blog. 

(Due to a crazy and out of the ordinary schedule I am quite behind!)

3 yards       - Pajama Pants for TaMera (Not yet blogged)

3 1/2 yards - Marigold Dress for TaMera (Not yet blogged)

3 1/2 yards - A Shirtdress for TaMera (BLOGGED!! ;) )

2 2/3 yards - Kiomi Dress for Kimberly (Not yet blogged)

2 1/4 yards - Owyn Pajama Pants (Not yet blogged)

14 1/2 yards sounds like a pretty good number to me!

Overall, I'm pretty happy with that number! 

"Sew..."

9 3/4 yards - January 

15 7/8 yards - February

14 7/8 yards - March

2 yards - April

7 5/8 yards - May

14 1/2 yards - June...

Equals...

64 5/8 yardsssssssssss of fabric sewn*!!!!

*So far this year

Wow!! I'm extremely happy with that number!

It's July 1st and I have so much planned to sew and share with you all!!

Happy Fri-YAY!! ;)

-'- Jewel

A Shirtdress for TaMera {Vintage Butterick 6071}

Finally sewed my dress for the Shirtdress Sew-Along hosted by McCall's Pattern Company! 

The pattern is a vintage Butterick pattern from my Grandma.

The pattern envelope front was in tatters and the instructions were missing so...I'm guessing she made it sometime in her life. Which made it special.

So how did I get along without the instructions?

Not terribly! A bit to my surprise! :)

I believe the pattern was released in the late 50s and having a McCall's button-up blouse pattern (from 1964) which greatly resembles the bodice of the dress. I used it as a "guideline" for the bodice construction...which worked surprisingly well!

I created what I'm calling a "faux yoke" to fix a waistline issue that I didn't notice until the end of the construction process.
The waistline (not so) gradually got lower in the back!

I think it was the result of (at least) two things...
1. The "shoulder" seam didn't go as far forward to the front as I initially thought.
2. TaMera's sway back.

I'm enrolled in Custom Fitting: Back, Neck & Shoulders by Kathleen Cheetham on Craftsy but haven't started it yet. (I'm working my way through Custom Fitting: Waist & Hips first.)
But Kathleen addresses how to adjust for sway backs in the class and it's a issue I'm excited to tackle!

To make the "faux yoke" I pinched the back up (while she was wearing it) and pinned the "yoke" where I wanted it to be. Then topstitched the "yoke" in place.
With it being a shirtdress, I think you only notice that it's not a true yoke if you really look at it and put two and two together. Basically, oblivious to the untrained eye.

Fabric: Thrifted / Pattern: Inherited from Grandma / Buttons: Gifted from Grandmother's stash / Belt Buckle: Antique Store Find

Considering the bumps in the road, I think it came together quite well and stands with the pattern boasting of an "Easy Make". 

It's also another piece for TaMera's Summer Wardrobe I'm sewing for her! "Sew" I'm happy! ;)

-'- Jewel

My Plans for the Seasonal Sew Wardrobe: Sleepwear Edition

Hopefully, your starting to pull fabrics, reaching deep into your stash to pull out your pajama patterns and planning your sleepwear sewing! 

I actually have an entire box where I've been sticking sleepwear type fabric and a smaller box to store the pajama patterns I find here and there. 

So without further ado...here are my initial sewing plans in no particular order, whatsoever!

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.

Create an album on Facebook for the SSW:SE

This is an informational post for those of us in the Sew Alongs & Sewing Contests group taking part in the Seasonal Sew Wardrobe:Sleepwear Edition!
(If you would like to join...all the information you need to know is HERE)

There's been some discussion about how to create an photo album in the group page for the Seasonal Sew Wardrobe. (SSW) With so many different Facebook applications out there it's hard to make a general instruction so today I'm going to be sharing some of the most prominent platforms.

Getting Started (Planning) - Seasonal Sew Wardrobe: Sleepwear Edition

Hello everyone! 

Today, I'm sharing inspiration, pattern ideas, and free tutorials. ...Basically so you have NO excuse not to participate!

A White Shirt-dress - Butterick 5556 {Accomplist} (SSW1)

I finished another 2016 Make Nine projects AND another piece for my Seasonal Sew Wardrobe (SSW1) collection!!

No, this wasn't in my initial plan for the SSW but I decided to sew it rather than the white t-shirt. 

Since our family planned to wear Red, White and Blue to Captain America: Civil War to show that we were on #teamCap! I decided I needed to get it done in time or else I would be the only one not coordinating.

Kimberly wore her vintage 1960's red dress, TaMera wore a vintage 1970's blue dress and I wore my handmade 1950's reproduction, hot off the press (at 11:30 the night before) white dress! 

Welcome to the Seasonal Sew Wardrobe: Sleepwear Edition!

Good Morning!! Hope you are all having a lovely start to your day! 

I am soooooooooooo excited to be your host for this Seasonal Sew Wardrobe all about sleepwear!

We decided to do a whole sew-along all about sleeping because I think a lot of us forget about sewing for sleeping; (at least I do!)

IT'S GOING TO BE SOOOO RELAXING!!! 

Just think about all the soft fabrics and not really having to worry about fit - (possibly my favorite part.) Seriously though, this is going to be a relaxed sew along!

We are going to be sewing six (6) sleeping related items from June 1st to August 31st.

This sew along is great no matter which side of the hemisphere you sew from;
you can sew light and airy pajamas or warm and cozy ones!

Yellow Pants Baby!!!!! {Simplicity 1371} [Seasonal Sew Wardrobe]

I am so excited to share my yellow pants! Yes, actual yellow pants!

Wearing: Orange Shirt: handmade / Green Shirt: handmade / Pants: handmade / Cardigan: Target (few seasons ago) / Shoes: secondhand

So yellow pants have been in the my Seasonal Sew Wardrobe since the beginning...but it is a different fabric then before.
Originally, I was going to use a yellow upholstery fabric from the stash but it was scratchy, it was sheer-ish and it was just terrible!
I decided to purchase real pants fabric instead. My closing, (sob) Hancock had the perfect fabric! (I also needed to use up my gift cards lol)

A Triangle Scarf & Another Simplicity 1634 {SSW16 - Out & About}

It's about time I share my next piece(s) for my collection "Out & About" for the Seasonal Sew Wardrobe happening over on the Sew Along & Sewing Contest Facebook Group!