Simplicity 2896

I saw this pattern last year at Joann's last year, but didn't buy it because the price was beyond my pocketbook. Thank God for dollar sales! I purchased this pattern last week, along with a few others to update my spring/summer wardrobe.

The first incarnation of this shirt is in denim:

I have about five yards of beige linen that I got at the end of last summer for a song and that fabric will be the second incarnation of this shirt. This shirt was fun for me to make as I always loved these types of sleeves. When I was a young girl, I would try to iron or pull my sleeves upward so that they would form a pouf. If it was up to me, all ladies shirts with sleeves would have poufs!

Until we meet again...

Bbitce Is Bback!

My apologies for the super duper long hiatus. My digital camera was on the fritz (right after the warranty expired, I might add) and it has taken me quite some time to get a new one. Since I've been gone, I have continued creating and have gathered a few "toys" along the way.





I'd like to introduce you to Ching Mai:

She was a (belated) Christmas present to me and already has proven to be indispensible. The only problems I have with this dressform are that the dials are hard to turn and the waist does not expand as far as the specifications state. Right now the waistline is a problem because I am at my winter weight…le sigh. But, I will be back down to my summer weight in a few months, so then that won't be a problem.


On a late night forage through the internets (sic), I came across these:

They are paperless reusable patterners that adjust in size. With these two particular tools, I am able to make basic patterns without paper for jackets, blouses, shirts, coats, dresses, and skirts. The company also sells the pants patterner, but since I also have these:

I don't think I'll get the pants patterner……BUT then again, I have an obsession of keeping 'sets' together, so I probably will break down and get that as well.





Well, back to Ching Mai and the tools….I am working on this coat (that my son swears is a poncho):

With Ching Mai's help and using the rulers and French curves, I hope this will end up as a wool coat with a quilted lining.



I'll share other projects later, including some crocheting and knitting. So in parting, take a look at this 'fun' scarf and hat set I crocheted for my lovely mini-me:

Busy Bbitce!

I've been busy getting things uploaded on my Etsy site. Who knew it would be so difficult. I'm a do-er, not a writer! Trying to write item descriptions is beyond difficult for me. Ugh!

Here are a few items up for sale:

The Touch, The Feel of Cotton! The Fabric of Our Lives....

My cotton caftan:

This is Simplicicty Pattern #6656

I found these REALLY kewt clear acrylic buttons from Valique's. I think they were for wedding attire. But hey, never a bridesmaid....never be a bride -- so sue me!

Draping Experiment

This is a dress that I fabricated last night for my daughter's friend. I was bored. I had the extra fabric. She was there. This is the resultant:

The floral fabric was the pre-shirred stuff from Joann's. The denim was a clearance item, also from Joann's. I had ten yards of the denim stuff. I only had about 25 inches of the floral, which was not enough to make a dress or a skirt. So, I draped the denim in the middle (on the bias) and pinned it. My original thought was to have the denim in the back, which would cascade out, like a train. However, the denim was a bit heavier than I expected. The heaviness caused the fabric to pull downward slightly. So, I cut off the excess material and did a simple hem. This is a view of the dress from the back:

We took a wrestling break, therefore the dress is a bit wrinkled.....

The two fabrics do not necessarily go together, but the experienced gained in doing this was valuable. I learned two VERY important lessons:

1. Draping is not that difficult....just do it. Make it work!
2. Listen to what the fabric says to you. As you work, the fabric will almost fall into place. I find this to be much less frustrating then attempting to 'force' results.
   

Good Morning

Today's the first day of the rest of my life................

I'm feeling mighty fine! It is the first day of the public health summer institute and yours truly is a graduate assistant! Of course, I needed some new gear to wear to mark the occasion. But, money is tight, ya'll. I made the skirt on the left over the weekend. This is only the second thing I have made in my entire life without a pattern. I am quite pleased with the results and I am looking rather cute this morning if I do say so myself!

Well, I am going to be running around like a chicken with its neck hacked off this week, so if I don't write until next week...take care....and rememeber:

It's not a taboo to go back and fetch what you forgot -- Adinkra Proverb

My Shape

Thanks to the Sewl Sista (Hi, neighbor!), I discovered Myshape.com! Contrary to what I believed to be true, I am an A (triangular) shape – beats the rectangle that I thought I was – HA! According to the site, the following is my profile:

Other than the suggestion of plaid (puke, yick, gag!), it is dead on!

Fabrics
Plaids, bold prints and textured fabrics on the upper half of the body add a nice balance.

Necklines
Experiment with scarves and simple designs. Focus on adding interest at the shoulders and neckline.
Boat, crew and ballet necklines are all beautiful—the idea is to add balance and shape that broadens the neckline.
Mandarin collars, wide pointed lapels and patterned blouses create focus.

Pants
Flat-front trousers with side zips are ideal. Avoid pleats and extra details on the hips.
Slash or inset pockets on pants are preferable to side-seam or back pockets that gap or add width.
Slightly softened boot-cut jeans are fabulous (not too low-rise and with just a touch of give).
Leg flares that begin below the knee add grace and length.


Jackets & Tops
Cap sleeves and a raised waist on a simple top pull the eye upward.
Tops with horizontal lines along the shoulders, and ¾-length sleeves, particularly if you are short-waisted.
Jackets that fall either at or above the high hip balance your proportions.
Shorter, double-breasted and asymmetrical styles with interesting collars work well on you.
The wide lapels of a jacket that nips in at the waist and ends at or above the high hip keep the eye moving upward.
Patch pockets and set-in sleeves on a jacket create wonderful upperbody proportions.

Trims & Details
Patch pockets on top add a nice balance.
3/4-length sleeves also pull the gaze up a bit and away from the hip area.
Brighter tops than bottoms are the way to go.
Details by the neck or patterned blouses and jackets with wide, pointed lapels or mandarin collars create focus.

Skirts & Dresses
Simple A-line styles with a side zip smooth you out.
A paneled A-line skirt minimizes the hips.
Flat-front or softly gathered skirts (such as a broomstick style) can flatter.