Inspiration...Midi Skirt & Top

 This is a great spring outfit and the skirt will travel through the summer:

This is the Lafayette 148 Helena Eyelet Embroidered Midi Skirt and Striped Loose-Knit Saddle-Shoulder Sweater.  Price tag: Skirt - $1998.00 and Sweater - $798.00.  Details: Skirt - A-line silhouette, below the knee, tonal eyelet embroidery, linen; Top - 27" long, crew neck, long sleeves, relaxed fit, pullover style.

Really, the skirt is about the fabric.  It looks to me like it is a patchwork fabric in the close-up pictures at Neiman Marcus but you never know what kind of fabric that designers can source. As far as the top, if you can knit you can probably duplicate this sweater fairly easily.  However, the inspiration is really the stripes here and we can get striped fabric.  Just use your fabric t-shirt style pattern and have fun.  As for the skirt, this skirt will give you the correct silhouette:

This is Butterick 6743.  It is a gored skirt with two styles in two lengths.  I think that view D is a good version to start with on the inspiration skirt.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

It Is A Confident Stitch Sale...

 I thought that I would share the joy.

The Confident Stitch is having a Valentine sale with 20% off Art Galley Fabrics through February 29, 2022.  This is all fabrics whether it is cotton, rayon, canvas, knits, etc.  So go check it out.  That is what I am going to do.  My stash is in need of warm weather fabrics.

Happy Stitching!

(I am an affiliate of Confident Stitch.  Should you purchase through my link, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.  Thank you!)

It Is A Sale...

Itch to Stitch is having a flash sale with 20% off through January 29, 2022.  Be use to use the code FINEWINE to get the discount.  Here are a few of my favorites:

This is the Foz Top pattern.  This is probably my favorite top pattern right now. I have made it twice and plan to make more.  Looking forward to summer versions.

This is the Celeste Dress pattern.  I purchased this with an eye toward a great daily summer dress.  I do not like being hot and dresses seem to be a great way to stay cool.

This is the Recoleta Dress pattern.  This is another dress that I thought would make a nice, daily summer dress.  This one gives you a bonus as you have long sleeves with it also.

This is the Nittany Top pattern.  This top has neck interest whether you go pick-a-boo or not.  This is for woven fabrics.  For me, it is a bit of step up from wearing cotton tees.

This is the Seychelles Top pattern.  This is another woven top pattern with a v-neckline and sleeve interest.  Love the look of this top.

This is just a few of the patterns that is offered by Itch to Stitch.  These are the patterns that I am personally working with right now.  Check out the Itch to Stitch blog and see what the testers created with the various patterns.

Happy Stitching!

(I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate. If you purchase through one of the links above, I will receive a small commission.  Thank you!)

Inspiration...Sheath Dress

In with the spring/summer theme from last week, we have a sheath dress.  This is a very classic piece to have in your wardrobe.

This is the Lafayette 148 Harpson Sleeveless Dress. Price tag: $898.00. Details: Approximately 40" from shoulder, knee length, sleeveless, front and back waist darts, sheath silhouette, and center back zipper.

This dress is all about the fabric.  Some fabric will produce a more dressy look and other fabric will produce a very casual look.  Maybe this is the year for a denim everyday sheath dress.  Here is a pattern to consider:

This is Butterick 6849.  It is a classic sheath dress. There are three sleeve variations which includes the sleeveless version.  This one does have a waist seam.  It might be possible to eliminate that seam.  

Here is another option:

This is New Look 6667. It is a shift dress styling instead of the sheath dress but I think you could make it work.  

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Sewing!

Itch to Stitch Quebec Skirt Pattern...

 Itch to Stitch has a new skirt pattern and it is a winner.  Here is the line drawing:

This is the Itch to Stitch Quebec Skirt pattern.  This is a pull-on skirt made with a 20 to 30% stretch bottom weight fabric.  Talk about versatile.  This is the type of skirt that can be worn year round.  

With the right fabric, I think that this skirt could even go with the  Azores Top pattern.   I have so many ideas brewing right now.  I had promised myself that I would not purchase any patterns for a while but I am going get this one.  I love a good skirt in the summer when the temperatures are soaring above 90F and this one is perfect.  

Also, be sure to check out the corresponding blog post.  There are lots of beautiful skirts. Check out the different details on the pockets.  Hope you are inspired.  This pattern is on sale through January 25, 2022 with all additional discounts still applying.

Happy Stitching!

(I am an affiliate of Itch to Stitch.  If you choose to purchase through one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.)

Vogue Spring 2022 Collection...

 The Vogue Spring 2022 Collection is here.  There are a couple of patterns that I thought was interesting:

This is Vogue 1877.  It is a men's bomber jacket.  Yes, I know it says unisex but I would sew this for the men in my life if they were interested.  Fairly certain that the sizing is men's sizing.

This is Vogue 1867.  You get an interesting jacket and pants.  This would make a great work outfit if you were reporting to an office.  I am going to consider this pattern just for the jacket.  I really like the interesting lines on it.

This is Vogue 1858.  This is a pretty little dress.  It might be a work appropriate with the right shoes.  I am really drawn to the lines of this dress.  I really do not think this would work for me due to my shape but I do like this pattern a lot.

Sadly, that is all that I found interesting with this collection.  I miss having wardrobe patterns to choose from.  I am still not sure who the audience is.  It seems very mixed.  I suppose that they are trying to appeal to a younger group than I belong to.

Hope you like my picks.  What patterns do you like in this collection.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Striped T-Shirt

 The weather is cold and it is definitely time to start thinking about spring.  Here is a classic spring ensemble:

This is the Keene Striped Long-Sleeve Top.  Price tag: $498.00.  Details: 24"length from shoulder, square neckline, long sleeves, relaxed fit, pullover style, cotton.

Recreation of the t-shirt is fairly easy.  It is all about the fabric.  If you have a favorite t-shirt pattern, by all means use it.  If not, check out this pattern:

This is the Seamwork Tai Tunic/Dress pattern.  This pattern has an interesting neckline and would be really nice done in a stripe.

Happy Sewing!

Inspiration...Pouf

 I find myself wanting to redo my living space a bit.  I have a large project planned which will take a while to complete.  However, I like the idea of this pouf:

This is the Pottery Barn Armond Striped Pouf. Price tag: $249.00.  Details: 22" x 15", spot clean only.

Folks this is all about the fabric.  Recreating this is very easy.  Cut the dimensions above + seam allowances, and stitch together.  I would be very tempted to make a cube in white and then do slipcovers for changing of seasons or whatever I wanted to do.

Go check out the various poufs at Pottery Barn. The prices vary a little bit and there is a large variety to pick from or get inspiration from.

Happy Stitching!

Itch to Stitch Azores Top & Dress Pattern

 Itch to Stitch has a new top/dress pattern and it is a hit for those looking for a feminine style.  Here's the line drawing:

This is the Azores Top & Dress pattern.  I think a challis would be perfect for this pattern.  The top would work equally well with a skirt or pants.  

Be sure to read the blog post for this dress as it contains many variations along with a link to instructions to creating the shirring on the machine.  This will be on sale through January 10, 2022 and all volume discounts still apply.

Happy Stitching!

(I am an affiliate of Itch to Stitch.  If you choose to purchase through one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.)

A Look Back...The 2021 Sewing Winners

 2021 was not much better than 2020.  Health struggles continued.  Life can be difficult sometimes but we just have to keep rolling through.

I sewed a lot of muslins this year.  Most likely more than I ever have before.  I do think this helps with having complete sewing failures.  It does not stop a pattern / fabric mismatch.  Here are my favorite items created last year:

This is Loes Hinse Cowl Top pattern without the cowl. Love this top.  It was the first thing that I made in 2021.

In the picture in the Love Notions Allegro Pants and the Silhouette Patterns Valentino's Unlined Jacket.  The pants were in constant rotation throughout summer and early fall.  I look forward to pulling them out again.  I really loved the linen jacket but it was completed too late in the year to get much wear but spring is coming.

This was the Kwik Sew Crafty Carrier.  This bag has been used a lot.  It is the perfect size to haul fabric, patterns, cut out items, etc. to and from my parents house.  It has been used almost daily since it was made.  It really was made with the little featherweight in the background.

This is a basic Kwik Sew pajama pattern.  I have worn these pjs a lot.  Specifically, the ones pictured.  For some reason the blue set is more comfortable than the pink set.

There are a few things that I have made and not really had a chance to wear yet.  There is plenty of time in 2022.

How did you sewing year go? 

Happy Stitching!

Happy New Year!

 It is a new year.  Overall, I am happy with the amount of sewing that I did last year.  I am not happy with the amount of purchasing that I did.   Why is it so much easier to plan projects than execute the projects?  I am definitely a planner.  

In 2021, I created 23 number of projects (this includes muslins).  I used 45 1/4 yards amount of the stash and purchased 20 yards of fabric. My total purchases for the year was 141 1/4 yards. My stash is in the continuous growth mode.  I really need to get into a reduction mode.  I have already planned many projects for this year.  My goals for 2022 is the following:

1.  Follow through with planned projects.  This is projects planned in 2020 and in 2021. 

2.  Reduce stash.

3.  Reduce fabric purchases and pattern purchases.

I do not think that I could make this list much smaller.  Hopefully, I can follow through with this.  Fabric is really a huge temptation for me.  When I am not sewing, I usually am planning  projects and purchasing fabric.  I joined Julie's Picks at Fabric Mart Fabrics for the year of 2022.  I am hoping that being able to touch the fabric will reduce my need to purchase more fabric.  No doubt there will be plenty of temptation.  I am hoping that I will be able to resist.  

Are you making any goals for 2022?

Happy Stitching!