Fall is Just Around the Corner

First, thank you for your many, many visits to my blog. And those of you who have left a comment or sent me a personal e-mail, I'm especially grateful that you took the time to send me a message.

I hope everyone's holiday weekend was as planned: sewing, partying, or just relaxing. I had a great weekend enjoying visits with friends and family and a little bit of this and that mixed in. On Friday, the weather was hot and sticky, but by Sunday the temps had cool down to the lower 70's. It's still cool today. The good thing is the sky is clear and the sun is shining. I love days like this, when the air is crisp. Good sleeping weather.

Fall is just around the corner. Or should I say it's here..., I've given more thought to what I will make this fall, but feel like I can't get started until I finish up the few summer projects that are still in the works. On Saturday, I managed to finish up two skirts (will review next). I still have the unity conference outfits to make (white) and a few items for vacation. So the next two months my projects will be a mixture of summer and fall.

There are so many things I want to put at the top of the list, but there isn't enough time or enough me to get it all done. So I'm struggling with what to make first. Anyway, I wanted to leave you with a few things that have provided some level of inspiration for the coming, here already, fall season.

Something neutral or beige is on my list. I'm leaning forwards a beige coat. (Leftover from last year.)

Something with dolman sleeves. I like this top and the trousers.

Something red. I thought about color blocking red with something else. Red by itself is good.

These are but a few inspirational ideas on my fall list. What's on your list?

Happy Tuesday!
C

Another Great Pencil Skirt Option with B5566

A great pencil skirt comes in handy when you're trying to sew up one yard remnants. Butterick 5566 was a good choice to move some remnants from the fabric stacks to the closet. I made two skirts. There isn't much to review as the pattern has been reviewed many times by other sewists, and it's a simple pattern.

So here goes the short review of my experience.

Pattern Description: MISSES' SKIRT: Semi-fitted, above mid-knee skirts A, B, C, D, E have contour waist and back. A: front overlay, outside stitched darts. B, C: front yokes (contrast B). D: contrast sides. D, E: princess seams. B, C, D, E: topstitching.

Pattern Sizing: sizes 6 to 20; I used size 14 with a few modifications.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? For the most part. The model view appears to be a tapered at the hem. Not so in the pattern pieces. So I reduced the width of the hemline by 3 inches to get that tapered affect shown on the envelope.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Easy breezy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? View B and A caught my attention. Their not your typical pencil skirt designs. No dislikes.

Fabric Used: White linen/cotton blend and Red tropical wool.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Added 2 inches to the length. White installed an invisible zipper; red installed a lapped zipper.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I plan to make view B and view A. And yes I do recommend it.

Conclusion:

This is an nice pencil skirt to sew. All levels can make with no problems.

Oops!  Forgot to change my shoes. Lol

Burda Style Tank 07-2008-126
This is an UFO that I started over a year ago.  All it needed was hemming.

Pattern Description: Tank top with gathering and waist panel at center back.

Pattern Sizing: 36 - 44; 4/6 - 14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were typical Burda Style. The top was simple to make. So this one wouldn't be difficult to make for an average sewist.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? This style tank reminded me of "back in the day" when as a teenager we knotted our over sized t-shirt for a more fitted look around the waist. I thought this was a cute style. No dislikes.

Fabric Used: Assorted fiber knit from Vogue Fabrics.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I made a swayback adjustment and added a little width at the side.

Flickr

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Maybe and Yes.

Conclusion:  Cute little tank that is easy to sew.

The Meshing Truth about Simplicity 7013

If you read my pattern reviews, you know I purchase a lot of my fabric from Vogue Fabrics. Frequently, I go to the Remnant section first. To see what pretty fabric I can find at half the price. Of course, the fabrics are short cuts; I haven't seen anything over 2 1/2 yards in length. And that's okay when I'm making separates, especially knit tops, summer knit dresses and slim skirts for myself. DD can get a jacket or a pair of slacks because of her size; it doesn't take as much fabric for her.

This next review is about a top that I recently made using Simplicity 7013 (OOP) and some mesh fabric that I found in the Remnant section. The length of the fabric was only 1 1/2 yards. You can definitely see through it. At the time of purchase, I didn't think about the two great tips/tutorials that Ann Steeves wrote about mesh knit fabric, here and here.

I ended up with a fairly decent knit top, but I have to wear a cami underneath it to "protect" myself. Lol I was lucky to already have a red cami that I had a few years ago, It's trimmed with black fold over elastic and is the perfect concealer.

Pattern Description: Simplicity description only states Misses' knit tops. I'll add six knit tops with sleeve and neckline variations.

Pattern Sizing: sizes 6 - 20; I used size 14.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? My version did not look like any of the views on the pattern envelope. I used the front and back of View F and the sleeve of View A. I like the one sleeve look, but always feel like one arm maybe cold while the other is comfortable.

Were the instructions easy to follow? I just looked over them; didn't really follow them because of the changes I made. But they look pretty standard.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the many options. And the fact that you can mix and match the pieces to fit your personal style. No dislikes.

Fabric Used: Mesh knit from Vogue Fabrics.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

Construction changes:

I eliminated the facing. I cut a stripe of fabric about an inch shorter than the circumstance of the neckline and about 2 1/2 inches wide. Then sewed the ends together to create a circle. Next I folded to create a bias facing. Pressed. Stitched it in the same manner as a bias tape to a neckline or armhole.

I didn't hem it. The fabric does not fray.

Design changes:

Instead of using the pattern for one particular view, I combined the bodice of View F and the sleeve of View A.

I didn't do a FBA. It's not a bad fit, but there are a few horizontal lines. No pulling or tugging to get the top down though.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I probably will try another view later. And yes, I do recommend it if you have this pattern.

Conclusion:

This is an easy pattern that a beginner can sew.

Next, I review the skirt (B5566).

Evening Meshed in McCall 6319

My obsession with fabric has rubbed off on my DD. These days she is serious about fabric shopping. She's always looking for the best deals. Three years ago on one of our trips to the Textile Warehouse on West 21st Street, she bought this mesh fabric. The store is huge, nearly a block long three stories of fabric and notions.

The silver mesh fabric used to make this dress was bundled with several other pieces and weighted. The bundle was priced at $2.00 a pound. Interesting way to sell fabric. The mesh fabric measured about two yards. It was first used to dress her jewelry table at artist alley. Then one day in June she said to me, "What could you make out of this fabric." I looked and sort of frowned, " I don't know. It's not something I'd want to wear." All the while, I was thinking what could I make. So I turned to the many fashion magazines on my table and started thumbing through them. To my surprise, several pages featured beautiful mesh knit garments. Now, this dress is the result of the inspiration from those garments. My fabric shopping, deal getting DD has a great dress to wear to the Captain's Ball.

So here is my review of this sewing project:
M6319

Pattern Description: MISSES' DRESSES: Fitted dress with tapered skirt has lined bodice and elasticized waist.

Pattern Sizing: 8 - 22; I used size 10 with 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? Very easy; I had no problem with following them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the style of this dress and thought it would be a great way to showcase the fabric. The dress went together easily. I like the soft pleats at the waist and the asymmetric neckline. It's a good knit dress pattern. I only have one dislike which is the lack of lining for the skirt of the dress.

Fabric Used: Silver mesh fabric and black knit lining (Hancock, $6.99)

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I made a few fitting adjustments: pigeon chest and square shoulder. Details on that process can be found here. Because you can see through the knit, I added a skirt lining.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I think I may make a top for myself. And yes I do recommend it to others. It stylish and easy.

Conclusion:

This is a nice knit dress pattern that is easy to sew. A beginner should be able to sew it with no problem.

Happy Sewing!

C

Fall Is In The Air

Still have a few summer projects in the works, it's past time to start working on my fall wardrobe.

At the top of the list are; a black and white hounds tooth coat. The fabric is a gift from Marji. This coat is right in line with the fall collection of Salvatore Ferragamo. Erica B. posted some of his fall collection on her blog. This UFO was started over a year ago. It's cut, ready to sew and would be the perfect alternative to the traditional trench coat. Vogue 1257 is also high on the list. I want to make this before the harsh winter comes. What's on your list?

A few months ago, I received the Pantone color palette for Fall 2011. I like phlox, deep teal, and coffee liqueur. You may see these colors in my fall wardrobe. The color report it below for your convenience.

Happy Sewing!
C

Chic Chapeaus - Hats Are Back in Style!

Gene Tiernery - Hollywood Legend from the 30's and 40's
Great matching hat and purse

Ava Gardner - Hollywood Legend from the 30's and 40's




Back in the day, women almost always wore hats and gloves in public. It was an essential part of getting dressed to leave the house. Over time, that all changed. Nowadays it is rare to see women wearing hats in church. Since the courtship of Prince William and Kate Middleton there has been a resurgence of hat-wearing.

Last year, our church Unity Conference Coordinator announced that she'd like the women to wear hats on the climax of the 2011 conference. Of course, I thought about making my own. I wanted it to be unique. Another creative skill to add to my repertoire. The September issue of Burda Style magazine arrived just in time for me to take advance of its feature article on "DIY Trend", which teaching you how to make popular hats and fascinators similar to the whimsical styles worn by Princess Kate.

Essence magazine also featured an article all about the toppers, and how you can incorporate them into your style. I loved every one of them. So for your viewing pleasure hear they are:

That's all for now.  More reviews still to come.

Happy Sewing!
C

Vogue 8717

This is an outfit that I made about two months ago using Vogue 8717. But I'm still on the fence on whether I like it or not. With that said, let me begin my review. (The top is M5977)

Pattern Description: MISSES' VEST, JACKET AND PANTS: Close-fitting, 1" above waist, lined to edge vest A or jacket B have front slanted seams, back princess seams and snap closure. B: three-quarter length sleeves with stitched pleats. Pants C have high waist, straight legs, front stitched pleats, front and back darts, side seam pockets and back zipper. A, B, C, D cup sizes.

Pattern Sizing: 6 to 22; I used size 14 with a few modifications.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Pretty much.


Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, they were.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I really like high waist pants, but have been reluctant to make them because my torso is a little shorter than average and my long legs gives the appearance of an even shorter torso. But I decided to try this pattern anyway. It has the multiple pattern pieces for various cups size. Which I also like. The jacket is okay. The pleating on the sleeves is cute.

Okay, now my dislikes: The high waist pants aren't the most flattering for me. And the various cups size didn't provide the best FBA. I feel some pulling at the lower armscye. My prominent shoulder blades make the jacket stand too far away from my back just below my shoulder blades. I am still not in love with back pants zippers.  Surely, all my dislike are based on my personal preference and fitting issues.  If this pattern suits you, try it.  But make a muslin and make sure it's the right silhouette for your figure.

Fabric Used: A rayon blend from Vogue Fabrics.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: My usual adjustments: prominent shoulder blades, sway back, lengthen pant leg, and adjust crotch.
For the jacket, maybe I should have worked on the fitting some more to get the right feel and fit at the armscye and at the lower back.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? No, I will not sew this again. But do not want to discourage anyone else from trying it.

Conclusion:

I think this style will work better for others. This pattern is not difficult to sew.


Happy Sewing! Still several reviews to go.

Stay Tuned!
C