Chevron Pleated Skirt

Haven't posted in a minute but I've been working working working. Well I've noticed lately that pleated skirts have made a comeback. And I am a fan......but you could not have asked me this question years ago when I attended Catholic school. I wore school uniforms most of my life and back then I would have paid to wear normal clothes. I would of never guessed that I would have been a fan of pleats..LOL. Now I'm in love with pleats and have some future projects planned. This was a quick and easy box pleated skirt which I self drafted. Since I've joined pattern review I've been working with patterns more than ever and enjoy doing reviews. So when I have a project in mind I try my best to find a pattern which comes very close to the style I'm trying to achieve..... But I haven't found a modern up to date pleated skirt pattern or maybe I'm not looking hard enough..... I've found a few vintage patterns on sale on etsy and ebay, so if you are interested in a pattern maybe you can purchase one there.

This is a very inexpensive cotton fabric which I purchased from Walmart.....This skirt actually cost me $3.50...Not bad for a cute chevron skirt....hope you like! it

Party MIX!!!

Hi everyone hope you all had a great weekend, besides all the rain it turned out to be great. I caught up on some sewing last week so I have a few projects that I must share this week. Last week I sewed Vogue1314 and the minute I sewed it I knew instantly that I wanted to make an off the shoulder version. Well if you noticed I called this post the "PARTY MIX", let me explain why. This dress is made up of two sewing patterns the shoulders are from Simplicity1613 and the dress portion is Vogue1314.

Well I'm not sure if any of you have done this before but I do it all of the time. Mixing patterns isn't hard it just takes some patience and you can create anything. I only used the top half of Top "D" going down to about 2inches under the arm. Here's a pic for those of you that I just confused...........

First I compared the two patterns to see if their measurements matched or was even close. Well on the envelope size 14 matched up perfect but when placing them together the cut did not match…. … well I was NOT expecting them to. I matched up the armpit and cut about 2inches below, I ONLY cut the area that matched evenly. That’s were I got the 2inches from, if I went down any further would not be able to incorporate the dress pattern without losing the design of the dress. So basically this is about all the Simplicty pattern used including the sleeve portion......

The top opening of the scissors is where I began and the bottom opening is where I stopped cutting. I used a beautiful printed polyester stretch fabric. And as I did before on the last version of this Vogue dress, I used elastic to create my gathers....its fast and easy. So there you have it....Hope you like it...............

Maxi Dress Season......and a Sew-a-Long

Well since I live in beautiful South Florida......Maxi's are one of my favorite outfits for the summer. And I have recently started using my INSTAGRAM.....Follow me MsNovy. Over the past couple of years I've meet some pretty talented sewers on the world wide web, thanks to Facebook, Instagram, Patternreview and the cool Blogger world. I started blogging a couple years ago only to loose all of my STUFF lol on my first blog. Got a little frustrated and stopped for a minute but was back at it last year.

On instagram I've joined and meet few ladies on Prettygirlssew and decided that I would join their June Sew-A-Long. I don't always do Sew-A-Long's due to my unpredictable hectic schedule, but once they choose McCalls6700 and I had it sitting in my stash so I joined in.

This was a super super easy project, it literally took me about an hour. For an advanced seamstress this is a breeze and for a beginner this is a MUST..........

Found this fabric at Joann's, the picture does it no justice. Its a beautiful orange and tan Rayon fabric with a border. The minute I saw it I knew I would use it for a Maxi.

MY REVIEW
For my belt I drafted a 2inch wide belt, I used fusible interfacing to prevent my belt from rolling up.

Used Rayon fabric

I cut a size 14 and it fit perfect, I had to alter the bodice. I shortened it at the shoulders by an inch, I prefer more of a snug fit.

It looked just like the pattern photo.

And YES I would sew it again...Love my MAXI'S!!!!

xoxoxox

Bodycon Dress Rave!

Whats the big rave about Bodycon dresses, well for starters they are sexy lol!They are fitted dresses that usually fit like a glove with a little wiggle room. What makes them even more attractive is the fabric and the designs on the fabrics which the dress even more attractive. Thats what gives it all the hype, some of the prints are mind blowing. So I went shopping and found that Topshop brand sold at Nordstrom has some beautiful Bodycon dresses. The prices were pretty decent starting at around $40 up to $120, but being the seamstress that I am I decided to make my own. Here are just a few dresses from Topshop.....

My dress is not the regular straight cut Bodycon dress thats out there, because I used a pattern. I decided to go with Vogue1314 which I found to be very close to to a Bodycon design. Bodycon dresses are usually straight with a high neckline and long sleeves. Lately I've been seeing them with and without sleeves and different necklines. Heres my version.....Hope you like it......

Sorry about the blurry pics but I realized too late :-(

I used a Lycra fabric which is very stretchy. Loved the print!

I cut a size 12 but I think I should 14, after reading reviews I saw it ran a bit big.

The instructions were very easy to follow, easy enough for a beginner. The only tricky challenge for a beginner would probably be the gatherings. But I used the elastic method.

Yes I would sew it again, infact I sewed two already.

Pinterest Inspired TOP.......

I recently saw this beautiful top on Pinterest

But could not find out the designer so I decided to create my own. I LOVE Pinterest I tend to find lots of ideas on there for my future sewing projects. I've just recently sewed up this lovely dress...................

But I haven't yet worn it yet.....That's usually when I would take photos, and that's called LAZY!!!! Well had some left over fabric and decided to use it to make the stapless beauty. Usually when I would make my own creations I would try to find a pattern that comes close to whatever it is I'm attempting to sew. I had no LUCK or I was being LAZY AGAIN!!!!  But since I had this new lovely pattern on hand

I decided to use it as a guide....BUT to no surprise after evaluating the structure of the original top....I DITCHED the pattern......NO USE ......This top is actual made of so many different pieces. It wasn't so difficult once I decided to make the top as if I were making a bathing suit top and then just add the bottom part of the bodice and the peplum. Getting those stripes lined up was killing me since this was not a chevron pattern fabric, but I needed to create my own chevron pattern. It took me a few days to get it together ......Mainly because when working with stripe fabric it tends to HURT MY EYES.....NO KIDDING....LOL! But it was worth the challenge, I think it came out pretty nice.....SORRY ABOUT the PICS THEY ARE A BIT DARK........I REALLY REALLY DON'T LIKE TAKING PHOTOS I ALWAYS TEND TO NOT LIKE THEM AT ALLLLLLLLL BUT ONCE THEY WERE TAKEN I .......REFUSED TO TAKE THEM OVER.....WORKING ON GETTING COMFORTABLE TAKING PHOTOS...LOL!!!....OR MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE NOT USED MY PHONE CAMERA...LOL!!!!

Hope you like the final results....xoxoxo!

I love my Vest !!!

Two days in a row I need an applause yes........I am truly trying my best to stick to my words of posting my projects. Well I sewed this Simplicity 2556 vest in the fall and I really love it. It is a Project Runway pattern which has a few different looks to it. I choose the leather back look, I loved the sleek design of the back view. I found some very beautiful black pique fabric, the texture was a very nice and I  mixed with the synthetic leather for the trimmings. I also added welt pockets instead of the trimming that ran around the waist.

Overall it was not a difficult project and it turned out very nice, I received tons of compliments and would probably sew it again. Hope you like it!

This is my favorite part of the vest, I think its just so stylish!

My pics a little dark but I wore it with my black leather equestrian boots and it look fantastic....Love the look!

Catching UP!!!

Well decided to take this week and focus on posting all of those sewing projects that I have completed but failed to post. Since the weather here in Florida is already SUMMER HOT.....and I have some completed winter projects that I failed to upload I've decided to start.

This is an old pattern that I've had for a very long time and decided to make it to wear to dinner with a few friends.Pattern Simplicity Cynthia Rowley 2406.......I love and own a few of her patterns and hope to get around to sharing my completed projects.

Heres my completed dress.....I decided to use a navy blue cotton fabric out of my fabric stash.  

Love the fit, I cut a size 14 and it was just right, I did not have to do any adjustments, this pattern was a breeze.

I was in love with the back of this dress.......the exposure was no too much and not too little but just right to remain classy!

The fit is amazing and as I said before this was a easy pattern, I would do it again maybe in a floral print to wear this summer. Instructions were easy to follow,  for a beginner this would be a good choice. Hope you enjoy my finished project......

One Lovely Blog Award!

Its been a minute since I've posted anything on my very slow moving blog...LOL! This is such a big challenge, working full time, being a mother and trying to find time to keep up with my blog.....and last but not least SEWING.
I've recently went through a bit of a Hiatus.........I'm slowly coming back!!!

I would like to thank Dorothy at http://sewingfunthings.blogspot.com/ for Nominating me for the One Lovely Blog Award.......This was very kind of you and by the way I love your Blog and your postings, I'm officially a new follower!

Thank you Again Dorothy for Nominating me!!!!!

The rules of the awards are as follows:   Add The One Lovely Blog Award/Very bold letters Inspiring Blogger Award to your post.

Share 7 things about yourself.

Pass the award on to 10 nominees.

Include this set of rules.

Inform your nominees by posting a comment on their blogs.

HERE ARE SEVEN  THINGS ABOUT ME!!!!!!!!

1. Besides sewing I spend alot of time playing word games....anything with words. Word searches, word puzzles, scrabble, scramble with friends, ruzzle and anything else that come to your mind . Nobody in my family nor my circle of friends would play me anymore so if you are looking for a new opponent I'm here!!! LOL
2. I am extremely busy Real Estate Entrepreneur, I've been working for myself for the past 17years. I am currently going outside of my element and opening new doors and trying new opportunities that come way.
3. I am a TRUE GOD fearing woman, I love doing bible studies and learning anything new about Our Heavenly Father!
4. I'm a MOVIE fanatic, REDBOX, NETFLIX and the local theatres are my type of entertainment........but only HAPPY movies....no SCARY, SAD or BLOOD and GUTS. Anything that makes me laugh or feel happy!!!
5. I'm a POSITIVE trooper........stay away from negative people, things or places!
6. I am a COFFEE freak, was drinking about 6cups or more a day. I've just weaned myself off regular and have completely converted to decaf and it was such a challenge.LOL!!!!
7. I'm a stress EATER and  SOCIAL EATER..... Thats what I call it!!!.......I LOVE to eat out and love to try new restaurants! So when exhausted with work and completely overloaded with a million things I tend to take off to one of my favorite spots with one of my favorite Diva friends in tow, LOL. It's my Friday or Saturday night wine down treat......But a BAD HABIT!!!!

RTW Designer Knockoff Contest!!!!!

Well tonight is the final night to enter our completed project for this wonderful contest. Since I am such a fan of dress I shared earlier that I was challenging myself to make that Givenchy dress. Well I finally completed it and the results are as follow...........

     

Well was it easy ...............Ummmmmmm Yes EXCEPT that DARN RUFFLE. It gave me a complete headache LOL, I wanted it to look exactly like the photo and boy it gave me a time. I googled it and found some pics of it worn by Kim Kardashian and Ashley Green.

The dress itself was very easy, I used Vogue 8787 skirt bottom and I drafted my top and the peplum. Of course I had to draft that RUFFLE that darn RUFFLE. It was fun and challenging.......REALLY CHALLENGING.....Almost entered without the ruffle LOL. But I kept on fighting and finally I gave in when I thought it looked good enough.......I'm still not satisfied with it but my sister insisted that it looked fine.

And because I waited until the very LAST minute to submit my work ....Low and BEHOLD my camera started acting FUNNY.....so I'm not very pleased with my photos either but oh well did not want all that hard work to go down the drain.

Hope you love it and VOTE for me!!!!!!! xoxoxo

Pattern Review Contest!!!!

YAHOOOOOO!!!!!!


Okay ready to sew as if I ever stop ........I have sooooo many projects that I have to share (LAZY). I have to take the time a get all dressed up or I actually wait until I have some where to go and then I take my pics.

Well since I am the type that works best under pressure and deadlines, I am excited about entering this Pattern Review Contest. So far I have two dresses in mind both are Peplum style my first choice is Elie Sabb..................

And my second choice is Givenchy

And YES I am totally confused!!!!!! I have a wedding to attend in March, so originally I planned on making one of the two. Pattern review contest came right on time so I decided to join. And I didn't want to let myself down by purchasing a dress when I could simply make the one that I prefer.

Well here goes I figure I will use pieces from Vogue 8787. Since I love the fit of the skirt portion this will work and as far as the top is concerned I will self-draft it.

Started my the bottom portion...............By the way this is a lovely Plum color fabric that I purchase for $1.50 a yard from Walmart. I usually would by the cheap fabric and use them for my MUSLIN. But I really like this fabric.......its sort of a polyester/rayon with a little stretch....its actually pretty! Especially for the PRICE!!!

 As I go I will make up my mind on whether I should do the Givenchy or the Elie Sabb. Decisions decisions decisions...........well Hope you all have a blessed day!!!!

XOXOX

HAPPY NEW YEAR.............

Well Hope you all enjoyed the Holidays because I had a BLAST with my family. I haven't been here in a while but I have been sewing and neglected to share my new projects. Decided that one of my new year resolutions would be to stay on top of my blog....good luck to myself LOL. Well I was inspired to make Vogue8787 dress after seeing Mimi G's review, I've seen this pattern a thousand times and completely over looked it. Bought it in October and finally got around to making it in November but as I said earlier I was just being a bit lazy with sharing. I was very pleased with the results and have gotten tons and tons of compliments on it. I really really love it, it was very simple and fit very well. Except I think I can stand to loose a few pounds, but oh well that's another story. Picked this dark red knit fabric from Joann's, thought it was a perfect color for the holidays.

HOPE YOU LOVE IT ...............................Novy