Kids, Colors, and Sewing

There was a variety of  activities this week.  I went to my grand-nephew's first birthday party.  His name is Chase, and he is a wonderful little boy.

Chase enjoying his party

Joe, Max, and I rode up to look at fall colors with Larry and his wife Karen.  Hope Valley is only an hour from where we live.  It is always a pretty place.  We like to camp there.  However, this day it was just for a picnic and picture taking.

Post Card Pretty

Joe and Max enjoying the scenery

I also finished my Simplicity 7330 shirt.  I really like this pattern.  There is no hand sewing and the collar is quite simple. It looks 50s or 60s retro, even though the pattern is from 1991.
I like this pattern so much, I am going to make a shirt for Joe with it as my next project.

Retro shirt

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Simplicity 7330 Shirt

I found some material with an interesting pattern just right for a short sleeve shirt.  One problem with buying material at a thrift store is you don't always get the yardage presented.  The tag on the material read 2 1/2 yards.  I decided I could make another McCalls 3 hour shirt in a short sleeve.  However, when I opened up the material at home, it was exactly 2 yards.  What to do now?   I looked through my stash and found a Simplicity 7330 pattern which is also represented as a 3 hour shirt.  It needed 2 yards.  I thought great, and started cutting.

Speaking of cutting,  My friend Larry gave me a rechargeable cutter called Zip Snip.  It worked great for cutting the material.  I can't believe how much easier than scissors this cut the material.

Simplicity 7330

The Zip Snip on the shirt material.

Fits my hand perfectly.

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Simplicity 4760 Pants Review

I put the finishing touches on my new Simplicity 4760 pants.  I sewed them with my vintage Kenmore and I overedged the seams with my Brother 523 overedge machine.

I think they turned out great.  They are comfortable and fit well.  The extra pockets are great for a cell phone or other extras.

I would definitely make these again keeping in mind I had to take some material out of the legs otherwise they would have been baggy.  Also, I had to add a few inches to the waistband like another reviewer did on pattern review.

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Simplicity pants pockets

 I have been working on the pockets on my Simplicity 4760 pants.  The instructions have been clear.  I originally wasn't going to put on the side pockets.  But after seeing how small the front pockets were, I decided I better in case I wanted to carry a wallet.

Unfinished view

 When I first tried them on they looked baggy in the legs.  I took two inches out of each pant leg to make them look proper.

Side Pocket

Front pocket

 Now I need to put on the waistband, button, and some finishing touches.
See you next time.

Button, Button. Who has the button?

Do you remember at the end when they are in the elevator and Willy Wonka says "Button, Button.  Who has the button"?  That is my favorite line from Willy Wonka. I use that line all the time when looking for a light switch or a button on a piece of machinery.  Now, I am using it in regards to my new pants.

I have been working on my Simplicity 4760 cargo pants.  I decided to sew them with my vintage Kenmore.  Everything has been going fine until I started on the button.  The button is sewed into the fly and backwards to what I would think.   So, the button will not show when the pants are on, because the button will be turned inwards towards your stomach.  Anyone have some input?

In the reviews and pictures, no one shows the button or talks about it.  Most talk about the fly.  The fly seems straight forward.  It is that button that is bothering me.  Well, I guess I'll keep going and if the button is not correct, I will try to put one in another place at the end.

Fly open, showing button hole.

Looks like pants.

The pockets are next, according to the instructions.

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Another pants saga begins

I purchased some khaki colored material that will be great to make some pants with.  I bought it at the local thrift store. Only $4 for three yards of material  and 25 cents for the zipper , I won't be too upset if they don't turn out.  I decided to use Simplicity pattern 4760 since it has some decent reviews on pattern review.

When I made the Vogue 8801 jeans, there was not a review on them.  So, I wasn't sure if my problems with them were exactly that, my problems.  But now that there is a review of them on pattern review, I feel better because that reviewer had the same difficulties I did.

These will be a cargo style, so should be fun to make and wear.

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McCall's 4079 Impressions

I finished my white McCall's 4079 shirt.
I really like this pattern and instructions.  I am sure I will make it again, probably with a short sleeve next time.  I have such a long, narrow build, that I made the shirt in a small with the addition of two inches to the sleeves, and three inches to the overall length of the shirt. I also added a pocket.

 I like the look and feel of this shirt.  The collar is a good size.  The whole shirt looks elegant.

 Made for casual wearing, and tucked-in for a more formal look.
 One thing I like about making my shirts, I can decide where the top button goes.  I like my top button a little higher than most.

This is the first project I used my overedge machine.  It gave the finish a professional look in a matter of minutes.

I enjoyed this project.  Now time to decide on my next.