Summer's Style Studio

  I didn't have a red white and blue outfit to wear for the 4th of July, so I sewed something. The picture is of the outfit I sewed for the 4th.  After it was finished, I didn't like it. I switched out the shorts for a pair of denim shorts that were already in my wardrobe.  I used a TNT shorts pattern, but for some reason, probably fabric choice, it ended up being a tight fit. I used a tablecloth and the fabric doesn't have as much give as garment fabric has. I don't like wearing tight shorts, so I took it apart and sewed smaller side seams. When I sew, I always serge all the of edges before I sew anything together. I do it this way just in case I have to take the garment apart later. This made taking it apart and re-doing it easy. I didn't wear it on the 4h, but I'll wear it on Labor Day. I used a TNT top pattern, and I also didn't like it after it was finished. I originally sewed it with long sleeves, but it's been hot here, so I took the sleeves off a...

I made 4 V-neck tank tops that are going to be getting a lot of wear this summer.  I modified View E of the recently OOP McCalls 6886 fitted knit dress pattern to make them. As of today, M6886 (sizes 6-22) is also known as M8058 (sizes 6-22) (available as a pdf only at the Simplicity.com site and as a paper pattern at pattern review), and It's Sew Simple L9450 (sizes 6-14 only) at Walmart for $2.97: View E has sleeves, but since the ones I made are sleeveless, I raised the armhole by 1" so it wouldn't be too low, and I took it in at the side at the bottom of the armhole by 1" so there would be no armhole gaping. Worked perfectly! I made a muslin first and didn't make any adjustments to the pattern so I could see what adjustments I needed to make. Sewn as is, there was a lot of gaping. It's really not suitable for anything but a sleep shirt. I needed one anyway, and the knit is really soft, so it's not going to waste.  :-)    The white one that I made is no...