Uncategorized - Curvy Girls are Chic

Uncategorized/ June 10, 2015August 22, 2015

First Watson Bra Creation

Facebook keeps reminding me I have not posted in a while .. so here goes..

Generally I take a group of photos of certain projects I am working on. This Watson Bra is one of them. I have followed Amy for quite sometime intrigued by her self-taught creations of bra making. Her posts are amazing and I am not sure how she finds the time.

We (her followers) have asked her for the longest while when she would grace us with a bra creation and she did in January. I obtained my pattern and began sewing it in February.

Its quite a quite sew and her directions are a bit through although I missed the part on how much plush strap elastic to measure so I had to guess. Unfortunately it was a bit too much. Anyway below you see the various pieces I have noted.

I choose to create the long line version.. its something about long-line bras to me that creates a beautiful silhouette and slims your upper body. They are also quite comfortable.

Pattern Layout of the Cups; the pattern provides the sizing as well as some other measurements.

This is the bridge; the supporting portion of a bra

This is the powernet band; this supports your breasts and attaches in the back. The larger the breasts the stronger the powernet should be.

Powernet band attached to the Bridge

Top stitched sides

Sewing the cups together

Cup Topstitching

Elastic keeps the cups tight as well as provide decoration

Where the cups are attached to the bridge. Very simple zig-zag sewing

Completed Set! panties and bra (the pattern includes panties as well — most patterns do not include that so its a real plus)! The left looks a little wavy but I think I just pulled it too tight when I was sewing.

Conclusion:

Over all this is a great bra pattern especially since a panty pattern comes with it. I found some pros and cons with this..

Pros: Its a pdf pattern that really I do not remember taping anything together, my size is all on separate sheets (winning). Its a multi-size pattern and it’s an easy sew with clear directions and the price is right for two patterns!

Cons: Although it goes to size H, I do not find it very supportive for myself. While I am only a D cup I like the true support of an underwire. Its a good bra to have when around the house etc. But I am not sure I could wear with most of my garments as I do like lift with my bras.

The fabric came from Needles and Nook – Ann St. Clair who is the owner and you would be best calling her about kits. This it was a mere $20 and it included everything you needed except plush elastic. That’s an excellent price for a bra kit, I still have fabric left over to make another.

Unfortunately this came out way to big for me! I am not sure if it were the fabric or my misguided measuring or what the issue. I followed Amy’s directions for measuring but it still came out big 🙁 I decided to sew my usual size and that came out close to perfect! Will I sew again — yes I already have I will post that at a later date 🙂

BTW if you are interested in learning how to create your own bras, I have a bra making group on Facebook just follow the link here: BraMaking 101

DIY/ May 13, 2015August 22, 2015

Mothers Day 2015 New Look 6130

I am such a slacker lol Blogging is a lot of work! But if I want to grow my blog I must be more consistent.. Last blog entry was January and that is soooo not acceptable.. However I have quite a few posts in cue and I promise to become more consistent! If you have tips for me please share I would love to hear them!

Anyway! Happy Belated Mother’s Day to all the mother’s, soon to be, and those that have stepped in to fulfill the mother role! You are loved!

My baby boy came down for Mother’s Day to visit and I was ever to happy! I had all you can eat brunch and mimosas set up at Zengo’s in DC (You know foo foo food) and he hated it LOL I myself enjoyed it. Although he told me it was ok I will be more mindful next time to choose a place we both like this was not I!

He decided to snap me while moving the food out the way lol

As you can see this is a black and white top made with a cotton gauze fabric made by JCrew. I used New Look 6130 ..

Full Outfit view with linen pants also New Look 6271

It was dark on the first floor but I decided to post it anyway lol

My baby boy who is 24 🙂

They gave all the mothers roses for Mother’s Day 🙂

Pattern Review – New Look 6130 and 6271

Pattern Description: New Look 6130 – Misses’ Sportswear. Misses’ peplum top with neckline and sleeve variations, slim pants, pencil skirt and tie belt.

New Look 6271 – Misses’ Skirt in Three Lengths and Pants or Shorts

Pattern Sizing: I cut a 12 for the 6130 and a 14 for the 6271.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes just like the photo!

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes for the most part, both are straight forward and easy to follow.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Nothing the are both great basic staples.

Fabric Used: For the top I used a cotton gauze one piece had dominating white flowers and the other piece has black dominating flowers. Both pieces are black and white made by JCrew that I had in my stash. The fabric for the pants are linen and I made them last year.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I did widen the waist a bit, why I do not know because its too big. The fabric needed a heavier weight interface at the neckline b/c the opening flops instead of lying flat. The pants I would add pockets in the future because I kept trying to put things in the pockets and weren’t any 🙁

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes I would. Both patterns are pretty basic and you can create in any color almost any fabric. Basic and easy pieces.

Conclusion: Great basic pieces!

If you like this let me know!

Suggestions on blogging I want to know that too!

Clutch Bag: Authentic Alligator skin by Juliette Jake

Shoes: COACH heels from Bloomingdales

Sunnies: CHANEL aviators

DIY/ January 29, 2015August 22, 2015

Sweater Coat — Burda Style #113

Hello Fam!

Here is a cure sweater coat I made a few months back from Burda Style #113. This pattern is extremely easy to create. With putting the pattern together, cutting and sewing I would say it took about three hours.

I did make a few alterations to the pattern. I cut the small size and it was still swimming on me so I curved the waist area a bit so it would not be so boxy. I would also suggest measuring the sleeve in the bicep area as this sleeve is created on the slim side. This fabric did not have much stretch too it as it was some kind of woven tweed knit I obtained from Mood Fabrics on sale.

Its very versatile though and you can wear it with almost anything. While they suggest about 4 yards of fabric, I did not use my full 4 yards and had quite a bit left over.. Which can be annoying as I don’t like throwing large scraps a way.

I love the high-low part of it and it can be dressed up or down with jeans and as I have it on here a cute skater skirt and knee boots..

Thanks more to come 🙂

DIY/ January 27, 2015August 22, 2015

Cute Leather and Wool Skater Skirt McCalls 6842

I fell over the moon with this cute skater skirt that Beaute J’adore made last year. I had the leather and wool for sometime but I did not make it until this season. I am soooo glad that I did. I found that this pattern ran very big for me and I had to trim it down several times. I did make mine a bit longer than the pattern as I am bottom heavy and it just looks better than thigh skimming..

It looks perfect with high boots and I have not had the opportunity to wear with otherwise..

No additional alternations to the pattern but I added about 3 inches to the hem..

Sweater: Ann Taylor “Old”

Necklace: J Crew “Old”

Boots: Not sure

Uncategorized/ January 26, 2015August 22, 2015

September 2014 Open House at McCalls HQ

Hello Fam….

I know its been a while and this post is long over due lol and I thought about writing about this everyday! Dern! it I am finally getting the opportunity to sit down and write about it.

So as a blogger and follower of McCalls Pattern Company I got invited to an Open House / Tour of the company! I was so excited to be able to visit one of the oldest pattern companies and see the actual in’s and out’s of the organization. I got to view where the patterns are actually created and graded. We saw the actual samples of garments and some even got to try them on!

The best part was meeting some of the bloggers I have followed for quite a while and meet new bloggers! We received a tote bag full of goodies and free patterns and there were giveaways in which I did not win *bummer!* I also met a few of the actual pattern designers, marketing reps, and the social media guru Meg! Which I had met a few other times.. it was a great time and I hope they have an Open House again.. I would be there!

Here are a few photos from my adventure below….

This is a photo of the Brooklyn Bridge that I captured from my cab on the way there.. dude was driving on 5,000 lol

Another bridge photo…

I can’t remember her name but she was showing us actual sewn samples that you see on the pattern envelopes and the pattern spreads..

This adorbs lil lady is Oonaballoona! she is a fabulous sewer — mostly of out of box and un-traditional style.. So New York Style so her! She is as adorable in person as her blog!

This is the first time meeting Peter Lappin who made that adorable blazer he had on.. I wanted it for myself! There is another blogger next too him but I am not sure of her name.. sorry!

Guess what this is! Its the famous Fabric Closet.. I died and went to heaven in here!

This is a vintage sample dress sewn next to the most fabulous drawing!

While this little guy — Swatch was not at the Open House he is a resident of Mood Fabrics that I frequent when I go to New York!

Just a photo outside one of the fabric stores..

And this dude (I think) was found in Dakota Trimmings.. he/she is a big one!

Thanks for reading this post more to come!

Love ya XOXO *mauh*

DIY/ November 14, 2014August 22, 2015

Red Cape – Fall is Over Simplicity 1775

Urgh the weather, photographer issues I just can’t get this picture thing right 🙁

Anyway — this is the cape that was suppose to be created at the Needles and Fashion North Carolina Meet-up but I was working on a different project. I obtained this piece of red wool from JoAnn’s. The cape came out perfect trimmed in leather, but I was not really happy with the performance of the wool.

The Jeans in this post were created along the same time as the cape and those details are found here

The cape was pretty simple to create but its quite plain if you follow the instructions given. I decided to change it up with leather carriers and belt, a huge black button, and Black Bamberg paisley lining. Unfortunately the camera died so the photos are limited 🙁