Hola!

I've been off quitting my job and giving myself sewist's neck by sewing something new every day--and, in a bow to my nemesis Elaine, every stitch is for me and only me. Suck it, charity bazaars! Here, friends, are the fruits of my labor.
First up, we have one of a slew of Simplicity Amazing Fit dresses (S2404), and as you will see, I rode that pony til it bucked me off. I think I made 5 of them; I've only photographed 3. See? I am merciful.
Above, I paired this very fine violet cotton gauze on the bodice with a sturdy, stretchy taupe cotton twill on the skirt. I love the way it looks, but the cotton was a little too fine for my badass ways--it's already starting to show wear at the neck seam.
So I made a jacket to cover it up.

The jacket (an out-of-print Threads pattern, S2645, that I also cannot get enough of) did a great job hiding my sewing inadequacies until I spilled guacamole down the front of it while out celebrating quitting my job, so now there is an indelible stain on the front of the bodice, where the jacket does not cover. O the humanity.

But never fear, little ones; I cheered right up when I made this retro cherry-print number. It even has inline pockets.
Hey, speaking of adorable dresses, when you tell peple that you sewed your own outfit (or whatever), they always say something, right? Best case, it's something like "Wow! I love it," but even if you're wearing something they wouldn't be caught dead in--and be real with me, sisters, it happens--they'll still say something like, "How did you learn to sew?"

I ask because I went down to California to see some family members recently, and this one person (related to me only by marriage, I am happy to say) did not say one word when I told her I'd sewn what I was wearing.

At the time I was wearing the cherry dress, above, which I grant you is not everyone's eau de vie. But at least say something like "Where did you get that fabric?" instead of just pursing your lips together.

Lest you think this was an aberration, it happened twice more during the weekend. I showed up wearing a sleeveless red dress (another S2404, shown a few photos down), and got the same reaction.

Later that night, I showed up for dinner in a swishy pair of linen pants and a linen top. Same thing: she did not say one word, just sat there with her lips pursed. WTF?

But I digress. She can go to hell, I looked great.

I also look great in the red/violet dress above (Simplicity 2217, another of their Amazing Fit line--and let me tell you, by "Amazing," they do not lie).

I made the same mistake with the fine cotton lawn; it's already ripping out of some of its seams, even though I underlined it with cotton organdy. I'm so sad; this dress got me out of a speeding ticket. Gloom. Despair.
This dress (both above and below) is the red one I was wearing in California. Believe me, it makes the most of my substantial T&A. (These dresses have all been clutched in the back with a binder clip so they show their shape better--the dress form I have is considerably smaller than I am.)
Below is a fuschia wool S2645, same pattern as the red-violet one above, but with 3/4 sleeves. I watched Season 5 of Dexter with my Mom this last August and Lt. LaGuerta always wears these nipped-waist, bepeplumed beauties with the lovely long lapel. I had to whip some up. Thank you, Threads!
That's a bias panel at the side waist, which flares in a nice subtle way.
I was worried the wool suiting would be too shiny, but it ended up having a nice sheen without looking too brash.
Above and below, a sea-green silk version of the same jacket, showing the bias panel (above) and the back. These jackets are unlined, which only adds to my joy. Linings: ASS PAIN.
Front.
Below is a close-up of a bodice of the same Simplicity Amazing Fit dress (s2217) as the red-violet one above, this time made with a fine hankerchief linen which, so far, seems to be more up to the task of keeping its seams together.
Like the one above, it's lined in cotton organdy, which makes it feel beautiful, like a 1950s prom dress.
You can see the full dress below. I should have ironed it, but life is fleeting and Veronica Mars was on.
Another S2404. I told you I rode that pony hard.
I also made a couple biker jackets (the now sadly out of print V2614), this one in a chocolate wool. I decided to experiment with sleeve zips, and put in a contrast fabric underneath. I should have interfaced the entire forearm; I did that on the bright pink version, below, and was glad of it.
I also experimented with some flap pockets with a contrast pocket flap on the inside and purple Ambience lining inside, as well.
A view of the killer lapels, which I love.
From the front. This wool is actualy a wool-poly blend, I am sad to say, which does not iron--hence the puckers along the seams.

Once I'd worked out the kinks, I tried the same pattern in a stretchy magenta cotton sateen, which I am proud to say makes me look like Pinky Tuscadero. All I need is some light-pink hair and a 1950s waitress smock and I'm good to go.

In the meantime, check out the contrast welt pocket on the sides, will you?
I made a little label for inside, too.
The front view. These shots were taken before I'd hemmed it or added the sleeves. I've also made 4 pairs of trousers (a heavily modified Vogue pattern) and 6 shirts (4 of V8582, Marcy Tilton's asymmetrical turtleneck tunic, perfect for swanning around the house) and 2 of V9771, a simple 3/4-sleeve cowl neck, one in red-violet linen and one in taupe linen.

The linen has too much body for the pattern, and makes me look like I have a pointy third boob directly over my heart, so the next time I sew those, I'll be sewing them in something more dainty.

Next up: 3 or 4 different versions of New Look 6011, a tailored blouse without a bunch of frou-frou. (At least, the versions I make will be significantly lacking in frou-frou).