Swim Coverup Vogue 9255

Hello! I am sharing my Vogue beach coverup today. I wanted this Vogue pattern since last year. I almost bought it at a local shop but I realized at the register I grabbed the wrong size range and it was the last one in stock. A few months ago Joann’s was having a sale on Vogue patterns and I remembered to get this one! This pattern has three pieces- shorts, halter bra and coverup. I knew I wanted to make the cover up ASAP. I don’t really have any coverups for the beach so I made sure to sew this before our trip to Cape May.

I bought this embroidered cotton fabric with border from Joann’s. I think it’s so beautiful! I had originally planned to make a blouse with it but I realized it would work very well for this pattern. I was a little short on fabric so I took a little bit of width out of the main pieces and I believe the sleeves are a little shorter, too. I cut my two main pieces on the border. (bonus- I didn’t have to hem!)

This was fairly quick to sew and I definitely can see myself making one again. It was so comfortable to wear in the heat and I love the fit/style. I’m curious about the shorts and halter bra, too but I’m not sure if I’ll get around to making them anytime soon. I am in fall mode right now and can’t help but plan for cooler temps. I’m starting with some pieces that can be worn in the heat but easily transitioned next season. Hopefully I’ll be back next week with one of those garments!

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Simply Sewing Evelyn Dress

For the last five years, Michael and I have wanted to go to a WWII air show in Reading, PA. Every year we forget about it or have plans. We made sure to finally go this year! I knew I wanted to dress up in 40’s style clothing. Of course I totally forgot about my 1940s overalls I made and a vintage blouse I have. But that’s okay because I sewed an Evelyn dress from Simply Sewing Magazine! Originally I was going to make a romper from a vintage pattern.  It needed to be graded down but the pattern did not have any markings on it, though. I’m sure I could have figured it out but I didn’t have a lot of time and realized I had this pattern.

I used a 1930s reproduction cotton print I bought off the clearance rack at Joann’s. I really love the colors in it. I used buttons from the Simplicity vintage line and wore an old bow belt I had. I quickly made a headband the morning of with a scrap of fabric to put in my hair. I ended up getting my hair done in victory rolls when I got there so I took the scarf off.

This dress was fairly quick to make. I really like the elastic waist because it’s so comfy and didn’t require fitting. I would definitely make this dress again but in something with more drape. Maybe a rayon. I also would consider raising the neckline a little and using the rounded collar option for a different feel.

This is the second Simply Sewing Magazine Pattern I’ve used recently (also made the Eden Set) and I’m so happy. I have my eye on the newest dress in Issue 57. Unfortunately I let my subscription lapse so I’ll be missing out on that issue. I’ll be impatiently checking Barnes and Noble or Joann’s for it! Have you made any patterns from Simply Sewing?

Seamwork Camden

I spent the weekend up in Massachusetts! I stayed in Rockport and visited Salem. It’s always so fun heading up there for Halloween. It definitely felt like fall up there- I was freezing! I was so glad I packed this cape I made last year. It was my first attempt at outerwear and I’m still really pleased with how it turned out. I just need to restitch the lining in a few places. I think I was a little too excited to finish it and my hand stitching came undone in a couple spots. I’m thinking about making a winter coat soon. I think it would be a great challenge. Have you made outerwear?

Sewing Swimwear

Last year I made my first swimsuit- B6067. (I’ll post a photo of this at the bottom.) I was nervous about it but I ended up being really happy with how it turned out. I never thought I could make a bathing suit. I always do that- think I can’t make something for some silly reason. For the longest time I wouldn’t make anything with buttons because buttonholes seemed too hard. Then I tried it and I realized how easy they are! If you want to make something, just go for it. There’s always a seam ripper and a youtube video to help you out. ; )

I knew I wanted to make another bathing suit this year and I needed it done before our trip to Antigua. I chose the Seamwork Reno and Dakota because I wanted to make a two piece this time and I definitely prefer a high waisted bottom. Overall, I am pretty happy with how it turned out. It came together fairly quickly. I worked on it after work for a little bit over 3 days. I opted to line the cups with poly laminate foam. I’m just not happy with the placement of the fabric checks. I must have made a mistake while cutting it out, and ended up with an uneven pattern on the top of the bottoms and the hem of the top. The pattern is so tiny. I really should have cut this out flat and not on a fold. Lesson learned! The fabric is really beautiful though. It’s an Italian made navy and white check from Hart’s Fabric. I also bought a lining from them as well. (Oh and please excuse my splotchy skin! I know better but didn’t reapply enough sunscreen on our first day and ended up with some sunburn.)

I think this is a good pattern to enter into the world of sewing swimwear. The bottoms were very quick and easy. I used version 2 but I would like to make a color blocked pair with version 1! I will admit I had a little bit of trouble with the instructions for the top (the drawings were a little confusing to me) but I used this sew along blog post as a guide and was able to work it out.

If you’re new to sewing swimwear, I recommend a walking foot for you machine. It’ll make it easier to manage the silky fabric. Also make sure you are using a stretch needle with a stretch or zig zag stitch. I recommend a twin needle for any top stitching. And it’s not necessary, but if you have the option of using a serger to finish edges, it’ll make it look more professional. Practice make perfect! Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t turn out just right the first time. Like I said, there’s always a seam ripper.

And as promised, here’s my B6067! Have you made any swimwear before?

 

New Look Jumpsuit 6446

Hello! If you follow me on Instagram, you probably know I just spent 5 days in Antigua. It was so beautiful and a much needed vacation. I spent most of the time on the beach with a book (I’ll be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara), sipping on pina coladas. I’m definitely missing that now that I’m back in gloomy, rainy New Jersey. I brought mostly me-made items, so I have a lot to share on here! First up is this New Look 6446 jumpsuit. This is one of my favorite pieces of clothing I’ve ever made! The fit is perfect and it is so comfortable and easy to wear. I want to make more of them asap!

I first saw this pattern last summer when The Crafty Pinup made one and I had been thinking about it ever since. I had purchased this lemon stripe fabric for a dress but realized it would make an amazing jumpsuit. I found the pattern on Amazon prime and made sure to make it before my trip.

Pattern: Simplicity New Look 6446 I made view C.

Was it easy to make? Yes! I had no issues when putting this together. As long as you are comfortable inserting an invisible zipper, this is an easy make.

Pattern Adjustments? I made no adjustments. I did add a ruffle to the straps though! I cut a long piece of fabric somewhere between 1 1/2 and double the size of the strap (I don’t remember exactly). I hemmed one long side and both short sides. I gathered the unhemmed side, folded it over, pinned/adjusted and then topstitched. Repeat for the other side. I hope that makes sense!

Fit? Fit is perfect for me! I made my normal pattern size. I just shortened the length of the pants a little bit when I did the hem.

Fabric choice? I used a blue and white with lemon print rayon from Harts Fabric. (I no longer see it on their website). It is so soft and has a lovely drape for this pattern. I forgot how tricky rayon can be to sew though. I used my walking foot and extra pins. Worked great! The pattern recommends heavier fabric but I think this pattern works great with a light fabric as well.

Anything to watch out for? Nope! Nothing comes to mind.

Would you make it again? Absolutely! I’m thinking maybe a linen or even a denim one next.

Rockport, MA

We were a little late in booking our trip to Salem so nearly every place to stay was booked up. We opted to stay about a half hour away on the coast in this cute little town called Rockport. I was so pleasantly surprised with our choice. The water and the streets were so picturesque. There’s a street that goes right down to the water just lined with shops. We strolled around for a bit, grabbed a fish dinner and ate some ice cream. Unfortunately everything closed very early so we weren’t able to go in some of the shops we wanted to. I think it’s because it was the off season for a coastal town.

Michael and I love visiting new towns and exploring around. I wish we were able to do it more but I’m always happy when we have a chance. I’m so glad we picked this town to stay in and I would definitely think about going back!

I was a little overdressed when the sun was shining but I was glad to have this sweater when the sun went down. I’m wearing all vintage or things I bought many years ago.

It’s just a bunch of Hocus Pocus!

Happy Halloween! Here’s a few more shots from our weekend in Salem. We went to the Ropes Mansion which was used as Allison’s house in Hocus Pocus. If you couldn’t tell, I really love that movie. We also visited Max’s house a couple years ago. There’s a few more spots around that were used in the filming that I haven’t been to yet. Anyway, I bought this coat on our first trip to Salem and it always reminded me of Allison’s coat in the beginning of the movie so it seemed fitting to wear it here. (Even if it was 80 degrees out…)

There’s a lot of history in this town. I’ve never been to any of the museums about the witch trials but we did visit the memorial and the cemetery next to it. Have you been to Salem? What’s your favorite part?

Pioneer Village

Pioneer Village was the first stop of our trip. We had been here once before but I wanted to go back again. The village was built in 1930 and shows what life might have been like in 1630. It was also used to film some of the scenes in the beginning of Hocus Pocus!

I wore this Halloween skirt I made last year. The fabric is Michael Miller and I love it so much. The pumpkins are very vintage inspired. I also wore my brooch from Luxulite. It even glows in the dark!

The skirt was a very simple pattern I drafted using Love at First Stitch. I think I’ve mentioned this book before. If you are thinking of starting to sew, I definitely recommend it!

Top: Forever21 (old) | Skirt: Made by me | Brooch: Luxulite on Etsy

 

All the Flowers Are For Me

I mentioned that I was going away for a quick trip. Well, we headed up to Massachusetts for a night. It was not enough time but it was fun to get away.

I love Salem. This was my third time visiting but my first time going to the Peabody Essex museum. I was really excited to see two exhibits there. “It’s Alive! Classic Horror and Sci-Fi Art from the Kirk Hammett Collection” and “All the Flowers Are for Me” by Anila Quayyum Agha. They did not disappoint! I’m a big fan of horror movies and 30’s- 50’s imagery so seeing all of those movies posters was amazing. I couldn’t believe how large and thorough his collection is. There were also some fun movie props there as well. The exhibit runs until November 26. And All the Flowers Were For Me was so beautiful. I’m so glad I was able to see it. That exhibit runs until April 1. If you are able to visit, I definitely recommend going!

I’ll be back soon with more from our trip!

Top: Cece (old) | Skirt: Ann Taylor | Necklace: Old Navy