Haute Couture Club of Chicago - Annual June Luncheon at The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant

The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant

Happy Monday!

On Saturday I had the pleasure of dining with some of my favorite people. The Haute Couture Club annual June luncheon was held at the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant. The firehouse is a well-known dining attraction in Chicago. It is located 1401 South Michigan Avenue. It was my very first time dining there.

The club party was on the second floor where we were able to freely move about the room to chat with old friends and get acquainted with some new ones.  The new board is installed at the luncheon and it is the last time we will meet as a group before our Fall kick off meeting.  I was happy to see all of the beautiful ladies and to have a chance to help celebrate 50th years of the HCC.

Good Cake - Different but Good

I forgot to bring my camera. So I only snapped a few pictures with my phone.

Sketches from the Fashion Show 2014

Linda, Brenda, and Friend

Delores, Nik-Ki and Sheril

Ms. Cheryl and friend

Renee wearing a pretty dress she made and modeled in the Fashion Show

The bodice was adorned with glass beads

I sat with Rhonda, Sandra and several other ladies (no picture).  I guess I could have stood up to take the pictures.  Oops!

Sandra

It's was a good afternoon.  I was happy to see my friends.  Our next meeting is in September.  I'm very interested to know the Fashion Show theme and the workshops and programs for 2015.  If you are in the Chicago land area, plan to stop by or become a member.  Our website is located here.  Please come out and join us.

Happy Sewing!
C

Simplicity 2594-A and McCall 6404-C - In Review

It's great to be sewing and reviewing again. Over the holiday weekend, I was able to make a few pieces. These days I'm beefing up my weekend casual wear. This outfit is a combination of one of my favorite knit tops (Simplicity 2594-A) and McCall's 6404 leggings.

S2594

I had hoped to make view F of Simplicity 2594, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Anyway.., Today I'm semi-reviewing another version of S2594-A. There are no specific changes. I pretty made it the same as the first time around. If you need a make a FBA, here are some helpful tips for doing so. The fabric used is from Vogue Fabrics on Roosevelt Road. It was originally slated for a simple knit dress, but I decided the fabric would look great in a matching top for the McCall leggings, another pair of pants and a skirt already in the closet. Other than that, there is not much more to review on the top.

As for the pants, this is the first time I've used M6404-C. The sewing process for these was slightly different from the process of the previously sewn leggings. So here is my review:

M6404 
 
Pattern Description:
MISSES' LEGGINGS: Close-fitting, casing with elastic. A: Welt pocket with hidden zipper.

Pattern Sizing:
XS to XL; I used between Medium and Large.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Basically, they did. I made a few changes.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Only followed a portion of them, but they were easy. Nothing confusing about them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I initially purchased this pattern because it offered several variations for the leggings. Nothing to dislike.

Fabric Used:
I used a stretchy denim medium weight knit from Fabric.com. Love it. It has excellent recovery. It sew well and is a nice color.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
My changes:

• Lengthen each section of the leg about 1.5" I wanted them to reach my ankles.
• Instead of an elasticized waist, I installed an invisible zipper on the left side. This change required me to slightly adjust the width of the pants and I used the curved waistband from McCall 6515. Any curved waistband will do.
• I doubled the top stitching thread in a mint green. This can be done similar to stitching with a twin needle, the difference is thread both threads through the same needle. Tips on top stitching can be found here.
With double thread the stitching shows up better. Using the triple stitch option on my machine takes longer to do.

• I had to taper the leg below the knee to reduced the excess fabric in the leg.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes and Yes. The is a great legging pattern with several variations. The possibilities are endless.

Conclusion:
I like how this turned out. The hardest part was piecing together the legs to make sure the seam matched. This is a great pattern to add to your collection if you don't already have it. The pants are simple, but stylish. And they are very comfortable to wear.

Happy Sewing!
C

Notes on a Pattern - Part I McCall 7203 Vintage Bomber Jacket Pattern

 My pattern collection is scandalous! It is ridiculously over the top.  I already have a substantial hoard of patterns.  But, I also have three years of Burda Magazine patterns that I rarely sew from. (I'm working on that.  The magazine is full of cute styles, but a pain in the butt to trace off.).  Every season, I purchase patterns from JoAnn's and Hancock's when they are on sale. While I'm making my selections, I convince myself that it's not too bad, because I'm always sewing and most times I only pay a dollar or two for each pattern.  So why am I saying all of this? To explain why I came up with this series, to share my thought process for selecting certain patterns, and to talk about how I use them to create the clothes I wear.

That being said, this is my first post for the Notes on a Pattern series. I took my inspiration for this entry from Rhonda B's posts: March 10th inspiration and April 7th.  Lori (Girls in a Garden) also posted an inspiration outfit on the Mood Sewing Network. She included a link to Tracy Reeses' Spring/Summer Collection (love, love it).  These posts started my quest to make my own bomber jacket. Well, guess what?  I could not find a pattern at first. Then about a month or so ago.  BAM!

I found this New Look jacket. But before I buy another pattern, I searched through my many banker boxes of patterns hoping to find a similar jacket. Eureka! Apparently, I purchased the pattern below back in the day (1980c).

It had to be for a client, can't remember though. Now, I have what I need to make my inspiration jacket.

So, let's take a look at the details of this pattern. The jacket is like the jackets showcased in Rhonda's April 7th, with the omission of the zipper pockets. This is an easy design change.

Another thing that I like about it is there are two options for creating the waistband. You can use ribbed knit, or you can use woven fabric that requires you to make several casings for elastic by channel stitching several rows. The construction process is easy.

There are only six pattern pieces for each view of the jacket. The pants aren't bad either. This is a project that you will see on my blog sometime between now and the end of summer.

I chuckled when I first opened the guide sheet.  My mind wonder back to the early days when the construction was more challenging to me.  I also thought about the many garments I avoided because I was afraid to try them.  The print and illustrations are huge compare to today standards.  And finally, did you notice the price, $2.50?  Big difference from today's suggested retail price.

Happy  Sewing!
Cennetta

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