Lisette blouse top

It's still summer, still warm & humid. But I think... yes, it's starting to cool down some (just a little). I will take that as a sign autumn will soon arrive! I love the change in seasons, I like switching out my wardrobe and bringing out seasonal decorations. Sometimes I find season appropriate projects to work on or even some holiday gifts.
Well I had been waiting for a while to sew a blouse top by Lisette patterns (by Simplicity). I don't know why I waited so long ~ perhaps I felt the project would be daunting. Well surprise, surprise - it wasn't! It was one of the better patterns I've worked with when it comes to sewing clothing.

Lisette pattern #2211

Now when you make clothing, you pick a size according to your measurements. I decided to go for size 14 on this one. Only after I got it together did I realize... I could have gone down to a size 12. Sometimes you only learn by trial and error! I did a tuck in here and there (at the shoulders & sides) and it fits just fine. I used 100% cotton fabric for my top, which sometimes can make clothes a bit boxy. But some cottons are more light weight, so it depends on the fabric you pick and what it's made from. The pattern suggested anything from cotton to linen would be just fine. 

Lisette blouse top, finished

I bought a bunch of the Lisette patterns at a pattern sale (at my local JoAnn's). I'm so happy I did since I can no longer find a few of their patterns online anymore. I snagged some patterns for clothing: pants, shorts, skirt, long and short sleeve tops, dresses. They also had a pattern for several different sized bags, so I picked that also. Although I make bags for my etsy shop (found here at sewingB on etsy) I swear they are the hardest thing to sell! And I love to make them ~ maybe I just need to gift them to my friends as presents, hmm?

My next project might be a Simplicity skirt! I'm torn between another clothing project of maybe a small bag or clutch? Honestly, I have fabric just sitting around waiting to be sewn into stuff. 

possible next project?

I'm still selling handmade items in the local boutique in my city. I hope to pop in shortly and see how my necklaces are selling. I also have new things to bring in, see if the owner would put them on commission. I've been stitching these doodle sketches on fabric, then leave them on the hoop. That way I can add pretty ribbon and a person could hang them up to display. I'd like to bring in four total, so far I have a finished Doe and am working on a Bluebird. 

stitched Doe

I hope everyone has been having a relaxing summer and are looking forward to a new season! I might do a sale in my etsy shop soon, not certain yet ~ I will keep you posted! 

Lisette dress ~ the first of many

Let me say from the start - I've been sewing since I was a little kid. I grew up with it, I've learned from many family members. So I do have experience in trying to sew clothing and zippers and such. But these patterns are by far the best ones for a novice! They have clear instructions, pointers and are really well put together. My downfall is often the arm holes of a top or dress - but not with this pattern. So before I share the finished dress, I have some pointers on sewing clothes ~ I hope they are of help!

Lisette pattern 2245 ~ Dress B ~ dusty rose fabric and ivory with tree branches

~ Always wash the fabric you intend to use, because it can shrink or the colors could even bleed (just follow suggested washing instructions)

~ I'd suggest reviewing the instructions a few times. If you have questions about a step many patterns have a webpage now with an Q's page.

~ Not sure about what size pattern for your measurements? Ask an associate at the fabric store, consult with a friend or even try the patterns webpage for assistance.

~ Don't forget to buy your notions! Notions are thread, buttons, zippers, interfacing - almost all patterns will say on the back "notions" that are needed.

~ Have a fun, it's a project! I take a long time to do my patterns now so I don't mess up as much. Plus, I greatly enjoy a new seamstress challenge.

~ Be creative in solving problems that might arise. For this pattern {after I had it all washed} I learned my fabric hadn't been cut to the right length. I had to improvise so the middle was 2 pieces instead of 1.

Ok already, to the reveal! I made dress B from Lisette pattern 2245. It ended up being much shorter then dress A {which surprised me, but I'm also 5' 7" in height}.

Me and my dress (winterized!) 

So this finished dress I will probably wear leggings or tights under it when its not cold outside. And I did have one problem arise - the guy that cut my fabric didn't measure it correctly! I thought something was off with my ticket, which I told an associate. They had to go back and redo it twice to get it correct. Even then it wasn't until I got home, washed it and laid it out to cut - it was too short! I improvised and made the middle piece (meant to be one) into two pieces (sewn in the middle).

 I purchased these other Lisette by Simplicity patterns

And these are a few of my fabrics I have picked for my future Lisette clothes. 

I adore these patterns, I'm in love with them. Here is the Lisette website which also has a great little blog to follow! I hope to dive into that adorable yellow top on their homepage next. The above picture, the pink fabric (has rosebuds on it) is going to be that top. I'm just a little too excited to sew clothing that fits me *and looks good too!* 

------- Side note -------- Thank you for stopping by, visiting my wee Etsy shop {please, buy my "out with the old stuff" seriously, it needs to go!} and sharing comments and your page links. I'm not a big blogger {as you can surely tell} and I don't blog often. I have few followers, even on my Facebook page few people ever respond to me. But it's all in good fun and it's enjoyable. I'm an at-home seamstress/crafter/artisan. I tend to our pets, our home, sometimes volunteer and hubby works full time for us. I don't work outside the home because I have something called Fibromyalgia {Fibro for short}. It's annoying, bugs me all the time and can make it very difficult to commit to or even have a social life at times. So thanks for allowing me a fun little outlet online, for making new friends and having fellow crafters to chit-chat with (✿◠‿◠)