What’s Wrong with this Picture?

Are you kidding me??!!?  Okay, so I’m not in control of my life like I so desperately think I need to be.  But really!  Is it so much out of control that I can’t even sew in a sleeve in the proper direction! 

To make a long story short, my parents live out of state but they have been living with us since the end of March while my dad had part of his lung removed and is now going to chemo treatments once a week and radiation five days a week in Salt Lake.  Yes, I am his taxi driver, cook, and laundress.  To add to that, I am my mother’s primary caregiver right now as she is disabled.  I’m not making excuses, mind you, but a little justification for such a silly mistake helps me convince myself that I am a more competent seamstress than I actually am.  Just a word to the wise – when you’re stressed and in a hurry, don’t tackle any sewing that requires your full attention.  Thankfully the sleeve is basted in and the seam has not been pressed, so it should be a quick fix.  It did give me a good laugh once I got over the dismay.  I’m sure nobody else makes such careless mistakes?

One of these days I will have this dress complete and will write a pattern review.  It truly is any easy pattern no matter how difficult I make it appear.

Simplcity 3790

I made this top (view B) about a month ago, but forgot to post it on my blog! I’ve worn it a number of times since completion and I really like it. I used ITY knit that I purchased about six months ago.  I purchased it either from Gorgeous Fabrics or Denver Fabrics, I don’t remember which.  Guess I should start labeling my fabric stash.

The pattern sizing seems to run just a bit large.  I made it in my usual size 12 (for tops), but after wearing it a couple of times, realized that I should cut a size 10.  Perhaps I will make a sleeved version in the fall and will use the size 10 instead.  Oh well, it is not so big that I can’t wear it.  I just prefer my knit tops to be slightly more form fitting.
The pattern is labeled easy and it truly is.  With my serger, it went together quickly.  The most time consuming portion of sewing, was adding bias binding as a finishing along the front crossover piece.  Here’s a shot of what that looks like on the inside:

Basically because I’m impatient (making narrow hems on knits is time consuming), I used my serger to make a narrow rolled hem on the sleeves.  Here’s a close up:

Vogue 1250

This popular dress was reviewed a number of times on PatternReview.com .  And after reading Adrienne’s blog I knew I had to make it.

I have too many bumps and bulges to wear a solid, form-fitting dress so I chose this terrific ITY print from Denver Fabrics.  It camouflages body flaws quite nicely!!
I cut my usual pattern size 14 and made no alterations at all.  It is a perfect fit.  I followed the pattern instructions as written, except I added one step.  For the life of me, I can’t understand why a designer pattern would leave an unfinished edge inside the garment.  Yes, I realize knit won’t ravel, but how unfinished looking!  The top edge of the cowl neck (referred to in the instructions as the front self facing) just hangs inside the garment without a finished edge.  I used my serger to sew a narrow rolled hem.  Here’s a picture:
Since it is a lightweight, unlined knit garment, I used a four-thread overlock stitch on my serger to finish all other inside seams:
I really like this dress and the confirmation of what a great pattern it is, was when I received a number of positive comments at church yesterday.