The Not So Haute Couture Collection

Party Skirt and Wrap

2008-05-03T15:07:00.000-07:00

Pattern Co./Designer: Self-drafted; used reversible sheer skirt elastic waist technique from Threads issue 110
Number: N/A

Layette for Our Grandaughter

2008-03-16T15:59:00.000-07:00

Pattern Co./Designer: Kwik-Sew Sewing for Babies
Kimono sleeper and blankets

Long kimono sleeper, matching blanket and swaddle blankets for grandaughter Naomi Lee who is due to arrive any day now!

Mama-to-be (my daughter) requested a look that was girly without being pink or lavender, or too frilly. I obeyed with the sleeper and some blankets, but got in a little bit of pink and lavender on 2 of the flannel swaddlers and a pretty pink blanket with eyelet trim. The pink blanket is made from plain cotton; it is inspired from one I loved using for my babies because it was pretty and fancy and lightweight.

Work Shirt

2008-03-16T15:55:00.001-07:00

Pattern Co./Designer: Stretch & Sew
Number:

Work shirt for hubby. Custom made longer in the waist and with divided pocket. I made two black shirts with black and khaki collars. He loves 'em!

Green/Blue Paisley Maternity Shirt

2007-10-14T16:59:00.000-07:00

Pattern Co./Designer: Butterick
Number: 4201 view D (substituted long bell sleeves for pattern's short sleeves)

Maternity Jeans Transformation

2007-10-06T22:56:00.000-07:00

Pattern Co./Designer: N/A
Number: N/A

Before:

After:

Shower Wrap and Matching Head Wrap

2007-10-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

Shower Wrap from Nancy Zieman (out of print)
Headwrap from Perfect Little Stitches

Wardrobe Builder T-Shirt

2007-06-30T22:11:00.000-07:00

Pattern Co./Designer: Sandra Betzina Today's Fit Vogue
Number: 8151

Easter Skirt

2007-04-26T22:57:00.000-07:00

Pattern Co./Designer: Self-drafted
Number: None

Navy Linen Princess Jacket

2006-05-21T00:48:00.000-07:00

Pattern Co./Designer: Unique
Number:8083UO

Scalloped Apron

2006-04-18T20:57:00.000-07:00

Pattern Co./Designer: Paisley Pincushion
Number: Scalloped Apron

Flannel Blankets

2006-04-18T19:47:00.000-07:00

Pattern Co./Designer: N/A
Number:N/A

Butterick/Unique B4609 (Silk Noil)

2006-04-18T19:42:00.000-07:00

Pattern Co./Designer: Butterick/Unique
Number: Butterick/Unique

In lavender silk noil.

Butterick/Unique B4609 Shirt

2006-03-29T22:21:00.000-08:00

Pattern Co./Designer: Butterick/Unique
Number:B4609 shirt

The pattern:

blue/white stripe stretch cotton

pink/black stripe stretch cotton

Purse Organizer

2006-03-22T17:15:00.000-08:00

Pattern Co./Designer: Tutorial from Craftster.org

Customized T-Shirts

2006-03-20T22:25:00.000-08:00

Pattern Co./Designer: N/A
Number: N/A

A bunch o' customized t-shirts. I scored a great buy at Old Navy @ $4.99 each. Shortened bottoms and sleeves.

Sock Monkeys

2006-03-20T16:52:00.000-08:00

2 of the sock monkeys went to niece Sonia Rosa and grandson Kai.

Christmas Stockings

2005-12-21T10:22:00.000-08:00

Pattern Co./Designer: McCall
Number: OOP (out of print)

Made for new grandson Kai and new son-in-law Ray.

Work Shirts for Darren

2005-10-04T14:18:00.000-07:00

Pattern Co./Designer: Stretch & Sew
Number:1745

Blue pique knit with contrasting khaki woven plackets and purchased collars.
Finalized fit by grading up the pocket and raising the armscye.
Next time: Remember to a self-band to the bottom of the sleeve instead of hemming and serge-finish the edges of the placket right after fusing and before sewing to shirt.

Raw Materials
Finished shirts
Perfect fit!

Baby gown/washcloths/swaddle blankets

2005-09-08T12:16:00.000-07:00

Kwik-Sew Sewing for Babies book.

Baby Clothes-Layette

2005-08-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

Kwik-Sew Sewing for Baby book

Blanket, gown, swaddle blankets, washcloths and decorated onesies for precious grandson

Baby Blanket and Decorated Onesies

2005-08-08T12:14:00.000-07:00

No pattern used.
Purchased onesies decorated with iron-on Winnie-the-pooh alphabet.

Winnie-the-Pooh blanket—fleece on one side, textured cotton on the other, WtP binding.

Navy Linen Princess Jacket

2005-07-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

Unique 8038U0 Jacket
Navy linen blend with lavender lining. Lengthened 6" to blazer length, raised armscye 1/2". Referred to Power Sewing Step by Step (Betzina) for construction and bagged lining. Turned out very well. Could go longer. Next time interface the hem as suggested in book and prior to hemming make sure lining pleat is facing the same way at the upper back as it is at the hem.

Shapely Shirt

2005-06-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

Petite Plus 104 Shapely Shirt
Shapely shirt turned out sort of wearable. The cotton/lycra blend is too stiff and thick so it's a bit buggy to wear (as in, "it bugs me"--this was my little sister's mantra from the time she was about 5 years old. She had some cute clothes she wouldn't wear because they bugged her. She is still unbelieveably picky about how she feels in the clothes she wears. I understand. I'm the same way.) Also, because it has no drape darts are way too pointy.

And there's some stand-up collar/shoulder thing happening here, too. If the fabric weren't so stiff it'd be falling down my back and REALLY bugging me.

Next time: There won’t be a next time. PP patterns are drafted too large in the shoulders and back.

Sewing Machine Covers

2005-04-08T12:12:00.000-07:00

Sewing Machine Covers
Self drafted, made with upholstery fabric that matches hope-chest seat cover, lined with tan/burgundy toile (matches sewing table skirts) and piped with tan/green/burgundy plaid (same fabric as sewing chair cover).

Fancy Baby Dress

2005-03-04T15:20:00.000-08:00

Pattern Co./Designer: Simplicity
Number: not sure

The bride holds up her neice's cute little dress
Ruffly rear

Me & Sonia Rose at Kim's wedding in our matching outfits

Wedding Suit

2005-03-03T14:26:00.000-08:00

Pattern Co./Designer: Simplicity (skirt)
Number: 5469
Pattern Co./Designer: Unique
Number: 8038UO (Jacket)
Pattern Co./Designer: Debby Valentine
Number: N/A (purse)
Skirt made in dark lavender silk noil and lined with purple Ambience; matches jacket made from Unique 8038UO to make a suit.

Purse made from Threads magazine instructions by Debby Valentine; dark lavender silk noil and purple Ambience lining; matches the silk suit.

Preemie Sleepers

2005-01-08T12:09:00.000-08:00

Olivia’s Angels
Large (4-6 lbs) preemie sleepers from Olivia’s Angels, for niece Sonnie.
.
Read the review

Fleece Baby Jacket and Blanket

2005-01-08T12:06:00.000-08:00

Simplicity 9275
Fleece jacket and blanket for Sonnie. Very quick version done on the serger.

Scoop-Neck T-Shirt

2004-10-08T12:01:00.000-07:00

Simplicity 5469

Made the scoop-neck version with excellent results. Read the review. Decided to alter for sway-back and narrow upper back for the next view.

Made the shirred v-neck after sway and narrow back alterations. Good results, but the narrowing of the back has made some sort of full-bust alteration necessary.

Lavender Princess Jacket

2004-10-08T11:59:00.000-07:00

Unique 80387UO

Wearable toilemade in a lavender stretch sueded blend. This was drafted by Unique Pattern Company to my measurements after I had my body scanned by their bodyskanner.

This would also be cute made up in a Chanel-style woven plaid (unless those princess seams get in the way).

Sewing Table Skirt & Press Table Cover & Skirt

2004-09-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

Sewing Table Skirts and Press Table Cover; No pattern used

Skirt, Top and Cardigan

2004-09-07T15:49:00.000-07:00

Vogue 7333 (skirt)
Stretch & Sew 345 top & cardigan)
Pencil skirt made of navy-blue peachskin, lined. Top is of a blue cotton/spandex rib knit. Cardigan is a coordinating heather blue cotton sweater knit with self-ribbing
I made this outfit for patternreview.com’s plus size sewing contest. Read the skirt pattern review.
Here is the review of the top.
Here is the review of the cardigan.