The Underskirt (Butterick 4827, View B)

I have finished the underskirt for my Renaissance dress. Here's a look at how it went.

I used the brocade for the underskirt. You have to be careful with brocades because they fray very easily, I serged every seam after it was finished sewing. I used satin pins, close together, to keep it from sliding. I also used a universal needle in size 90/14, and a 2.5 stitch length.

I was surprised because I had more fabric left over than the extra 1/8th that I bought. Also I didn't even use one spool of the thread I bought, (which was 100% cotton, sew all, thread).

Also I tried to use a disappearing ink fabric marker, and it worked, but it faded within 20 minutes. That was a lot quicker than the week it took on the cotton I tested before. Not a bad thing I didn't have to worry about the ink showing.

Now on to the more difficult project. The dress part.

Happy Sewing

Renaissance Festival Dress: A Closer Look at the Envelope

Sometimes when you start on a pattern it's hard to make sense of all the information on the back. Today I take a closer look at Butterick 4827 and weed through all the information to get to the stuff that applies to me.....And then I went shopping.

The orange fabric is a crepeback satin in Autumn (it was a red tag fabric at Jo-Anns)
The blue fabric is a Brocade fabric: turquoise paisley
Pellon 910 Sew in Featherweight interfacing.
Gutterman Sew all Thread: Color 474 "Curry"
Gutterman Cotton Thread: Color 7532
5/32 Eyelet kit with tool
Black Hook and Eye

And now I'm excited to get started on this project.
Happy Sewing 

Space Pants (Simplicity Pattern 9871)

Aside from a pillow case, pajama pants have to be one of the best beginner projects and the best introduction to pattern reading. Simplicity 9871 is a very easy pajama pants pattern. It's one I've used multiple times. My husband saw this cool, colorful space fabric and had to have a pair of pants.

If you're looking at this pattern and confused or terrified of the daunting task in front of you don't fear I'll walk you through it.

I used:
Simplicity Pattern 9871
Size XL
3yds of Fabric -Large Planets (It only calls for 2 7/8  but I always get that extra save it for quilting and stuff)
Black thread
1 inch elastic

Happy Sewing