Tip-Toe Through the Tulips Cadena Mode - Fall 2008

The Cadena Mode Fall 2008 issue is just as beautiful as the previous issues that I own. This is a great fashion magazine. In this issue, Cadena is featuring florals, interesting embellishments, unique silhouettes, the color palette ranging from bold brights to soft neutrals hues. There is something for everyone: classic designs to the latest trendy chic Runway styles.

One of my favorite design elements of this issue is the Tulip. This design is featured in day wear and in eye-catching evening attire.








This Evening Gown - Is not a Tulip, but the skirt imitates flower petals.



Cadena is published in the Spring and Fall and can be purchase at Fishman's Fabric (Desplaines and Roosevelt-Chicago). I've already reserved my copy of the Spring 2009 issue.

All photos from Cadena Mode Fall 2008 magazine.

Online Quiz

This is a fun online quiz that Bonnie posted on her blog. So I decided to give it a try. My results are below.

Quiz

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Grace!

You are a Grace -- "I need to understand the world."

Graces have a need for knowledge and are introverted, curious, analytical, and insightful.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Be independent, not clingy


• * Speak in a straightforward and brief manner


• * I need time alone to process my feelings and thoughts


• * Remember that If I seem aloof, distant, or arrogant, it may be that I am feeling uncomfortable


• * Make me feel welcome, but not too intensely, or I might doubt your sincerity


• * If I become irritated when I have to repeat things, it may be because it was such an effort to get my thoughts out in the first place


• * don't come on like a bulldozer


• * Help me to avoid my pet peeves: big parties, other people's loud music, overdone emotions, and intrusions on my privacy

What I Like About Being a Grace
* standing back and viewing life objectively
* coming to a thorough understanding; perceiving causes and effects
* my sense of integrity: doing what I think is right and not being influenced by social pressure
* not being caught up in material possessions and status
* being calm in a crisis

What's Hard About Being a Grace

• * being slow to put my knowledge and insights out in the world


• * feeling bad when I act defensive or like a know-it-all


• * being pressured to be with people when I don't want to be


• * watching others with better social skills, but less intelligence or technical skill, do better professionally

Graces as Children Often

• * spend a lot of time alone reading, making collections, and so on


• * have a few special friends rather than many


• * are very bright and curious and do well in school


• * have independent minds and often question their parents and teachers


• * watch events from a detached point of view, gathering information


• * assume a poker face in order not to look afraid


• * are sensitive; avoid interpersonal conflict


• * feel intruded upon and controlled and/or ignored and neglected

Graces as Parents

• * are often kind, perceptive, and devoted


• * are sometimes authoritarian and demanding


• * may expect more intellectual achievement than is developmentally appropriate


• * may be intolerant of their children expressing strong emotions

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Burda October 2008 - The Luxury Look

The faux fur jackets are too fabulous. My favorite is the black jacket with the wool sleeves. I think I want to make one of these.





Burda also features several garments in graphic colorful prints made up in silk and satin fabrics.



I like the cut on this jacket.



There is something for everyone is this issue. For the special man in your life. This is a great pea jacket in classic navy. Nice...,

The Cutest Little Top - Butterick 4985

Butterick 4985




Let me start off by saying, "This is a great pattern. It has been reviewed on PR at least fifteen times." And I will definitely make this again. The only reason I'm reviewing it is my alterations may assist someone with making their own version of this top. It's a winner. Did I just give the conclusion? Oh well. Here goes.

Pattern Description: Tops A, B, C, D have gathered upper front, lower section with princess seams, sleeve and collar variation. A: stand-up collar and tie, two-piece sleeve. B: gathered sleeve with band and collar with collar band. C, D: gathered sleeve with band and stand-up collar. D: purchased trim.

Pattern Sizing: Sizes 6 to 20. I made size 14 with my usual alterations.

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? Easy as 1, 2, 3.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? What's not to like about it. It's feminine, stylish, and flattering. Not to mention, very versatile. Again, no dislike.

Fabric Used: Okay the remnant room at Vogue Fabrics is the first place I go when I shop there. You'd be surprised at the great deals you will find here. everything from silk, to wool, to polyester. This is a polyester silky print fabric that I purchased for under $10.00.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I made a few: They are:

- FBA. Here's the original paper pattern over the redraft.



Now the two side by side.



- Broad Shoulder/Prominent Shoulder Blades



- Sway Back -- for the sway back adjustment, I added tucks at the lower back of the bodice and increased the seam allowance of the adjoining lower back sections.






- The pattern called for four 5/8" buttons. I used 1/2" buttons from my stash and instead of four I sewed six spaced 1 1/2" apart.



Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Sure will. I plan to add long sleeves to the next version.

Conclusion: It's at the top! ;-)

BWOF May 2008 - 108A The Tulip Skirt

Pattern Description: A tulip skirt, in the true sense of the word. Not only does the silhouette imitate the shape of this flower but the front drapings over the hips and waist also look like the flower petals. BWOF 108A Skirt May 2008

Pattern Sizing: Burda sizes 36 - 42.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Pretty much. The version in the photo had a little more draping around the hip area. But overall it looked like the photo/drawing.

Were the instructions easy to follow? As stated by many PR reviewer, the burda instructions are not the best. I had a little trouble following the instructions for pleating the skirt. So I studied the pattern and looked at the photo to help guide me through forming the tulip shaping. The rest was fairly simple and standard for assembling a straight skirt with a contour waistband.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I totally love the shaping around the hip area. There is nothing I dislike other than the instructions.

Fabric Used: I purchased this polyester fabric at Vogue Fabrics, remnant room, for the unbelieveable price of $5.23. Just enough to make a skirt.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I only made a few alterations:

- Added 2" to the length.
- Lined the Skirt -- the fabric has a lot of drape to it; the lining adds some body and besides I prefer lined skirts. For the front lining I used the back skirt pattern. The front pattern would add too much fabric across the abdomen. And I certainly don't need that. ;-) There was only one slight mishap with it. I cut it just a little too short.





Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Probably not. The skirt is unique enough that I only want one in my wardrobe. And besides I have hundreds of other skirt patterns to try. But I would recommend it to others. This style of skirt is a fashion trend. I've seen several version of tulip skirts and dresses this year. In particular, the Cadena magazine has at least four outfits with the tulip/floral element.



Conclusion: I really like this pattern and had planned to make this skirt the moment that a saw it in the BWOF.

Designer Quote: "The difference between day and evening clothes is outdated." -Yves Saint Laurent

Not Much Sewing -- Plenty of Work

I haven't been able to get much sewing done the last two weeks. We are busy at work testing the new upgrade from our vendor and evaluating features (new/old). On Tuesday, our project started another round the implementation phase roll out; Since April 2008, I have been designated the presenter for the Chicago campus. Tuesday's session was the first to combine three meetings into one. So I was up talking for about two and half hours, giving an overview of the project, modules, services, and processes. Halfway through it I gave a demo of the application and previewed the various services available to the end-users. The next session isn't until November 4th. In the meantime, routine testing and evaluation continues.

On a lighter note, I'm hoping to get some blogging and sewing done over the next few days. I've only had time to read a few blogs and very little sewing. Oh yeah, I received a call from Fishman's Fabric. The Cadena magazines are in and I picked up my copy. I still have one copy reserved. Hopefully I'll have time to post something from the magazine this weekend. The postman brought my October 2008 issue of BWOF; it has some great pieces in it. I especially like the faux fur designs. That's all for now.



Happy Sewing!
Cennetta

Nomination

It has been one busy week. I hoped to read more blogs and make a few posts to my own, but work has been exhausting to say the least. Before writing any posts, I wanted to nominate some fabulous people who blog about fashion, sewing, and/or other crafts. Ann and Paco, nominated me for the Brillant Weblog Premio-2008 award. Needless to say, there are so many great bloggers out there and many of them are already nominated.

There are some rules to follow and here they are:

1. Select 6-10 bloggers to whom you would like to give this award.

Amanda

Kim's Kouture

Kat

Karen

Jackie

Krystal


These ladies are phenomenal and have a keen sense of style. All of them have excellent blogs and have been a great source of inspiration to me.


2. Put the award - prize on your blog and indicate who gave it to you by identifying her/his blog. check

3. Paste these rules on your blog. check

4. Write 6 of your most important values and 6 negative points you condemn.
Okay, I'm not really good at this kind of thing. For the positives/values:

Family
Integrity
Loyalty
Faith
Hard working
Commitment

For the negatives: This part is hard. I guess I could expose a few of my weaknesses: I'm somewhat of a skeptic; can be a little matter of fact. Okay that's all on the negative side. I prefer to highlight the positive. ;-)


5. Inform the recipients by leaving a comment on their blog. On the to-do list