The Great Shorts Project 2016...

Hey!  I don"t have much time to sew these days because I've been so busy.  However, summer is here and it's hot!

Recently, I realized that I have like two pairs of shorts.  Unacceptable!  However, it's damn near impossible for me to buy shorts here (especially since I gained a little weight that I'm slowly working off after being injured last year).

Over Christmas, I bought this pattern:

This is a vintage Simplicity 9487.  I bought it for the knit top (because you know I love the knits).

Well, this is the only shorts pattern I have in Japan.  About a week ago, I dug through the box of fabric scraps I had.  Some of the fabric was from stuff that doesn't even exist in Japan (as in stuff I made in America that's either gone or still there).  So with the fabric scraps and this pattern I set to work.  Now this pattern has the shorts pleated (nope) and a zipper (nope).  I scrapped the pleats and zipper and just added an elastic waist.  I'm all for simplicity man.

So far here's what I've done (forgive the crappy pics as it's really hard to photograph shorts apparently):

#1

#2

#3

 (Though #2 and #3 look the same, #2 is knit and #3 is a shiny cotton perhaps sateen?)

#4

#4 actually looks the most like the pattern shorts.  They ended up super high waisted.  I ain't mad at that.  They're actually cute.

Hold on kids!  I'm not done.  I still have 4 more different fabric scraps.  We'll see if they are big enough to squeeze out four more pairs of shorts.

Happy summer!  Stay cool!

New Look S0263...

Funny I couldn't find this pattern online anywhere.  Maybe it's an in-store exclusive?  Can't be sure.  Anyway, I started this earlier this month but it was a little too tight so I had to rip out some seams which is agonizing where knits are concerned, so I let it sit for a while.  I finished it this morning.

The fabric is a cool reversible print with stripes on one side and dots on the other.  I had originally thought to put the dots on the outer dress and stripes on the inner dress but changed my mind before I cut it.  I think it looks much better this way.  It's quite thick so I'm sure it'll be a winter exclusive.

Anyway, I used New Look S0263 which was pretty easy.  I made B.

I can't wait to pair this with some leggins.  That's all for today!

Simplicity 1080...

When I first saw Simplicity 1080, I knew I had to have it.

Am I right?  So cute!  I wanted to make dress C look exactly like the pattern envelope.  However, I couldn't find floral gray fabric.  I gave up and went with black and pink.

I made a couple slight changes to the pattern.  I wrapped the neck and sleeves in the same bias tape that surrounds the pockets.  It adds a nice additional contrast, and I had left over after the pockets.  (Also, I had no idea what the directions were telling me to do with the neck and sleeves.)  You can't see it in the photo but there is a definite crease in the fabric on the fold.  This has happened before and I was not happy to see this, but there was nothing I could do.

This dress was easy and it took only a few hours to make.  Aside from that crease I'm happy with how it turned out.

New knits...

Hi all!  I made some quick knits (my favorite kind).

First is Butterick 5753.  I made letter D:

It was super easy and only takes like a yard of fabric.  Here it is:

I like this top because it can work for both hot and cold temps.  The sleeve hems are a little funky but I hope no one notices.

Here's a close up of the fabric (kind of tiger stripes?):

Next, I made McCall's 6161:

Dubbed a 1 hour dress, it was a breeze to put together.  Now I don't do separate cowls, so I attached a cowl like collar to the dress (I do this all the time.  Why won't pattern makers get the hint?)  It sits a little weird because of this but I think it's okay.

It's not a very shapely dress but I can't wait to pair it with some leggins and boots and winter it up a bit.  I just adore this fabric.  It's also surprisingly warm and beyond comfortable which was lucky for 200¥/meter.

Anyway, that's all for today.  I'll have another knit for you another time (soon) and I may just sneak back to the fabric store and get some more fabric.

Halloween!

Wow!  So sorry I'm late here.  I actually revealed my costume on October 29th and then wore it again the next few days.  Sadly it wasn't as recognizable as I would have hoped; however, the few who did recognize it made me ecstatic. 

So here's the full size:

If you didn't guess it yet, here's a side by side:

That's right kids, I was Honey Lemon from Big Hero 6.  Kind of obscure but I think I nailed it.  I even had the bag (not pictured).  That's Hiro in my pocket.

Here's a selfie with Baymax in Harajuku:

To make the sweater I used Vogue 9698.  It's a vintage (80s) pattern which I had originally purchased to make a different costume.

I lengthened it a little bit and narrowed the sleeves considerably. 

To make the dress I used Simplicity 1609:

And I totally cheated and used knit so I wouldn't have to sew in a zipper.  I also shortened the hem.

The remaining accessories leggins, shoes, bag, and socks were purchased from eBay.  Baymax and Hiro are from Amazon.

I'm sad to see Halloween go but the wheels are already spinning for next year.

Halloween sneak peek!

Happy pre-pre-Halloween!  It's almost the most wonderful time of the year.  I just now finished the costume and I have two snaps to share.

I don't think anyone could guess from these shots are some pieces are missing, but hey if you do, that's pretty impressive.

So here are two shots before the big debut:

Look at these lovely buttons!

That's it!  See me tomorrow!

Halloween!

It's that time again kids!  It's the most wonderful time of the year!  This Halloween was particularly agonizing because I dyed my hair blonde this year, so I wanted a blonde costume.  I thought about Supergirl briefly, but it didn't really excite me.  Finally, I decided in September what I would do, and started procuring items for it toward the end of last month.  So far three things have arrived:

Yesterday, I bought fabric to make part of the costume:

The yellow is a little lighter than I would have liked but I think it will be okay in the end (at least I hope so).

So here are your first Halloween costume hints.  Stay tuned for more updates and the big reveal around Halloween time.  I'm so excited for this one!