Blue Faux Fur - Inspiration

Spring didn't last too long. Back to winter, and I'm back to thinking about what to make with the Blue Faux Fur I got from Mood Fabrics.

Here's the inspiration I collected.  Any thought?

Inspiration - The Vertical Lines of Valentino Fall 2016

I love looking at fashion show pictures of different designers.  It is such a great source of inspiration.  One of my favorite designers is Valentino.  The designs are so elegant, classy and full of different design elements.  With any collection, there is a general theme or design element that you will see throughout the collection.  Some elements are adacious while others can be as simple as a color.  Often, one design element is a combination of several little details that create a look or style, whether it is vertical lines of intricately worked beads and embroidery.

For my current work in progress, I focused on a very simple design element that I saw throughout the entire collection.  That is vertical lines.  The vertical lines are in many of the garments; they are translated into seams, trims, beads, and patterns in the fabric.  Here are a few garments for the Valentino Fall 2016 collection.

Parting Shots:  My Work in Progress, Simplicity 1011 with 3/4 sleeves.

Happy Sewing!
C

McCall 7465 and Mood Reptilian Modal Jersey

M7465 - Not the best picture - It's freezing outside.

M7465 - Yes it is starting to snow and I'm freezing

I love animal print fabric.  Mood Fabrics is a great store to find all kinds, from birds on twill to luxury leopard faux fur.    On one of my hunts for something green or teal, I found this beautiful  teal/oak leaf reptilian modal jersey,  This lightweight modal jersey has a very soft hand and is perfect for a simple dress, top or even lounge wear.

I decided to make a simple pullover dress, McCall 7465, which I lined the skirt for an extra layer for modesty.  The drape of the fabric is great for this style of dress.  It's movement is fluid and it lays close to the body.

As for the simple dress, it is described as - pullover dress with close fitting skirt has neckline, sleeve and skirt variations.  A, B:  Batwing sleeves and cowl neckline.  C, D:  short dolman sleeves and scoop neckline.  A, D:  Ruching on one side of skirt.  It is available in sizes 6-22.  I used size 16 only lengthening the skirt by a inch or so.

The illustration is spot on.  I made view B.  There was nothing difficult or confusing about the instructions or construction of the dress.

My likes:

• Fast and easy to make.  It took me about two hours to make.
• The drape neck and the ruching.  Next time I'll make view D.

My dislike:

• The bodices is a little short for my taste.  I'll lengthen the next one by a inch or so.
• No  pattern lining for the bodice.  

This is a fairly quick and easy dress to make.  I recommend it to all level sewists, and I also highly recommend this beautiful modal jersey.

M7465- Okay now it's time to run for cover.

Happy Sewing!

C

Simplicity 1371 - Cute Little Top

Surprisingly, I was able to cut a top and head wrap from the African waxed print fabric remnant.  It was just enough to cut Simplicity 1371, view B. This is a top I planned to make a few years ago.  I started out trying to match the  diamond motifs.  In some areas the match up was close, but not quite.  So, for this It was impossible to match the print, as the diamond motifs were many different sizes.

Top B is a princess seam fitted top with halter like straps and side zipper.  This is the only view I've made thus far.  The pattern comes in sizes 4 to 20.  I used size 16 with modifications.  The drawing and the photos are true illustrations for how the top looks.

The instructions were easy to follow, and I saw nothing confusing in them.  In the guide sheet, the back straps are attached straight instead of a slight angle. They should be angled so they lie flat against the back.

I like the style of the top, especially the neckline.  The princess seams also make it easy to make adjustments, which I almost always need to make.  I do not have any dislike.

Changes:

• FBA - I made my usually FBA slightly different.  At the fullest of the bust area I made two slashes instead of one for a better fit.
• Swayback adjustment making a tuck at the lower back and adding that same amount at the bottom of the back pattern pieces.
• I installed a back zipper instead of the recommended side zipper.

S1371 - Sorry the pattern is a little crinkled, the iron was too hot.

I will definitely make this again.  This is my wearable muslin.  I really didn't want any of the African waxed clothe to go to waste.

This pattern is not difficult, but may require some adjustment as this top fits close to the body.  It's a cute top and I do recommend it to others.

Happy Sewing!
C