What's Your Favorite Stiletto?

Yes, I'm a bit of a clothes horse. But I think shoes are an important accessory that can make or break that perfect outfit. This fall all the magazines have wild and funky shoe styles. Many are too racy for my taste or life style.

So my question to you is: What's your favorite stiletto? Meaning what's your favorite shoe style? Is it the ballerina, Mary Jane, spectator or stiletto? Here are a few,..., okay quite a few interesting shoes.












Happy Fall Shoe Hunting!
C

Dress Sew A-Long with Butterick 5147 - My Second Dress

Last week I made my second dress and I am very well pleased with the results. This time I didn't add any length to the skirt. I wanted this one to be a little shorter.

The fabric used is from Calico Corners. It's been in the closet for over a year. So I pulled it out to whip up another View C. I also added black piping to the armholes and the neckline.






This is now a TNT sheath dress pattern for me. More on the alterations and photos here.

The Little Black Dress - On My Fall 2010 List

Recent fashion magazine say, "trade in your little black dress for a red one or a white one." Personally I can't see myself without at least two little black dresses in my wardrobe.

The little black dress has made my sewing list again. The plan is to make two. So this week I started searching for some inspiration of the Nordstrom website. Here are a few options:


















I purchased these fabrics at Vogue's a few weeks ago. Both pieces for under $10.00 each.





The "List" keeps growing and growing and growing.

Stay tuned!
C

Fall 2010 Trends - Which One Will You Follow?

I love the textures and rich colors of fall. It always seems like there is more of both when it comes to design options for fall and winter clothing. This fall Bloomingdale's has ten fall trends. Which one will you follow?

Anoraks - Marc Jacobs Cotton Twill Jacket $598




Military - Tadashi Shoji Tassel Detail Short Dress $408




Fur - Machage "Glam Puffy" Leather Bomber w/Coyote Fur $935 -- Be & D Rabbit Fur Tote $1,295




Draped Dress - BCBGMAXAZRIA Cape Bodice Dress $288




Red - Beirn Jenna Watersnake Tote $325




Oversized Silk Blouse - BCBGMAXAZRIA Silk Crepe De Chine Pintucked Tunic $178




Chunky Sweaters - Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Reversible Navajo Blanket Sweater $498




Skinny Bootcut - AG Adriano Goldschmied "Ballad" Slim Bootcut Jeans $395




Leather Jacket - Elie Tahari Veronica Pintuck Leather Jacket $498



Cords - "Super Skinny" Five Pocket Corduroy Pants $210




What do you think about these fall trends?

C

Fall is Around the Corner - Making The List ...,

The leaves are starting to turn. Today the atmosphere is crisp and sunny. We are able to turn the air conditioner down or off. I've received my Fall magazine issues. I thinking about what I want to sew this fall. Last spring Bebe advertised this jacket. I like it. So it's making the fall sewing list. Weeks ago I found a pattern with the same design lines. For jeans: Vogue 2812. This is a trouble free TNT for me.



Happy Sewing!
C

Butterick 5147 Sew Along

Last week I made two very different dresses. McCalls 6069 was reviewed earlier so today I'm reviewing Butterick 5147. This dress was added to my list as a result of Carolyn's showcasing Sheila's dresses. Then I surfed over to Elizabeth's blog where she invites sewists to join the B5147 Dress Sew-A-long. Sheila's success with the pattern sold me on giving this dress a try.

If you don't have a TNT sheath pattern, this dress is perfect for creating one. It's simple: two pieces, front and back with darts. I started my process with selecting some fabric from my stash for my first dress. Then I altered the pattern making my usual adjustments: prominent shoulder blade , sway back, and full bust adjustments. Also added two inches to the length. Then to create a slender silhouette, I tapered the sides of the skirt.

Below are the illustrations for the adjustments made to the pattern:



Here you can see the FBA - The fisheye dart has two optional lengths. Play around with this adjustment to find the "best" width.


Next the prominent shoulder blade adjustment:



I over estimated the width needed. Next time I'll reduce the spread by half the width. The sway back adjustment is above the waistline line at the center back.



Tapered the side of the Skirt: This was done to the front and back pattern. And finally, the additional inches were added as I cut the fabric.




In closing, try this dress. Sheila's latest version is super cute. She added grommets to the waist. It's simple and a great wardrobe builder.

Here is the link to all related photos: Flickr

And this is the link to the B5147 Sew Along set on Flickr.Sewists of B5147.

Parting shot: Me wearing M6069

M6069 - The Easy Knit Dress

This is the easiest knit dress of the summer. I really like how this sylish dress came together. After picking up the correct size elastic yesterday, I finished my first border trim dress.

M6069

Pattern Description: MISSES' DRESSES AND SASH: Pullover, above mid-knee, semi-fitted straight dresses A, B, C have elastic waist casing, stitched hem and bodice variations; dress A is sleeveless; dress B has three-quarter sleeves; dress C is sleeveless with self sash; dresses A, B, C have optional back strap; optional purchased belt.







Pattern Sizing: 6- 20. I used size 14.

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

Were the instructions easy to follow? I only read the instructions for attaching the strap and joining the front and back bodice. Those instructions were easy to follow. So I'm guessing the rest are too. Or at least, pretty standard.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? It's stylish and easy to make. No dislikes.

Fabric Used: Border Print Knit from Vogue Fabrics.




Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
-Because of the style ease, I didn't have to do FBA.
-I eliminated the pockets.
-Added three inches to the length of the skirt.
-Cut dress crosswise.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I don't think I'll sew it again for myself, but yes for one of my sisters. And yes I recommend it to others. It's cute and easy to make.

Conclusion: This is a great knit dress to make for all sewing levels. It only took me about two and half hours to make. It's easy to make and very stylish.

Can't Seem To Wrap Up Summer Sewing

By this time I had planned to Recap my summer sewing projects. But I'm still not there yet with three dresses (M6069, V8489, and B5147) still on the sewing table. Maybe at the end of the month I'll be able to give a better report. Still in the queue: three tank tops, two jackets, and two skirts (DD).

Our annual church Men and Women's Conference is fast approaching. I have some ideas for what I'd like to wear. DD has already picked out a dress and wants it made from silk dupioni or a brocade. For the event the women dress in white or off white. Last week JoAnn's and Hancock's had patterns on sale. I picked up a few Vogue and Simplicity patterns. My favorites from the early fall season release were already sold out. Next time.

So for now I'm leaning forward one of the following for my outfit.

Choice #1: - Vogue 1196 (minus the bow to create balance on top and bottom.)



Second options Vogue 1169 - I really like the formation of the lapel, but at the same time it too low and I don't want to where a cami or to fight with the jacket all day. Hmmmm.., I must figure out how to make the adjustment to bring the neckline up a few inches.



I need to finalize my plan soon so that I can get started.

Miss DD will greet our guest this year.

Simplicity 2588 - The green version. This will be the second time I've used this pattern. I made the yellow view for Easter 2010(purple).



Tonight I will M6069 finish. I didn't have the right size elastic. Hopefully, tomorrow I post my version of this dress.

Happy Sewing
C