"Why in the world did you pick this name for your blog?" ...so glad you asked...

Sunday, July 31, 2011

A Vision in Plaid

I just caught a vision and I have to share before I forget.
I received my Lola Goes Shoppin' bag pattern from Izzy and Ivy this week and just stuck it in my pattern bin with all the others waiting for some love.

THEN... I ran across this brand called Ness and caught a vision for my Lola bag.


I'm not usually interested in plaid, but these tartan bags from Ness are too cute.  I think a Lola in tartan would be perfect for cold weather.  
Now to find a tartan as cute as the ones on the Ness website...

Saturday, July 30, 2011

McCall's 6078

In my McCall's order with sewingpatterns.com, I couldn't resist adding  number 6078 simply because of the back of View A.  I already have a cowl neck tank patern, but I couldn't resist at $2.99... and I knew my hubby would like it.  

I was right.  I showed him the pattern and he said something I won't repeat here, but, suffice it to say, he wanted to see that top on me.

Behold.


I made this up in a slightly stretchy olive green polyester rayon something or other that I found on the remnant table.  This shirt cost me about $10 including the pattern and thread.


It was only a few hours of work.  Nothing really difficult, just a lot of tedious pleating, but the pleating looks very sophisticated, so it was worth it.


The design of the shirt is great because, even with the exposed back, it allows for a bra.  I wore this out on a date the night I made it and was so glad that I could wear a regular bra.  I do have to mention that this shirt just rests on the shoulders.  There is nothing holding it up, so I was pretty nervous all evening.  A couple of safety pins on the bra straps would've been a good idea...


I left the sleeves unfinished.  I've seen plenty of rtw clothing with an unfinished edge like this, so I have no shame.


If I made this again, I would use it as the bodice of a dress and connect it to the skirt of another pattern.  That could be a really va va voom dress.



The only difficulty in this pattern is the pleating.  Three pattern pieces, no closures and easy-to-follow instructions make this a definite thumbs up from me.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Fall Wardrobe Patterns

SewingPatterns.com had a $2.99 sale on McCalls and then a $5.99 sale on Vogue!  Did they read my last blog post??

I bought:


from McCalls
and

from Vogue.

SewingPatterns.com didn't have the wrap shirt pattern.  :(  and I was too scared of the wrap dress I picked, so I chose another one.  Vogue 8631.  This version from Green Apples cinched it for me.


I intend this to be a long-sleeved dress, but I've also seen this in short-sleeves with a long-sleeved shrit underneath and it looked pretty good to me.

Updates will come when available!


Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Some Fall Picks

Me Made June was so fun and inspirational for me.  I was challenged to wear and appreciate the things I'd put the time and effort (and expense) into making, but also encouraged to look at my wardrobe with a critical eye.  I was able to identify some gaping holes and better plan for future sewing.
Speaking of planning, Self-stitched September will be here before I know it, so I'm already starting to strategically plan my me made fall wardrobe.
Here are some picks from both new and old patterns published by various brands.

McCall's 6203 Misses' Tunics
I like all versions of this top and think it could look very Anthro.

next:


I like the look on the main girl there to the right.  I also like the short-sleeved and sleeveless versions of this same top, so this could be a very useful pattern.

I'm so scared of pants, but this is Very Easy Vogue...


I can see these as khakis, in a tweed, or even in denim.

Now for a dress, DKNY, no less:


I believe this is a faux wrap dress.  I'm a little nervous about that detail at the waist.  I have a sneaking suspicion that it could go very wrong.  I may be waiting to see some reviews on this one.

And last, but not least, because seeing a version of this pattern in the Me Made June Flickr group is really what got me started thinking about my fall wardrobe...



My fave is the version on the top right.  The collar, the sleeves, oh yes please.  I think it would be nice to have a short trench like the one on the bottom right as well, so, once again, this is a pattern I can see myself getting some good use out of.

Of course, if I do actually make any of these, I'll post them here!