Sleeveless Top Pattern....

 In the summer Itch to Stitch has weekly pattern specials.  This week it was the Dana Point Top pdf.  Here is the line drawing:

I have tried hard not to purchase a lot of patterns this year as I am trying to use the ones that I have.  However, this pattern clicked a couple of boxes that I have wanted this year - not my standard tank top but sleeveless, not a t-shirt.  For some reason, I have been more interested in blouses.  

I think this top if made quickly can be worn for at least a couple of months and maybe longer with the addition of a cardigan or jacket.  I can also see this worn to the office with a jacket.  Well, at least I would have if I was still working an office job.  I do miss getting dressed up every day.

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I am off to see what kind of fabric that I have in the stash that might work for this fabulous pattern.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Got Scraps?

 Are you a person who can not throw away little pieces of fabric?  What defines little?  Maybe not large enough to cut a garment from.  Well if that is the case, here is a great little scrap buster project - How to make a quilted jacket with scraps.  

The tutorial mentions patterns but I alwasy say pick a pattern that has already been fitted if you can.  Save those dollars for other sewing related items.  This project is considered intermediate and offers a lot of techniques to try or perfect.  Have fun going through your scraps for this project. Be creative!

Happy Stitching!

Sewjo and The Mending Pile...

 In early July, I did a post on kick starting the sewjo by getting the mending done.  The mending pile turned out to be deeper than I remember but it is done and I am ready to sew.  Here is what I did:

1.  Mending a hole in a caftan.  This was just a simple repair with a light weight backing backing and thread.  All done by hand.

2.  Replaced elastic in 2 pair of pjs and 1 knit skirt.  Oh, how I hated removing all the stitches.  Replacing the elastic was very easy.

3.  Replace elastic in 2 slips.  I went the easy route here and just cut the elastic off.  Easy peasy mostly.  I couldn't find my lingerie elastic.  JoAnn Fabrics doesn't seem to carry lingerie elastic that will fit me anymore.  They're carrying a new brand that cuts the elastic to 30-inches instead of 36-inches.  I used a knit elastic to complete the project.

4.  Hemmed pants for my Mom.  This is not an enjoyable task for me.  I have no idea why I dislike this type of alteration but I do.  Love you, Mom.

5.  Mended a pair of jeans.  Did you know that mending a small one hole in a pair jeans can increase the life of the jeans by 6 or 7 years?  Now, I will admit that I do not care much about mending.  However, the quality of jeans just keep decreasing.  Some of the Levi's that I am repairing are 10 years old.  There is huge difference in the fabric from the older jeans to the newer jeans.  My guess is that even older jeans have a nicer quality of fabric.  

So the mending that I did, did do a kick start on the sewing mood.   Now, it is time to sew.  I may make a few items for hot weather but I suspect that I will start some cooler weather so I will have them ready to go. Maybe I will alternate between sewing warm weather clothes, cool weather clothes, and home dec.  That should keep things interesting.

Do you sew a head of the season?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Tie Neck Dress

 Here is a dress for now or later:

This is a Polo Ralph Laren Floral Tie-Neck Georgette Midi Dress.  Price tag: $244 ($498).  Details:  midi dress in floral print georgette, v-neck, neck self tie, elbow blouson sleeves, elasticized cuffs, smocked waistband, falls below the knee, a-line silhouette, slipover style, dry-clean.

This is such a pretty dress.  I actually found a pattern for a very similar dress.  What do you think?

This is the Bow Tie Neck Belted Flowy Silk Long Dress pdf pattern by Alvedik Sewing Patterns.  The important parts are covered with this pattern - the v-neckline, tie, and silhouette.  Shortening the sleeve and smocking are up to you.  The pattern sizing is on the small size if you have a bust larger than 39 inches.  This would probably be a good dress to find in the vintage market.  Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Striped Shirt

 This inspiration is all about a classic shirt:

This is the Polo Ralph Lauren Striped Long-Sleeve Cotton Blouse.  Price tag: $148.00. Details:  striped shirt with signature pony, spread collar, button front, long sleeves, button front, box-pleated back yoke, shirttail hem, relaxed fit, cotton, machine washable.  

This is such a classic shirt.  Here is the perfect pattern:

This is the Liesel & Company Classic Shirt pattern.  It has the benefit of having cup sizes which helps with fitting.  As always, use what you have.  If you have a different shirt pattern fitted, use it.  Make those spent dollars work for you. Leaves you more for fabric and notions.  

Fabrics:

1.  Cali Fabrics has a nice selection of striped and other shirtings.  A very good price point.  

2.  Mood Fabrics has a nice selection of striped and other shirtings. A different price point than Cali Fabrics.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful for your everyday wear.   

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Casual Skirt

 Here is a casual everyday type of skirt:

Thisi s the Polo Ralph Lauren Deconsructed Patchwork Denim Skirt. Price tag: $268.00.  Details: midi skirt crafted with deconstructed jeans and godet inserts, sits high on the hip, 5 pocket styling, fringe hem, hem falls below the knee, a-line silhouette, button/zip fly with belt loops, cotton.

Folks, there is no pattern needed for this one.  You just need to decide how long you want your skirt and how wide you want the hem.  Here is a video from Levi on the basic process. All you need is a pair of jeans either your own or pre-owned.  Another pair of two might be required to create the godets.  The more shades the scrappier it will look.  To be honest after watching the video, I would do a little bit of finishing inside to reduce raveling.  Here is another tutorial on creating a jean skirt - Upcycling Jeans into a Skirt. Hope you are inspired.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Silk Top

 Here is a little bit of inspiration for late summer and early fall:

This is Lafayette 148 New York Adela Sleeveless Blouse.  Price tag: $598.00.  Details:  Approximately 27-inches from shoulder to hem, round neckline, sleeveless, relaxed fit, back neck slit with inside button, silk/elastine, dry clean only.

This top looks very similar to my favorite fabric-stores dot com freebie tank - Phoebe.  You need to have an account with this company to download free patterns. Here is a glimpse at the pattern:

This pattern will need to be fitted.  This pattern does not have a center back seam for a bit of shaping but you can add one.

Seriously, you can make several silk tanks for the price tag on this one.  Here are a few shops to consider:

1. Chinese ebay seller - stretch silk charmeuse

2.  NY Designer Fabrics - stretch silk charmeuse

3.  Mood Fabrics - stretch silk charmeuse

I have listed this from least expensive to most expensive.  Mood has the most colors of the fabric.  For a muslin fabric, I would use a polyester or rayon charmeuse before cutting into the more expensive fabric.  For me, it one took 1 yard of fabric to make a tank in the Phoebe.  Hope you are inspired to create something wondeful.

Happy Stitching!

Sewjo Returning...

 It has been a long has been since the end of April since I have turned my sewing machines on.   The sewjo has been on a long vacation.  In an attempt to get things going again, I decided to start on the mending pile.  The pile includes many items:

1.  A pair of pants for my Mom that needs shortening.  I do this out of love and will only do this sort of alterations for family members.

2.  I made flannel pjs a couple of years ago.  The elastic just gave out on them.  So so much as I dislike this type of mending, I am going to replace the elastic.  Ugh!  A lot of time and effort went into making the pjs and generally they last a very long time.  This will be worth my time to replace the elastic even if I am ripping out stitch and serging.  There are two sets of pjs.

3.  A pair of jeans for my husband.  I actually do not mind this type of mending.  This is just a general hole repair and does not take long to do.

4.  Replace elastic on a few of my slips.

I think this all that is mending that is hanging out on my sewing table but who knows what else I may find in the pile.  Hopefully, I can get this done fairly quickly and this will really get the ole sewjo going.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Bomber Sweater

 It time to start putting some thought into cooler weather items.  I found this bomber sweater that I thought was interesting:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Cotton-Silk Tape Bomber Sweater.  Price tag:  $798.00.  Details:  Approximately 23-inches from shoulder to hem; ribbed neck, cuffs, and hems; stand collar, two-way zip front; long sleeves; fitted silhouette; cotton/silk; zipper face - polyester, lycra.  For close-up views, check out Neiman Marcus website.

This is a really nice casual jacket.  It comes in limited colors of black and white.  I think I really like this jacket but the price tag is not good.  At least, for me.

As  far as patterns, there are tons of bomber jacket patterns available. Almost every pattern company have a version but none that I could find have a similar collar.  So, you could just use your favorite bomber jacket pattern out of a sweater knit fabric of some type.  Knit Fabric dot com has a nice selection of sweater knits.  Cali Fabrics has a selection of mostly printed sweater knits.  I did find a pattern that looked similar (McCalls 3106).  It appears to be an older pattern and there are several available online.  It is more of a fitted jacket than a bomber but you could still use the sweater if you chose.

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Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!