Slipcovers Finished....

 The procrastination has ended with the completion of the slipcover.  Here are the end results:

This is just about as good as it gets.  The fit is mostly good.  I had to do manipulating to get the last sewn piece on but that is kinda how home dec goes sometimes.  Now, my chair is a little more up to date.  The previous slipcover is somewhere around 20 years old. So, it is old for a slip.  I probably will not be making another chair slipcover anytime in the near future but it should be easier the next time.  I have no idea how long the linen will last but I suspect that it won't last 20 years.

Next on the project list is the ottoman.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Skirt & Top

 Sometimes, you just see something you love.  This is it for me folks.  I love gingham. 

This is the Eileen Fisher Sleeveless Organic Linen Shirt. Price tag: $128.00.  Details:  yarn dyed check, 25-inches long from shoulder to hem, point collar, button front, sleeveless, box pleated back yoke, hem side slits, relaxed fit, organic linen, machine wash.

This is the Eileen Fisher Crinkled Gingham Organic Linen Midi Skirt.  Price tag: $168.00.  Details:  yarn dyed check, elasticized waistband,  on seam pockets, hem falls below knee, a-line silhouette, pull-on style, organic linen, machine wash.

Admittedly, this outfit looks a little better with the shirt tucked into the skirt.  You will need to check the Neiman Marcus website to see more.  Shall we talk about patterns?  For the shirt, I would say use an already fitted button down shirt pattern like this one: 

This is the Liesl & Co Classic Shirt pattern.  It is well drafted.  The needed changes are removing the sleeves, adjusting the shoulders/armscye area, and maybe flattening out the hem.   I would be very tempted to leave the hem the way it is.  Here is another option:

This is the Seamwork Willis sleeveless button down shirt.  This is a good option for the inspiration photo.  I think the hem needs to be adjusted but otherwise it is good.

Now, for the skirt pattern.  I found a freebie for you if you do not mind making your own pattern - 1-hour a-line skirt.  So, that is the best I could do.  This is about as simple as you can get for a skirt and I could not find one on the big 4 website.  Maybe I gave up too early.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Folks, I am going to take a break from the inspiration posts for a while.  I will return with the post when the fall/winter items start showing up in the stores.  I have more than enough ideas to keep be going for the next three or four months.

Happy Stitching!

Another Project Planned...

 I have been slowly working on the slipcover for my chair.  It is definitely a learning experience.  There are two more pieces that need slipcovers made - an ottoman and a loveseat.  The ottoman will be a piece of cake.  I have made a slipcover for it in past and the hardest part with the cording.  All along, I had intended for the ottoman to be different fabric than the chair and loveseat.  I keep thinking that the chair is almost finished and I find something else to be surprised about.   I decided to go ahead and look for fabric for the ottoman and found the fabric guru website.  The prices are excellent and shipping is reasonable.  Here is the fabric that I found:

I thought this fabric would be a perfect color for the blues in my rug.  I will say that I was a little surprised when it showed up.  Instead of the nice dark blue I got this:

This color is more of a denim color.  So, I was a wee bit disappointed.  With that said, the fabric will still work for what I need done.  

With luck, the chair slipcover will be finished soon and I will still have time to make the ottoman slipcover in March.  Although, my health seems to be determined not to allow that to happen.  

If you haven't been to the fabric guru site and you like making home dec projects, go check it out.  The prices are good.  I would advice taking advantage of the swatching services so you do not end up with a surprise like I did.  My husband said he actually liked the fabric better than the one pictured.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Linen Shirtdress

The hot days of summer are fast approaching.  This dress would be perfect:

This is the Eileen Fisher Side Slit Organic Linen Midi Shirtdress.  Price tag: $278.00.  Details:  approximately 45" long from shoulder to hem, point collar, button front, short sleeves, chest patch pocket, box pleat back yoke, side-slit hem, hem falls below knee, shirt silhouette, organic linen, machine washable.

I love this style of dress.  I made this dress last fall and decided then that I wanted a dress for summer as well.  The changes are mostly already made.  I would need to add additional length and decide about whether or not I wanted the side slits.  Of course, the sleeve would be short.  Here is the pattern that I used:  

This is the Liesl & Co Classic Shirt pattern,  It is very well drafted.  Instructions for making a dress is on the blog.

Honestly if you have a shirt pattern that you have already fitted, use it. It saves time and money.  A quality linen can be found at fabrics-store.com.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful. 

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration....Linen Jacket

 The following jacket is pretty much straight from the 90s.  It is casual but could be worn to work depending on the atmosphere at your work place.  

This is the Eileen Fisher Open-Front Organic Linen Jacket. Price tag: $248.00.  Details:  approximately 31-inches from shoulder to hem, notched lapel, open front, long sleeves, front patch pockets, relaxed fit, organic linen, machine wash cold.  (not mentioned but it is also unlined)

I have found the perfect pattern for this look.  I know, I know.  That is very unusually but it happens once in a while:

This is McCall's 8433.  It is vintage reproduction and pretty much perfect.  Just leave off the button or not.  That is why we see right?  Because it is a 90s reproduction pattern, it will require shoulder pads to support the width of the shoulder.  

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Linen Pants

 How about spring/summer pants?  I have shown many tops but here is a cute little pant:

This is the Eileen Fisher Pleated Cropped Organic Linen Lantern Pants.  Price tag: $188.00.  Details: approximately 28-inch inseam, mid-rise sits high on hips,  elasticized waist, front pleats, on-seam pockets, cropped at ankles, tapered straight legs, pull-on style, organic linen, machine wash.

I really think it is the color that I am drawn to on this pants.  I had a similar pair last year and loved them.  I used the Love Notions Allegro Pant pattern.  Love everything about them.  The silhouette is a little bit different.

Here is a similar silhouette:

This Simplicity pattern seems to look a lot like the inspiration photo.  Maybe it does not have the same amount of ease.  You could increase the ease if you chose to.

Inspiration...Linen Shirt

 I am still thinking about spring/summer tops.  Here is a basic, linen shirt:

This is the Eileen Fisher Side-Slit Organic Linen Shirt.  Price tag: $148. Details: approximately 29-inches from shoulder to hem, point collar, button front, short sleeves, inverted back pleat, hem sides slits, relaxed fit.

I love the idea of a linen shirt.  My first inclination for a pattern is one that is already fitted:

 This is the Liesl & Co Classic Shirt.  This pattern would need changes: shorten the sleeve, straighten the hem, move the back pleat.  This pattern does have a yoke and the inspiration does not.  

Here is a freebie from fabrics-store.com.  It is definitely worth checking out.  It is a shirt that is similar to the the classic shirt.  The patterns from this company are well drafted.  The pattern would require the same pattern changes as the Classic Shirt.

Hope you are inspired.  Hot weather is just around the corner.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Silk Blouse

 Still hanging on to the thought of summer tops.  Here is a style that is good one for day-to-day wear:

This is the Printed Crew Neck Stretch Silk Blouse by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $698.00.  Details:  approximately 24 1/2-inches from shoulder to hem, crew neckline, keyhole button back, short cuffed dolman sleeves, hem side slits, relaxed fit, pullover style.

Here is a pattern that ticks most of items from the inspiration photo:

This is Hansie woven tee from Seamwork Patterns.  You get the general shape of the inspiration photo with simpler sewing.  You could add cuffs to this if desired.

Other patterns to consider Indygo Junction Easy Top & Tunic pattern,  This one might be had to find but it would be good and you could add cuffs to it as well.  The neckline is wider so you can get the top on/off with ease.

Happy Stitching!