Sew Thriftily: the @ Your Library edition!

Today is going to be a quick look at another way to sew thriftily. We've discussed thrift stores -- where you can look for fabric, notions, and yes, even books! And we've looked at the plethora of free sewing patterns to be found online. Then there is the concept of waiting for sales at your local fabric stores or favourite online shops.

But today's topic is your trusty local public library. Did you know that many libraries have sewing books in their collections? And that some of these are books that include patterns? Some lucky libraries even carry magazines like Burda! I wish mine did that.

These days, a big trend in libraries, at least in North America, is to have a Makerspace as part of the library. What's that? It's a place focused on making things, on experiential learning. And many Makerspaces (including my own) have sewing machines as part of their equipment. There's one in a Toronto library that I visited recently that even has a serger and an embroidery machine as part of the deal.

I've been very lucky at my library. Not only do we have sewing machines and a making-focused program team, we have some great sewing books in our collection.

Over the past year or two, I've taken out books like Gertie's Ultimate Dress Book, Breaking the Pattern (which I actually requested for purchase & the library bought -- you can do that at your library too!), and Kathleen Cheetham's Singer Perfect Plus, all with patterns to trace included, all from my own library.

Not only that, most libraries worldwide (except now for our province, don't get me started on our government cuts) offer Interlibrary Loan. I've taken good advantage of this over the years, and have requested many sewing books -- The Maker's Atelier, Wendy Ward's Beginner Guides to Making Skirts & Dressmaking, Love at First Stitch, and Chinelo Bally's Freehand Fashion, which helps you make your own patterns. Not even mentioning all the quilting, mending, embroidery and textile arts books that I've also found in libraries!

I encourage you to check out your library to see what's there; maybe you'll find something really inspiring. And don't forget to ask if something you want isn't on the shelf -- the librarians can usually find it for you somewhere.

Do you use your library for sewing resources? What have been some of your best finds?

Top 5 Reflections & Goals 2017

I'm finishing up this sewing year with some thoughts about 2017, and some of my goals for 2018.

First, some general reflections.

I was pretty busy overall this year with many things, and so didn't have tons of time to spend on my sewing. I really missed it, and need to stop getting so involved in unnecessary time-consuming things. As Danielle LaPorte says in her book The Fire Starter Sessions,

I also looked over my goals from last year, and I have semi-accomplished most of them. I did sew more from my stash this year -- I've only bought 2 new pieces of fabric in the last 3 months, for example, and both of those for specific projects. I've been enjoying finding forgotten treasures and using them. 

I watched a couple more of my Craftsy classes but then I also bought one more so I guess I'm still at the status quo there! But related to that I have kept learning new skills and finding new areas to fascinate me. And I did update this blog a little.

The one big fail from last year's goals was that I still have not made my husband anything at all. I have a Vogue waistcoat pattern adjusted to his size but have to cut a muslin and try it out now! Is that a 2018 goal? Maybe an unofficial one ;)

Photo by Mark Claus on Unsplash

******************

So after a year of uneven levels of sewjo and time to create, 2018 is going to be ALL about making.

Here are my 2018 Goals.

1. Analyze my personal style so I can streamline my pattern and fabric choices for the most efficient use of time and resources

2. Related: reorganize my sewing area. It's a mess right now, even more than I can stand with my high levels of mess tolerance ;)

3. To inspire myself, I joined in the "50 Yard Dash" sewalong challenge on PatternReview. The goal is to sew 50 yards (or metres) of stash in 2018. I like this challenge because it fits in with my desire to use my stash but is open ended enough to suit my dislike of preplanning!

4. I also joined the "Dress A Month" sewalong on PatternReview. Since I mostly sew dresses I feel that this will keep me on track schedule-wise with something I already love doing.

5. Spend more time on my textile arts projects -- my new obsession and something which is very creatively fulfilling.


Bonus: Enjoy! Don't feel guilt about sewing time, fabric or pattern stashes etc. Just enjoy creating.

Photo by patricia serna on Unsplash

Sewing Goals for 2016

Looking ahead to a New Year, I've been thinking about what I want to get out of my sewing in 2016. There are a few things, and I'm going to note them down here so I can keep reminding myself!

photo from Boston Public Library's Print Dept., via Flickr

Sewing Goals

1. Make the items that I've already thought about, and have already matched fabric and pattern so that they are ready to go! (maybe make a sewing project timeline? does this work for anyone?)

2. Try things that will teach me new skills. New "stretch" projects.

3. Apropos of the last point: watch more of my multiple Craftsy classes!

4. Get a better camera & learn more about photography

5. Keep on with embroidery projects to keep learning and improving

6. Something I need to get better at but don't feel the love for: Do My Mending. I have plenty of wearable items that just need a hem or a seam restitched or a quick fix. Just do it. 

7. Remember to enjoy it all.


Since I was super lucky when it came to sewing supply gifts at Christmas, I have lots to inspire me & keep new projects flowing. Sometimes I am just inspired by looking at what I have, which is why I am aiming to keep those supplies in an orderly and accessible manner this year, as well.

How about you? Any big goals this year?

The Mystery of the Missing Singer Skeleton Key

There's an old Singer machine in my mother's house, a beautiful treadle with a wooden cabinet. She's had it for years; it belonged to her stepmother, who bought it sometime in the early 30's, though we place it as a model from the late 1910's. When Granny Emma passed away, my mother was given the machine, as she was the one likeliest to use and/or appreciate it.

I remember it always being there in the house, though when I was younger, I didn't truly appreciate the beauty of it. Now I wish I could investigate it a little more closely -- there was so much I never discovered about it. I regret those incurious years!

Particularly because my mother just dropped this amazing fact in casual conversation: the cabinet has 2 rows of 3 drawers each, the bottom 2 of which are locked. The topmost drawers were able to be opened when my mother lifted the machine out and finagled the drawer open from the inside. They had a few used needles, a bobby pin, and a few bits and pieces of notion ends in it. Not much to see. But the drawers below have never been opened since Granny Emma's days.

In all her antique-shop travels, my mother has never found a key that fits this machine cabinet. Now that she's revealed this mystery to me, I am extremely curious! Is there anything in those drawers? Did Granny Emma tuck away something that no-one knows about? I guess I'll never know, well, unless we can find an old skeleton key that matches this machine. Has anyone else ever come across such a thing? Are there any secret key sources out there?

Knowing my step-grandmother, the drawers could either be empty and bland, her secrets kept forever; or, there could be fascinating little items tucked away at the back of a seldom-used drawer, revealing things about her life that I never knew. Which is it? This is a case for an intrepid girl detective. I'm going on a key hunt!

Farewell to Poetry Month!

April is Poetry Month ~I enjoy poetry and love to share it on my book blog throughout April. But as a farewell to Poetry Month 2014, I thought I'd share a few poetic links for all my sewing friends, too!

First off... here's a pattern for a Poetry Skirt I bought a few months ago, but haven't made up yet...I love the shape and the idea, but what poem should I use?

I've also found a few great poems this month that feature sewing and other handcrafts, some that were spectacularly beautiful. One of my favourites was The Water Seamstress by Nancy Willard, from her collection The Sea at Truro. It begins: 

The bride admires the pleats on the skin

of the sea. So smooth! So cool!

(read the rest here...)

And finally, there's the classic riff on Wallace Stevens' iconic 13 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird, written by the brilliant Erin at Dress a Day -- anyone who sews will appreciate this one, entitled Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Pattern. It is such a delight! I can only wish that Erin would make a print from this poem -- I'd love to buy one and have it hanging in my sewing room :) BTW, Erin has also written a wonderful novel for lovers of vintage clothing as well --

more info here

Hope you've enjoyed this detour through the poetry world! Do share any of your own favourites in the comments as I'd love to discover even more great sewing-related poetry.

Me Made May 14

I've heard rumblings and mentions of this project over the last year, but I was never quite sure what exactly it was. Now I know! It's a blog project hosted by Zoe of So, Zo, What Do You Know?

It's open to anyone who's interested. Here's how it works.

Me-Made-May'14 (MMM'14 for short) is a challenge designed to encourage people who sew/knit/crochet/refashion/upcycle garments for themselves to actually wear and love them… The participants decide the specifics of their own challenge pledge, so that the month is appropriate and challenging for them.

For the full details, check out Zoe's comprehensive sign-up post. And sign up there too, of course!

I've decided to join in this year, as I've been much more focused on my own sewing and the effects of wardrobe choices in the last while. I think I have enough choices to participate -- here is my pledge.


I, Melwyk of Magpie Makery, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '14. I endeavor to wear at least one handmade/refashioned item each day for the duration of May 2014.


I don't have quite enough to challenge myself in the same ways that some participants are: wearing something handmade with no repeats all month, or wearing only handmade items, for example. But as Zo says, it is a challenge to yourself, not a competition, and it's a way to wear and appreciate all that you make for yourself. I'm looking forward to it, and to sharing some of my outfits, too -- probably not daily, like some others, but a weekly round-up sounds like my speed. Hope to see some of you wearing "me made" in May!

March Recap of MAGAM Project

This is what I vowed to make in March, for the Make a Garment a Month project:

I was planning on making the dress, adding piping to the neck and sleeve edges, and lining the skirt (oh, and adding pockets of course).

I got all the way to the neck, and tried it on, and realized that I hadn't taken the advice of all the sewist reviewers on Pattern Review -- I'd forgotten to cut the neckline larger. Argh! I was strangulating in it! The thought of unpicking the facing AND the piping, resizing the neckline, recutting the facings and resewing it all was overwhelming. I put it aside for what turned into a couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, I decided to make a nice easy top to recover from this mishap (New Look 6217) Well, that top had tons of neckline issues as well! I finally finished it this weekend (photos to come) and decided that since I'd spent so much time on it I might as well turn to fixing the dress as well. So my March garment will be finished, soonish, once I get those facings recut. Whew! That was the biggest case of sewer's block I've had for a LONG time. Once I finish and post I will also be deciding on a late April MAGAM too. More to come..........

A Simple Peplum: 1666

I've been sewing, really I have! These last few weeks have been very busy though, so I've been slowing down on the sewing front. I decided to tackle a couple of items that have been unfinished for months, for no good reason other than my extreme distractibility in the face of new patterns... starting with this one, 1666, a Lisette from Simplicity.

I'd cut out the top in a heavier-weight houndstooth in the summer, and kind of lost my drive to finish it. Probably because of the back zipper which I was feeling a little afraid of at the time... But I picked it up again and got right to it this time around. The zipper was installed a little more messily than I'd have preferred, but not noticeably enough to redo it or not to wear this. The busy little print also helped the hide the wavery nature of the stitching ;) 

I'd originally chosen this pattern because the peplum flare is only at the sides, leaving the front and back panel flat. I thought that this would flatter my figure a little more than a full peplum. As it turns out, I really, really like it. 

This is how it turned out:

Front view with only a little wrinkly bit

Side view: it captures the spirit of a peplum
without adding 6 inches to my posterior - love it!

I really liked this one, although I need to do a little more fitting -- I'd love to make this again, and I want to try the dress as well. Now I know that I have to bring the waist up about a half inch, and adjust the princess seams above the bust as there is just a little too much ease at that point. Otherwise it was very easy to run up once I actually got back to it, and I like the way it fits. A really nice pattern to work with.

2014 Plans and Dreams

Well, it looks like many sewing bloggers are sharing their plans and goals for the upcoming year. I think that sounds like a good idea -- in thinking about what I want to accomplish, and joining challenges to encourage me to keep sewing this year, I have found that I'm getting lots more done!

So I'm going to continue this focus in 2014. My goals are:

1. Continue with the Make a Garment a Month challenge, and use some of my pattern and fabric stash that way!

2. Learn new techniques -- try patterns that aren't always 'easy' for me

3. Following from the point above, I'd like to take a class or two this year to learn correct techniques and tips for improving my skills.

4. Reduce my pattern and fabric buying and USE UP some of what I now have. I'm not going to ban myself from buying something new but will try to be more mindful of what I already have.

Once I finish my December dress for the MGM challenge I'll be jumping right in with some of these new directions too. Lots to do in 2014!

Make A Garment A Month: November Butterick

This is the second dress I chose to make for November's MGM challenge. It's Butterick 5923, a pattern that caught my eye because of the unusual cowl neckline with collar.

I loved the fabric that I used for this one, a polyester that was a bit heavy and falls nicely. Sewing this dress was actually quite easy. A number of steps but nothing difficult. I kind of got into the zone with this one, and enjoyed just working away on the many steps, one at a time, as they were all working out the way they were supposed to. Whew. But this meant that I forgot all about taking any "in progress" photos. I just kept sewing along...

This pattern has a stay, keeping the very drapey neck from resulting in any wardrobe malfunctions. I love it. I also love the collar but wish I had maybe put heavier interfacing in. It's okay but the right side needs pressing again to get it *just* right. Now I wish I'd done the stay in a contrast fabric, but... next time!

This one was straightforward to sew, measurements were pretty much right without much adjustment at all (just shortened one inch in the bodice), and steps were not complicated. The roll-up sleeves had tabs and buttons but I knew I would be wearing them permanently rolled so didn't bother making buttonholes, I simply sewed the button down on top of the tab when everything was done. Found the perfect buttons in my stash, too!

much better look at the fabric in this pic

I like the way it fits, although the pattern envelope stops at medium, so that is what this is all through. I'll add an inch to the skirt next go round as I find it just a touch too constricting when moving about actively. This fabric has absolutely zero give though, so perhaps with a more forgiving bit of stretch this would be fine. Of course, I added side seam pockets. They are strictly for keys or wee little things though, as you can see from my finished photo that having hands in pockets rather ruins the line of the dress! You can't quite tell from the photo, but it's hemmed to just above my knee. I think that is the perfect length, as I didn't want too much fabric to overwhelm me. The dress has an elastic waistband and a sash -- I think an obi style belt would look nice with it too.

I really like this one. Received a couple of compliments when I wore it today, which is always nice too. Though the fluorescent lighting in my office isn't exactly flattering, I wanted to get a quick snap to share the finished item!

Quick Stash Buster: Vogue 8634

This weekend I decided that I didn't have any really handy long sleeved t-shirts. I don't wear too many of such tops, and I don't make many either, but it's always nice to have one, especially as the weather gets colder. But I didn't want just a plain tee, no, I needed something a little extra in order for me to know that I'd actually wear it. In related news, I seem to be on a cowl neck kick lately...

So I went shopping in my stash, and finally matched up a pattern to a piece of knit that I've had for a few months. I only had about 1.25 metres so had to choose carefully. I decided on Vogue 8634, a pattern that has many positive reviews on PR, but which appears to be inconceivably out of print now.

With the busy print of the fabric I had, I also took the advice of another reviewer and taped the front pattern pieces together into one long piece. The topstitched seam is simply decorative, and I did not want to have to fuss to get this print lined up -- it was supposed to be a quick project!

It turned out to be a very quick project, 2 hrs all told. The knit I was working with was mercifully pliant (unlike my last project, which I'll be taking photos of and sharing here soon). Everything did what it was supposed to do, and despite my worry that it would be too snug around the middle it actually fit just fine once I actually tried it on. Thank goodness I didn't fuss with it too much. I made View B, with the long, wrist length sleeves of View C, but wore them scrunched up to 3/4 length most of the day. Works either way.

Wore it to work today and loved how comfy and warm it was. I'll definitely make this one up again; quick, comfortable and suiting my style, what more could I ask? It's nice to have an "insta-project" once in a while!

Here's a close up of the collar to get a look at how lovely the
 drape of this knit is. Very soft and pleasant to wear.

MGM Garment for November

I'm excited about joining Sarah Liz SewStyle's Make a Garment a Month sewalong... although thinking that I could get something done in 2 days in October was just a WEE bit ambitious ;)

So here is my 'official' joining post. This is what I intend to make in November for this challenge:

Butterick 5923

This is the dress I wanted to make in October, I had it cut out (mostly) but didn't get to it at all. I need to recut the collar which I messed up the first time by not paying attention to the orientation of the pattern piece, and then get this one sewn! I really love the fabric and hope it will turn out properly.

Sneak peek --

Kwik Sew 4026

This looks like a nice, simple dress with the kind of clean lines that make a really fun print stand out. I've had my eye on this fabric for a while, and then it went on sale last week -- a sign! Because my first choice is already cut out, this will be my official do-it-all-in-November selection. I'm planning on making View B, with the sleeve. Hoping to get these both done before the rush begins to finish all the Christmas sewing!

Through the Wardrobe, Part 2

And now for the third & fourth items I made for Sewing Pattern Review's Mini-Wardrobe Challenge...

Along with making the dress and cardigan I decided to make a skirt and a blouse. The skirt was intended to challenge my very basic skills -- I would have to insert a zipper and I also determined that I was going to add a lining. Somehow I've avoided these procedures for oh so many years ;)

I used New Look 8643, another pattern that I've owned for ages, for the skirt. Plus a brown floral print microfibre that I've had in my stash for ages and ages. You can't really see the floral here but it's a great embossed effect. I also, as usual, added side seam pockets. I love this skirt, even if there are a few flaws -- the first zipper I ever did worked out pretty well! Except there is a small gap where I mismatched the top of the zipper & the waistband, sigh. Not too noticeable though.

Love my brown skirt

A closer look at the full Sorbetto

Then I used my first ever downloadable pattern, the infamous Sorbetto tank top from Collette Patterns. I added sleeves though, thanks to this downloadable addition from Sew Incidentally, as I do prefer a bit of sleeve. I had to make a muslin first to adjust the fit, as I've noticed a few reviewers mentioning that the fit can be a bit wonky, depending on your own shape. I know I have to alter shoulders, neckline & length often, so I tested this one and found that I did indeed have to alter. I took up 3/4" between the shoulder and bust, and 1/2" in the underarm seam. I also added 1.5 inch to the overall length, but may shorten it by a touch. This was fun to try, but I really can't imagine making a complicated design via print-out-and-tape-together patterns. I don't know how people do it!

In any case, this project was really engaging and a lot of fun. Here is the final snapshot of everything all together. I like how each piece turned out, and the colour pallette too. Glad that I decided to give it a go and challenge myself as I get back into the sewing groove. 

Through the Wardrobe, Part 1

In August I joined Sewing Pattern Review -- it's a great website for anyone who sews. Really helpful and inspiring!

In September I participated in their monthly sewing challenge, the Mini-Wardrobe contest. The challenge was to sew 4 items that could combine to make 4 different looks. I'm a basic level sewist, but I thought it would be great to challenge myself and see if I could make 4 pieces of clothing in one month.

The contest is now closed, and my entry is posted there -- I actually finished!! I had a lot of fun doing this, and learned quite a lot. It was also great to get into the habit of doing some sewing regularly. Here are the first two of four pieces I chose -- part 3 & 4 coming up tomorrow:

Simplicity 2474

I have owned this pattern for a long time, and decided to make the dress and knit cardigan from this wardrobe. I had a lovely turquoise-y knit in my stash so used that for the cardi, which I love -- I think it's my favourite piece. The problem however, was that I had already cut a long slash in the knit in preparation for making a wrap, which looked horrible, so I wanted to repurpose the fabric. Fortunately when I laid it out, I just missed the slash!

Doh! Big hole in the fabric!

Finished deal, with dress
Soooo soft :)

And then I made the dress from the same pattern, using this shiny print that has just the same tone of blue as an accent. I added side seam pockets and cut the front on the fold, taking in an inch at the neckline, but otherwise didn't make any alterations.

Straight up

With a belt

This was a great challenge, and I love these new pieces. These two were the "easy" ones for me, very few alterations and they sewed up pretty quickly with no major problems ( if you don't count the sewing on of sleeve bands inside out and the resultant unpicking and resewing as very major...)

Tomorrow: pieces three and four...

6095 Stripes!

This is the latest dress I made, from one of the new patterns I picked up in The Great Pattern Haul that occurred recently...

At the same time that I bought a handful (or two) of new patterns, I found a lovely grey & multicolour striped linen-viscose blend on the sale table. It was cheap because there were a few random & unattractive slubs* in the fabric that would need to be avoided -- but I thought I could make it work, and I really liked the muted tones and soft feel of the fabric. It kind of reminds me of those Guatemalan pullovers that everyone wore when I was in university, but I wasn't going for that kind of hippie student vibe, so picked the clean lines of New Look 6095 to counteract any similarity.

This pattern gave me some difficulties. The aforementioned slubs were a bit of a problem, but I was able to either avoid them or get them into the seam allowances, except for one right on the hemline! Argh. And although I forgot to take any construction pics, I laid this one out pretty carefully to keep the stripes straight, which seemed to work, thank goodness! I also tried setting the sleeves in flat, which worked really well -- love the technique when possible.

Excuse the wrinkles, I took this picture
upon coming home from work

But, I seem to always have problems with sizing -- I chose size 16 according to my measurements, but the bodice is just way too big. Even the skirt feels slightly large. In fact, it was so roomy that I didn't even have to put in the zipper! (thus avoiding one of those Basic Skills Of Which I Am Afraid)

Still, it's not too big to wear, but again, I must belt it. Perhaps straight/a-line shifts just don't work for me, but I keep making them... In any case, I love the feel of this one on, even if it would be a bit more comfortable to have the bodice a little less shifty and slidey as I move. But if I toss on grey tights and a grey cardie, or my deep pink blazer which catches the tone of pink in the centre stripe (which I did this week), or my dusty blue corduroy jacket which is the exact tone of the grey-blue stripe, the wide neckline is both hidden and anchored, and this will work great as a multiseasonal dress.

One element that I am particularly proud of is the addition of in-seam pockets. I love a dress with pockets so added some cheery ones here. I repurposed most of an old linen blouse that I loved but that was worse for wear -- saved the buttons and used the brilliant blue for pockets, which worked wonderfully especially as they are the same weight as the dress fabric. I do love them. This was a pretty easy pattern overall, though, and now that I can see (and hopefully fix) some of the sizing issues, maybe I'll try again.

*Slub: A characteristic often associated with contemporary linen yarn is the presence of “slubs”, or small knots which occur randomly along its length. In the past, these slubs were considered defects associated with low quality. The finest linen had very consistent diameter threads, with no slubs.  Today, however, the presence of slubs is considered appealing, and fashion dictates that even the finest linens have these slubs (via http://oecotextiles.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/linen/ )

Seems Suitable

Today's look features Butterick 5217, Misses Tops, view C.

I don't make a lot of tops, generally sewing dresses as my first choice. But I had a really nice scrap of lightweight men's suiting that I wanted to use and thought it would make a great shirt. The fabric is soft and light, a mix of dark and light brown with black and even a smidge of navy blue in there.

I decided I had just enough for this top -- but actually there was not quite enough, as I ended up making the inside back yoke of plain black cotton and having to bias bind the underarm with black bias tape rather than self bias...but since I mostly wear it with this sweater that doesn't matter too much.

Excuse the wrist brace, all that sewing you know!
 At least it matches...

You can notice the black bias
tape on the underarm area here

I like it a lot -- it's comfy and the fabric has a nice shimmer to it. This pattern, however, fits very large. The yoke and bust fit correctly, as I cut it to size at that point, but it really poofs out, thanks to all those square pleats, front and back. Perhaps it was because of my heavier fabric, but I find the back to be quite "sticky-outie" and if I make this again I'll likely reduce the fullness to only one centre pleat. But I like wearing this and always get a comment or two about the fabric when I do :) The yoke actually fits me, it is just pulling oddly in the picture below because of the weird way I am standing...

Here I am auditioning for the
front of a pattern envelope

So, overall a top that I like, but to make again I would choose a much drapier fabric and take in the fullness a bit. Don't really need a maternity top to add to my wardrobe!

Black Out!

I made this dress (McCalls 3926-- now out of print) quite a long time ago, using a length of cotton that was gifted to me. I never really wore it much.

I see now that it's because with its black colorway and cotton fabric, it looks like a Mennonite dress (especially when I had long hair which I wore in a braid...).

Plus I never really liked how the neckline sat on me originally. But, in re-evaluating some of my dresses, I wondered if I could fuss with this one a little to make it more wearable.

I just needed a quick hem -- taking off just over 7 inches -- and lo and behold, it is wearable, and I think quite cute now! I'm still not sure about the neckline though. I like it except when I try to carry my purse or anything else, then it all goes wonky. But perhaps that is because it's made of a fairly stiff cotton rather than something a little more flexible. If I decide to keep it I think I might open up a side seam and insert a pocket -- always useful.

PS - Excuse my crazy look in the photo: my husband was getting rather tired of taking multiple pictures of me in different dresses and was starting to pretend he was a fashion photographer, yelling "work it!" at me as people walked by. I had to laugh...

Repeat of a Favourite

I've made this New Look 6936 before, in a completely different fabric. I really liked the way it fit, and the way that the fabric choice really makes the dress. It's a simple pattern, really a 2 hour dress as claimed on the packaging! But this time I read through all the reviews at PatternReview.com (a necessity for anyone who sews a lot, I think -- extremely useful).

Through the reviews I discovered some tips from others' experience. There is a lot of  ease in the bodice; I find in my first attempt, the shoulders are really wide and sometimes slide around, showing off my bra straps -- not that I mind but I have scandalized some of the old ladies at work ;) So like another sewist suggested, this time I cut the bodice a size 12 while leaving the skirt a 14. It fits much better.

I found this shiny knit fabric on sale a while back and hoped that it wouldn't be too busy to make a whole dress from. It is a bit wild, but I like it. I made View E this time. I'll most likely make one or two more dresses from this pattern. It's really easy and I like how easy and comfortable it is, though the next time around I'm going to add an inch or so to the length of the bodice so it sits a little lower. And I'm going to add a pocket. But I still like this quick, one morning project!

Two views of the finished product: