Moving Blogs(!) + Renfrew

YOU GUYS! I'M MOVING! I'm so excited about it. Please follow me over to my new little space on the internets.

makesthethings.com

I finished a Renfrew top and it's posted over there.

See you soon!

Finished: Navy Knit Dress (M6319)

Pattern: McCall's 6319 - Misses Lined Knit Dresses

Mods:

• lengthened the bodice pieces by 3"
• lengthened the bodice lining pieces by 2"
• made view c without the asymmetry
• size 10 without an fba - in fact, I had to take in a bit at the underarms.
• raw hem

Fabric: textured cotton jersey from Nuttall's

I love knit dresses. I love knits in general, but wearing a knit dress is like getting away with wearing pajamas all day and it looks so put together. This pattern was easy to make with straightforward instructions and very few pieces. I'm SO glad that I checked a few blogs (like Erica's) for a pattern review otherwise I wouldn't have known to lengthen the bodice pieces (I didn't lengthen the skirt). This is one of the very, very few times I didn't make a muslin. I'm 5'9" for reference and the elastic hits right at my natural waist. Next time I'll try to omit the lining and see if I can eke a dress out of just one yard.

Obviously it's feast or famine here, folks! I've been sewing a lot, but not finishing things. Then my mom stopped by. She was appalled (horrified?) by my piles of unfinished projects. I think she seriously regretted asking what I had been making. "Look mom! This is the back left piece of a dress. I'm not sure where the rest is. WAY cute, right??" As soon as she left, I dug in.

Next-up: Renfrew top, Darling Ranges muslin, boxy tops and possibly some knitting.

Finished: Tie-Front Top

Pattern: PussyBow Blouse by Pattern Runway

Mods:

• lowered bust dart 1" (?!?)
• shortened and took out gathers in the sleeves
• omitted the tie
• pinched out about 3/4" from the shoulder and redistributed the fullness into the dart - the same effect as going down a size and doing an FBA.
• lengthened the front ends for ties by several inches
• omitted interfacing
• increased seam allowance to 5/8" on all sides for french seams
• created back yoke and pleat as per instructions in my most favorite book ever 

Fabric: cotton voile from Gorgeous Fabrics that I dyed here.

My thoughts? I love this pattern. The instructions were clear. It's super cute and versatile. The fabric, on the other hand, was kind of a nightmare. It's so delicate that I ripped my first collar in half. I'm terrified that Binks is going to shred it, so I won't be wearing it around the house much.

As it gets warmer, this piece is going to be really fun to style. I picture it with white jeans and sandals. Or black shorts with these. Or over a maxi dress?