Thud...Another Box of Fabric...

Ever since the big move and my realization of just how much fabric I own, I've been trying to reduce the stash.   This should mean that I shop the stash before purchasing.  That is not always the case.  Surprisingly, my husband actually encouraged this purchase.  I may have purchased a little more fabric than what he had intended.  I did write down the amount I was purchasing and the intended project.  We'll see how that goes.  Here's the fabric:

This is the fabric that caught my husband's interest.  No, it wasn't the fabric itself but the content.  This is a Black Polyester/Polyurethane Drapey Crepe Suiting. He wanted to see this fabric because of the polyurethane.  Well, who are I say he can't do that?  I bought enough for a skirt and pants but it may be a skirt and jacket.  The remaining fabric was just why not?  Shipping is half price along with the bargain prices of the fabric.

This is suede knit.  I never had a suede knit before and wanted to feel it.  I purchased enough for a pull-on pencil.  Perfect!  The color doesn't exactly make me think of a soft shadow wouldn't that be gray?  This feels more more brown but I'll figure it out.

This is a polyester/lycra leather.  I'm hoping those wrinkles can be dealt with.  Otherwise, this was a bad purchase.  I have on my list that this was intended for a skirt but I'm not sure.  We'll see if this is usable fabric.  It does indeed have a very nice stretch to it.  Maybe I can make a jean type skirt with it.

This is a polyester leather.  It is a very nice leather look fabric.  It is intended be a shoulder bag.  Let's see how that turns out.  I have looked over the pattern yet.  It is a little different style than I would generally carry but if the top is closed and I can create pockets and such for the inside, it will be good.

This is a ponte knit and it is really nice.  After seeing it, I was wishing that I had purchased more of this fabric. It was intended to be fabric for a muslin but it may be too nice for that.  However, if I don't use it for that then it will become stash fabric and I really don't need for of that. 

How's that for all black fabric?  I can't help it.  That particular sale seemed to lean that direction for a bit.  Hopefully, everything will get made by fall.  Do you fall for the Fabric Mart sales, also?

Fabric reduction isn't going so well this year.  I have purchased roughly twice as much as I have sewn. 

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...T-shirt

There's nothing like a t-shirt in your wardrobe.  I don't know about you but I own several.  Here's the inspiration t-shirt:

This is the Moncler Slim-Fit Log-Sleeve T-Shirt.  Price tag: $200.00.  For a closer look, visit the Neiman Marcus website.

There isn't really anything special about this t-shirt other than the price tag and the fact that it is dry clean only.  This is a reminder to remember to make those items that you wear day-in and day-out.  There is no reason why they can't fit beautifully, too.  If you have a t-shirt pattern that you love, use it.  If not, try this pattern:

This is Silhouettes #195 Sweater Set.  Once this is pattern has been fitted you can make many tops in a short period of time.

Go make so beautifully fitted tops and make something beautiful!

Happy Stitching!

Fabric and Patterns...

Sigh!  I'm really suppose to be working on reducing the stash but it seems I like continue to add.  Here's the lastest fabric acquisitions:

This is a rayon knit.  It is ear marked for a top.

This is Brussels Washer Linen in grey.  It is ear marked for a skirt.

This is Essex Linen/Cotton Blend in a blue.  This is ear-marked for a top for later in the year.

Now, for the patterns:

 This is Butterick 6667.  I actually like both of this tops.  The blue linen above was purchased for View B.  I found a light pink woven in the stash that just may end up being View A.

This is Vogue 9133.  It is an unlined jacket and I'm sure I purchased it for View C.  I also like View A but I doubt that I would make more than one unlined jacket.

Here comes my disappointment:

This is Green Pepper F756.  I had purchased several pieces of active wear fabric intending to make cycling tops for my husband and myself.  This pattern was the only reason I ordered patterns in the early March sale.  It wasn't on sale.  That's okay.  I don't mind that.  Why am I disappointed?  I ordered it.  It was billed to the credit card.  However, it wasn't included in my package.  I did call McCall's customer service.  We'll see how this out.   I've never had an order messed up from McCall's before. 

Have you had any issues with McCall's not sending orders correctly?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Gingham Pants

Here's a wonderful pant for spring and summer:

This is Michael Kors Collection Gingham Stretch Cotton Trousers.  Price Tag:  $695.00.  Details: front slip pockets, back button through pockets, mid-rise, straight legs, cropped above ankle, cotton/spandex.

The detail here is really the gingham.  So, if you have a straight legged pant that you have already fitted, use that pattern.  Save those dollars for fabric.  This pattern might work:

This is McCall's 5894.  It is a jean pattern but you get a similar front with this pattern.

This is Butterick 5682.  This pattern contains a trouser pattern along with the jeans pattern.  There are a few more options here and it's possible that if one is fitted then other pattern patterns will follow.  Lots of options with this particular pattern.

Hope your inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Polka Dot Shirtdress

I found this sheath style shirtdress and wanted to share it:

This is the Maxmara Vicky Polka-Dotted Belted Shirtdress.  Price tag: $95.00   Details:  spread collar, button front with cascading ruffle trim, 3/4 sleeves, knee length, belted, cotton/spandex.

I'm not sure how to replicate the ruffled trim and since it is hardly visible maybe it isn't really needed.  Here's a pattern that would work:

This is Vogue 9345.  This isn't exactly like the inspiration dress but it's close enough to get the idea.  View E and F are the views that would work best.  Of course, once it's fitted you have options for other dresses. 

Here's another pattern to consider:

This is McCall's 7470.  Again, this one isn't exactly like the inspiration dress but it has some benefits.  Once the pattern is fitted you will have a top pattern also.

Hope you're inspired to sew something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Fabric Baskets...

In continuing with the theme of emptying boxes, I'm going to make fabric baskets for DH's CD collection.  Hopefully, it will be housed in the cabinet that he recently built.  Here's the link to post here.

So, I looked around for instructions for making rectangle fabric baskets.  I didn't really care if it was a for sale pattern or a freebie tutorial.  It just needed to provide enough information for me to create my own custom size without me starting entirely from scratch.  I found this basket:

This is a freebie tutorial at the littleyellowcouch (dot) com.  It gave enough information for me to be able to figure out how to recreate it in the size that I'm wanting for the shelf in the new cabinet.  The inside dimensions for the baskets need to be 16-inches x 5 1/4-inches x 5-inches.  I should be able to get 4 baskets on each side should I need that many.  Here's the hand drawn pattern:

Here's the chosen fabric:

I purchased this at the BluPrint website in the fabric clearance section here.  You can get some really good deals here and if your a BluPrint member the shipping is free.   I am using Pellon Peltex interfacing.

I had to do a sample basket to see how it worked.  Here's the sample:

It seems a little floppy but it's better with the CDs in it.  I'm glad that I did the sample instead of jumping right into making the baskets.  I decided to change the interfacing pieces to one piece.  I do need to check the width of the interfacing but I think the baskets will be much sturdier with one piece.  I'll need to think this through because it is far less waste on the interfacing if it is two pieces.  So, I decided to try one basket with the pieces of interfacing zigzagged together.  Here it is:

I do think this produced a sturdier basket.  It's a lot of work to do this.  Next basket is with the interfacing cut as one piece:

This basket is really floppy looking.  To save a bit on the interfacing I'm going to return to the method that I did on the second basket.  It may take a little bit longer but the basket looks/feels sturdier.

Here's the new baskets:

Here's all the baskets that I have made so far.  You can really see how floppy the middle one is compared to the others.

Here's the baskets with CDs:

Here you can see that none of the methods of making the baskets actually affected the use of the basket.  You can also see that I need to make one more basket.  The pink one is for my embroidery CDs. 

Here's the baskets in the cabinet:

A perfect fit!  I had actually planned 4 baskets for each side of the cabinet but when I saw I didn't really need that many baskets I didn't make that many.

I sure hope that the baskets hold up well.  What do you think of using fabric baskets in this manner?  Have you tried making fabric baskets before?  How did they turn out for you?

Happy Stitching!
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Spring 2019 New Butterick Patterns....

Most of the spring patterns this year from the big 3 have not been very interesting to me.  That kinda makes me sad because I love patterns and I enjoy collecting them.  The new Butterick patterns are up and here are the ones that I like:

This is Butterick 6667 tops pattern by Katherine Tilton.  This top has some unusual seaming which is what drew me to it.  Both tops are of interest to me.  View A is made up in a seersucker and it adorable.  I would probably consider making this is a seersucker if I could find some nice fabric. This looks like it would be nice and cool for summer.  View B would be perfect in a linen.  The shown view actually looks like it has hand stitching on it and I love that detail.  It is very much an Alabama Chanin detail and really doesn't add that much to the time spent making it.

This is Butterick 6670 wardrobe pattern.  Wardrobe patterns can be a good buy if you like all the patterns contained within.  I'm particular drawn to the dress View C.  The like the asymmetry of the dress.  The item I'm least drawn to is the top View A.

What are your thoughts on the 2019 spring release patterns?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Striped Shirt and Pants

Spring is fast approaching.  Today's inspiration is this lovely outfit by Maxmara:

The top is the Semele 3/4-Sleeve Striped Jersey Top.  Details:  crew neck, button shoulders, 3/4 length sleeve, pullover style with trapeze silhouette and stepped hem.  Price tag: $650.00.

The pant is the Denver Linen Front-Zip Trousers.  Details: mid-rise, straight legs, cropped at ankles, tab/zip front.  Price tag:  $645.00.

For a closer look, you can find these pieces at the Neiman Marcus website.

Pattern for the top could be:

This is the Uvita Top pattern by Itch to Stitch.  It's a free pattern offered by this company.  The silhouette is a little bit different than the inspiration pattern but it would be a good start if you're using a knit.

As far as the pant goes, use a pant pattern that you have already fitted.

Hope you're interested to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Cooking...Tuscan Butter Salmon

How about restaurant quality without going to the restaurant?  Here's another salmon recipe that I recently found:

This is Tuscan Butter Salmon.  This is probably less than 30 minutes to prepare and cook.  Amazingly, my version was just as pretty as the version pictured.  You really can't go wrong with this.  Enjoy!

Spent the extra time doing something you love.

Happy Stitching!