Refocused for 2013

Hi Everyone! Sorry for the double posts, but Welcome to 2013! I am excited it's a new year and have a lot to look forward to this year. Jim and I are expecting our first baby and cannot wait to meet the little man at the end of May!

With that said, there are some changes occurring on this little blog here! It will still be up, but it's moving to a new domain!  You can now find us at:

www.pintuckpixie.com

Please visit the new site - over the next few days I will be linking all pattern reviews and free patterns on pixiepattern over to the new site so you don't miss a thing! Remember to get all updates, follow the new site on Google Friend Connect!

One Shoulder Madness! - McCall's #M6118

After seeing the previews and eventually watching the Sex and the City II Movie, I became intrigued by the little one-shoulder, peach Halson Heritage dress that Carrie is wearing! So, I set out to make my own version!

Inspiration:

I used McCall's M6118  pattern to do just that.  I had to change it a little bit, but I'll tell you what I did below...

Fabric: French Cotton Batiste - Light Pink

Time to Complete: 1 1/2 hours - SUPER EASY

Machine(s) Used:  I used both the sewing machine and my serger, although most was done on the serger.  I use the sewing machine to attach the facings and attach the sleeve. The serger was very handy for side seams, sealing edges and creating a wispy little hem on both the sleeve and bottom of the dress for a little more movement. 

Alterations Made to Pattern:  I don't want to say that I changed this pattern a lot, but I changed it just enough to make it my own!

     Dress/Shell - My fabric was a bit sheer, so I decided that I would double the fabric on the shell section so that it would not be see through.  I left the bottom open and hemmed both layers separately to facilitate movement.  Additionally, I found that it was way too full on the sides, so I took in each side approximately 1 1/2 inches.  This really didn't make much of an impact, but I do feel that it is slightly more contoured to my body shape.
    Sleeve - I wanted to sleeve to be longer (think Halston Heritage dress) and not as full as the one on the pattern.  First, I cut approximately 2 inches off of each side of the fullest part of the sleeve and then adjusted the rest of the sleeve piece to the new proportions.  Then, I extended the sleeve so that it would hit me a little below my wrist.  Again, I used the roll hem feature on my serger so that it would have more movement. 

Observations/Changes Once Made:  Now that the item is made, I think it is a little plain!  If I have some time, I may add some beading at the upper shoulder, and/or to the bottom of the sleeve. 

Yeah/Nay:  Maybe - If I do make this pattern again, I will most likely use version A with no sleeve and borrow version C's belt. 

Sewing for Many... The Peasant Top - McCall's M4548

About a month and a half ago, I was approached by a member of my church's Sunday school class to make costumes for the show choir that she teaches at her daughters' high school. Of course, since that project sounded super exciting (and I have a photo shoot to pay for - I'll tell you more on that later!!), I jumped on the opportunity! As of right now, I am costuming 8 girls and 5 or 6 boys. The girls will have peasant tops, knee-length flowing skirts and velcro tops/vests. For the boys, I am making vests and flowing long sleeve tops.

So far, I have cut out and made the peasant tops - 4 different colors. All made from McCall's costume pattern, M4548 with a sleeve variation and length variation.

Let's review this pattern:

Fabric: This pattern is great because it works with really any fabric and is versatile enough not only to be worn as a costume but as an item to wear out! For this particular variation, I used a dull satin and a sheer overlay with glitter and sparkles for the sleeve. 
I really think this pattern would be adorable in a chiffon or see-through type fabric. 

Notions: 

Small piece of iron-on interfacing approximately 2" x 3"
1 1/2 yards of 3/16" ribbon 

Difficulty of Pattern: I could not find a rating for difficulty pertaining to this pattern on the actual sleeve or on McCall's website. In my opinon, this particular piece (version B), the Chemise, should be rated as a beginner-intermediate pattern due to the sleeve application.

Time to Complete: 

Cut Pattern - Approximately 10 minutes. 
Cut Fabric from Pattern - Approximately 15 minutes.
Sew and Assemble Top - Approximately 45 minutes for the first and 30-35 minutes for each thereafter. 

Machines Used: I used a combination of the sewing machine to accomplish the tasks for the neckline and the serger for the rest. To create a little movement for the girls while dancing, I used the roll hem on the serger rather than a traditional hem.

Photo property of McCall's Patterns

Alterations/Changes Made to the Pattern:  Wow! It's kind of a new pattern! I shortened the chemise to a top that now hits approximately hip level. Additionally, I changed the sleeve from a three-quarter sleeve to a cap sleeve. 

Yeah/Nay: I really think that the possibilities are endless with this pattern! It would make such a cute dress with a belt for a little boho-chic look or shorten it as I did and make it into a cute summer top!

I will keep you updated on my progress over the next few days on all the other other pieces! Hopefully I can sneak a little project of my own in on the fun! Glad to have my sewjo back!

Tiffany

We are back! Many Thank You's in Order...

Hey Guys! The hubby and I are back from Ireland. We had a fabulous, but chilly time - I really didn't anticipate it being so cold. I will share some pictures with you later, but I just wanted to send a shout out to two amazing ladies that featured my rendition of the Evelyn Purse!

Mandy at Sugar Bee Crafts

Erin at How to Nest for Less

Thanks so much ladies, you rock!

Tiffany