Tag Archives: Jungle January

Two New(ish) Tops

Oh boy, do I have a series of garments to post about!  Since January of this year, I have completed eight new tops and two dresses.  I also have two jackets and one other top in progress.  I have not managed to take even a single photo, because it has been cold and I have been sick on and off again. Those two things combined have made my desire to get dressed up and be all photogenic runaway and hide until spring.  Well, this past weekend that desire returned and I got all the tops photographed!  I still need to photograph the two dresses, but at least I have a lot that I can share now.  Once I finish the two jackets, hopefully in the next couple of weeks, I can share them too.

Butterick 5753

Musings of a Seamstress - Butterick 5753

Remember, way back in January when the theme was Jungle January?  Yeah…I did make this garment for that theme.  Sadly, this was the only top.  January was the tail end of the craziest season at work I have ever experienced and I feel lucky to even have gotten this one top finished. The multi color mystical zebra is a spandex knit that I got from my Jungle January Swap partner last year.  Since we only swaped 1 yard each, I let this fabric languish in my fabric stash for a year before figuring out what to use it on.  In the end I think I decided on the perfect garment to use it for.

Musings of a Seamstress - Butterick 5753

I used Butterick 5753 in view A for this top. It is the second version of this top I have made, you can check out the first version here.  This is one of those patterns were every piece is cut single layer and as a result uses way more fabric than you would think it should.  This one top used three yards of fabric!  Three!!  I used one yard of black ponte and one yard of the mystical zebra spandex knit.  Because the spandex knit was so much thinner in weight, I underlined those contrasting stripes with one yard of black spandex swimwear lining.  The total fabric cost of this top was $13.79, which isn’t too bad.  It is on the pricier side for a top that I have made, but it is still well below what I would have paid if I bought this at any store.

Musings of a Seamstress - Butterick 5753

I do enjoy this style of top because the color blocking possibilities are virtually endless. This makes it a style that I can keep sewing and not lose interest in sewing. This mystique zebra fabric though! Oh boy, do I feel so very 80’s when wearing this top!  I still love the heck out of it though. It is fun and I keep thinking of that Bowling for Soup song 1985 every time I see this shirt in my closet.

Simplicity 2690

Musings of a Seamstress - Simplicity 2690

This was the first top I cut for my Pattern Review wardrobe collection and I was so excited to make it.  Speaking of that,  I have come to the conclusion that there is no way I am going to finish the wardrobe collection by Thursday.  I made all the easiest garments first, even though that was not what I planned, and did not leave enough time to make and fit the Ginger Jeans pattern for the first time.  I did complete six of the ten pieces though.  I am still planning on finishing the other four, just not right now.

Musings of a Seamstress - Simplicity 2690

For this top I used Simplcity 2690 in view C.  It calls for 1 5/8 yards but I managed to squeeze it out of just a yard. What’s more is that I got this fabric for only $2.99 a yard.  This is the lace printed chiffon I bought at Zinick’s this past September.  I still have 2 yards left too.  I am not sure what I will use them for though. Based on the finished measurements chart, I chose to make a 22.  It ended up fitting perfectly without needing alterations.   You can read my full review of this pattern here.

 

Musings of a Seamstress - Simplicity 2690

I did not add the inset at the bust that the pattern calls for because I am going to have to wear a tank top out of it since it made of chiffon.  I thought that the inset would be pretty pointless since it will not provide any modesty coverage, plus it would have been the only piece that was double layer chiffon.  Overall, I really like this top.  This chiffon is different than any other chiffon I have used.  It is almost like it is a georgette.  It is super soft.  I really like this style of top on me too.  The empire upper bodice combined with the lower skirt bodice creates a great flattering silhouette on me.

Musings of a Seamstress - Simplicity 2690

I have tried a few other patterns that are the same style as this one. McCall’s 5436 is one of them and I have to say that they both have their good and bad points.  This version has a a curved underbust that meets in an inverted V at the center front, which you cannot even see because of how busty I am.  Because of that the method for inserting elastic is more difficult than need be.  The McCall’s version is straight and allows me to create an elastic casing out of the seam allowance, making is so much quicker and easier.  I prefer the sleeve length of the Simplicity version to the McCall’s version.  But I like the length of the McCall’s version too.  I think I need to make both versions one more time and  write a pattern versus post with side by side comparisons.

Just because I found some real OMG pictures after my photo session, I thought I would share them with you all. I present the first of the series.

Musings of a Seamstress - Simplicity 2690

I am calling this “Wind, What Wind?”.  That is some hair happening there.  Is this what being photobombed by Mother Nature is like?  The hubs is calling it “Flock of Seagulls” hair.  I have to acknowledge the truth in that and give him props for recognizing that comparison.

January Round-up

Simplicity 1280

So how was your January?  Mine was kinda crazy.  Not a lot of sewing happened in the beginning of the month due to some completely unexpected and expensive plumbing issues.  The water pipe in our house used to run along and exterior wall in my sewing room and froze.  As a result I had to move all the stuff out of my room so that pipe could be removed after we put a new water line in the correct way.  My sewing room was in chaos for two and half weeks.  That killed my mojo for a bit.  But once I got my room back in order I dove right into Jungle January.

First up I used 2 yards of leopard print challis to make version D of Simplicity 1280.  To be honest I wasn’t sure how I felt about this tunic when I finished it because I was envisioning it about 7″ shorter than it turned out.  Once I put it on with my leggings I knew I loved it!  I love the neckline detail and the shape of the hem.  I probably could have done to make a size smaller though. I am planning on making a couple more versions, view B and C.

Musings of a Seamstress

Then, on the last day of the month, I made a second Jungle January garment.  I used Kitschy Coo’s Lady Skater Dress pattern.  I used 4.75yds of leopard print jersey from the stash.  This dress did not turn out how I wanted at all.  Let me start by saying this is a fantastic pattern and the issues I have with the dress are purely because of my fabric choices.  I envisioned this as a maxi dress and lengthened the skirt accordingly.  I chose NOT to put a more stable knit as a lining in the bodice, because I am stubborn.  I knew I should have done it but I didn’t want to take the time to cut it.  I just wanted to sew!  This jersey is so stretchy that once the skirt was sewn on the bodice could not support the weight of the skirt and therefore just stretched out the top.  If you look at where I am pointing in the the picture, that is where the waistline stretched out to and it is well below my natural waist.  It was so low in the back that it was almost at the fullest point of my rear.  So, I set it aside last night with a plan on how to refashion it today.  I still think this pattern is great and I will be making many versions of this dress this year.

Musings of a Seamstress

The other thing I did for January was to cut out the wool for Eric’s Albion coat.  The pattern calls for 4 1/8yds of 60″ wide wool, but I got the coat cut out of 3yds of 60″ wide wool.  Score!!  The wool I used I bought from Mood Fabrics late last year.  I am super excited to make this coat for him.  Today I got the lining cut out.  I used 4 1/2 yds of a plaid shirting flannel from the stash that was bought specifically for this project.

 

Musings of a Seamstress

Wondering about those refashions?  Well I am much more pleased with them than I was the dress. I used up the the last 1 1/4yds of this stash fabric for these refasions, which feels great!  When I took the bodice off of the skirt, it was a few inches shorter than I would prefer.  The solution…attach a 3″ band at the waist like the cuffs on the sleeves.  Much better!

Musings of a Seamstress

For the skirt I decided I wanted it to have a faux yoga pant waistband.  I made the waistband 7″ tall and added a 14″ tall piece over top that I ruched down at the side seams.  I underlined the waistband in some scraps of gray ponte knit to add more stability.  I think this skirt is going to get a lot of wear this spring and summer.

For February, I have a lot of sewing for others planned.  Now that I have all the pieces for Eric’s coat cut out, I will be making that first.  Then I have some alterations to do and a couple of Wild Kratts costumes.

January Round-up

While watching the Broncos get trounced in the Super Bowl tonight I decided to do my January Round-up. I had quite a productive January.  I made two garments for Jungle January, which was a blast this year!  I love that February is now Ferocious February too.  I have a couple of other projects that I have to complete first but if I can get them done before the end of the month I will definitely be making something for Ferocious February.

So, what all did I accomplish this month?  Well lets start with fabric totals.

This month I brought in 36 1/2 yards. I got 3 1/2 yards of black swimwear lining from Jo-Ann’s to line maxi dress I made this month, but more on that in a moment, and 8 yards of a cool royal blue for costuming purposes that I got for free. I also made an early purchase from Fabric Mart when I was snowed in and they had an amazing sale on chiffon and charmeuse.  I ended up with 25 yards of fabric.

 3 yards of each polka dot chiffon – one coral, one white and one black.

3 yards white with yellow print charmeuse.

7 yards of hunter green polysatin moleskin

6 yard free mystery bundle (not pictured)

The charmeuse is going to be a future coat lining, not sure what yet, so for now it is stash.  The moleskin is for my March of the Shieldmaiden costume next month. The coral polka dot will be an amazing Archer sometime soon!

 

I used 13 3/4 yards and gave away 14 yards for a total of 27 3/4 yards out.  That leaves me with + 8 3/4’s of a yard for the month.  I am working hard to be in the negative for February.  It is hard to keep the fabric purchases in check, but I am getting there.

The fabric that I did use included the 1 1/2 yards of leopard burnout for my Snow Leopard tunic that I posted about a couple of weeks ago.

Musings of a Seamstress

Musings of a Seamstress

 

I also made a new maxi dress to wear on my New Orleans trip in June.  I made it now for Jungle January.  I used 3 1/2 yards of a zebra/tiger print with a metallic leopard print over top stretch swimwear fabric with 2 1/4 yards of black swimwear lining.  I used McCalls 6700.  This is the first time I have made this pattern too.  Yay for patten stash busting.  Check out my review of PR of the pattern.  Side note, I am for sure wearing jeans and boots under this dress.  It was only in the 20’s a and snowy covered when I went outside to take the picture today.

 

Musings of a Seamstress

I also used 3 yards of plaid flannel for pj pants with pockets for Eric and 3 yards of the heart flannel for pj pants for myself.  The pink horses and purple/gray print were UFO’s that I finally finished.  These were intended to be Christmas presents for family 2 years ago that I cut out and never made.  Well it was time to get them out of my sewing space!

Musings of a Seamstress

Lastly I used 1/2 yard of mouse printed sweatshirt knit from Girl Charlee Fabrics to make a new infinity scarf.  I love it!  I debated making leggings for my nieces but I got a little selfish and decided I could not part with it.  This was my first purchase from Girl Charlee and I really like their stuff.  I will be purchasing from them again.

For February I do not have a lot planned, just one quick and easy project for me and one super indepth, challenging and time consuming project for Eric.  The big project is going to force me perfect my welt pockets and mens’ tailoring, which make me super nervous.  I have put this off long enough, time to make it happen.

Snow Leopard – M5436

Snow Leopard tunic

Jungle January has been a blast this month!  This is the first piece that I have made in 2014 and I made it nearly 3 weeks ago!  When we were stuck at home with 12″ of snow I decided to get my sew on.  Too bad when I took the picture the snow was mostly gone.  Oh well, I am still calling it my Snow Leopard tunic.

Leopard burnout

You cannot see the fabric very well in the first picture but this is the pic I posted on Instagram after I got it cut out.  I used 1 1/2 yards of cotton leopard burnout that I got from Fabric Mart 2 years ago.  Yay for stashbusting!

I used my tried and true, McCall’s 5436 top pattern.  This is the forth time I have made it but it is the first that I have made the tunic length.  This is just one of those super easy and quick patterns that requires no alterations.  That is why I keep coming back to it.