Simplicity 8800  -  Robe View D

I used a floral pink lawn that has been in my stash for a while.The instructions were simple and straightforward.I expected to have problems with the front robe bands as alluded to by other sewists on pattern review.
My natural inclination was to attach the front band before doing the hem. If you do it that way, the band becomes shorter.If instructions are followed to a T, this pattern is a breeze to make.I would redo this pattern and add more width to the  hip area so that the robe covers me better.I am happy with my fabric choice which is soft & comfortable.

January 2020 plans

1. Men's jumper
2. Skirt B6696
3.Top B6696
4.Dress M7775
5. Dressing Gown S8800

November wedding sewing

I have chosen a pattern & fabric for the dresses that I will wear to a wedding on the 1st of November. Burda 6442 for the evening gown as the event starts at 2. I have an option for the day dress which is a Burda 6638.I started with the evening gown as I was nervous about sewing with satin.As always I had to grade for a bigger hip size.Also misunderstood the instruction showing the joining of the pattern pieces to make one fabric piece, I therefore ended with  seams where there should have been none.My consolation is that the seams were flat as I was concerned about puckering. I am confident to do another project with satin now.

This is the finished product


After the evening dress, I proceeded to make the day dress.....Which was also not complex

Summer sewing round up.

Summer sewing round up

Summer officially ended on 29 Feb, so its time to review my summer plans.

I had planned to make a top & skirt from Butterick 6669, a flowy cheese cloth summer skirt & night gown .The plan was to make these items whilst on holiday in Zimbabwe.

Nothing went according to plan.The sewing machine , a treasured Elna 6000 had a broken foot pedal & I could not find a replacement for it.As if that was not enough, I had not packed dressmaking pins to cut out my projects.See improvisation below.

The one thing I did right was to pack my knitting.I almost completed my son's turtleneck sweater on the trip .The knitting project kept me sane as everything back home happens at a snail's pace.I also got plenty of surprised expressions as it has become obsolete.Almost no-one knits unless if they are knitting school jumpers for their children.Even then, machine knitting is most likely what one would go with. Knitting in Zim appears to be something you engage in out of necessity rather than pleasure. Also another killjoy aspect of it is that there appears to be no other wool alternatives other than acrylic wool.

I eventually started on my sewing project , which is  top from Butterick 6669.I expected that to be a breeze but was shocked when I tried the top & it was gapping at the top. I took in 13cm across the back & that fixed the fitting issues.I am going to complete the hem today.Being pear-shaped I cut size 22 to accommodate my 107cm bust and 132cm hip.As always, I would have had to make adjustments. Fortunately the 13cm  I took in at the back was sufficient.Also my invisible zipper sewing was impressive.
 See finished product below.

Pattern collection update

New pattern stash

My sister just sent me more sewing patterns in December....feeding the beast ha ha ha!
Simplicity
S8800, 1605A, S8982 , S8172, S8919 , S8657 , S9013 , S8843, S8605 , S8558, 1421