Tag Archives: finished garment

Oonapalooza Skirt

I wasn’t exactly planning to participate in Sewcialists’ Oonapalooza  –  Oonapalooza is a month dedicated to sewing inspired by Oonaballoona. However when I was in JoAnn’s and spotted this awesome multicolored zebra print linen…let’s just say I was inspired.

My original intention was to sew some pants, but that was nixed when I realized the fabric was not 60″ as I thought when I purchased it. Oops! I draped it on my dress form and realized I did not like this fabric as a dress. But a skirt? Yes a long skirt would work!

Alas, I did not have a long skirt pattern…or even a flared skirt pattern So drafted my own! I used the instructions in Skirt A Day to make a basic sloper and then created a flared skirt from that. I only made it knee length and extended the seam lines when I was cutting it out to make it max length.

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WIth trying to match up my “stripes, I wasn’t able to cut have much of a hem allowance so I ended up using single fold bias tape to do the hem. I actually really like the way this looks and I may use it again in the future..even on skirts with proper hem allowances!

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There’s a back zipper and with a tab and hook. I started off with pockets but they were distorting the side seams and making me look oddly shaped…I mean more so than I already am…so I took them out.

I’m very happy with my Oona Maxi Skirt. It’s perfect for this hot weather we’re getting in Portland. So nice and easy to throw on a maxi skirt and a tank top and look put together!

Colette Myrtle Dress

myrtleI picked up the newly released Myrtle dress pattern from Colette this week from Modern Domestic and I couldn’t wait to sew! I love cowl necks! I’m full busted and a nice draped cowl makes the ladies look good.

I’ve had this Italian jersey in my stash for ages. I just couldn’t find the right project for it since it has some gold lurex stripes and is a bit sheer.  So I needed something with a lining that wasn’t too casual and Myrtle was perfect. The front of the bodice is cut as a single piece and folded to make the lining. The entire bodice construction is rather clever.

Even though there are some new techniques in this pattern – it’s still quick and easy. Just be sure to read the instructions thoroughly before starting. I ended up sewing the waistband casing to the skirt and the bodice and it took me over 2 hours to rip out that seam! I think I spent less time on cutting and sewing the rest of the dress.  I also learned that the stretch stitch on my machine is bitch to get out and I will probably stick with a narrow zigzag from here out.

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I ended up using 3 different sewing machines for this project – sewing, serger, and my new coverstitch! A regular sewing machine is necessary for part of the pocket construction and creating the elastic waistband casing.  Otherwise I used my serger for most seams and my coverstitch for the back neck, armhold and lower hems. That works like a dream!

Pattern: Colette Myrtle Dress – View 1
Fabric: 3 yards of Italian Cotton Jersey.  Extra was needed for matching stripes.
Modifications: Added 1.5″ to shoulder width to create slight cap sleeve