Pattern Review - McCalls 5525

I'm thinking of making another dressy winter coat or jacket.  So, I figured I'd bust out my pattern review from the last coat I made.

As much as I LOVE this pattern, if I do make another coat, I may use another pattern in my stash... I'm still undecided.
Check out my original post for when this coat was completed.

Here's my review for McCalls 5525:

Pattern Description: Women's lined jackets and coats

Pattern Sizing: I cut a size 8, and made view B

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, pretty close.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were easy to follow, except I had a lot of troubles sewing the back vent. (I think it was user error though )

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved almost everything about this pattern. The only thing I would change is to make the pockets larger.

Fabric Used: Gabardine

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I already am planning on sewing it again, but in a different view. I would HIGHLY recommend this pattern.

Conclusion: Overall, this pattern was very easy to follow and I can't wait to sew it again!

Pacifier clips

Almost a year ago I saw a tutorial for pacifier clips on Running With Scissors blog.  I thought they were so cute so of course I bookmarked the page and put it on my "to do" project list.  They can be used for a lot of other things too, not just pacifiers!
My clips are slightly different than her tutorial, but it's the same idea.

Update:  My sewing machine is still broken... I'll be taking it to a different repair shop tomorrow.  Fingers crossed! 

On a side note, I started crocheting a blanket.

Pattern Review - McCalls 8524

It's a good time of year for a robe (at least here... it's getting cold!).  Here's a look at the original post I wrote about the mens robe I made for Hubby several months ago using McCalls pattern 8524.

Here's my pattern review:

Pattern Description: Men's Sleepwear (Robe, nightshirt, shorts, pants)
I sewed View A which is the longer length of the loose fitting wrap robe.

Pattern Sizing: S, M, L
I cut a Medium

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Very easy to follow

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked how quick and easy it was, I did not like the amount of hand sewing it suggested doing (I used my machine instead)

Fabric Used: flannel

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I didn't do any hand sewing on this pattern. I finished off all of the edging and cuffs by turning them under and sewing them with a straight stitch on my machine, which went pretty quickly.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, if I had a reason to sew another men's robe, I would use this pattern again. It was really quick and easy, and my husband really likes how it turned out. I might give the pants or shorts pattern a try sometime.
I would definately recommend this pattern to others.

Conclusion: This pattern is great for beginners, or just as a simple project if you're looking for something that doesn't require much thought. The robe I made turned out like the pattern envelope picture, and according to my husband is very comfortable.

3 step Christmas centerpiece

Here's a quick, easy and cheap Christmas centerpiece idea.  Chances are you already have everything you need to make this!

Supplies:
Candle (in a jar) - Mine is evergreen scented
Flat bottomed tray (or bowl with a large flat portion in the center)
Christmas ornaments
Gift wrapping ribbon

I ended up buying a new black tray for my centerpiece.  It was only a few bucks at Hobby Lobby, in the party section.


Directions:

1) Set your candle jar on the center of the tray and make sure it is stable.

 2) Add a few ornaments around the base of the candle jar (I used a package of 6 red glitter ornaments from my collection)

3) Cut long strips of wrapping paper ribbon and drape them over the ornaments.  I didn't curl the ribbons, they had a natural "large curl" just from coming off of the roll.

Pattern Review - McCalls 3777 tree skirt

I actually made this tree skirt last year but never posted my pattern review on here. 

After an almost 2 year search for tree skirts that both Hubby & I liked, we turned up empty handed.  Not that there weren't pretty tree skirts at the stores, it's just that we had different ideas of "pretty" and we didn't want to spend a fortune. 

So, I finally pulled the McCalls 3777 (A Blue Christmas) pattern out of my collection, Hubby found some cute coordinating fabric and about an hour later we finally had the tree skirt we'd been looking for.  I'm not sure why we didn't just make one sooner haha.

Anyways, here's my pattern review for McCall's 3777


Pattern Description: A variety of patterns for Christmas decorations, including: ornaments, stockings, and a tree skirt.

I made the tree skirt, which is view K

Pattern Sizing: One size

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Very easy to follow

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
This pattern was very simple and well laid out.

Fabric Used: Cotton

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
The pattern has options for adding beaded snowflakes, which I skipped because I chose a busy printed fabric.

It also suggests adding trim between the two fabrics on the top of the skirt, which I skipped. I didn't feel that adding trim in my particular case (with the fabric I used) would have added much to the overall appearance (although I did purchase trim with the intensions of using it).

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I HIGHLY recommend this pattern to others. And, if I ever make another tree skirt I would definitely use this pattern again.

Conclusion:
This pattern was a quick sew (it maybe took an hour or two?) and very easy to follow. It would be great for beginners.