serging on through

with the acquisition of my fabulous serging machine, i've become re-addicted to sewing again.  i don't know if it really is just easier or it's just the excitement of the new toy, but in any case, i'm having a ball with it.

my co-leader introduced me to a pattern designer who creates easy-to-follow pdf'd patterns that you buy online, download immediately and print out.  they're multi-page patterns that you match the edges to, tape or glue together and then cut out.  the instructions are accompanied by step-by-step photos and there's even a whole facebook support group page where people share tips and successes (and failures).  the items are relatively simple - tops and dresses and pants - things that you find ready-made everywhere, but it's just really fun to make your own stuff.

after the first few successes with the little summer dresses i did a little while ago, i decided to tackle a top using some fun multi-colored striped knit fabric.  it somehow didn't look just right on me, but when i had the old lady try it on, it was much better on her.  i think she's already worn it to work, even.

speaking of the old lady, i'd bought a length of fabric on a shopping trip downtown with her and had promised to make her a dress with it.  i finally got around to it, and she was pretty happy with it.  so much so that she chose it to wear to a special evening out with her special friend, celebrating their first dating anniversary.

i also fulfilled another promise to her by trying out a super easy pattern for a kimono.  this thing literally consists of two pieces of cut-out fabric, and the most difficult part is hemming it.

check out these cute little woven tags i ordered online:

next, i moved on to a raglan-style top for myself.  i'm a fan of this one, and with the various add-on options like a hood, front pocket, cowl neck, and several sleeve lengths, i know i'll be making lots more as soon as it's not as hot as the surface of the sun out here.

a bit of super loud performance knit fabric i found at joann's turned into a pair of workout pants for me:

my next project brought me back to my regular sewing machine.  a friend of mine mentioned that she was looking for sport headbands for her daughters to wear for soccer practice, and having pinned a tutorial for those a long time ago on pinterest, i volunteered to give it a shot for her.  i tested it out with bands for me and the bean first:

those things go for a minimum of $10 apiece.  my versions were maybe $2.  sweeeeeet.

a dress pattern i'd been saving for weeks finally came out to play, too.  like the others, it was easy to follow and was looking really good until i got a little too cocky/impatient/sleepy/whatever and didn't pay close attention while i was attaching the bodice to the skirt (that i'd added the optional side seam pockets to).  this resulted in a slight disaster that took an extra half hour to fix:

can you see the print?  if you look really closely, you can make out mickey heads atop the anchors and a "steamboat willie"-era mickey silhouette.

but ugh.  i was so annoyed.  i had to cut the skirt off, which also ended up with me shortening the bodice a little.  but when i tried it on, it was still totally wearable.  and i wore it to disneyland the next morning.

i redeemed myself with another dress using a really fun star wars-inspired custom knit fabric i'd found online.  this time, i was careful to pin the pieces together properly.

the bean liked it so much, i made her one too.  i thought i could get away with using the pattern in the XXS size, but because the pattern is graded for a woman's body, it was really low-cut on her.  a tank top underneath solved that problem:

i think next i'll try another raglan top, this time using one of the many options.  i can't wait to see how it comes out!