6976 is made with two different fabrics (I used Tutti Frutti fabrics from JoAnn’s for both dresses).  The main body of the dress is the pink, and then there is a green border at both the top and the bottom, and two green pockets.  The dress ties on above both shoulders.  Unfortunately you can’t really see the layout of the dress (Lily is such a little peanut!  I’ll try to get another picture when she is a little bit bigger and you can see better).

6578 is made using only one fabric and is just a plain, simple dress with an adorable matching head scarf.  6578 calls for a button on each shoulder strap, but I replaced the buttons with snaps to make the dress easier to put on and take off for my sister.

I can not recommend these two patterns enough.  Both were quick and easy (I think it took me longer to trace and cut the patterns than it did to sew them.. definitely for 6578) and fun!  The instructions were clear and easy and the dresses are just too cute!

I’m planning to make a matching dress for my own daughter from pattern 6796.

This is a Vogue pattern that I made for my younger sister to wear on Valentine’s day.  She chose both the pattern and the fabrics.  I’m having mixed opinions about this dress.  One the one hand, I think that the dress is very flattering on her and looks quite beautiful.  On the other, I did have some issues with it and there are things about the finished product that I don’t like.

Pros?  The dress is strapless (obviously), but doesn’t give a strange shape to the bust like many strapless items do.  The dress also stays up nicely without fear of falling off.  There is nice definition in the waist.

Cons?  I feel like the button placket does not lie flat.  This is probably my error and due to my inexperience with sewing, so I am sure that someone more advanced would not have this problem.  If you are a beginner like me, though, you may have some issues with this.

Also, I am not a fan of the buttonholes.  The front looks fantastic, but they are sloppy on the inside.  I think that the slippery fabric I used for the lining of the bodice is the cause of this problem.  The two buttons on the skirt (which is just cotton) look infinitely better.

I did not really make any modifications to the pattern, belt aside.  My sister and I couldn’t find any belt buckles that we liked, so we chose a simple silver circle and I made a belt to adapt to using the circle (one side of the belt just has snaps and you clip it around the circle).

I do think that I will attempt this pattern again someday, and make a dress for myself.

My official review can be found here.

For the most part, I followed the pattern for this bag.  Some very small modifications were made — adding the pink trim and putting pockets on the back of the bag as well as the front.  Honestly, it seemed strange to call for pockets on the front and both sides, and not the back.

I did run into a few problems with this pattern.  The instructions were easy enough to follow, but I was unable to get hair canvas for the lining as the pattern called for.  Honestly, I had absolutely no idea what hair canvas was before this weekend.  We ended up picking up a regular sew-in fleecy type lining and it was much too thick.  The bag has a fantastic and plush feel, but the areas where the pockets needed to be sewn together (especially near the added pink ruffle) were nigh impossible.  I broke two needles in the serger and two needles in my regular sewing machine attempting to sew it together!  And I’m talking heavy-duty needles.  I finally ended up just threading a leather needle with a serger chain and giving it to Dan to do by hand (I had to have him do it because I lacked the strength to push the needle through the fabric)!

With all of that said and done, I am really pleased with how the bag and matching changing pad (which we also added a ruffle to) turned out.  I think the bag is very “Jamie” and also very unique!

I would definitely recommend this pattern if you are looking to make a diaper bag.  It was fairly simple to follow, is large enough to be useful, and has tons of pockets (especially if you add the extra back pocket)!  It took me just about all of one day and the next morning (perhaps 15 hours total) to make the bag, although I’m certain that if I made another it would take much less time.  Don’t make my mistake and choose an interface that is too thick, it really added an inordinate amount of work to this project.

I still really want to make a pair of slippers for Anya (and myself), though, so I am looking at other options.  I finished drafting a pattern for Anya’s feet just before we left for Minnesota, but haven’t had a chance to sit down and work on them as we just got back late last night.  Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to devote some time to them, but we shall see (Dan works from home tomorrow so we may end up spending the day doing things together when he isn’t too busy with work).  In any case, I’ll be sure to update on how the slippers are going!

My Janome CoverPro 900 came in today and I am beyond excited about that! I think I’ll order a binding foot and redo the edge of the blanket for my mom after it gets here. That’ll be after Christmas, of course, but I suppose it will have to do.

On a less irritated with my sewing skills note: I finished my younger sister’s Christmas present today as well. Katie will be receiving a Patriots themed purse.  She is a Patriots fanatic (especially, predictably, Tom Brady) and has Patriots clothing for just about every body part that you can imagine, but she doesn’t have a purse!  Well, now she does, but anyway.

I also ordered a ridiculously cute pattern for slippers from Favorite Things with a gift certificate that my Aunt Deborah sent me for fabric.com that I am looking forward to messing with. I think I have enough of the red Patriots fabric left over to make a pair for my sister to match the bag. If they turn out cute, I’ll make a pair for Anya! Probably a pair (or two, or three, or four..) for myself, too.

This was my first chance to really use my serger (I have used it on two sets of rat hammocks, but they really aren’t the same) and it was just wonderful.  I have to say, the serger makes seams so much neater and I absolutely adore the underarm, especially.  It does also, however, make me nervous!  I was so afraid that I would do something wrong and then the fabric would be ruined, as it would already be cut so there wouldn’t be much point in ripping the stitches out.

I took it slow and steady, though, and did not end up feeling like I needed to rip out any stitches.  I found the instructions for the cuffs on this pattern to be rather vague (with pictures that weren’t much help) so I just kind of winged it.  I do believe that they turned out as intended, but even if not they still look very nice.

Unfortunately, I misplaced the pattern piece where the snap goes (up top, by the neck) and ended up having to wing that as well.  It definitely turned out crooked, which has me extremely disappointed, but hopefully no one aside from me will really notice it..

My review for this pattern can be found here.

This week / weekend I need to sew two rat hammock sets and finish my sister’s Patriots bag, but after that I am planning to put my skills and patience to the test by trying Simplicity’s Project Runway 2961 pattern! Supposedly the Project Runway patterns are designed to make you feel like a clothing designer because you need to mix and match the pieces how you want them. I’m imagining that it will take me a while to put together a PR shirt, so I’ll probably update throughout the process.

Unfortunately, Anya was not home with me when I made the dress (she was in New Jersey visiting with my sister) so I couldn’t try it on her as I went.  I find that the hem is a little bit crooked and the waist is a bit baggy.  I would really like to add a nice red ribbon around the waist to give it a little definition but Anya is vehemently opposed to the idea.  The zipper also went in crooked, but that was completely my fault and had nothing to do with the pattern.  After a bit of trial and error I have now figured out how to correctly install a zipper.

As to my dislikes with the pattern — because it is so simple, the dress has no liner and I find it extremely thin for a long-sleeved dress.  If I make a dress in this pattern again I will either add a liner on my own or make it out of some heavier fabric (such as corduroy). Really, though, I think that this dress is an excellent starting piece for a new seamstress.

My review for this pattern can be found here.

All in all, I would say that this was a very simple and easy pattern to follow.  I have pictures of two more in the gallery (my “test model” and a country-themed one that I made for my mother-in-law).  I still need to make a New England Patriots themed one for my sister Katie before Christmas rolls around.  I wouldn’t be surprised if I end up making more of these, as well.  They are very quick, easy, and fun. 

A little tip for this pattern:  You can buy a bundle of five fat quarters (or just pick five that you like) and it works out to be just about the perfect amount of fabric!

My review for this pattern can be found here.

More and more lately I find that Rattributes is also hosting pictures of my regular sewing projects, and so I have decided that it is time to set up a site dedicated to sewing things that aren’t for my furry little pets.  At this point I would call myself an “advanced beginner” when it comes to sewing.  I am able to follow a pattern (I have not tried any that are ridiculously complicated at this point) and can sew a straight seam.  I am the proud owner of a Kenmore 17892 (gifted to me by my grandmother, who no longer sews) and a Brother 1034D serger.  My Janome 900CP (coverstitch machine) should be arriving on Friday!

I am not entirely sure what this blog is going to develop into.  It will, of course, house pictures of my tailored creations.  I have a feeling that it will come to be the container for everything domestic in my life.  Don’t be surprised to see some of my favourite recipes, embroidery or other homey-type things here.