 We just got slapped with a hot spell here so it jump started me right into summer sewing. When it climbs into the 90's I grab for the loosest, softest dress I can find in my closet. I'll be adding a few Morrison dresses to my closet for these days and this is the first.  I'm sewing largely from my stash since we are in quarantine (and really I should sew this stuff up, right?) and I chose this liquidy soft cotton/rayon/spandex jersey from GirlCharlee fabrics (and yes they are shipping right now!) It's a perfect pick for this pattern since it's medium weight, has a nice drape and cute print. I cut a size 6 top and a size 8 skirt and blended the two together at the waist. Generally, when I make a Morrison top in a stretchy knit I make a size 6 (so it doesn't look too boxy), in a woven I make an 8 and the dress I always cut a 8 skirt. I added a strip of interfacing at the pocket openings so they don't stretch out of shape but otherwise I made it just like the instructions and finished it in one sitting of about 2 hours. I got going early today because I love the days when I have something new to wear especially since I spend so much time at home. It's the little things, right?  Next, I think I'll take the Morrison top pattern and lengthen it about 12" to make a simple t-shirt dress for these scorching days. I'll share soon!
I hope you are all healthy! Diane
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 A lot of unselfish going on over here, believe it or not, because I have the whole gang home. My daughter came home to work remotely during the quarantine so I have her here for fittings and inspiratiion. I've been able to make some pieces for her and also finish a pant muslin (I've yet to find fabric for those so more on that later) but today I get to share a jacket I made for when she goes back to work.  This is McCall's 7693, a pattern I've had in my stash since a former student of mine made it and it turned out so cute! This is a simple loose fitting lined jacket with a straight peplum. I made it up in this poly/rayon blend suiting with a light pinstripe. It's the perfect fabric for this pattern because it allowed me to play with the direction of the stripes, has good drape and presses well.  I cut both the collar and peplum on the bias and the rest of the jacket on the straight grain. I have an entire bolt of this fabric so I had plenty to play with while I decided the layout (you'll be seeing a few other projects in this fabric - wink, wink). This pattern was fun to make, went together easily and, with the lining, it was really a satisfying make. The first sewing step in any project for me is staystitching and I knew since I was cutting so much of this on the bias, it was really important. But I missed one side of the peplum facing and I didn't discover it until I went to put the facing on the jacket. You can see in the first photo how much it stretched! Because it was the facing, I was comfortable just cutting it even with the front instead of recutting the entire piece. I'm happy with how it turned out. Whew! The pattern instructions call for the majority of the lining to be hand sewn in, but I knew I'd be much happier with it if I machine sewed as much as possible. I machine stitched the entire lining together including the sleeves and peplum facing, stitched it to the jacket all the way around the neck and bottom (in a modified bagged lining technique) leaving just a small corner to hand sew (the left pic). I bagged the sleeves and and closed the sides and it was done! I didn't have enough of one lining for the entire jacket so I cut the sleeves in something different. This is quarantine sewing so I made it work and honestly, I probably wouldn't notice and it felt really good to be using what I had. This is a great first lined jacket pattern for those who are ready for a new challenge. I highly recommend this pattern!  Although I'm happy to have my crew home. no one is happier to have everyone here than Miss Hazel.
I have more projects to share soon! Happy sewing, Diane  Hey Friends! In this trying time, let's pull together and help each other! So many people, businesses and families are greatly affected by the current pandemic. In an effort to support small business owners I will be using 100% of the SALES of my latest pattern, The Morrison Top and Dress PDF pattern to purchase goods and products by other indie makers! Pattern designers, small fabric stores (yes, many are still shipping!), makers, artists and more can use our talents to help each other. How can you help support other makers? Join in by doing the same with your own sales, purchasing goods from other makers and promoting this on social media and tagging your fellow makers! I wish you all health and wellness now and always! Diane  |
About MeHi! I'm Diane, a wife, mom, sewing teacher and pattern designer from sunny Southern California. I share my sewing adventures here on the Blue Dot Blog formerly Gatorbunnysews. For more info click here. 
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