Double Duty Duster Round Two Fabric Mart Challenge!

Thanks so much for your support of my dress called "Harvey". Because of your votes, I won round one of the Fabric Mart Challenge! The second challenge is to take a basic t-shirt dress pattern and transform it into a transitional piece for fall. We are encouraged to hack the pattern to change it in some way. Here is my entry and you can vote for it on the Fabric Mart page here.

In Pearland, Texas, Fall arrives around Thanksgiving and is pretty much indistinguishable from Winter. The weather requires long sleeves, light jackets and long pants or skirts. With the high Summer temperatures, buildings are cooled to shivers requiring transitional dress on a daily basis to account for the shift. I usually have a hoodie, or kimono in my car to throw on for a trip to a store or movie.

I made a maxi length duster to serve as a topper to jazz up everyday jeans and a t-shirt. I found a wonderful Vlisco African Wax with a bold floral motif.

It looks great coming

 And going

and everything in between.

To add to the transitional element, I made it fully reversible with the other side in a luscious black linen.

When worn on the black side, the cuffs and lapels can be turned to show the contrast print. 

The wax side has side seam pockets. What's the point of sewing if you can't put pockets in everything? 

the black side has crescent-shaped pockets positioned on the outside.

For this challenge, I hacked the pattern we were given. My pattern stash is large so I rarely pattern hack. I will generally explain what I did here:

This pattern has very little ease and is designed for knits. To modify it for the duster, I looked at the finished garment measurements that coordinated with the amount of ease I wanted. 

If I was making the dress,I would have chosen the size 12/14.  For this conversion from dress to duster, I went with the size 20 and graded out the hips and increase the length to a maxi length. I did the same for the sleeves and graded them down to get to my appropriate size. I omitted the front fold and cut it open. I used a retro pattern that had a similar width and length as my guide for increasing this pattern. 

To make this duster reversible, I constructed both sides individually leaving an opening in the sleeve of one for turning to the right side. 

With right sides together, I stitched completely around the edges joining the linen fabric to the wax print fabric before turning it right side out. To finish the edges of the sleeves, pull them out as high as the armpit keeping them free of twists. Make sure the duster is right side out (ask me how I know!), then pull the sleeves out through the opening. Match up the seams then fold each sleeve end back to reveal the right sides. With raw edges even, pin in place and stitch the sleeve ends together.  

 After turning the sleeves inside I hand-stitched the opening closed. 

I lowered the neckline and added four hook and eyes to serve as closures to the front.   

I really enjoyed playing with the placement of the flower motifs on this duster. I print matched the front and centered a flower on each arm.

Come on Fall! I am ready for you!

If you like this I would appreciate your vote.

Happy Sewing,

Bianca

Thanks! I Won!

Thanks so much for voting for my Bias Tape Dress! I won the Threads Magazine Sew Stylish Spring Challenge.

You can read all about the 2.5 weeks worth of work that went into the construction of this dress here.

Thanks so much!


Happy Sewing,
Bianca

Day and Night Dress Challenge hosted By Elizabeth Made This

Are you looking for a new sewing challenge to begin 2017? How about adding two new dresses to your wardrobe. Elizabeth at Elizabeth Made This is hosting a two part challenge to encourage you along. I will summarize it here, but you can read all the details and inspiration are on her blog.

"The idea is to make 2 dresses--1 with a day look, and 1 with more of a night look. For your day dress, think bold color and vibrant prints. What shows off your personality best? What kinds of styles get you through your day? For your night look, think fancy and black. Where will your little black dress go? To the opera? To a night on the town? To a swanky cocktail party?"

The first part of the challenge is a blog tour that I will be participating in along with several other bloggers. We will be showing our looks and inspiration from January 8-14, 2017. The challenge then opens to community contestants from January 8- 28th, 2017. After that, there will be a voting period where a first and second place winner will be chosen.

Elizabeth has partnered with several great sponsors to build impressive prize packages  for the winners. If I wasn't a part of the tour, I would certainly enter for a chance to win. In addition to the prize package, several of the sponsors are also offering fabric and pattern discounts to participants. Join the challenge and Facebook group for the coupon codes.

I am not sure what I will make for either dress, but I have few options. I am torn between making something that is wearable and "me" or something dramatic, but less practical. I will be posting my pattern and fabric considerations on Instagram. Be sure to pop over there if you want to follow along. 

I hope you will join us!
Happy Sewing,
Bianca

Btw: Thank you for your votes in the Make the Fabric Your Own Contest. My skirt won!

Make the (Shower Curtain) Fabric Your Own

I have many reasons for entering sewing contests. Sometimes it's the prize, sometimes it's to teach my kids lessons in working hard, winning and losing. Other times it's to develop a new skill or for the challenge of adding creative elements. I enjoyed the "Make the fabric your own"  round of the 2015 PR Sewing Bee. For the creative challenge, I decided to participate in the stand along contest currently running on Pattern Review

                                             

                              

The goal of the contest is to modify fabric in a way that changes the end result.  For this skirt, I started with a Room Essentials garage sale shower curtain. I did not intend to channel my inner Scarlet Ohara for this project, but when I saw this fabric, had no choice. I love the mix of large and small scale motifs and thought it was the perfect base for embellishments.

                             

I used an out of print McCalls 6389 skirt pattern as the base. I like the higher waist and cannot resist a maxi skirt with side-seam pockets.    

                                               

To change the fabric up, I added embellishments to the upper surface and behind the fabric. The skirt is covered in frayed applique, hand embroidery, and reverse applique. I love the improvisational process of this skirt. Each embellishment was taken on its own when I decided what to do. 

Collage of Embellishments

Over the course of weeks between custom orders, I would pick it up and stitch on a whim. 

                                               

Despite my lack of planning, I was careful to keep with primary colors and solids so the end result remained cohesive. 

                                

With all of the hand work involved, there were lots of thread tails and fabric edges on the underside of the skirt. I added a full lining to protect the work and my skin from the loose ends.

     

I had so much fun with this! It is the first of its kind for me and I am really pleased with the result. There are areas I love and others I may change in time. I have it in my mind to keep working on it when I need a stitch project. This will become a walking stitch sampler by the time I am done. 

                                               

There are relatively few entries in this contest. I am surprised considering you could do whatever you want with the fabric. It overlapped with another contest, so I think others gravitated toward making for that one. Regardless of the reasons, I am anxious to see the other entries in this one. If you are so inclined, I would appreciate your vote for my skirt if you think it is worthy of it. Voting will open on Dec. 3.

                                         

                                           

Life is too short for boring clothing so go and make something breathtaking!

Happy Sewing,

Bianca

A New Embroidery Machine For Me!

Thank you to those who voted for my hand-sewn dress! I won second place in the Allbrands Sewing Contest! I won a Brother sewing-embroidery machine. Here are the details of my new toy. I cannot wait to begin playing with it!  

                              
An inspiration to modish mavens and fashionistas, the Project Runway Limited Edition LB6770 PRW sewing and embroidery combination machine brings new creative potential to a designer’s palette. With 70 built-in embroidery designs, five monogramming fonts and 120 frame pattern combinations, the LB6770 PRW imparts style and panache to designer creations. Using the 67 built-in stitches, 98 stitch functions and 10 styles of one-step automatic buttonholes, this limited edition machine brings added dimension, color, texture, imagery and sophistication to apparel. The built-in embroidery card slot allows the use of thousands of optional Brother embroidery designs for greater differentiation tailored to a designer’s unique vision.

Design it with Sewing

• 67 Built-in Stitches
• 98 Stitch Functions
• 10 One-stop Automatic Buttonholes
• Advanced Needle Threader Saves Wear and Tear on Eyes/Fingers
• Built-in Variety of Utility and Decorative Stitches
• Automatic Push-Button Thread Cutter
• Super Bright, LED-Lit Work Area
• Super-Easy Bobbin Winding System

Embellish It With Embroidery

• 70 Built-in Embroidery Designs
• 5 Alphanumeric Fonts
• 120 Frame Pattern Combinations
• Embroidery Rotation in 90˚, 10˚ and 1˚ Increments
• Embroider Designs up to 4” x 4”
• Built-in Memory Allows User to Save up to 12 Embroidery Designs
• On-Screen Editing to Create the Perfect Embroidery Patterns
• Built-in Card Slot Enables Use of 1000s of Optional Brother Embroidery Designs

Sewing Stitches

• Stitch Attributes: Mirror, twin, multi-directional, side cutter, satin stitch regulator
• Stitch Width: up to 7.0 mm
• Stitch Length: up to 5.0 mm
• Utility stitch functions: Yes
• Reinforcement Function: Yes
• Quilting stitch functions: Yes
• Heirloom stitch functions: Yes
• Built-in Decorative Stitches: Yes

Embroidery Pattern

• Monogramming Fonts: 5
• Frame Patterns: 10 frames, 12 patterns
• Decorative Patterns: Yes
• Media Recognition: Memory Cards
• Embroidery File Formats: .PES and .DST embroidery data files are compatible with this machine. 

Needle/Thread Features

• Needle Threading System: Advanced
• Upper Thread Tension System for perfect stitches on any fabric: Manual
• Needle Positions: 15
• # of needles: Single needle machine
• Bobbin: Top (horizontal)/Drop-in Quick Set™
• Thread Sensors: Upper Thread and Bobbin Sensors
• Thread Cutter Button: Push-Button Automatic
• Bobbin winding system: Super Easy Bobbin Winding System

Machine Features

• Maximum Sewing Speed (stitch per minute): 710
• Free Arm: Yes
• Presser Foot Attachment: Snap-on
• Drop Feed Function: Yes
• LCD Touch Control Panel: Backlit, Touch Screen 380 mm x 710 mm
• Presser Foot Pressure: Auto
• Maximum Embroidery Field: 4” x 4”

Screen/Software

• On-Screen Editing: Yes
• Display Control Panel: Backlit, Touch Screen 380 mm x 710 mm
• Compatible with PE-Design/PED Basic: Yes
• Design Memory: Yes (sewing/embroidery)

Carton Contents

• Accessory Storage: Yes
• In the box: 7 feet (buttonhole, overcasting, monogramming, zipper, zigzag, blind hem, and button fitting), seam ripper, 4 bobbins including clips, needle set, twin needle, cleaning brush, eyelet punch, screwdriver, touch pen, 3 spool caps, spool pin, spool net, foot controller, scissors, disc-shaped screwdriver, embroidery hoop, accessory case, and manual.

I feel like a college Freshman on day one of school. I have no experience with embroidery machines and everything I read is like a new language. There is so much to learn and I am so excited to see what I can do with this machine. If you have any tips, or resources you can share, I would really appreciate it. 

Happy Sewing,

Bianca

New Year, New You Embroidery Entry

I have finished my entry for the New Embroidery with Vintage Patterns Flickr group contest! My entry is for the category:  "New Year, New You" We are to choose any vintage embroidery pattern that we feel captures the meaning and spirit of one of our new year's resolutions or something we hope to accomplish this year.

My resolution is to dive into sewing and use my time sewing to produce quality and not just quantity pieces. With that in mind, I choose a pattern that fit that theme to a tee. The pattern is from the Keepsake Transfers Collection from 1980.

I began stitching a little over a week ago in between other projects. I think it came together very well and very fast. I even had to rip a few stitches out when they didn't work like I hoped. As  I shared in this original post, I had another clock option in mind to frame the finished piece. I tried it, but the french knots in her afro were too full to allow the clock to spin. Luckily, I had a clock kit in my stash and instead did this using a dollar store frame and the kit.

I may change the numbers to buttons, but for now, it is finished! What do you think?

New Year, New You Embroidered Clock

Details of the many stitch  types used. Seed, back, stem, split, satin stitches and the french knots.

Detail of the girl in the notions basket Of course she has a delightful curly afro. Represent SISTA! Yup, she knows what time it is! (hahaha)

I am very pleased with her. She will have a very prominent place in my sewing room. If I find the time to organize it... 

Happy Sewing

New Embroidery with Vintage Patterns Contest

I first picked up an embroidery needle when I was ten years old. It was a school project where I embroidered a pink flower on a grey pillowcase. It was a satisfying project that I enjoyed, but for some reason, I never kept it up. I believe, it would be twenty three years before I would  pick up an embroidery needle again. I was at a neighborhood garage sale and purchased a bag of floss, needles and a dream. I could not remember how to begin, but knew with the internet abounding with tutorials, I would figure it out and that's what I did. Over the years, I have found patterns and transfers in thrift stores and stitched for family and friends.

In keeping with my goal to participate in more contests and expand my sewing skills, I have entered another one. The Flickr group New Embroidery with Vintage patterns is hosting it and it looks like fun! Here are the categories from their discussion board:

THREE CONTEST CATEGORIES:

As always, you can stitch on anything you want. For example: a tea towel, hankie, napkins, apron, clothing, pillowcase, quilt block, curtains, art canvas, felt, etc....You will only be "judged" on the embroidery, not the actual item the embroidery is part of.

New Year, New You - Choose any vintage embroidery pattern that you feel captures the meaning and spirit of one of your new year's resolutions or something you hope to accomplish this year.

New Year, New Stitches- This category is for specifically for showing off your fancy stitches! And by "fancy stitches" I mean (1) using an abundance of fill stitches so there is hardly any bare/exposed fabric inside your embroidery AND/OR (2) learning and using a variety of new, unusual and/or exotic stitches in your embroidery. You may use any vintage embroidery pattern of your choice.
Please click here to go to an amazing collection of free videos to teach yourself some new and "fancy" stitches.

New Year, New/Old Mixed Media with Stitches - This category is specifically for combining "media" with any vintage embroidery pattern of your choice. Entries in this category should have a significant amount of mixed media incorporated into their embroidery. Examples of "media" to add to your embroidery include sequins, buttons, home improvement hardware, fabric, decorative papers, random and surprising found objects, etc.... You may use any vintage embroidery pattern of your choice.
Please see this gallery for inspiration and examples of mixed media with embroidery.

After reading the rules I headed to my transfer stash to choose my entry.

1950's Vogart transfers.

1980's Keepsake Transfers

F C and A mail-order transfers from the late 1980's and early 1990's

Girl in the sewing basket

I  found this adorable girl in a basket of sewing notions in the 1980's Keepsake Collection book. I thought immediately that it suits the first contest category of   "New Year, New You". I want to be more intentional about the projects to which I devote my time. I love the idea of diving into my sewing basket. The idea of stitching this up for the sake of the contest left me with the question of what to do with it after? I thought it would be cute to use the finished image as the face of a clock to hang in my sewing room. 

I bought this promotional clock from the Forgotten Angles thrift store for $1 and the plan is coming together. Now, time to get stitching! The contest ends in two weeks!