Vintage Simplicity 4483

A few weeks back, I unearthed close to seven yards of fabric at Goodwill. What to do with that much fabric? Sew the world's biggest skirt, of course! Okay, so maybe it's not the world's biggest skirt, but it's a pretty substantial garment. Here's the specs:

• Fabric: Thrifted, 100% cotton
• Pattern: Simplicity 4483
• Modifications: The pattern gave a finished waist measurement of 25 inches. Since my waist size is 25 ½ inches, I added an extra inch of ease. This turned out to be way too much (I should have measured the pattern pieces in retrospect, something was up there). I ended up adding a hook and eye to pull the waist together and this seems to have done the trick. It's not visible and everything looks good, but it makes me grit my teeth knowing that it's there. Sigh. Next time.
• Etc.: I've been wearing this one with a petticoat and I think it helps to keep the shape of the skirt a lot.
• Next time: Aside from the waist kerfuffle, I'd add interfacing to the waistband for extra strength and possibly belt loops.

In other news, I'm finishing up some very, very late Christmas gifts (skirts for my nieces and a shirt for my nephew) and hard at work on a sweater for Knit for Victory.

And in light of that, I better get back to work.

Simplicity 3595

This is the end result of needing some instant satisfaction sewing, bad. This past summer I picked up Simplicity 3595 and have been dying to make it. I decided to do a muslin of the blouse this past weekend, but used a vintage sheet I had in my stash in lieu of scrap fabric (in case it turned out okay). And you know what? It fits perfectly on the first go!

The details:

* I made the size 12 and had no major issues with the pattern as is.

* I skipped on doing the buttons and getting fussy with the cuffs, but would plan to on a more finished version.

*The shirt is a little boxy (it's intended to be worn under a jumper). If I were to make this as a stand alone blouse again, I'd add some length to the hem.

*Kimono sleeves, I love you. But I'm wondering about adding underarm gussets next time around? I'm still trying to wrap my head around this.

And here's the pattern. That grey jumper is calling my name.

Operation: Winter Coat

The winter coat I've had for the past three years is beginning to show some serious signs of wear. I've been just kind of, "meh" about everything I've seen in the stores lately, so I'm planning to sew a replacement. Admittedly, this'll be the most complicated project I've undertaken to date and I'm a little nervous. But to borrow an expression from the kids of America, "YOLO"! So it's upwards and onwards with this one, after taking a few deep breaths.

The pattern I'm using is Simplicity #5558 from 1964. I spent yesterday getting my pattern pieces ready to go and did a few basic modifications (shortened the back waist measurement and added length to the sleeves). I also spent some time familiarizing myself with the slightly tricky instructions in the hopes of identifying potential problem areas. Another thing I'm mulling over is adding interlining to the body of the coat because, well, February.

And for fabric, I'm using that gorgeous grey-blue wool above. My grandmother gave it to me, it having been a gift from a family friend. I've hauled that wool around for years, waiting for the exact right garment to use it on and I feel like this is it. That said, I am 110% making a muslin because I feel like the fabric gods would cry out for vengeance if I wrecked that wool. I mean, c'mon, just LOOK AT IT.

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming. I got a muslin to cut out.