Sewing Goals For the rest of the week

Here are 3 women's tops I hope to complete this week:

 

1. Patterns For Pirates Women's Raglan

2. Skinny B*tch Curvy Chick Tonic 2

3. Love Notions Laundry Day Tee

All 3 are PDF patterns from Independent designers, printed and ready to go. 

Grandpa Cardi

Everyone is making these!
Patterns For Pirates Grandpa Cardigan in cotton/lycra. 

This is the banded tunic length version with 3/4 banded sleeves. 

I graded the pattern 1 size down in the hips.
Length adjustment: 1" shorter in the underarm, 2" shorter in the waist. 

Shortened and widened the button band.

Great Cardi option for larger sizes, sized for knits. 

Still undecided on buttons or snaps closure. 

 

Love the crisp button band and neck binding

I am definitely planning on making this again, since the pattern includes many versions and options:

 

New Rhythmic Gymnastics Leotard - work in progress

I usually don't post pics of work in progress, but this one has been on a back burner for a while and I need some motivation.
Based on a new Jalie Pattern 3356, which they call Rhythmic Gymnastic Dress.
It's a great foundation pattern piece for complicated full body applique and here is why: the top and skirt are cut as one piece (one each for front and back) and the brief is sewn in at waist, which is great for accommodating short/long torsos.
Also features an invisible zipper closure and finger loop on sleeves.

Here is what I have so far, while I'm still playing around with applique placement.

 I always cut full length foundation piece and cut away when necessary after applique placement.

I use a rotary cutter   and free hand to cut curves, so there are not always exactly where I sketch them out.




















Here are Jalie versions:

Another quick sewing project

This pattern is from That Darn Cat, purchased from You Can Make This online years ago, and this is the pattern I come back to most.
I love this because you get to use up all the little scraps of cotton-lycra and cotton jersey prints you've been hoarding saving!

Kids love it because there are no side seams and no elastics that can irritate.

This version features plush fold over elastic, 1.5" wide, cotton lycra print and cotton ribbing.

Some more. I used interlock, cotton lycra, ribbing - basically any knit fabric with some stretch you have left over from other projects.

I always use a rotary cutter and a small cutting mat for these - it cuts down on time (pun intended!)
And there are only 2 main pieces to cut!

Independent Sewing Patterns Sew-a-thon

I recently found an interesting topic on SewingPatternsReview board: Latest Independent Pattern Releases (for the record, independent patterns are the ones not produced by the 4 big commercial pattern companies in North America).
The thread was full of information about designers, websites, etc.
Of course, I had to check out all of them!
And the following patterns ended up on my shopping list:

Patterns For Pirates

-Women's Henley : so many options, what a great value of a pattern!
-Yo-Ho Henley
-Women's Raglan with add on
- Peg Legs
-Grandpa Cardi

Stitch Upon A Time 
Scrundlewear and Goldilegs - great pair of stretch jeans/pants with a comfort band
 I already own:
Boxerwear
Kids Boxerwear
(see a pattern)

1 Puddle Lane - this was an entirely new company to me!
Miss Ruby Tuesday Dress - what a versatile pattern with a great number of options for neck, sleeve, length etc.

Peek-a-Boo Patterns
Gloria Dress with skirt options

Here are some of the results so far:

Patterns For Pirates Women's Henley:
Great Pattern, but the cotton lycra knit (medium weight ) I used was a little too heavy.
Will definitely use this pattern again.

Stitch Upon A Time Scrundlewear
Obviously...it's pink...and purple and features Hello Kitty - it's a win/win/win

Peek-a-Boo Patterns Gloria Dress

(modeled by a very reluctant preschooler in a foul mood)
I used the circle skirt add on an added a nylon chiffon ruffle.
Rolled hem and sleeves and fold over elastic at the neck.

Will be making many more of these!