Hotter Than July In Marigold Tribal Print Twill and Mustard Striped Washed Silk

Summer has finally arrived in Chicago.  Well, at least it feels like summer.  Last weekend temperatures were in the 90's with a lot of humidity.  HOT! This Mood Fabric project was the perfect kick off for my summer wardrobe.

At first sight, I fell in love with this Marigold Tribal-Print Twill by Oscar de La Renta.  This funky tribal medium weight twill has a stiff drape and is great for pencil skirts and shorts.  I decided to pair this with a sassy little Burda skirt featured in the Burda magazine February 2011 issue.  I only glanced at the construction details.  This is a very basic pencil skirt with a high waist, flounce and long darts that meet in the lower center back of the skirt.  The hardest part about it was inserting the flounce.  Of course, I added a few inches to the length.  Burda suggest lining this skirt.  I didn't.  There is no transparency.  The lining is not necessary with the weight of the fabric and the warm/hot time of year.

My inspiration for this outfit came from Stella Jean's Spring/Summer collection of 2013.   I like the bold prints she used in her collection.  Her fabric choices are vivid, but do not take away from the silhouette.

I wanted to try a few new style options to jazz up the wardrobe a bit.  Initially, I thought to avoid a high waist skirt since my torso is short and my legs are a mile long.  But I said what the heck, worst comes to worst, I can trim the waistband if needed.  However, that wasn't necessary.  I like it. 

First, I am wearing my tribal print skirt with a white twist front blouse.   This is the "safe" look. 

Now I'd like to review the blouse.  I used this beautiful mustard striped silk by Marc Jacobs to complete my Stella Jean inspired outfit.  The cotton silk blend has a crisp hand and sews with little effort.   I used Butterick 4659-A.

This pattern has been on my list for a couple years.  It's a typical princess seam blouse with sleeve variations.  It comes in three lengths with a curved hem.  I preferred a straight edge.  So I used  the length of A and straightened the hemline.

The other changes made are:
  - FBA
  - Made five buttonholes instead of four.
 - Made a broad shoulder adjustment (which I didn't really need).  I had to trimmed the excess away.   No sway back adjustment, which I think I needed.  But it does not look too bad.
 - Added an half inch to the center front from the edge of the collar to the hem.
 - Top stitch along the princess seams and where the edge of the sleeve meets the flounce.
 - The side front and back are cut on the bias.

Next, I'm wearing it similar to the inspiration outfit with the blouse on the outside.

Notice I didn't try to match the stripes.  I think it looks just fine.  This blouse can easily double as a light weight jacket to be worn over a tank top.  It is crisp and does not loose it's shape.

I am very pleased with how this outfit turned out.  I plan to use both patterns again.  I recommend both fabrics and patterns.

Finally, I'm wearing the blouse with a white cotton skirt, Butterick 5566.

So, I hope you like the outfit and my fabric choices.  If this is your style or if you want to try something new, both fabrics are still available at the Mood online fabric store.

Happy Sewing!
Cennetta

 

Thank You!

Hello everyone,

Thank you for your words of encouragement.  I really appreciate your visits and comments on my blog.  This weekend was extra long for me.  I took two floating holidays to help me jump start the sewing mojo and to write a few reviews. 

Yes.  I'm finally getting back into the swing of things.  This week I'll review a few things sewn over the past week or so.  Also, I will be publishing a series called, "Notes on a Pattern".  In this series, I will share my thoughts on patterns in my collection. 

This week, expect to see my first entry to the "Notes on a Pattern" series and at least two pattern reviews.

Happy Sewing!
Cennetta

MY DD in New Look 6120

Okay, I'm starting with this New Look dress that I made last year for my DD.  It has been reviewed many times.  So most of you have read about it or made it yourself.  It's very easy to make. The style resembles "Rhonda's Perfect Travel Dress""Perfect Travel Dress", which I made last winter.

 New Look 6120  

Pattern Description:
New Look Workroom from Project Runway, Misses’ dress with kimono sleeves, neckline variations and belt.

Pattern Sizing:
8 - 16; I used size 8; no modifications.

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?
Nothing difficult; very easy. I beginner can make this dress with no problems.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
DD picks this one a while ago. As for me, I like the kimono sleeves and the belt. No dislikes.

Fabric Used:
crinkled polyester from Vogues Fabrics in Evanston. Purchased last year.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
No changes.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I don't think I will sew it again. But I do recommend it.

Conclusion: Easy as 1, 2, 3. BTW- DD made a fascinator to wear with this dress.

Has Anyone Seem My Blogging/Sewing Mojo?

It's seems as if I lost the drive to blog and review sewing projects.  This is bad.  Although I have so much material, I don't know where to start.  My mind is on new things to make and projects from last year and early 2014 are fading to black.

Posts are being written in my mind, never coming together on the blog. I'm in a state that I don't like.  Last year.  That's right, last year I penned a few reviews, but never published them.  Maybe I'll post one of them to see if that kick starts the ole mojo.

Happy Sewing,
Cennetta

Successful Upgrade!!

Words cannot express how I've felt all day! Finally we have a viable upgrade installed! And to top that off, the business owners approved it! Life is good and soon things will normalize at work. Soon, I've have more time to be creative. I'm thankful and relieved.

To all of you who continue to come to my little place in cyberspace, I'm grateful and appreciate your visits and comments. The last two posts were about garments made for the Pastor's annual dinner. I still have a few more vacation garments to review. It's been so long since I've had a chance to review anything, I thought is it worthwhile at this point. Also, thought about the things I didn't review from last fall/winter. Well, time will tell. My mind is currently on new projects. Anyway, I will see how it goes.

Happy sewing!
Cennetta