Yes, I’m still on about irons.  I posted a few weeks ago that I was looking for a new iron and got some great suggestions.  I wasn’t sure what I wanted, so as a temporary measure I  bought a Black & Decker classic.  I wasn’t sure it would work for me long term, but I liked the cute retro style and figured it could, if nothing else, be my backup iron.  I think the B&D is a great dry iron – it’s very heavy and solid.  However, I can’t use it for steam.  It doesn’t steam a ton, which is ok if not great, but the problem I had was the open water reservoir – I kept moving it too quickly, or tilting it forward a little (when using a tailor’s ham) and spilling boiling water on my hands – not good! I recall having this problem also with my old Bernina, but I had forgotten!   And anyway, I felt like it was smaller than what I wanted to use all the time. So I decided to get a serious iron:

This is the Reliable V100, and it is awesome.  It is really, really heavy, and steams like mad (it has its own steam generator, meaning steam even at low temps!)  And it has a cover on the reservoir!  I used a 50% off coupon on Joann’s website (the retail on this iron is around $150.)   It is kind of noisy (the steam generator makes noises, but that’s what it’s supposed to do!)  Hopefully this will be my last iron for awhile (famous last works, right?)

I haven’t sewed anything this week – I have had too much to do, with deadlines and extra rehearsals/performances that I was not expecting.  I don’t find that I sew quite as much in the summer, as the 3rd floor gets rather hot during the day (the skylights are beautiful, but even with curtains they heat things up.)  There is air conditioning, but I don’t like to run it as I’m allergic to all the dust that gets stirred up.  So I can only sew at night, which is fine, but as I said – busy!  I will post soon concerning my further summer sewing plans.  In the meantime, here is a roundup of the last three days of me-made outfits!

Day 4

Dress: Simplicity 2443 (blogged here)

Scarf: Target clearance

Shoes: Cole Haan

I wore this to go to yardsales.  Yes, I know it’s a bit overdressed.  But you see, I was awake at 7:30 in the morning when this photo was taken, which is a pretty unnatural time for a musician!  What did I buy?  Not much… there were some good sales, but I’m pretty picky about what I’m willing to bring into my house (I fear junk accumulating!)  I did buy a really pretty sequined sweater from Bebe for $3, which I’m hoping to wear some this month.

This dress?  What is there to say – I love it, and I’ve made it twice!  I already fixed my one regret (not sewing the hem by machine.)

Day 5

Cardigan: Jalie Pleated Cardigan

Dress: Vogue 1225 (blogged here)

Shoes: Anne Klein

Bag: Dooney & Bourke

Another early morning – I think it was 8:30 when I took this photo.  I was headed out to cover some masses for a friend (including an old school, pre-vatican 2 style latin mass, which was a new experience for me!)  You can see me clutching the music – I had to learn the chanted bits that go between the parts of the mass, and I was nervous about getting it wrong!  Luckily it went well, and I hope to be asked back again.

I always get complimented on this dress.  I love the fabric and style.  I have never hemmed it – it’s got an enormous skirt, and I think it looks ok without.  I should go back and even up the hemline though – it’s not perfect!  The neckline is low, but I don’t care (I wear a tank.)  The waist is a bit high, but again – fine with me!

Day 6

Dress: Butterick 5490 (blogged here)

Cardigan: Old Navy

Shoes: Jessica Simpson

Speaking of changing my mind after I made something – this dress wasn’t a favorite at first, but I love it now!  I love the graceful pleats in the front.  I actually wish more patterns would use pleats rather than gathers, because it looks more even to me, but I know they are more time consuming!

I forgot to pre-shrink my piping, and it has shrunk a tiny bit.  I learned my lesson about that!  Luckily the dress was  a little big to start – it’s still comfortable.

I’ve worn this cardigan with this dress before.  One of my biggest surprises this year was realizing that I can wear icy pastels – silvers, ice blues, aqua etc.  This cardigan is the color of silver – it’s very cool toned, so it works for me (yellow-ish gray is awful!)  I’m actually looking for yarn right now to make a cardigan this color for myself (look for a post tonight on my upcoming knitting plans – I’ve been obsessed with making them lately!)