52weeks52projects

I want to be a more productive seamstress. Others have done 52 dresses, but I don't need 52 dresses. This is my journey to make useful, challenging things I will wear/use, without spending a fortune.

[funeral-parties]

Project #2

Pattern: self-drafted 
Fabric : 4 yards of star netting, 2 yards cheap polyester lining 
Notions: 1 yard knit elastic 
Cost: netting was from stash, I think it was crazy on sale, though, when I bought it 10 (!!!) years ago. Lining fabric was $3/yard, elastic was $4/yard. So new materials cost about $10 
Time: 2 ½ hours 
Modifications: the whole pattern was self drafted, it’s basically one giant modification. Cut a full circle skirt out of the star fabric, and made a gathered rectangle for the lining 
Things I would have changed: probably would have cut a circle out of the lining rather than a rectangle, but I didn’t have enough yardage. I also cut two full circles out of tulle, but those made the skirt SO POOFY. No Bueno.

Things I Learned: circles and rectangles are annoying. Knit elastic stretches SO MUCH. Tulle circles make things HUGE without a ton of volume.

Overall thoughts: This is my new most favorite skirt in the whole world.

[52weeks52projects]

Project #7

Pattern: Alabama Chanin tunic dress pattern Fabric : 3 yards of this AMAZING thunderstorm-pattern spandex from spandex house in NYC Notions: none! I considered stabilizing the shoulders, but the fabric was hefty enough on its own. Cost: $12/yard, so about $36 Time: around 4 hours Modifications: lengthened the skirt by 17" (!!!) so it became a maxi. This was tricky because my fabric didn’t permit that length with the angle of the skirt. So I had to re-draft the angles slightly. Also added bands to the armsceye and neckline Things I would have changed: slightly narrower bands, of course, and I would have cut the armsceye a little deeper. Maybe do a FBA, but I’ve never done one of those so I’m nervous about it, especially when sewing with fabric I can’t get any more of. It was the end of the roll and I HAD TO HAVE IT. Things I Learned: dont discount your work! I added 17" to every piece, and when sewing the side front to the front piece, I fucked up and sewed the part where the bust meets the strap about 4 inches too low (note to self: mark your pattern pieces better!!), leaving 4 inches extra in the hem that didn’t match up. I’m so used to quick and dirty sewing that I didn’t even think twice. Just, “oh of course I cut it too long, I’ll just cut it off when it comes time to hem” I was in for a huge surprise when I tried it on, and my right boob fell out of the side of the dress. HAH! Had to unpick that one and re-sew it much higher up on the dress. I was right the first time, and was just sloppy in my matching of pieces. Whoops. Overall thoughts: I LOVE Alabama chanin, and this dress goes against just about everything that brand stands for. It was all sewn on a machine, it wasn’t altered to truly fit my body, there’s no embellishments, etc. it happened to be the princess seam dress pattern I had lying around, which was useful, but I do feel a tad bit…sad about attaching the AC name to something so sloppy. But other than that, I love this dress! I love the way it feels on my skin, I love the print, I love the length. Some might say Lycra in the summer isn’t breathable, but I actually got the inspiration for this from a different Lycra maxi I bought a few years ago, it’s my summer staple dress and is SO COMFORTABLE and breezy. I wore this moon dress out yesterday and got a ton of compliments, one girl said she thought it was Black Milk and I about fainted. So happy. This is a definite win, and is going to be a summer staple. WOO!

[52weeks52projects]

Thoughts, 2 months in

Technically, we’re almost to the middle of March. Where did all the time go?

I should be 10 projects in by Saturday, and, if it isn’t obvious, I’m definitely not. But I have my sewing space all set up nicely, and it’s easier to get shit done when you finally have space to sew. This time a month ago, I didn’t have anywhere to sew, the machine was still in the box. So we’re making progress. It’s been more than 2 years since I’ve even had so much as a corner dedicated to sewing, and over a year since I’ve really made any actual garment. FEELS GOOD MAN.

I’m actually feeling really good about this, too. I feel like I’m not too far behind (as I tend to get), and that I’m properly motivated. More sewing makes you want to sew more, which gets the creative juices flowing which makes you get up and do things. Feels good.

I love statistics, so here are some numbers.

Total yardage on Jan 1st, 2017 :29.5 yards Yardage purchased: 13 yards Yardage sewn: 7.5 yards Total sewing time goals: 30 minutes per day, or 3.5 hours per week Actual sewing time: 19.5 hours (I need to make up another 15 hours or so, probably can be done in the next 4 projects?) Money spent on fabric/notions: about $90

I keep kind of a running mental calendar of future projects, and this project is actually kind of a huge undertaking. I’m going to need to go fabric shopping. It’s daunting and also exciting.

[52weeks52projects]

Project #6

Pattern: Kwik Sew 3766 view A, but with B sleeves

Fabric : ½ yard of this strange triangle knit from my stash. I bought this stuff YEARS ago, and don’t remember why

Notions: the teeniest bit of clear elastic to stabilize the shoulders

Cost: stash fabrics are BASICALLY free so $0, however if I had bought this new, it would be between $9 and $15 per yard

Time: about an hour

Modifications: swapped the interfacing called for by the pattern maker for clear elastic to stabilize the shoulders. I also didn't cut any of it on the fold line like instructed, because I realized I could save quite a bit of fabric that way. *shrug* ended up using 1/3 yard less than the pattern called for

Things I would have changed: I don’t like how high up the neck is. I wish it was an inch or so lower. View B on this has a scoop neck, I think I will make that one next. Maybe even take this neck out and replace it. Who knows. I think the next time I make this pattern, I will use a lighter knit, this one is almost a sweater weight

Overall thoughts: I like this pattern. It’s quick, easy to sew up in an afternoon, and actually surprisingly useful for me. My ass is about to have like, dozens of handmade t-shirts. Woo!

[52weeks52projects]

Project #6

<p>quick little pencil skirt with POCKETS! </p> <p>Pattern: self-drafted</p> <p>Fabric : half yard of holographic spandex from my stash</p> <p>Notions: none

[52weeks52projects]

Project #5

This was SO TIME CONSUMING. One more cat costume. Don't tell my boyfriend it's made of a women's pattern. XD

Pattern: Kwiksew

Fabric : 2 yards of Football weight Nylon spandex, black scraps

Notions: two zippers, 1/4 yard 1" elastic, 2 yards 1/4" elastic

Cost: around $40

Time: about 6 hours start to finish

Modifications: added hood, tail, pocket, and appliqué. Elastic cuffs around the ankles.

Things I would have changed: the elastic around the shoulders made the shoulders look lettucey. Also, I would have lined the hood to give it some structure.

Overall thoughts: it makes the boyfriends butt look super good. I'm glad to be done with cat costumes.

[52weeks52projects]

Project #4

the second of the cat costumes. I had to be hella sparkly

pattern: heavily modified Kwiksew

Fabric: ½ yard hologram spandex

Notions: 3 yards foldover elastic, one separating zipper

cost: free! I shopped my stash, if bought new, it would probably be about $18

Things I would have done differently: I would have dropped in a lining, and hemmed the bottom. Whoops

I wish I had put in different bust darts, but they would have had to be vertical darts, and the fabric is so flimsy, it doesn’t matter. I should have also stabilized the zipper instead of just sewing it in raw.

[52weeks52projects]

Project #3

My friends and I are going to a cat-themed disco. This is project #1, a quick circle skirt for a good friend. I mostly wanted an excuse to buy leopard print velvet. I think it fits me better than it fits her but it doesn't matter.

[52weeks52projects]

Project #2

I needed a new gown for work. This is a tube dress with gathers along the front, a partial circle for the bottom, and a bit on the top finished with fold over elastic. Things I would have changed - I would have made the top a bit wider, and not cut the dress part in a rectangle. I would have cut the pieces in a trapezoid pattern, so the sides weren't so bulky. Had to do some weird recon with the back seams.

[52weeks52projects]

Project #1

I bought this ridiculous fabric to make a gown, but realized I had no elastic to finish it with. I wanted to get started on this project, so I made a pair of shorts with the leftovers