Zipskirt

So, the original plan was to use this plum pinwale corduroy to make a McCall's 7906.  I just didn't have enough of it, though--the large pattern pieces meant I couldn't possibly squeeze it out of lesser yardage.

I decided to do another McCall's 7981 instead, like my previous project. This time, I had enough of the fabric to cut the pieces the length the pattern wanted. I was ready to use four part snaps for the closures again, but, when I got to the point of sewing on the front bands, I pivoted even farther off course and dug out a matching zipper.

and then used a few four part snaps on the waistband

Snapskirt

I recently realized that I can use grommet pressed four part spring snaps to close skirt waistbands instead of buttons.

And then I realized that I could use those snaps to replace all of the buttons on skirts like McCall's 7981

and I did!

Goodbye Burda 6800

 Hello Know Me ME2011, which may very well be the motorcycle jacket pattern of my dreams.

(image copied from the Simplicity site)

Granted, I jumped right into it by making a lot of changes before cutting any fabric.  Since the pattern is "men's" size, I started by folding out 2"/50mm of length in the torso.  Then I looked at the set of zippers I was going to use, which I had ordered to use in Burda 6800, and shortened the jacket another 1"/25mm, re-drafted the side pocket zipper opening marks to be shorter, took two inches out of the sleeves at the zipper, and omitted a pocket completely, all so so I could use those stashed zippers. I also shortened the sleeves by another inch, which may have been unnecessary.  And then I intentionally cut the asymmetrical front pieces opposite of how the pattern wants.

Since this was an entirely new pattern for me, and I made so many preliminary changes that I wasn't entirely sure about, of course I decided to go ahead and use some thrifted vintage fabric that I'd been saving for years, with the idea added in the last few years that it would be perfect for a motorcycle jacket...but...not Burda 6800.

(As an aside: I can imagine situations where Burda 6800 may be used, especially for mixing fabrics.  I do still like Kwik•Sew 3764 for quick moto jackets made from knits. Someday I will revisit Vogue 1714 for an elegantly be-peplum'd motorcycle jacket.  McCall's 8121 was all around disappointing.  And, at this point, I'm not sure if I'll ever try the other two motorcycle jacket patterns in my stash, McCall's 7694 and Butterick 6169.)

So I dug out the intended fabric, which had been stored with a coordinating lining fabric, and immediately realized that there was about a yard less fabric on hand than the pattern wanted.  I knew the fact that the pieces were now shorter would save a little fabric, but not much.  I also knew that the way I generally fold only enough fabric to cut one pattern piece at a time always ends up using less fabric than the patterns want, and that's with paying attention to nap/print direction, and sometimes even squeezing in a bit of print matching.  I made plans for which pattern pieces I felt I could cut from a contrasting fabric in a way that would look intentional, and saved cutting those for the end.

I got everything cut with a piece to spare that was big enough that I could have re-cut any one piece if needed to avoid the loathed repetition of print elements on either side of an opening or seam, which could have been an extra danger in this fabric, because the print is a single spray of flowers in a dropped offset with no variations.  I did not, however, need to do anything to avoid that.

 Everything, as they say, came up roses.

Slim Shirt and Wide Pants

 ...for dolls!

The shirt and pants patterns are designed for "original" (2016) Barbie bodies, flat foot and high heel.  The pants have optional pockets and possible waistband width variations.

You should be able to right click and save the patterns and instructions.

New for Me

 For the first time I can remember, I'm pausing in the middle of a project because I decided to order something for it--it could have been completed just fine without it, but I really wanted to add the details.

I would easily have finished it yesterday if I hadn't decided to be fancy(ish).

In the meantime, I'm working out some more doll sewing patterns to share, allowing me to enjoy the laser printer we just got.

Shirt Runner-up

And then there was enough fabric left to make a short sleeve shirt, too!

Shirt Choice

I had some fabric that I had bought as a clearance bolt--I thought it was something I got when the local Hancock Fabrics went out of business in 2007, but it's not in my photos from then.  I did use some of it in a project photographed in 2013, but, beyond that, all I really know is that I'd had it for a long time, and I originally had a lot of it.

I recently decided it would be good for a shirt.  But...long sleeve or short sleeve?

I decided on long sleeve, grabbed McCall's 6613, and got to work.