Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 34

Week 34 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 34 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 34 is a short-sleeved neutral shirt.  If short-sleeves are your thing, a shirt that that sleeves can be rolled is also perfect.  Here's my choice:

This is the Natalie pattern by Seamwork.  This pattern can be purchased individually from Seamwork or you can be a member.  Here's a link that you give you a $3.00 discount - Seamwork. I will get a small benefit at no additioal cost to you if you purchase a membership.

This pattern is on my list of things to do.  I have purchased fabric also.  I seem to be preferrng woven tops these days to t-shirts. 

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Shirtdress

The shirtdress has been going strong for a while and they are still going strong for spring.  Here's another lovely version:

This the Lafayette 148 New York Doha Stately Stripe Short-sleeved Shirtdress..  Price tag: $848.00.  Details:  spread collar, button front, short sleeves, center back box pleat, flap chest pockets, self belt, sheath silhouette, and side slit hem.

Here's a pattern that matches the silhouette pretty well:

This is McCall's 8031.  View B seems to match the inspiration picture pretty good.  I would use the short sleeve from View A as the only change.

Happy Stitching!

Sew Mojo Still Gone But...

The sewing mojo is still gone but I'm buying fabric.  I will admit that I don't need to add to the stash but sometimes a bargain calls loudly.  Here are my latest purchases:

This is a Liberty of London Cotton Poplin print.  I intend to make a top from this.  I hoping that the 2 yards purchased will be enough for whatever happens to it.  My intentions are this Indygo Junction pattern:

This is the Indygo Junction Easy Top & Tunic pattern.  View B is the view I'm considering.

This is a Kaufman Floral Indigo.  I don't usually purchase the 100% cotton fabric for a dress but the pattern on this fabric seemed to be good one.  Here is the pattern that I'm considering for this fabric:

This is th Indgyo Junction Shift Dress pattern.  Looks like it will be fairly simple to make and would look great in the blue floral.

I'm trying to purchase fabric with intention.  Both patterns are in my pattern stash but they need to be fitted.  Lets see if I can some time to fit these patterns over the next week or so.  I don't think that even if I lost weight that I could lose enough weight to matter.

Are you planning any spring and summer sewing yet?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Chambray Skirt

Casual spring and summer skirt.  What would be your perfect skirt?  I like the looks of this skirt:

This is the Akris Chambray Faux Wrap Belted Midi Skirt.  Price tag: $895.00.  Details:  Mid-rise, belted waist with geometric buckle, a-line skirt, mock wrap front with asymetric slit, calf length, lined.  For a closer look, check out the Neiman Marcus website.

Now, I must admit that this skirt doesn't look like a mid-rise nor an a-line skirt.  To me, it look like it is a high waist and a straight skirt.  None the less, I like the look of this skirt and it is well worth taking a peek at the website mentioned above.  The skirt has an angled yoke on the front with the faux wrap angled toward the buckle.  It's an interesting skirt.  I know that I won't be able to find a pattern for this type of skirt.  So, here is my thought:

This is Vera's Skirt pattern by Silhouettes.  It a straight skirt with a button-front it would need a bit of alteration.  The back piece would need a back seam so you can put a zipper in and you need a waist band.  The front would need to a little more adjustment I would be looked to pattern making books for that.

Happy Stitching!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 33

Week 33 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 33 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 33 is a Dark Neutral Lightweight Cardigan.  I could use a cardigan in a navy blue.  That would take me all the through fall.  Let's consider this pattern:

This is Hugo's Favorite Cardigan pattern by Silhoutte Patterns.  This is a favorite among Sihouette followers and it is also in my pattern stash.  Adding a couple of patch pockets would be really good.

Obviously if you have a favorite cardigan pattern that has already been fitted, use it.  Save those pattern dollars for more fabric.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Animal Print Dress

The styling of this dress reminds me very much of the style dresses I wore in the 1990s. 

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Agneta Painterly Animal Print Dress. Price tag:  $1298.00.  Details:  V-neckline, short sleeves, tonal belt, a-line silhouette, side pockets, maxi length, silk with polyester lining.  For a closer look, check the Neiman Marcus website.

I don't about you but I think I could make a lot of dresses for the price tag on this one.  It is certainly a very wearable silhouette.  Here's a pattern:

This is the Seamwork Bertie dress pattern.  This is a new Seamwork pattern and it is only available to Seamwork members at this point.  Use this link to become a member - Membership and you will get $3.00 off your first month.  I also get a small benefit at no cost to you if you join.  This dress also have a variation available to members that has 3/4 length sleeve with a cuff.  The changes that I see making to this pattern is to shorten the sleeve, add length, and make a belt.  Small changes that are very doable.

I also like the idea of this dress:

This is McCall's 8031.  View A would give a similar silhouette.  The collar is different but I think it is a good match otherwise.

So many decisions.  Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Sewing Mojo...Where did it go?

I have done very little sewing so far in 2020.  Oh, I look and dream but nothing.  I have been re-working items that were made in December. It was realized that there was a issue with tension on my machine.  There is nothing that I dislike more than redoing something. 

So, I purchased some fabric and have grand intentions.  Here's my plan:

This is a blue tencil twill.  Of the fabrics I purchased, this one is probably the most boring which means it will be the most versatile.  My intentions is to make a Seamwork Bertie shirtdress with this fabric.  Here's the line drawing:

The only change will be to make the sleeves shorter.  A muslin will be needed to check the fit.  This dress I really want.  This pattern is a members only pattern during the month of February 2020.  Here's a membership link - Seamwork.  You will get a $3.00 discount by using this link.  I will also get a small benefit at no additional charge to you.

This is a cotton/tencil stripe in blue.  My intention is to make McCalls 8031 shirtdress in view A.  Here's a peek at the pattern:

I don't believe that I need to make any changes to this but only creating a muslin will answer that question. 

This is a Rayon crepe in blue/black.  I intend to make Seamwork Natalie with this fabric.  Here's the line drawing:

This pattern will need a muslin also.  Hopefully, there will not be a need for many changes.

Thisi s a polyester jersey.  I liked colors and intend to make a t-shirt.  The pattern hasn't been determined for this yet.

I also want to add a jacket in grey to this and I need to figure out some bottoms.  All of these patterns will need a muslin.  That means that I will be using up stash fabric.  Hope you found this interesting. 

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Blazer

Everyone needs a great jacket.  This will would take you right through spring and into fall:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Thatcher Y/D Denim Two-Button Blazer.  Price tag: $498.00.  Details:  Notched Collar, two-button front, long sleeved, flap pockets, relaxed silhouette.  For a closer look, check the Neiman Marcus website.

This is a great jacket.  Even the designer version is machine washable.  Here's some pattern thoughts:

This is the Jasika Blazer pattern by Closet Case Patterns.  This is a great jacket pattern.  Yes, I realize that it isn't two-button but it will work just fine. You could change to the pockets to patch pockets if you wanted. 

This is McCall's 7818.  It's a unisex pattern so it will be relaxed silhouette. 

Vogue does have a couple of fitted jackets with the two-button closure.  I would prefer the more relaxed silhouette but you can choose.  The jackets are by Clair Shaeffer.

Happy Stitching!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 32

Week 32 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 32 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 32 is a dark neutral light weight pant.  For me, if this pant is choosen carefully, I would want to wear daily.  This would mean that I need multiple pants.  Let's look at patterns:

This is #113 Pants...Perfected! pattern and DVD by Pamela's Patterns.  This was used with Week 31.  If you go to the trouble of fitting, you might as well use it more than once.  Change up the styling.

This is #3200 Sally's Pant by Silhouette Patterns.  It is a classic, high-wasited pant pattern.  All styling details would need to be added.   I have been working on fitting is this particular pattern.

Looking for something a little more causal?  Let's try this:

This is McCall's 7942.  This could be a fun casual pant.  The pattern has some bonues with shorts, skirt, and  a top.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Denim Dress

Let's get prepared to hot weather with this dress:

This is the Tory Burch Belted Gemini Jacquard Sleeveless Denim Dress.  Price tag:  $348.00.  Details:  Crew Neck, Zip Front, Accented buckle waist, front patch pockets, sheath silhouette, hits about the knee, cotton, lined.  For a closer look, check the Neiman Marcus website.

Here's the almost perfect pattern:

This is New Look 6500.   This is a basic shift dress with variations.  Once fitted you could make a lot of variations. 

This is the Laurel shift dress pattern by Colette.  If you poke around a bit you can find many variations for this particular dress pattern.  Become a member at Seamwork and depending on the type of membership you can get this pattern for a good price. (I do get a small benefit if you were to purchase a membership at Seamwork.)

Hope you're inspired to make some beautiful dresses.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Pullover Top

Here's a casual pullover top for spring and beyond:

This is Lafayette 148 New York Nicole Sorrentine Stripe 1/2-Blouse.  Price tag: $448.00.  Details:  pullover style, v-neck with spread collar, cuffed half sleeve, and relaxed styling.

This looks like a wonderful, wearable top.  I really like the stripe.  Here is an option:

This is Fisher's Pleated Blouse pattern by Silhouette Patterns.  This is not an exact match but would certainly work by shortening the sleeve, removing the pleat, and adding collar.  All are doable with just a little pattern work.  This pattern is in my stash and I really should use it.

Happy Stitching!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 31

Week 31 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 31 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 31 is a cropped pant or capris.  I do like wearing capris when the weather is hot.  I have a pair of denim capris and I'm not sure that I need to add another pair of capris.  I don't wear them often enough to need more than one.

However here is some ideas for a pattern:

This is #113 Pants...Perfected! pattern and DVD by Pamela's Patterns.  This pattern comes with a few options which makes it worth while to get fitted and make pants.  

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Tweed Jacket

I love this style of jacket.  It's a little boxy, a little dressy.  It can be styled up or down as shown.

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Charlie Portfolio Tweed Zip-Front Jacket.  Price tag: $698.00.  Details:  crew neck, two-way zip front, long sleeves, boxy silhouette, hems sits above the hip, straight hem.  For a closer look, check out the Neiman Marcus website. 

The Vivienne Files just did a post on a off-white/ivory cardigan.  It shows the versatility of having this type of item in your wardrobe.

Here's some thought on recreating:

This is Silhouettes pattern #1350 Janie's Jacket.  I believe that once you have this jacket fitted that the only change is to add the zipper. 

This is Vogue 7975.  A basic collarless jacket.  View B or C would work for the inspiration jacket.  You would need to add a zipper and possibly shorten this jacket.

Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Jacket and Skirt

Spring will be here before you know it.  It's time to start thinking about items that can be worn during the warmer weather.  I have found a nice casual look that can be worn together or separate:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Donna Fundamental Stretch Jacket and Taya Fundamental Bi-Stretch Skirt.  Price tags:  Jacket - $648.00 and Skirt - $448.00.  Details:  Jacket -  Collared neckline, 5 button front, long sleeves with button cuff, cropped at waist, and fitted silhouette.  Skirt - button front, buttons at waist, falls straight from hip, and knee-length.  For a closer look check out the Neiman Marcus website.

Now let's look at patterns:

This is Carol's Jacket patternn by Silhouettes.   It is a classic jean jacket pattern and ticks all the boxes.  I have this particular jacket in my stash but it hasn't been fitted yet.  Something to add to my things to do list.

This is My Basic Jean Skirt pattern by Silhouettes.  This is a basic jean skirt.  It has more of an a-line silhouette rather than a straight silhouette.  It's fairly easy to change the style lines.  Just remember that you might need a kick pleat or opening for walking ease, if you straighten it.

This pattern work work also:

This is the Leorna Skirt pattern by Seamwork.  It would need to be lengthened a bit and you would need to make sure there is walking round.  With Seamwork, you can purchase patterns individually or be a member.  Here's a link to the membership page .  The basic membership is the same price as the pattern.  You could get two credits by being a member.  Each pattern is a credit.  (I'm an a Seamwork member and get a small benefit it you join.  There is no cost to you.)

There are many jacket patterns that match the silhouette of the Lafayette jacket.  Unfortunately, I was unable to locate a similar match for the skirt.  Remember if you already have existing patterns that have been fitted use them and apply the money toward fabric rather than patterns.

Happy Stitching!