Inspiration...Knit Dress

 Continuing along on the comfort mode of dressing, this week's inspiration could easily go 3/4 of the year in the right color.

This is the Eileen Fisher Crewneck Washable Stretch Crepe Midi Dress. Price tag: $238.00.  Details: lightweight stretch crepe, crew neck, shorts sleeves, side inseam pockets, a-line silhouette, falls below knee, slipover style.

This is a simple easy way to get dressed and go.  I would guess that changing of accessories would also dress up/dress down.  Here's the pattern I would use to recreate this look:

This is the Seamwork Piedra dress.  Although this pattern is intended for fall/winter, it is easy enough to shorter the sleeves.   It is also misses those all important side pockets but they could be added as well.

As far as fabric goes, I was unable to locate the exact type of fabric that Eileen Fisher uses but there is plenty of the stretch polyester and lycra fabric available.  Just do a search on stretch crepe by the yard.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Knit Cardigan and Pants

 This week's inspiration kinda goes along with the pandemic world.  Dress for comfort but look good also.  

This is the Zip-Front Double-Knit Cardigan and Double-Knit Tapered Pants by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag:  Cardigan - $698.00, Pants - $598.00  Details: Cardigan - ribbed baseball collar, 2-way zip front, long sleeves, hip length, slim fit, length about 24" (small), rayon/merino wool/nylon/spandex blend; Pants - banded waist, side entry pocket, seamed front legs, tapered legs, rayon/wool/nylon blend.

This outfit should be similar to wearing pajamas.  Just saying.  However it is a step up from wearing pajamas if you are out and about.  Let's think about some patterns:

This is Silhouette Patterns Leslie's Bomber Jacket pattern.  This pattern is not as slim fitting as the inspiration photo but gives a similar feel.  The pattern itself has princess lines so there is plenty of fitting options.

Here is another option - Silhouette Patterns Sweater Set pattern. This would give you the slim look but you would need to do some alterations to pattern - the collar and zip front.

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This is the Love Notions Duet Pant pattern. This pattern would definitely work for the pants.  The would need to work out the seamed front leg part or just put in a little stitching.

If you found fabric in a color you were interested in, you should be able to get the pants and jacket/cardigan out of 5 yards.  Even at $20/yd, you would save a ton of money making your own cute little outfit.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Fun Hot Pads...

While I was decluttering/organizing the sewing room I found two of the hot pad kits and interfacing, so I decided to make something useful for the kitchen. Hot pads are always a useful item and my current ones are not looking so good with burns and holes. Based on the post where I made the last hot pad, I'm guessing age has a little bit to do with it.   Here's the pattern used:

This is the Folded Star Hot Pad by Plum Easy Patterns.  This pattern will give either a round or a hexagon hot pad.  I used to the interfacing for the hot pads which make the placement a little easier:

The interfacing templates are printed with everything you need to create the hot pads.  There are two packages - a 3 pack and a 12 pack.  There are also blanks and templates available.

I also used a prairie point pressing tool - 

Here are my results:

They will be very useful at my house.  

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...White Shirt and Jeans

 Let's complete the outfit from last Monday.  Here is another look at the picture:

This is Lafayette 148.  I have no idea if the jeans and shirt are from the same label but I would suspect that they are.  Here is a couple of ideas for the shirt:

This is the Grainline Studio Archer Button Up pattern.  View A is a classic shirt pattern. 

This is the Liesl & Co Classic Shirt pattern.  As the name implies, this is a classic button-up shirt pattern but with a little twist.  It has cup sizing which for some can be a wonderful addition to a pattern. 

Here is a couple of jean options:

This is the Ginger Skinny Jeans pattern by Closet Core.  If you prefer a slim fitting jean, this one is highly rated by most people in the sewing world.

This is the Merchant & Mills Heroine Straight Leg jean pattern.  It has a looser fit than the skinny above. I am all about options here.  

All of these patterns are hiding out in my pattern stash.  They are fairly basic patterns that can be used over and over.  I think I really need to get working on fitting a pair of jeans.  I have a very hard time finding jeans that fit. Remember once those patterns have been fitted, you can change the style lines to whatever you desire.

I am an affliliate for the company that has been linked these patterns above. I would get a small commission if you choose to purchase.

Hope you are inspired to create some fabulous basics for yourself.

Happy Stitching!

So Much For Not Buying More Fabric...

 I had planned so many projects that I didn't get to last year that I really want to just finish those projects.  However, I opened an email today about a sale and how could I resist?  No.  Here are the items that I purchased:

This is a voile in navy.  My intent for this fabric is this top:

This is the Seamwork Willis pattern.  I'm considering Version 1.  I did purchase enough fabric for that version.

This is another voile.  I purchased enough to make this pattern in mind:

This is the Merchant & Mills The Camber Set.  My thought is the top and not the dress.

One last purchase:

The is the Grainline Willow Tank Dress pattern.  I have been seeing a lot of versions of this late and decided to just go for it.  It is very hot in the summer where I live and this would be an excellent addition to my group of patterns for summer.  In fact, I don't see any reason not to have a daily uniform.  It will make it easy to get dressed on a daily basis.

It will take a couple of weeks for this to get to me.  I will plan on stitching at least as much fabric as I have purchased.  My fabric and pattern stashes are bulging.  I really need to get this under control.  Wish me luck, I really need to get stitching.

Happy Stitching!

(affiliate links are included in this post)

Inspiration...Open Front Jacket

 We will keep the theme on jackets for the first week of 2021.  Here is another open front jacket:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Filippia Reversible Wool-Cashmere Jacket.  Price tag: $898.00.  Details:  Open front, long sleeves, patch pockets, boxy silhouette, sits at hips, wool/cashmere.  For closer look, go to Neiman Marcus.  You need to check out the stitching on this one.

This is silhouette is very much like the silhouette from Monday except it is not cropped.  Notice the tucked in turtleneck with the double pleated trousers.  Here is the pattern again:

This is the Seamwork Lilliana jacket pattern.  The only changes for this is to length, add patch pockets, and change the one-piece sleeve to a two-piece sleeve.  Mood has several versions of the wool/cashmere fabric available.  I would be a little scared cutting into $100/yard fabric but I would be a little less worried about it at $40/yard.  If the pattern has already been fitted, why not make a second one. 

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching! 

Boxy Tunic...

 Last fall I noticed that boxy tops seemed to be what everyone was making.  So, I looked through my patterns and found this top pattern:

It seemed to be just perfect for what I was thinking except I didn't want the cowl.  This is the Cowl Top pattern by Loes Hinse Designs.  Here is the fabric:

I fell in love with this fabric when I received it.  Perfectly soft.  It is still available at fabric dot com.  Here is where I posted receiving the fabric and the intended project - here.

I pretty much made the pattern as is.  The shoulders are a L with the armscye at a XL. The hip is at an XL.  Here are the results:

Even with all the imperfections.  I really like this top and I am glad that I pulled this oldie but goodie from the pattern file to use.  I may make a couple of short sleeve tops from this pattern for the spring.

Happy Stitching!

Vogue Winter/Holiday Pattern Release...

 I do enjoy looking at the new patterns.  There are so few released these days that it is hard to get excited.  Also, very patterns are actually something that I would consider.  Here is my pick form the winter/holiday release:

This is Vogue 1769.  This is such a cute blouse.  Very 80s inspired.  I remember having a blouse almost identical to this about 1986.  I do not remember having a tie with my blouse but the View A with the ruffles. 

This is Vogue 1751.  This is a lovely jacket and part of the Claire Shaeffer Collection.  I will get this just because of that.  The instructions in these patterns are worth getting.

This is Vogue 1758.  I really like the look of the long jacket in plaid.  This would actually be a nice jacket in the right fabric and you could have a lot of fun with the lining as well.  Notice the dropped shoulders.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Crop Jacket

 Here is to a new year of inspiration.  Let's start with a jacket:

This is the Lafayette 148 Scarlet Velvet Jersey Cropped Jacket.  Price tag: $598.00.  Details: Open front, long sleeves, relaxed silhouette, cropped above hips.

This looks reminds me a little of french couture jacket.  I really like this look.  The high-waisted jeans with a tucked in white blouse, and a belt.  I will admit that I prefer a dark jean.  Here is a pattern to create a similar look:

This is the Seamwork Lilliana jacket pattern.  I think you get a very similar feel with this jacket pattern as with the inspiration photo.  Changes could be made to round the corners and to add pleating at the sleeve.  This is a tiny bit of patternwork.

I looked around at the Big 4 but was unable to find a pattern closer to the inspiration pattern.  I found several that looked very close to the Seamwork pattern.  Let me know if you find a pattern that is closer and I will add it to the post.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Sewing!

A Look Back - The 2020 Winners

 2020 was a rough year and it was not all due to the pandemic.  My health seemed to be telling me to slow down and take care of myself.  I tried.

Now, back to sewing.  I really think 2020 was my most successful sewing year in a very long time.  Everything that was made has been used.  

Many items in a weekly rotation throughout the summer.  Here is the items that were in constant rotation -The woven tanks were perfect for the hot summer weather.  They will be returning next summer unless there is a fitting issue.  The Camber Set Dress was another perfect hot summer item and in constant rotation.  The three shirts that I made my husband were well received and worn a lot.  He's still wearing them because the weather is intermittently still warm.  The Indygo Junction Easy Top was a great top and worn throughout the summer and fall.  

These items were not worn as much but still worn.  The Dorian Pants and Navy Tank were worn a fair amount.  The pants turned out to have an issue with the crotch length/depth.  I still wore them and enjoyed wearing them but spent a fair amount of time pulling them up.  The tank felt a little tight.  Even though it was the exact same pattern used as the woven tanks above.  I suspect that the fact that I had doubled the fabric had something to do with it.  That fabric was kinda expensive at $15/yard and I missed that it was only 1 1/2 oz in weight per yard.  Doubling the fabric was my solution to still getting a wearable garment from the yardage that I purchased.   The Natalie Shirt didn't get worn as much as I expected.  With this top, I missed the fact that the first button was at the same level as my bra band.  I felt kinda exposed with the button at that level.  I ended up adding an additional button and buttonhole, and it worked out okay.  I really love the fabric on this shirt and will definitely be looking for similar fabric.  The Rhett Jacket has been worn quite a bit given that I just finished it at the first of December.  The fabric is really what makes this jacket.  I liked the fabric so much that I searched for more and purchased a couple of different colors.  

I have not worn the Bertie dress yet.  I know that is sad but I do love the dress.  I just have not had an occasion to wear it.  I guess I will need to just wear with some tights and it will become a day-to-day dress.  I had intended this dress to be useful during the fall, winter, and spring.  

The last couple of items that I made this year was for my husband and son.  The lounge pants for my son was well received so I know that he will wear them as they come up into rotation.  The fleece vest that I made my husband was well received and he's been wearing it almost daily.

The other things that I made were masks, lots of masks.  The majority were handed off to the local hospital for non-essential workers/visitors.  All of the masks that I made for family have been used for the majority of the year.  In fact, it's probably time to make a few more just for something different. The holiday apron and oven mitts were well used on Christmas.  They will be used through the rest of the year into January then put away.

I think the reason that my sewing was so successful this year is that I really put some thought into the purchases that I made and the items that I needed.  I did purchase far too many patterns, too much fabric, and notions.  I did document my purchases and what I intended to make.  I realize that I do not sew as fast as I think I can.  I just need to not purchase as much and try a little harder to use the items that have already been purchased.  

Here's to a successful 2021.  I hope that I end up with as good a sewing year as 2020 was.  How did your 2020 sewing turn out?

Happy Stitching!