Easter 2010 - Simplicity 2588

My DD and I decided this would be a nice Easter dress for her. Back in January 2010 Marji sent me a grand box of goodies. The fabric was part of the gift. Thanks again.

Pattern Description: Misses'/Miss Petite Dress with neckline and skirt variations.

Pattern Sizing: Sizes 4 - 20. I made a size 10 with some adjustments.




Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it looked like the photo/drawing (yellow dress).

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yep, as easy as 1, 2, 3...,

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like all of the views of this pattern. You know I'm really liking the Project Runway patterns. The pattern collection offers so many options. At a glance you are given eight dress designs. With fabric, mixing and matching the bodice and skirts, there are endless possibilities.

No dislikes at all.

Fabric Used: The fabric is purple/blue jacquard polyester I think.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

Alterations -
I made a muslin of the top thinking I may have to make a broad shoulder adjustment. Looking at the muslin of this yoked bodice made me wonder if I needed to make a different kind of alteration. DD has broad shoulder true enough, but I think she also has a slight pigeon chest and (like mother, like daughter) a sway back.

In the muslin, I tried to feature out how to make the adjustments. Ann uploaded some illustrations for me which were a big help. Thanks, Ann. So I begin with altering the sleeves then making the adjustments in the yoke and bodice. But I forgot to make a sway back adjustment.

Sleeves - altered from square shoulders.



Back Yoke and Bodice- I had to remove about a inch from the center back seam through the upper back portion. I guess the sleeve alteration caused the gaping at center back.

Design Changes -

Invisible Zipper
Bias Tape at the hems: skirt and sleeves.







Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes. I plan to. I think this is a great dress to try.

Conclusion: Great wardrobe builder. The pattern has several style lines that can be mixed and matched.

Parting shot: My Baby Sis modeling accessories made by my DD. Red feathered hair comb and earrings!

Vogue 1084 - Ms. PB

Today I'm practically forcing myself to at least post to my blog. Lately, I have been in a "no blogging" mood. Every day last week I kept telling myself, "Post the final segment of Ms. PB's dress, Vogue 1084." I couldn't seem to get it done. So now I'm on a mission to get back into blogging.

Here is Ms. PB in her vintage vogue dress at the Pastoral Banquet. She has already asked me to make another dress in a wool crepe for the fall. And..., she on the list for another Pastoral banquet outfit.



Pattern Description:
MISSES' DRESS: Close-fitting, flared dress with side front seams and darts, raised front neckline, low back with darts, waistline seam, tie, skirt with side back seams and inverted pleat, side zipper closing. A: short sleeves. B: long sleeves with snap closing. Below mid-calf length.

Pattern Sizing:
Sizes 6 - 20

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, except for the changes that I made.


Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes. They were pretty easy to follow. The only difficult process was joining of the sleeve, front and side front bodice. Before I cut into the fashion fabric, I made a muslin to help identify the difficult areas and/or construction processes. I also tested how the facing and the bodice would join using the pattern to help me visualize the join.




What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? This dress was sewn for a client/friend. She adored the styling of this dress. No dislike reported. For me, I like to fullness of the skirt and the tie at the center back. My dislike is the front is very plain and the neckline didn't really drape as the illustration on the pattern envelope.

Fabric Used: The queen of fabric: silk (dupioni)

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Plenty: All documented on my here on this blog.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes. I'll make another dress for Ms. PB in the fall. Yes I would recommend it.

Conclusion: Ms. PB was very pleased with her dress. So pleased I've been commissioned to make another. Sewing it was not difficult at all. If this is your style of dress, try it.

More pictures on Flickr.

Haute Couture Club of Chicago - March 2010

March, 2010 edition - Haute Couture Club...,

The club met a few weeks ago. This is my first real opportunity to sit down to blog about it. This meeting was no different from the last; a joy. At the beginning the members meet and greet, then club business, contest review and judging, show and tell, and guest speaker. Immediately follow the meeting lunch for those who have time. A treat...,

There is so much that happenings in the "short" period of time. I'll give the highlights so you get a flavor of the day.

Club business - Upcoming Fashion Show April 18, 2010
Who is planning on showcasing their artistry; how many garments
Tickets anyone? - I bought five
All garments, finished and unfinished, should be brought to March 27th special meeting

Show and Tell
Opportunity for members to "show and tell" about something that they made/designed
(great motivational segment - very creative members)

Contest - Shoe Inspired Outfit
Three winners - Sorry the photos are not the best so I decided not to publish them.

Guest Speaker - Karen Snow - shared her knowledge of silk and silk painting

Tidbits on how silk is made - She passed around an actual silk cocoon with deceased worm inside. We got to see and touch the silk fleece and various weaves of fabric. At the end of the presentation, the members were invited to collectively design silk scarves.




Parting shot: Me wearing a pair of pants (black stretch woven from Pauline) made last week M5818. Top worn is S4020 made two years ago. The second pair are also black (cotton/poly twill from Pauline). I needed some simple black pants that I can grab in a hurry, like yesterday.




That's it!
C

The Finish Line Vogue 1084 - Part IV

It's been over two weeks since I last posted. March was a big submission deadline via our application. So I've had to support the users more than normal in addition to the other tasks assigned to me. On the home front, I've been out and about more than usual. Not much blog reading, but haven't missed out of sitting at the sewing machine. As far as blogging about it, I'm about five posts behind. Ms. PB's dinner dress is done! And in between the fittings and sewing of it, I managed to meet/shop with a few more clients, make two pair of pants and a skirt for me.

And oh yeah! On March 6th the Haute Couture club met (other post). We learned about silk and silk painting. The club is sponsoring a fashion show April 18th. Several ladies showed off their entries for the Challenge: "It Is All About The Shoes". Each contestants creates an outfit centered around a "interesting" pair of shoes. And loads of other exciting updates about the going ons of the club. Fun! Fun! Later...,

Back to Vogue 1084. This dress will be showcased on March 28th. I'll only give a few details today, but will post event photos and full review later. There were multiple changes in the design of the dress. Most mentioned in an earlier post. Since then, we've had two additional fittings, both last week.

Design changes -

- sleeves were changed to above the elbow and fitted
- hem sleeves just by turning under two inches and handstitching the hem in place.
- made an additional tie out of the contrasting fabric (back skirt)
- made three belts 3 inch wide (heavy interface), two 2 inch wide belt to tie at waist. (Just in case)

Fitting changes -

- taken in at sides, requiring removal of the zipper, bodice through hip area
- taken in at upper back (center and shoulder sections)
- making adjustment in back facing (ripping out inital facing, resizing a new one)
- increase the wideth and length of the back darts to address sway back

This was good experience for me. I love sewing silk dupioni. It handles well, easy to press, and is beautiful. Normally I underline it, but this time I didn't fear that it would affect the drape of the dress.

The pattern was average, I think. Some may feel the joining of the side bodice would be a little challenging, especially since it is very visual and there are two. It may be difficult to get the same finish in both.

Below are a few photos from the process of joining the side front to the front bodice and sleeve:






In closing, now I need to finish my outfit for the event. My fabric and shoes.
Happy Sewing!

Spring 2010 - Cadena! Can You Stand Some More?

Can you stand some more inspiration? Maybe not for those of you who saw the Oscars last night. So many fabulous dresses. There were a few nice tuxedos on the red carpet as well.

But for the sake of sewing "Real Way" instead of "Run Way", here are a few more of my favorites from the Spring Catalog. Enjoy!


Great details on this jacket. The white on black is something I want to incorporate into one of my Spring/Summer projects.



I've been wanting a similar jacket for a while. I need move it closer to the up of the ole list.



The layering technique used in this outfit is outstanding. It's fresh and doesn't look over done. (Side note - the models have big beautiful hair.)



Great use of fabric. The combination of the chiffon (belt) and the boucle (jacket) is interesting. The colors remind me of a dewy spring morning with the scents of gardenias and jasmine flowing in the air.



The big flower is definitely over the top. But I like the idea of the side flounce instead of a slit.

Happy Sewing!
C

2010 Fall Fashions - Dolce & Gabbana

This morning my DD walked into my office with the Wall Street Journal Personal Journal section. On the cover is a runaway photo from Dolce & Gabbana's recent Fall 2010 Fashion Show. The sub title reads: "The normally provocative Dolce & Gabbana sent a fleet of models down the runway in tailored jackets (above), while Marc Jacobs (right) featured a gray three-piece suit."

I haven't started sewing for Spring yet. Oh well...,

So that's the short of it. I'll check out my favorite online fashion show firstview in a few months to see what other designers have to say.

Happy Sewing and Designing! Have a fantastic weekend!
C

Getting Some Spring In My Wardrobe

There is always so much I want to do, but have so little time to do it in. This year is no exception. About three weeks ago, I started organizing a few projects just to have some ideas about what I want to sew over the next few months.

For starters dresses are always on the list. Here are a few I want to make before summer.

B5455 - Navy Starburst silk fabric from Fishman's





S2812 - Black and White Houndstooth fabric from Marji





S2473 - White with black topstitching (I already have several cuts of white fabric, but I don't know which one I'll use for this dress.)



These are a few garments on the Spring to make list. Needlesstosay, I'm still working on a few fall/winter pieces. All will be transition clothes as it's not Spring in Chicago until late May.

That's the short of it. Oh..., Several client projects (wardrobe for DS and Ms. CB's family reunion dress (V1138) and clothes for DD on the list as well. So I will be working on several projects at the same time. Next week I'll have an update on Ms. PB's dress. I finally decided on my banquet outfit (inspired by Cadena Fall 2008 design).

Happy Sewing!
C