Inspiration...Midi Sleeveless Dress

 The hot days of summer of coming.  My favorite clothing for hot summer days is a dress.  Here is a perfect one:

This is the Delphine Midi Sleeveless Dress from Boden.  Price tag: $99.00.  Details:  100% cotton, machine washable, fit & flare styling, side pockets, designed to fall to mid-calf, sleeveless, notched neckline, drawstring waist. 

There are options with this dress  - three prints and three solids.  The sapphire blue is perfect.  

Here is a pattern line drawing that I think will work well:

 This is the Bobby Dress pdf pattern from Seamwork. The neckline is a little bit different and the waistline but I think it gives the same feel.  If you are a Seamwork member, there is a bonus available as well that adds a flutter sleeve.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

I Fell For One More Pattern Sale...

 Yes, I did indeed.  Here is the line drawings for the pattern that I fell for:

This is the Frank Jean Pattern (pdf for me).  There are lots of variations with this pattern - 2 rises and 3 leg shapes.  

I am not sure why I needed this pattern but I have it.  I also have multiple other jeans patterns that I have not tried yet.  Wish me luck!

Happy Stitching!

Itch to Stitch Quebec Skirt....

 Last fall, I purchased stretch twill to make a Itch to Stitch Quebec Skirt.  Here is the fabric:

 

It is a 4-way stretch twill in cotton.  It is nice an stretchy.  Here is the Quebec Skirt line drawing:

After reading the directions, I choose a size 16.  I also decided to shorten the skirt by 1-inch.  I did this at the shorten/lengthen lines on the pattern.  I am feeling a little doubtful about the choosen size but it is what it is.  Next, I decided to make the back pockets a little fancier by using decorative stitching.  Here is the design that I chose:

I will modify it a little bit to fit my pocket but this will start the process.  I think I will do a three-step straight stitch in a matching thread.  This was from a pdf that Closet Core had done on jean pockets.

Now, I need to decide about stay tape.  I do not really own this and usually use knit interfacing.  Generally, I would cut for this purpose with the grain so there would not be any stretch but there is a deep curve in the front pockets and I am not sure it will work. I will play a bit and see what happens.  I do not really have much extra fabric to play with.  I do not have any sewing stores nearby.  Yes, a sewing desert.  Just about everything needs to be purchased online.  Okay, here is what I ended up with:

I think it is workable.  I drew the seamline on so I could see where to place the tape.  On to drawing the pocket design.  Here are the results:

Sorry, the picture is not so good but maybe you can tell what it looks like.  Here is a practice topstitching.  I tried both a regular straight stitch and a 3-step stretch stitch with sew-in stablizer and wash-away stabilizer.  Here are the results:

Honestly, I can not tell much difference between the stabilizers.  When test-stitching, I tend to use up bobbins from other projects.  You can see it in the picture above. The second row of stitching has a black bobbin.  I kinda like the way that looks.  It is not what I want for this project but it could be usefully in another project for decorative stitching.  

Now, I need to figure out the thread thing.  I only order one spool of thread and this project has a ton of topstitching.  What was I thinking?  I have a fear that even if I use the thread for top thread, that I will run out of thread.  I do have a large stash of thread so hopefully there is something in there that is very close if not the same color.  So, I did end up ordering additional thread.  The shipping was as much as the cost of the thread.   Here is some additional pictures:

Here I have the pockets basted on.  I used two lines of basting one in a dark color to hold everthing in place and a second line in water solution thread to hold the very edge level.

Topstitching on the skirt front.  I am very happy with the way it has turned out.  Not perfect but good.

At this point the skirt, look skirty enough to try on.  I was disappointed.  Yes, I can get into the skirt but I do not want anyone to see me in the skirt.  I finished the skirt up to the elastic and that is where it will stay until  I have slimmed on a bit.  Here is the finished skirt:

Conclusion:  I love this pattern.  It is the perfect straight skirt pattern.  I am currently looking for fabric with 30% stretch.  You know all the factors - right straight, right color, ect.  I found a stretch corduroy that might work for a winter skirt.

The Quebec Skirt instructions are wonderfully written.  If you follow them, you will end up with a beautiful skirt.  Just make sure you pick the correct size.

I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.  Any purchases made through the links on this page will result in a small commission at no cost to you.  Thank you!

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Leather Jacket

 I saw the general style of this jacket all over Paris when I was there in early April.  The jacket is a good style:

This is the Button-Down Nappa Leather Jacket from Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag:  $2,498.00.  Details:  Approximately 23 1/2-inches from the shoulder to the hem, spread collar, and button-down front, long sleeves, button cuffs, patch pockets, straight hem, relaxed fit, and leather.

I think that the Style Arc Delphine Woven Jacket pattern is a perfect duplicate of this inspiration photo.  Here is the line drawings:

Now, whether or not you make out of leather is totally up to you.  Personally, I have never sewn a garment out of real leather.  However, I would be game to try a faux leather of some sort.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Another Pattern ...

 I decided that this pattern needed a place in my stash.  It is a fairly simple blouse and should be easy to make.  Here is the line drawing:

This is the Thea Blouse by Sinclair Patterns.  I like the simple style of this blouse and think it will work well for me. The sleeves on the blouse appear to have a good volume which I really like.  I am rarely happy with changing the sleeve/armscye on a pattern.

Here is to me for maybe getting it fitted by the end of summer for new fall/winter blouses.

Happy Stitching!