Quick Weekend Projects

Before delving into a new project, and while plotting what my next move is going to be, I like to rummage around my sewing room for anything that needs a quick fix. My godmother gave me this grey dress, but it needed a few alterations. No big deal for The Seamstress from Venus! 🙂

I took the shoulder seams up 2 inches and added elastic to the waist. This alteration shortened the hem too, which is what I wanted!

Now it fits much better!

I also made a quick leopard infinity scarf! (Well, two- one for me and one for my godmother.) I’ve worn the heck out of a leopard scarf that my dad got me for Christmas a couple years ago.

It only took two yards of fabric (I think it was 56″ wide). I didn’t do any measuring for this! Just tore the fabric in half, folded the half in half, and sewed right sides together. To complete the circle, I sewed as much as I could with the right sides together of each end, flipped it right side out and finished the little open hold by hand. Super simple!

Hope you have a great week and thanks for reading!

 

 

Finished Project: Pleather Pencil Skirt

I got a thing for pleather leather!

I actually finished the skirt back in June and wore it for my birthday but I didn’t blog about it. I recently took it out to wear and it had this huge hole on the left buttocks.

I was hoping I could stitch it up without having to take the whole panel off, but as you can see, the repair looks shotty, so I pulled out my handy dandy seam ripper and got to ripping!

I drafted this pattern based on my measurements by following a tutorial online (I can’t remember which one). It was quite simple and it’s a great pattern to have on hand.

Looking at the back, I can tell that the back darts need to be moved slightly outward, away from the zipper. Speaking of zipper, look at that beauty! The seams line up too!

Perfect fit for a perfect look! 🙂 Thanks for reading!

 

 

Shopping Trip and Alterations

This past weekend, I treated myself and went on a little shopping spree to Nordstrom Rack! I hardly go shopping, mostly due to my impatience once inside, so this was a big trip for me. While carousing the racks, I began to lose interest FAST.  As usual, the pickings were slim for a person of my stature. But then I had a revelation! THIS GUY can sew! And THIS GUY, who maybe doesn’t have A LOT of experience doing alterations, certainly has had lots of experience with the seam ripper!

It was like seeing the store with a whole new set of eyes! I picked up two skirts, a pair of slacks, a blouse and two cardigans (the only items that fit) within 10 minutes and I was outta there!

Unaltered Pants (Originally $168, Purchased for $25.20)

The pants were a size 8. I took in a good 1-1 ½” from the waist, at least ½” on the inside and outside seams of the legs and chopped 4″ off the bottom.

I pinched in the sides of the pants until it felt like a comfortable fit.

The blouse was a size XL. I took off 2″ from the shoulder seam and 2-3″ off the side seams.

Unaltered Blouse (Originally $68, Purchased for $11.98)

After looking at the photos, the only issue I have with the pants is the horizontal lines in the frontal crotch region.  The pants didn’t feel tight  but I’m assuming that the pull of the fabric means that I should let out the seams a bit.

Any suggestions?

I was in a bit of a time crunch as I worked, seeing as I had a job interview the following day and I wanted to wear something new. Guess the hard work paid off because I got the job!! 🙂