Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 30

Week 30 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 30 here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.  Note: as the series progresses, the chart changes a wee bit.  It should be shown on the weekly posting at the bottom. 

Week 30 is a short sleeved tee shirt in an accent or print.  The tee shirts in accent colors I have.  I have light gray, pink, and blue. This would be a good time to add a print.  So, check your stash to see if anything appropriate.  If not, go shopping.  Make sure that the colors will go with your basics colors.  It would really be good if the print was in your accent colors.

Use your favorite tee shirt pattern. 

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Pullover Blouse

I feel like I have started moving away from tee shirts and really liking blouses again.  Here's a great pullover top:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Jessica Sublime Linen Short-Sleeved Blouse.  Price tag: $378.00.  Detials:  Spread collar with v-neckline, short sleeves, relaxed silhouette, straight hem, pullover style,

I was unable to locate an exact pattern.  Here's a couple to consider:

This is the Marseilles Shirt pattern by Textile Studios.  Long out of print but View A offers the v-neckline, the collar, and the extended shoulders.  This is probably best in a drapey fabric.  One is available on patter walk dot com.

This is Vogue 1681.  View B would be a good match for the inspiration photo.  You would need to shorten the sleeves and add a collar.

This is Fisher's Pleated Blouse pattern by Silhouette Patterns.  This has a deeper v and would need to be raised alone with adding a collar and shortening the sleeves to match the inspiration photo.

I have given you lots of ideas today.  Hope it has been helpful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Shift Dress

The shift dress is quick and easy dressing.  You can dress them up or you can dress them down. 

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Easton Short-Sleeved Button-Back Shift Dress.  Price tag: $498.00.  Details:  Cotton/Nylon/Spandex blend, short-sleeved, knee-length, button-back, bateau neckline, and shift silhouette.  For a closer look, check out the Neiman Marcus website.

This is a lovely princess seam shift dress.  My guess is that if you wanted that neckline, you would need to copy it from another pattern or find a vintage version.   Here's a pattern to consider:

This is Simplicity 1586.  This is closer to a sheath dress than a shift dress but you have the color blocking and cup sizing.  It does have the princess seams and they are a different style.  I think minor changes would get you very close to the inspiration picture.

If you already have a shift dress pattern fitted, use it.

Happy Stitching!

Weekly Timless Wardrobe, Week 29

Week 29 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 29 here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.  Note: as the series progresses, the chart changes a wee bit.  It should be shown on the weekly posting at the bottom. 

Week 29 is a light neutral tee shirt.  She states that white would be the backbone of her spring/summer wardrobe.  I think white has it's place in the wardrobe but I would go for a light blue or light pink.  Either color would go with my neutral bottoms.  I do tend to wear much more navy in the summer than the other colors.  I think that the light pink tee shirt needs replacing.  I would like a scoop neck top.  Here's an example:

This is Sunny's Top pattern by Silhouette Patterns.  I'm looking at the neckline only on this top.  There is a base layer that all the colorful little layers are being stitched onto. The other alterative to take an existing tee shirt pattern that have been fitting and change the neckline.  Saving those dollars for fabric.  That is always a good idea.  

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Paperbag Wide Legged Pant

A wide-legged pant always reminds me of the 70s.  This pair is a wonderful casual denim:

This is the Paperbag Full Length Wide Leg Pant by Boden.  Price tag: $90.00.  Details:  high-waisted, fitted at the waist with a wide leg, front pockets, back welt pockets, detachable self fabric belt, hook and bar waist fastening with zip fly.

Here's a couple of patterns to consider:

This is McCall's 7726.  View D is very close to the inspiration picture.  I am not sure about adding the welt pockets to the back as there is already something going on.

Here's a slightly different option of the paperbag pant:

This is the Paper Bag Pant pattern by Sewn Square One. 

Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Sewing!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 28

Week 28 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 28 here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.  Note: as the series progresses, the chart changes a wee bit.  It should be shown on the weekly posting at the bottom. 

Week 28 is a dark neutral tee.  I already own black and navy crewneck tees and don't really need to add more tees.   However, I would like to add at least one v-neck tee or perhaps a scoop neck tee.  We'll see what happens.  The weather right now is perfect for a short sleeved top with a cardigan or jacket.  The weather is different every day.

I did an inspiration post early in January that is just perfect for this tee.  It's the Basic Layering Tee.  It has a link to a McCall's pattern that has a v-neck variation.  Actually the pattern has two neckline variation and 4 sleeve variations.  I always recommend using an existing pattern that has already been fitted.  More money to spend on fabric, etc.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Bracelet

Sometimes, you need accessories.  Here's a cute little bracelet:

This is the Marlyn Schiff Beaded Strand Bracelet. Price tag: $56.00.  This can be viewed at the Nic+Zoe website.

Here's a video on how to create your own stranded bracelet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtN3FYUaXJ8 .  The video makes it look really easy to create.

Happy Stitching!

McCall's Early Spring Picks...

The McCall's Early Spring patterns have been released.  Here are my picks:

This is McCall's 8031. It a shaped shirtdress with darts and a notched collar.  Since there isn't really a description,  there are 3 sleeve varations and 3 hemline variations.  This would be a nice year round dress.

This is McCall's 8041.  This is a blouse pattern with two neckline variations and two hemline variations. 

What do you think of the new McCall's artwork? 

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Tweed Skirt

Let's hail the 60s with this little skirt:

This is the British Tweed Mini Skirt by Boden.  Price tag: $120.00.  Details:  fabric is 100% wool, lining is 100% polyester, a-line silhouette, side slant pockets, sits below natural waist, above knee length, concealed back zip.  For a closer look, check out the bodenusa website.

We can do a bit better than that making it ourselves.  Here's a pattern with a similar silhouette:

This is Kwik Sew 3877.  View B is very close to the inspiration photo.  You would need to add pockets and lining.   Even the largest size of the skirt takes about 1 1/2 yards of fabric. Even if you paid $15/yard for the fashion fabric and $5/yard for lining the skirt would cost between $30 and $35 to make.  That's a huge savings.  For myself, I would make the View A in this skirt.  It would only cost a wee bit more to make the longer skirt.

Of course, if you already have a similar skirt pattern. Use it!  Some those dollars to purchase additional fabric.  Hope you're inspired to make something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 27

Week 27 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 27 here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.  Note: as the series progresses, the chart changes a wee bit.  It should be shown on the weekly posting at the bottom. 

Week 27 is an accent tee.  It is time to add some color.  I have a fair variety of t-shirts in accent colors of pink, teal, and blue from Lands End and LL Bean with different sleeve lengths.  I'm sure if I look closely some of the short sleeved items will need replacing.  I'm not really ready to replace just yet but I will look and see what is available.

For stitching your own t-shirts, here's a nice option:

This is Silhoutte Patterns #195.  It's versatile once you have it fitted.  Otherwise use your favorite t-shirt pattern.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Basic Layering Tee

Do you sew basics that you will wear day in and day out?  I'm wanting to stitch more of this type of item.  Here's a basic tee:

This is the Nic+Zoe Countryside Top.  Price tag: $118.00.  This is their take on the classic layering tee.  Details:  v-neck with facing, long-tail with curved hem, loose-fitting, v-neck back with yoke shaping.

You need to look at this top to appreciate, I think.  You need to see the back.  Just head over to the Nic+Zoe website.  Now let's think about patterns:

This is M6964.  This pattern offers a variety of necklines and sleeves which makes it versatile.  It doesn't have the faced v-neck but the v-neck is good.  The hemline would need to be dropped a little and curved.  Make use of your french curve.

If you have a t-shirt pattern already fitted, use it.  Just remember that a v-neck is not really a straight line.  Use the french curve.  Have fun!

Happy Stitching!

Meat Delivery Service....

Last year, we tried a meat delivery service called ButcherBox.  I opted for a classic beef and chicken box which is 10 to 14 pounds of meat with delivery every two months or so.  There is just two of us and I would say that we don't eat a tremendous amount of meat.

So, with having completed six orders.  We have decided to continue the service in 2020.  We get a nice mix of meat each order.  The only duplicates that we gotten each month that has been chicken breast and hamburger.  I have also done an add-on of bacon with each order.  Their bacon is pretty good.

The beef is grass fed and grass finished.  This makes the flavor of the meat a little bit different than what we are accustom to.  The chickens are suppose to have access to the outdoors.  So, I feel a little better about how the animals are treated.  Go check out the help section on the website.  Here's a link to the ButcherBox.

So, go check out the ButcherBox.  Maybe it's something to consider for your own family.  For me, it does mean that I spend less time shopping as I'm mostly popping in to pick vegetables and fruits.

Let me know what you think.

Happy Stitching!  (less time shopping means more time to stitch)

(Affliliate links included.  I get a small benefit if you purchase from a link at no cost to you.)

Inspiration...Button-Front Dress

Today, let's go for a class button-front dress also known as a shirt dress:

This is Lafayette 148 New York Kylie Button-Front Fundamental Bi-Stretch Dress.  Price tag: $598.00.  Details:  Notched collar, button-front, short sleeve, sheath silhouette, knee length, lined.

This would be a nice spring/summer/fall dress depending on the color chosen.  Here's a pattern to consider:

This is Simplicity 8908.  It's a basic shirt dress pattern with a tie belt.  It has three lengths and two sleeves.  Once the pattern is fitted,you have plenty of options.  View D is a close match to the inspiration photo.  Just leave off the front pockets and the sleeve cuff.  Now for the best part, this dress only takes 2 1/4 yards for view D in the largest size.  So if you're fabric was $15 a yard, you could make this dress for about $50.  You can make a lot of dresses for the price of the inspiration dress.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

A Look Back - The 2019 Winners

It's always interesting to see what items that you created during a year turned out to be good.  Here are the winners from 2019:

The Lounge Pants.  I made two pairs of this pants early in 2019.  Both pair were worn all winter.  My guys liked these pants.

Fabric Baskets.   These baskets have been used constantly since they were made.  This is the most creative thing that I did all year.  I enjoyed figuring out how to construct them.

Linen Curtains.  I really like this curtains.  I found a true love of working with linen. 

Merchant & Mills Factory Dress.  I enjoyed making this dress and wearing it.  I was cool for summer and will work well in spring and fall.  My guess is that I could probably wear it in the winter also.  I just haven't tried.  I intend on making another dress in 2020.

Hoodie.  I have worn this hoodie multiples times since I made it.  It's a little full in the hips but it's okay.  This pattern is from a BluPrint (Craftsy) class.  I haven't made anything else from the class at this point.

There are several other items that worked out well for me from my sewing in 2019.  I didn't really make a lot but I did use the majority of it.

What are the favorite items that you made in 2019?