I accomplished yet another of the projects on my priority list today. The dogs now have some nice mats for their crates. They are even personalized! They were very quick and easy to make.

Materials:

One yard each heavy denim and polar fleece. This is enough to make two mats approx. 35”x28”. I just cut each yard in half down the middle to make two pieces 36” by 30”. My two fabrics were quite the same width so I did a little trimming to match everything up. If you want them to fit perfectly into the bottom of your crate just measure the bottom pan size and add an inch to get a 1/2” seam allowance all the way around.

How To:

If you want to personalize it, hoop your denim and stitch out the name. Because this denim was so stiff I didn’t put an stabilizer in the hoop with it. I did Maizey’s first and some of the stitches weren’t as nice as I’d like them to be so when I did Cas’ I slipped a piece of Heavy Cut-Away under the hoop before I started stitching and that worked great.

Lay the denim piece out flat right side up and place fleece right side down on top of it. Smooth everything out, matching edges, trim any edges that aren’t even.

Round off the corners. I marked them with a chalk wheel and used my magnetic pin cushion as a guide. I chose to round them off to make turning them right side out easier. Pin both fabrics together. Stitch around edge, leaving an opening for turning. I used my walking foot because the fleece likes to stretch under the foot while stitching. I also lengthened my stitch length and made sure I had a jeans needle in the machine.

Turn right side out and clip excess fabric from curved corners and notch seam allowance. (I forgot to take a picture of this step.)

Topstitch approximately 1/2” from edge. Be cure to tuck in the edges of the opening so they get caught in the topstitching.

All done in a couple hour’s work. I like that they are lightweight and easy to wash. No stuffing for the dogs to chew apart and get all over the house. The fleece gives a little cushioning and the denim is durable.

Miss Maizey looks a little less than thrilled with her new digs but that is partly because I moved her crate today from one corner to another and now Cas is in the same room. She doesn’t like change.

In reality the dogs don’t spend a lot of time in their crates. Just while we are out of the house. They are still spoiled and get to sleep on our bed at night. And with my part-time hours and how early the girls get home from school they are rarely crated for more than a few hours at a time. But Cas does like his crate and will just go hang out in their for periods of time. He is also a bit of a hoarder and we will find random things hidden in there. Like the time my friend stayed over to dog sit and after we got home I was cleaning it out and found her bank card still in the envelope from the mail in his crate.

Also, does anyone else think it is weird that two Michigan State Spartans have a dog named MAIZEy? I didn’t ever realize the awkwardness until I embroidered her name in bright yellow on a blue background.

We are having a Swimsuit Sew-Along! Please join us. How you ask? Well for one how about you start by deciding to try your hand at sewing your own swimwear? Then you can follow along as I and my fellow blogger-sew-alongists (it IS a word, okay maybe not, be we can pretend) jump into the deep end and make this thing happen. If you are a blogger that would like to join along you can grab the above badge and add it to you blog and kindly link back here and to any of the other blogs that are also participating. (Please ‘right-click-save as’ the image above and download it to your computer and then upload it to your own photo site or whatever you use to insert images into your blog. No bandwidth stealing please!)

Let me first introduce you to your other lifeguard. Swimmers meet Stephanie. She blogs over at The Petite Sewist and agreed to join me for Adult Swim. We met over on PatternReview.com. If you’d like to join our discussion pop on over to the Discussion Board and introduce yourself.

Now to get us all off the block and into the pool I’ve started to compile some helpful links. I’ll try to add to this list as time goes on.

Tutorials and Tips

Creative Chicks Blog – They have some of the best tips with photos I’ve found yet. After reading through all their pages of sewing tips even the most novice sewer will feel confident to give this a go.

Ten Tips for Sewing Swimwear Fabrics – Straight and to the point. All good things to know and remember.

Kwik Sew Swimwear Tips – Good basic advice from Kwik Sew

Burda Style DIY your swimsuit – inspiration, a few tips, and links to free patterns.

Sew Mama Sew – free pattern and tutorial.

Supplies

Spandex World -  the name pretty much says it all.

Spandex House – I guess if you are not ready for the whole world, just go with the whole house for now.

Fashion Fabrics Club – This e-retailer has gotten some bad reviews on PatternReview but I will say that I just purchased some swimwear fabric from them and it came as ordered in a reasonable amount of time. Your mileage may vary.

Fabric.com – I order from way more often than I should. I’ve never had a problem. One time they sent me the wrong Kwik Sew pattern and when I called about it they immediately sent out the correct one and let me keep the mistake.

Sew Sassy – I’ve never ordered from them but I’ve heard and read very good things about them. Looks like a great place for bra cups, swimwear elastic and other related notions.

Paragon Patterns – If you can get past the poor web design, this site has patterns and notions for sale in addition to tips and tutorials.

Well I think this should be a good start. If you want to participate or have more resource links to share post them in the comments and I’ll add them to the list here. Also post a link to your blog in the comments and I will start to compile a list of participants so we can all stop over for a visit and splash around in your kiddie pool.

So let me show you what I’ve added to may stash recently:

First of all I ordered this book. It has basic patterns in the back in a large range of sizes. The styling and fabric choices in the photos is dated to say the least, but the information is good and some of the patterns have a lot of potential. The only style really missing that I would like is a racer back tank. I don’t like halter top suits because of my neck issues and spaghetti straps always seem to slip off my shoulders. But I think if I need to I can use these patterns as a starting point and modify them to suit my needs.

This lovely Wonder Woman number is one of my favorites. Not that I’d ever make it but it is good for a laugh or two. In all honesty I do like the bra top style and may use it to modify one of the one-piece tanks to a more flattering style for myself.

The book gives really good instruction for making the bra top and I know that Emma prefers bikinis so I may use it for a suit for her too. She’s more of a Batman kind of girl than Wonder Woman though.

These are some of the fabrics that I purchased. The first set is a black with pink and purple dots and a solid black. I think these will be used for something for Emma. But there is enough black there for at least bottoms or a contrast for another suit. The second photo is a multi-stripe and solid navy. I ordered the stripe online and ordered the royal blue in the last photo to go with it. But the online photos didn’t depict the colors well and in person they don’t match at all. Plus the royal blue is very shiny, maybe I’ll put it aside until I find red stripes and make that Wonder Woman suit after all. The navy in the second picture is from Joann’s. I originally bought it with the idea of making a modified version of the Alison Suit from Burda Style. But when the blues didn’t match in the online purchased fabrics I changed my mind. I’m also on the lookout for a copy of Kwik Sew 2500. If I find it I will make it in purple to replace my favorite Lands End suit.

When will I get to all of this? I have no idea. But I did buy a yard of lycra lining fabric, swimwear elastic and a few types of bra cups at Joann’s last week too so I have everything I need when the mood strikes me. But for today I need to get back into my sewing room and work on yesterday’s list of priorities. I got quite a bit done on the Theater Aprons yesterday afternoon and evening, an hour or two more and they should be done. Then it is on to the Missoni fabric top for Saturday. If that goes together as fast as it should I might be able to start embroidering the dogs’ names on the denim for their beds.

I decided it might be best if I document them all here and make a list to prioritize what needs to get done first and what I want to get done next. I need to throw a couple in there that if I don’t do them now while the idea is fresh in my mind, I will put aside and they probably will never get done.

Project 1: This little project must be put at the top of my list because it is for the theater. My friend is directing a show now and needs two old fashioned aprons for two characters. And even though I auditioned for the part and didn’t get cast, I’m still willing to make some costumes pieces for him. That’s how much I love him and this theater. I should be able to knock these out relatively quickly once I get the pattern traced and the fabric cut.

Project 2: This is one of the “need to do before I lose my motivation” projects. I got the idea that the dogs needed some kind of mats for their crates this winter. But I knew that if I put anything with padding or stuffing in there they’d just tear it up. Plus I wanted something easy care and washable. I got the idea to get a heavy denim and machine embroider their names on it and then “quilt” it together with a fleece and bind or serge the edges to finish everything off. I wanted to do it before our trip last weekend but didn’t get time. I’m hoping that if they have warm, cozy blankies in their crates they’ll get off my bed, but who am I kidding?

Project 3: This top kind of needs to be made by Saturday so I can wear it to work. We are having an Event at the store and I am giving a Power Point presentation on Trends in Garment Sewing. Of course I am trying to promote the apparel fabrics that we sell, etc. so I want to make a top out of this fabric we carry and wear it with my jeans. I know this pattern can be sewn up really quick and I already have it traced off so I should be able to whip it up some night this week. This fabric is also perfect for making Infinity Scarves, which I did out of the black/grey/silver color of this fabric.

Other Projects and/or Stash Fabrics: I added a bunch of miscellaneous cuts of fabrics that may or may not get sewn into something anytime soon. How’s that for non-committal? Here they are in no particular order.

This is more navy than it appears in the photo. Just a misc. jersey knit I grabbed on sale. Will probably become one of my TNT knit top patterns before the winter ends.

This sale knit is still in my stash from late summer. I now need to decide which of the DVF inspired wrap dress patterns I’m going to use to make it. Both get mixed reviews on Pattern Review. I had hoped to make it to wear in Florida but didn’t get it done so now it goes back onto the shelf for a while until I get time for it. This will pretty much be a hopefully wearable muslin unless I get really lucky with fit. It was super cheap fabric so no harm, no foul either way. Any readers have experience with either of these patterns and want to weigh in with an opinion?

More super cheap single knit from Fabric.com. No plans for this, just wanted to see what the fabric was like since it was so cheap. Will probably make a quick draped neck sleeveless top out of it for summer at some later time. I’m sure the fabric won’t hold up to much wear so I’m not investing much time with it. The color is a really pretty apple green anyway.

These are both polyester ITY knits. The print on top is cool but what doesn’t show up in photos is that it has a “sparkle” to it. I don’t have any set plans for it. I’m sure once warmer weather gets here the colors will inspire me to make something fun out of it. I bought 2.5 yards of it so I have enough to make a dress, maybe another DVF inspired wrap if I am successful with either of the above mentioned patterns. It would also work well in KS 3658.

The deep burgundy ITY is very nice and I’m sure it will become either a dress or top. The two fabrics do coordinate so I’m thinking I may make simple tops and elastic waist A-line skirts that I can mix and match as separates or wear together for a dress look.

The last pile of stash and new projects deserves a post all its own. I have another sewing Mt. Everest to climb and that is Swimsuits. I’ve been stashing patterns, books and fabrics of the lycra variety lately. Stay tuned for that! But right now I’d better get actually sewing, or at least tracing and cutting or I’ll never get through all these projects!

		KS3315: Stretch Jeans VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I apologize up front for not having any photos of me modeling these yet. I have worn them a few times since completing them but never seem to have enough light or a willing photographer about to help me take them.

This is my second go at making this pattern. The first time was for a store sample at work and I made them in the XS size and also have yet to find anyone to model them for me. On those I also did some machine embroidery on the leg and next to the front pocket. Not my personal style, but very hip and cute anyway. I wanted to make myself a pair so I could test out the fit of this pattern. It is designed for stretch denims and like most Kwik Sew patterns, it does tend a bit large. I did cut and sew the XL per the measurements but next time I will probably either sew them with a deeper seam allowance or go down to the Large. They fit fine but after a bit of wear they do stretch out and are a bit roomy. I didn’t put belt loops on this pair but I may go back and add them so I can cinch them up when needed. I also added almost 2” to the length and ended up not needing it. The pattern says it only has a 30” inseam and I was afraid to go that short in case they shrunk (I did prewash this denim!). I ended up cutting off what I had added before hemming them.

I took my time on the details to make them look as RTW as possible. This meant that I did true flat-felled seams on the yoke and side seams and then went back and top-stitched with a triple straight stitch. The back seam I did a mock flat-fell seam by serging with a 4-thread overlock and then pressing to the side and then top-stitching. In the future I will probably just do mock flat-felled seams to speed up the process. I looked at a couple of my RTW jeans and that is how they are constructed. But I did have to do the “real thing” at least once so I can say that I did. I also top-stitched all the pockets as well as added decorative stitches to the back pockets. Since I’ve made these and the sample at the store I’ve had many people (seamstresses and non) comment on how hard it must be to make jeans. But really it isn’t any harder than any other project and simpler than many others. It is just a matter of taking the time to do the little details that take your project from “Home-made” to “Hand-made”. Imagine what how impressed people would be if you told them you only wore jeans that were, “hand-made exclusively for(by) me”?

Please excuse the wrinkles in the above photos. I wore them to Florida last weekend and just pulled them out of my suitcase this morning to put in the wash. I have to say that I usually hate traveling with jeans. They are never comfortable for wearing for car rides or on an airplane but take up too much room in the suitcase. These broke all of those misconceptions. They are super comfortable and yet still look good when you get where you are going. When I packed them to come home they rolled up nice and tight and took up no more room than my other slacks.  I made these from an “Indiana Denim” we carry at the store. I’ve never heard that term before so I’m not sure what it means, Google wasn’t much help this time around. I can tell you that it is a nice soft, lightweight denim with a bit of stretch. It also has a slight, almost pin-stripe texture to it.

My overall impression of this pattern is favorable. I will probably use it again in the future. As always Kwik Sew directions are clear and easy to understand. I would like to make the straight leg version next and maybe go down a size for a more “skinny jean” look. Today the UPS man delivered a box from fabric.com (No matter how hard I try I can’t ignore those sale emails!) and in it was my very own copy of the ever popular Jalie 2908 jeans pattern. After I made the Kwik Sew jeans I was so excited I wanted to make the world jeans (I’m over THAT notion now!) But I was humbled when Emma asked if I could try making her some jeans. Seeing as she is very hard to find jeans for that are slim enough but still long enough, I told her I’d give it a try. As most teens do, she prefers a low-rise waist so I thought that the Jalie pattern would be better suited for her. Plus I read many (not all, I’d never have time to actually sew if I tried!) of the reviews on Pattern Review and was impressed by the results so many had with this pattern.

I have now conquered jeans and am moving on to other sewing challenges. Wait until you see what I have to post next. I have so many projects lined up I need a Snowmaggedon to have time to get to it all.

The Pants: Winning!

I used what I think now has become my tried-and-true pants pattern: Project Sewing Workshop Mimosa Pants. This time I made the XL instead of the XXL and the fit was perfect, even though my measurements would indicate that I needed the XXL. But the last time I made them they needed 1 inch plus seam allowances and were still quite roomy on me. This time I was using a wool/lycra blend and knew that they would stretch so I could go more fitted. This is still a really loose fit style with very wide straight legs. The construction of this pattern is so fast and easy. No pockets, invisible zipper in the side seam and a very simple faced waistband. I considered lining this pair because the last ones were a little scratchy but I didn’t really have a lining fabric that matched so I decided to just go for it without the lining. I hope as winter progresses I won’t regret this. These are definitely a winner. I will get a lot of wear out of them for work and any time I want to look pulled together and still be comfortable. I now feel confident enough with this pattern and sizing that I’m going to splurge on some of the Mark Jacobs wool we have at work to make some more versions of this in other colors.

The Jacket: Fail

I loved this fabric from the moment I saw it. I kept it safely tucked away on my stash shelf all summer waiting to take my time and make a perfect jacket for cold days at work. I haven’t made a lined jacket in decades. I thought I had sufficiently conquered all my fitting demons and was ready for the challenge. I plunged in with all my presser feet and went for it. Over all the construction and look of the jacket is fine. It is a wearable garment. But it doesn’t fit as well as I’d like. I used Kwik Sew 3258 View A without the zipper. I made the Large because judging from the pattern measurements the XL would be too big across the shoulders. Wrong! I also made the mistake of not reading my instructions close enough and I cut on the front line for the view with the zipper, thus eliminating about 2” along the center front. It under no circumstances will meet at the bottom across my high-waist/hips. It barely meets across my boobs. Once it was fully lined the shoulders and underarms feel tight. If I lost 10-15” it would probably be fine but I don’t see that happening this fall. (Plus then my perfect new pants would be too big!) I didn’t decide to bag my lining until the last minute so it isn’t as perfect as I’d like it to be, just some minor construction details that I screwed up. I lined it with a bright purple Ambience lining that I thought would be fun but now I realize that if it shows at all it is really garish and looks horrible with the plum challis that I have planned for the blouse. Overall it wasn’t a total loss. It is still a wearable garment, just not as comfortable and well-fitted as I’d like. I also learned (or relearned) a number of things that I can use the next time I want to make this jacket. I’m still not giving up on my Chanel dreams. Next time I’m going to go with a more traditional tweed or boucle. I saw one at Joann’s that I loved the colors but know that the fabric is cheap acrylic. It might serve as a good guinea pig fabric to get the sizing on this pattern down better. Oh, but I cut my pattern instead of tracing. I ALWAYS trace my patterns, but I was cocky and said to myself, “I got this” and cut away. Good thing I have at least two other versions of the Chanel jacket in my pattern stash! I’m also not heartbroken over the “waste” of well loved fabric. Now that I have it sewn up into a jacket I see the drapery/upholstery look it has and I’m not sure I love it as much as I did when I bought it. I love the colors but it may just be a little too “Grandma’s Parlor”. What do you think?

The Blouse: Undecided

You can see the challis I have for a blouse draped over Minerva in the top picture. It is a woven so all of my new favorite knit top patterns are out of the running. I think with this jacket style it needs to have a fairly plain and high neck-line. Or should I try a flounce or bow? I see the “pussy bow” blouse is coming back in a big way. Would that take me straight to Golden Girls territory? Maybe I just get a plain black crew neck or turtle neck and use the plum challis for something else.

For now I think I’ll see if I still have a nice black turtleneck in my closet and hope for cold weather some day this week so I can wear this new outfit to work. Unless of course I decide I just can’t live with the jacket the way it is and go in and open up the back seam a little to add some more wearing ease. I really should. I could probably even do it without having to removed the lining. Hmmmm, thoughts to ponder.

Next Up: Magical Sewing

Because I just don’t have enough to do this month, I find myself somehow in charge of making Wench Costumes for this year’s Madrigal Dinner. My daughter is participating this year and there wasn’t a dress in her size. Weeks had passed since the fitting and she hadn’t heard any more about anyone getting her measurements, etc. Being the good Mom that I am I contacted the director and asked if I could make her dress. But I had to get the materials, patterns, etc. very soon because of my busy schedule this fall. This was 2 or 3 weeks ago. Of course the patterns and measly bag of fabric was just dropped off tonight. When I contacted the Moms in charge of course they assumed I could make dresses for all the girls that didn’t have a dress to fit them in the left overs from previous years. Ha! (Or they were going to call one of the “local sewing stores” and see if anyone there wanted to do it for pay. Ummm, that would be me!) Now I get the patterns and they are all just one size and I have to “size it up” for the girls who didn’t fit into the pre-existing dresses and there is no way enough fabric for all the skirts and vests that need made. Great. Had I known I would be pretty much redrafting patterns anyway I would’ve just drafted my own to Sarah’s measurements a week ago.  Whatever, nothing gained by bitching about it now, just get to work and get it done. Good thing I’m fast and have all those magical bluebirds and mice hanging around just waiting to help me. Bibbity-Bobbity-BOO!

You get a headless full-body photo this time because my photographer was in a hurry to get to Homecoming last night and her friends were about to arrive and she didn’t want to be seen taking photos of her Mom. She also deleted the pictures of herself and her friends from my SD card before I could transfer them to my computer. So I guess you’ll just have to hope you are cool enough to be her Facebook friend and can see them there. Emma went to a friend’s to get ready for the dance so I didn’t see her in her full ensemble and will have to rely on her friend’s mom to send me some eventually.

Anyway, I did get my Missoni knock off dress done. Like the shirt from this pattern, it took longer to trace the pattern and convert my serger to cover-stitch than it did to make the whole thing. Speaking of Missoni did you see this? Missoni for Target rain boots hit eBay for $31,000 Why do I have a feeling she is heavy into Beanie Babies too? Can’t knock a girl for trying though I guess.

<b>Pattern Description: </b>
Fitted pull-over dress and top have V-neckline and draped collar. Front extends forming collar and facing.
<b>Pattern Sizing:</b>
Large graded out to XL at hips.
<b>Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?</b>
Yes
<b>Were the instructions easy to follow?</b>
Very easy.
<b>What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?</b>
I made this pattern before in the top version and loved it. I like the ease of construction most of all. It goes together fast and perfectly every time.
<b>Fabric Used:</b>
Polyester ITY in a Missoni inspired print. Purchased at Sew Generously, St. Charles, IL
Loved this fabric because thanks to Target Missoni is all the rage right now and I love that the busy-ness of the print hides my figure flaws. Plus it is super comfortable.
<b>Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:</b>
The only change I made was to grade out to the XL at the hips. With KS 1/4" seams I didn’t want to take the chance that it would be too tight across my stomach. I also lengthened it about 1.5" As you can see on the pattern envelope, it is designed to hit just above the knee. I didn’t think that would be the most flattering length on me and I didn’t want it too short to make it difficult to wear to work.
<b>Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?</b>
Absolutely. I know for sure that this will be a TNT pattern for the top view and I’m really happy with the way the dress turned out so I’m sure it will get made again too.
<b>Conclusion: </b>
Easily one of my favorite dresses to wear right now. I wore it last night to usher at the theater and to a cast party afterward. I got compliments on it and it was comfortable to wear all night. I’m thinking that I will pair it with my black boots for winter.

I’m ready for back to school. Too bad I have no class! LOL

But seriously what says fall more than a cute plaid skirt with a top to match? So easy and quick to make too.

I’ll start with the top: I bought this pattern during the Fabric.com sale this spring with the intention of making the dress version. Now that I’ve seen myself in the top version I’m reconsidering that idea. I don’t think a big expanse of clingy knit across my most troublesome area is a good idea, even with the miracle of Spanxx. But as a top I love it. I have an almost identical top in a heavier purple interlock that I bought somewhere in the last couple of years (how’s that for specifics) and when I saw this pattern I thought, hey I can make that. So I did.

The pattern couldn’t me simpler, three pieces, no interfacing. I sewed all but one seam on the serger and hemmed it with a narrow coverstitch. Overall a couple hours work. Now that I have the pattern traced, next time it will be about 20 minutes faster. I swear if I cut out internet breaks I could make it in 45 minutes.

Now for the skirt: Even easier. I made this entire thing in about an hour or less last night before dinner. It is a basic bias-cut, elastic waist, pull-on skirt. I cut the front piece, flipped it over and matched up the plaids and cut the back. Then all I had to do was seam the sides (4-thread overlock), finish the top and bottom edges, put in the elastic and top stitch the casing down and hem. I did cut about 2” off the bottom before hemming to get the length I liked. The fabric is some “suiting” fabric (don’t you love how specific they are at Joann’s?) I picked up on sale and it has some stretch to it. I was going to make a more tapered pencil silhouette with it but decided for quick and easy. I think this A-line is flattering on me and I love comfortable, easy to wear clothes with a bit of style, I think this outfit fits that bill perfectly.

I bought these basic black pumps yesterday at DSW. They are a good heel height for work and they have a lot of cushioning in the foot to make them easy to wear all day. And as you can see, they show off the new ink very nicely. I think when the weather gets cold, my black leather boots will also look good with this outfit. 

Happy Labor Day!

It’s been a pretty low key day around here. Got up early, fed the neighbor’s cats for them while they are on vacation and came home a made a dress.

This particular dress is nothing all that exciting. I pick up the fabric (polyester ITY) in Grand Rapids last spring. Bought it with the intentions of making McCall’s 5974. I had attempted this Perfect Knit Dress before but didn’t have enough fabric to make the ties so I made the scoop neck version and was less than happy with it.

I also discovered in a rather “well duh!” moment that the basis of this dress is pretty much the same as the tunic (McCalls 6120) that I’ve so far made two of and loved. This led me to start to wonder if I really wanted the ties at the waist after all. But I had the material and decided, “what the hell” and put them on. I like them. Also the skirt on the dress is pleated and it isn’t in the tunic. In the future I make modify the dress to be more like the tunic and eliminate the waist pleats.

Okay now for the interesting part of this post. You see it was in the mid-50s this morning when I got out of bed. Fall is definitely right around the corner. I was inspired to come up here and sew some plaid skirts and turtlenecks. But you see, last night I did something kind of awesome. Something I’ve been thinking about doing for a few years now and it inspired me to grab this black and grey swirly print instead.

Some of my friends took me to get my first tattoo. I’ve wanted one for years but after Shadow, then Heidi died I knew for sure that I wanted a tribute tattoo, But I didn’t want big ol’ portraits of my dead dogs on  my back or something. I wanted something pretty and delicate and something that I could add to in the future when the inevitable happens with Maizey and Castiel. If you look closely there are three tiny pawprints incorporated into the design. One is red, for Heidi. One purple, for Sophie. One Black, for Shadow. There is room to add more paws as needed.

I had been warned that foot tattoos in particular were quite painful. I’ve been asked numerous times already how bad it really hurt. I’m sure most of you won’t believe this but it really wasn’t all that bad. Sure there were moments that I had to remember to breath but overall it was nothing. Does this mean I’d be up for a total, full color back piece? No. Not because of the pain, because I’d get bored out of my mind sitting still for that long.

On the way home after it was done (I won’t bore you with the LONG dramatic story of how the entire evening went) and my friend was driving us back to my house I was still kind of quiet and in a weird place. He kept asking me what was wrong, I think he was worried that I already regretted it. I explained that I wasn’t the same woman who had left my house with him and our other two friends a few hours earlier. I was now a middle aged woman with a fucking foot tattoo! But seriously, this is kind of life changing. Not only is it literally permanent, it does change who I am in a very slight but very real way.

Do you have tattoos (I know MANY of my friends who read my blog do) and did getting them change you or how you perceived yourself? How? I know that having a visible to the world tattoo changes how others perceive you, I’m just waiting anxiously for the first day I work this week, do you perceive people with tattoos differently? Of course there is a difference between a tasteful foot tattoo and a prison neck tattoo right? Tell me your tattoo stories, here in comments (not on facebook comments, not all my readers are my facebook friends and I want everyone to participate in the conversation.)

Misses’ top, tunic and dress: Semi-fitted, wrapped sleeveless top A, tunic B, and A-lined dress C have collar, attached tie ends and narrow hems. I made View A, size 18.

Pattern Sizing:
FF (16-18-20-22) I made 18.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Likes: The wide portrait collar adds a nice feature to a basic wrap pattern. I also like that the front is a full wrap and isn’t too low cut. The straps are nice and long and leave enough for a nice bow.
Dislikes: None really.
Fabric Used:
Momo by Moda quilting cotton. I wanted to try the shirt length in this pattern before committing to the quantity of fabric needed for the dress length. Even at the short length it takes a lot of fabric because of the size of the collar. I had this fabric in my inventory and I liked the color.  (My daughter doesn’t like it because I used this fabric to make her a pencil case last fall and now that is what she associates it with! LOL)
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
None. The only slight alteration I made was to pull the inside edge of the bodice up about a 1/2" at the shoulders to try to circumvent any gaposis.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I like the pattern and do want to make the dress. I just need to find the right fabric.
Conclusion:
Cute wrap pattern. Pretty easy to sew. Takes a lot more fabric than you think it will because of the size of the collar and the flair of the peplum. I had to piece my fabric for one of the front "skirt" pieces because I was just a bit shy of enough to cut it whole.