Denim done right

Good day wonderful people. It's been a few weeks since I posted an item, so I figured it was about time that I kick my sewing into high gear. I currently have 3 projects going all at the same time, which is quite rare for me. Anyways, the first one finished is this lovely number:

 This pattern is wonderful, wonderful, did I say wonderful already? Simplicity 8014, which I can't seem to find the pattern on the Simplicity website, since they have changed things up a bit. The pattern is described as "Shirt dress pattern for miss and miss petite features full length dress with collar and long sleeves, knee length dress with slim or flared skirt, and mini dress with collar and shirt tail hem." And that pretty much sums it up. Who needs a shirt dress in their wardrobe? Me!!!! (raises hand)

 Ok, so here are the details. I started this dress about 3 weeks ago. I purchased the denim from JoAnn's fabrics, which actually came out pretty cheap, with a coupon, of course. It's about a 7oz denim and I was pretty afraid that it would be too heavy for this dress, but it's actually perfect; not too light and not too heavy. The fabric recommendations are challis, chambray, cotton, denim, linen, pique, poplin...you get the idea. I chose to do View D with sleeves from View C. Again... I was worried that the fabric would be too thick for rolled tab sleeves, but it all worked out. Sorry guys, it was only 31 degrees out today, so I didn't take any pics of the sleeves rolled up, but here are some flat shots:

The only changes that I made to the pattern was the shorten the length about 2.5 inches (I just used the petite lines), shortened the sleeves. I cut a size 6 and graded out to a size 8 in the hips, but I think next time I will cut a straight size 6. The pattern included the pattern pieces for a belt, but I think it looks great without one.

I even put in a small fabric label

 The pattern was extremely easy to do. There were no head scratching moments at all during the process. I didn't exactly follow the instructions, but I did glance at them from time to time. I think that's a sign that I'm getting "good" at this! Wow. The only thing that I'm unhappy about is how I constructed the collar stand. I can never get it as neat as I would like, so if anyone has any good references to suggest, I would highly appreciate it.

This pattern is a for sure TNT for me. I can see versions of linen, pure cotton and another light weight denim in my future. Even though I started 3 weeks ago, I can say that this was a fast make. The holidays are to blame for my lack of sewing mojo. I feel stylish, on trend and a total hottie when I'm wearing this, which is exactly how I like to feel in my clothes.

In other news, I am totally excited about my next 2 patterns:

Simplicity 8058  and 8060.

I'm loving Simplicity's PreSpring patterns. I have the jumpsuit started and the fabric for 8058 ordered.

Stay tuned for more...



Until next time