Inspiration...Sweater, Shirt, and Pants

Inspiration for a whole outfit can't get much better than this.

This is from Lafayette 148 New York.  Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater - price $448.00.  Brody Uptown Tattersall Long-Sleeve Blouse - price $378.00.  Clinton Heritage Plaid Cuffed Pants - price $598.00.  For a closer look, check the Neiman Marcus website.

Here's my pattern choices to recreate a similar look:

This is #195 Sweater Set by Silhouettes. I would make a long sleeved tee with a little more ease and add the turtle neck or whatever neckline I wanted.  Do it in a sweatery rib knit.

This is the Archer Button Up pattern by Grainline Studio.  To achieve a similar top, don't add the pocket.  This pattern would also work:

This is the Classic Shirt by Liesl & Co.  Although this pattern gives you the same basic silhouette as the Archer, this one has a darts which will give it a better fit.

This is the Clover pant pattern by Colette.  View A is a classic cigarette style pant.

This feels like a lot of ideas but we really should think outfits when we are sewing so we do not end up with a lot of orphan projects.   Who needs a closet full of clothes with nothing to wear?  Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

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Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, First Quarter Summary...

Whew! The first quarter of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe is over.  Seeing everything together allows me to see some holes.  Here is my version of the 1st quarter:

Maybe I can do better with the next quarter.

Happy Stitching!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 13

Week 13 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 13 here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.

Week 13 is a dress.  No, you don't have to do a dress.  However, I have a causal dress in my closet.  I don't have the need to purchase another dress at this point.  The dress that I have is a denim dress and is similar to this one from Chadwick:

If you choose to make a dress, there are a multiple of shirt dress patterns.  Of course, if you want something a little nicer there are lots of patterns that will accommodate.  Of course, you could decide to add pants and a shirt. 

Have you been participating in this series?  How has it worked for you?  I'm going to attempt a summary of all the pieces I have collected or used from my existing closet items.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Shawl Collar Cardigan

Fall is here.  Are you ready?  Here's a cardigan to think about:

This is the Eileen Fisher Wool Shawl-Collar Cardigan.  Price tag: $448.00.  Check out Neiman Marcus for a closer look.  Don't forget to check the "How to Wear It" for fun little outfit ideas.

Here's a pattern idea:

This is Hugo's Favorite Cardigan pattern by Silhouette Patterns.   This is a favorite among SP fans.

As always, if you have a similar pattern that has been fitted, use it, and save those dollars for fabric.  Hope your inspired to create something beautiful.  Don't forget to complete the outfit with a top and pants.

Happy Stitching!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 11 and Week 12

Weeks 11 and 12 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 11 here and Week 12 here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.

Week 11 is a neutral second layer.  This is always useful as the seasons change.  For this I was thinking of making the Hugo's Favorite Cardigan pattern by Silhouette Patterns in a black knit.  I'm not ready to work on this yet and I will share it a later date.  Here's a look at the pattern:

This pattern is a favorite among Silhouette fans.  I hope I like it also.

Week 12 is pants or a skirt.  I pulled things from the closet for this.  I have two skirts one in a solid black and another is a black/gray houndstooth.  Both are made using the Magic Pencil Skirt pattern by Pamela's Patterns.  This is a great skirt pattern.  The black/gray houndstooth skirt can be found here.  The solid black skirt can be found here.  The black version is my favorite skirt.

Are you working through this series?  How it is going for you?

Happy Stitching!

Sewing With Knits: 5 Wardrobe Essentials

In an effort to make better use of my Bluprint subscription, I'm trying to watch more of the various classes.  I've chosen the Sewing With Knits: 5 Wardrobe Essentials with Meg McElwee.  This class comes with 5 patterns - a hoodie, a skirt, a dress, a t-shirt, and yoga shorts.  It's a pretty good variety of patterns and I will be sewing along with this class.  The first project is the hoodie pattern.  Here's a look at the pattern diagram:

It looks like a typical pullover hooldie that will be very useful as the weather cools down in the fall.

If you would like to sew along with me, go check out the Sewing With Knits: 5 Wardrobe Essentials at Bluprint.  Please note that if you use this link and purchase anything, I do get a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Now, it's time to dig through the stash and see what fabric is available that would make a great pullover.  I believe I have some French Terry that would be perfect.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...V-Neck Tee

T-shirts are pretty much a wardrobe stable.  This is no different:

This is Eileen Fisher Organic Cotton V-Neck Short-Sleeve Jersey Tee.  Price tag: $78.00.  Details:  organic cotton jersey, v-neck, short-sleeves, relaxed fit, straight hem, and pullover style.

This is where you pull out your favorite t-shirt pattern and change the neckline.  It's not hard to do.  Just use your french curve.  Need a suggestion:

This is the basic t-shirt pattern by Silhouettes.  It's the Sweater Set pattern.  I can hear you already saying it doesn't have a v-neck.  Use your french curve.

Another good pattern would be this one:

This is the Basic Top pattern by Textile Studio.  View B would be the pattern.  This pattern line is no longer being producer but it would be worth looking for.  I already have this pattern fitted and need to use it more.

Hope your inspired to create something beautiful and useful for your wardrobe.

Happy Stitching!

Ace Funnel Neck Top...

The September Seamwork magazine came out with a cute funnel neck top.  It is a 3-piece pattern and I had to give it a try.  Here's the line drawings:

The hardest part is putting the pdf printout together.  You must invest in tape.

Here is the finished product:

Conclusion:
1.  I was able to make this sweater with 1 1/2 yards of a sweater knit.
2.  This was super easy.
3.   I will make this again.
4.  Overall, I think I would prefer a little more ease.  This is most likely an age thing. 
5.  I would prefer a little more length.
6.  I would prefer a deeper hem.

Changes for next time:

1.  1/2" sway back alteration
2.  Add 1" to the length of the top and add 1/2" to the length of the sleeve.
3.  Either stitch slighter smaller seams or add a little at the side seams. 

I'm trying to enjoy my Seamwork subscription by being involved in the Community and trying the patterns.  If you would like to give it a try, use this link to get $3.00 off your first month.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Striped Pullover

There is something about a casual top that sometimes you can not resist.  This is a good idea for the really thin fabrics that you find and are not sure what to do with.

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Striped Finespun Voile Bateau-Neck Long-Sleeve Pullover. Price tag: $398.00.  For a closer look, check out Neiman Marcus.  Don't forget to check out the "How To Wear It" section.  Details:  finespun voile sweater with stripes, bateau neckline, long sleeves with solid cuffs, relaxed silhouette, straight hem, pullover styling.

Here's the pattern that is pretty much a duplicate of the inspiration:

This is the Uvita Top pattern by Itch to Stitch.  It is a freebie and you should really check out this pattern line. 

The inspiration photo also shows a tank top.  It's not mentioned in the description but you can see it and you need it if your fabric is as thin as the inspiration photo.  How about this:

This is the Lago Tank pattern by Itch to Stitch.  It is also a freebie.  This designer is very generous.  Don't forget to check out her for sale items.

As always, if you have a pattern(s) already fitted, use those.  Time is money also.  Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 10

Week 10 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe has arrived.  You can find it here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.

Week 10 is a neutral top with texture.   I recently purchased this top:

It is the Christopher and Banks Layered Floral Printed Y-Neck Blouse.  To see an up close picture visit Christopher and Banks website and search for the product name.


Are you working through this series?  How it is going for you?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Cuffed Pants

Cuffed pants...it has been a while since I have noticed them in the stores.  Here's this nice of slim pants with cuffs:

Thisi s the Lafayette 148 New York Clinton Gateway Cloth Cuffed Pants with Pickstich Detail.  Price tag:  $498.00.   Details:  11" rise, 29" inseam, 14" leg opening (these 3 details on a size 8 pant),  side slip pockets, back welt pockets, straight leg, ankle length, cuffed hem, hook/zip fly, belt loops, and pickstitch detail.  For a closer look, go to Neiman Marcus.  Don't forget to check out the "How to Wear It" option. 

Here's a pattern that may work:

This is Vogue 1571.  The pattern includes a slim leg pant.  The bonus with the pattern is you would also get a jacket pattern.   This pattern doesn't seem to have pockets so you would need to add them along with the cuffs.  Here's a little bit of information on adding portions to a pant pattern:

1.  Side pockets - Here is a Seamwork tutorial on Drafting Side Pockets.
2.  Welt pockets - Here is a Silhouettes Pattern tutorial on How to Sew a Welt Pocket. 
3.  Adding cuffs - Tutorial .  You may want to look at several different tutorials for this one.
4.  Pickstitch - How to Sew a Pickstitch.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful for your wardrobe.

Happy Stitching!