At an Impasse
2011 Summer Essentials, Me-Made-June 2011, Sewing / Posted on June 18th, 2011
Scheming About Future Projects
My sewing/craft room could be featured on Hoarders (just kidding…really). Unfortunately, I was too weak to resist the store-wide sale at my local fabric shop and came home with a few basic bottom-weights and a couple of fun prints.
I’ll be using the solid color fabrics for pants. I love my jeans, which, as you can see from my Me-Made June photo gallery, I wear all the damn time. I need something else to liven up my wardrobe. As much as I’d like to wear skirts like so many of the other MMJ participants, I’m not as comfortable in them.
I’m planning on trying out the capris from Simplicity 2414, which supposedly can be made in one hour.
I might use the patchwork fabric for one of the skirts from the same pattern. People keep telling me it will get warmer here. If it does, that might be just the thing for hanging out in the backyard, drinking iced tea and reading trashy novels.
I don’t know what I’ll do with the plaid seersucker. I just liked it. As for the purple and black knit, I’m planning on making a maxi dress using Simplicity 2219. Recently, I surveyed my local friends and received a lot of thumbs down on the maxi dress trend. It’s not that I don’t respect their opinions, but I’m somewhat perverse and want what I want: a maxi.
If I look ridiculous in it, I can let them have their moment to laugh and say, “I told you so.” After that, I’ll just hem it shorter and call it good.
Trouble-Shooting a Current Project
For the Summer Essentials Sew-Along, I had decided to whip up a Burda Style Ellinor tunic. I found some lovely cotton voile, an elegant bit of ribbon and went to work. It was fairly easy going until I was supposed to finish the neckline. I didn’t understand Burda’s instructions, so I just bound the edges with a bit of fabric cut on the bias.
Whether or not that was what I was supposed to do, it looks ok. I then tried to pin on the ribbon which was supposed to be stitched parallel to the neckline and front opening. Now, had I been a smart sewist, I would have tested out the ribbon’s ability to bend in the store…but, I didn’t. So, that’s just not going to work. I’m trying to come up with alternate ideas to embellish the neckline and front opening. Whatever I do, it can’t be too heavy (like beads) or too messy on the reverse side, since it flops open.
I’m contemplating embroidering it like the sample in Doodle Stitching: Fresh & Fun Embroidery for Beginners. If I do that, should I remove the ribbon and embroider around the hem and cuffs too?
Alternatively, I could just leave it plain. Would that look too dull?
Finally, I think I’m going to ditch the self-fabric belt and just create a casing with elastic on the interior. The fabric belt just looks limp and uninspired. Kind of like my hair, lately, LOL.
Me-Made June Days 17 and 18
OMG. It was warm for a day. I wore a self-stitched t-shirt and denim skirt…and sandals!
And then it got cold again. Here I am wearing what looks a bit too much like a maternity top, my Vogue cowl…and surprise! my jeans. Again.
Posted by 
June 18th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
I love your new fabrics! Until last week, my sewing room was a hoarders candidate, too.
And I totally, totally know how you feel about yearning for summer.
What about using a black bias binding on the neck of the tunic? It would echo the ribbon on the hems but be lighter? I think that embroidery look works best when you have a full facing to tack down and give the fabric a bit more body…
Also I think your friends are on maxi-crack. But I’ve always loved my skirts impractically long or immodestly short… I can’t wait to see yours
.
June 18th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Hi there! I’m over from MMJ Flickr group.
I think your thumb-downing friends haven’t a clue. I get compliments every time I wear my knit maxi bought at Target a couple years ago and I just bought another mustard colored one. They are most definitely on trend right now, but more than that they are easy elegance and stand out from all the mid-thigh dresses. I say, work it.
How about some small cording to sew on around the neck to give the look of piping?
June 18th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
If you ever have a problem with that fuchsia print, I will be glad to relieve you of it, no problem!
June 19th, 2011 at 5:36 am
I think the blouse looks really nice. With the bright color and the ribbon at the bottom it has plenty going on. You could try wearing it with some of your necklaces and see if you feel like it still needs more at the neckline.
I love the denim skirt in your MMJ pic. What pattern is it?
June 19th, 2011 at 9:21 am
Personally, I still want a maxi dress.
I like how your Ellinor tunic is coming along! I have the pattern taped together and sitting on its future fabric. I like T-I’s idea for black bias tape. Or maybe even black embroidery?
June 19th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
i think the tunic is great how it is, the ribbon at the bottom is beautiful and adds enough detail. I also finally made a maxi dress after being afraid to for a long time and I love it.
Sewing Princess Reply:
June 20th, 2011 at 8:10 am
I agree with Karen. I like the tunic as it is now. As for the maxi dress I made two a long time ago and I absolutely love them….and you can even use large prints and they would look fab.
June 19th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
for the tunic, could could cut the ribbon and do a mitered corner? Also, love the jeans!
June 19th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Have you considered biking shorts or some undergarment equivalent to wear under your skirts? I used to have the same dislike of wearing skirts, but once I discovered the bike short trick, I wear skirts all the time. It makes them way more comfortable for me. I don’t know if I just feel less exposed, or the under shorts just make me feel like I am still wearing pants. Either way, it works for me. Give it a try.
June 20th, 2011 at 2:37 am
I love the look of that red tunic – how about belting it at the hip for a 1930′s look?
I haven’t got the nerve for a maxi because I am quite short but I have seen some lovely ones in blogland – Miss Dibs looks fab in hers! Go for it!
June 20th, 2011 at 5:04 am
I don’t think the tunic would look too plain without embellishment if you plan to wear a big and bold necklace with it. If not, how about some simple machine embroidery that you could also run on each side of the ribbon to tie it all together?
Cute, though. Wonder how I missed this one?
June 20th, 2011 at 5:06 am
Oh, and Amy? Do the maxi thing…I just made my first one and I LOVE it!
June 20th, 2011 at 9:31 am
I think you definitely need a knit maxi because summer will arrive one day and you’re going to want to wear something that is flowy! Also, I love the red tunic! I agree with Lynne – it could definitely work a big statement necklace instead of embroidery if you wanted to go that route. Well done!