Sewing Maddness

I've been sewing like a mad woman lately!

Like my yarn stash, I cannot resist sale fabric with nice patterns. After collecting remnants to make small accessories and saving them up for quilts, I dove into garment making. Perhaps it's influenced by Project Runway reruns!

Originally I was not really excited. I started with skirts since they seem foolproof and relatively easy but zippers were still annoying. After making my first skirt, I became familiar with the pattern and made more skirts:

Simplicity 5914 (same as my first plaid skirt)

The only modification was adding a woven lining.

McCalls M5591 (pleated skirt)

For both, I used 100% cotton drapery/upholstery fabric, which is more stiff. This makes the pleats stand out and also no need to add lining. Plus, pleated skirts are all the rage this season.

Next, I experimented with knitted dresses. It's easy, no zippers or buttons, the fit is forgiving, there's no need to coordinate an outfit and it feels great on. I am completely obsessed with this jersey pattern. Can you tell?

Simplicity 3775 (knitted dress)

This one with a gathered (elastic) waist, with round neck and short sleeves.

This one with a knotted/twisted-link-thing waist (although you can't see), with round neck and short sleeves.

And this one, with V kimono neck, long sleeves and a sash.

I still cannot sew straight lines but I can make dresses!