This is one piece dressing at it's best:
My first thought for a pattern was this:
Obviously if you already have a similar pattern, use it. Save those dollars for fabric or notions.
Happy Stitching!
Well, it is finally done. The last shirt from my fall planning. Yep, it took more than six months to accomplish. Here is the fabric:
This shirt pattern has been used many times. Once it is fitted you can sew it over and over. I need to figure out a short sleeved version. Here is the finished shirt:
Happy Stitching!
I have been working hard at not purchasing so much fabric and so many patterns. However, I did indulge in the the latest Itch to Stitch pattern - the Vikos Top and Dress pdf pattern. Here is the line drawings:
I will check the stash before considering purchasing anything. Hopefully, I can locate a stash fabric for the muslin as well. I have at least two projects in front of these. I hope the other projects are finished quickly.
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Happy Stitching!
Sometimes simple, classic styles are perfect and I think this is one of them:
This is the Zip-Front Tailored Jacket by Lafayette 148 New York. Price: $798.00. Details: approximately 21-inches from shoulder to hem, spread collar, zip front, long sleeves, stitched vertical darts, front welt pockets, tailored fit, cotton/nylon/polyamide/elastane fabric, unlined, machine wash.
This is a very classic jacket. It is a basic. It is very similar to the jacket in this inspiration post. How about a pattern?
Here is a nice every day sort of jacket:
I would use a navy twill for this jacket. It is fairly easy to locate. Here is the pattern that I think would work:
This is the Style Arc Delphine Woven Jacket pdf pattern. You could get a similar look with the left side pattern, add a zipper, add the collar, add welt pockets, and skip the lining.
Hope you are inspired to create a jacket for yourself.
Happy Stitching!
I just finished up two projects and decided to clean my machines. When you are going through the whole process of changes needles, thread, and bobbin, it really does not take long to clean a sewing machine. Here is the result of cleaning my machine after the two bow blouses:
Honestly, I am a little surprised at the amount of fluff in my machine after two projects. This did spur a cleaning of the serger as well which was also cleaned just before the two bow blouses projects. Here is the result cleaning the serger:
I am more surprised here because I do a little bit of dusting of the serger every time I turn it on. This was a lot of fluff. I wanted to take the plate off but I was unable to get one of the screws loose and I certainly did not want to strip the screw.
Remember to keep your machines clean. My machines are ready to go for the next project.
Happy Stitching!
Itch to Stitch has a new dress and top pattern available. Here are the line drawings:
The Vikos Top & Dress pdf pattern is 20% off until March 17, 2025. All remaining discounts are still available. The more you spend the more you save. All discounts are automatic.
For additional inspiration, check out the testers' versions on the Vikos Top & Dress pdf pattern announcement page - here.
I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate. Any purchases made through my links will result in a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you!
Happy Stitching!
Since the muslin of the Pussy Bow Blouse, I have made two versions of the blouse:
This is Version 1 with the keyhole opening with the higher neckline. The changes that I did was to add 1/2" high round back alteration and backing off a little bit on the armscye depth alteration that I had done. The blouse is not perfect but I will enjoy wearing it.
This is Version 2 with the v-neckline. This version I narrowed the shoulders by 1/2-inch and moved the shoulder point forward. Overall, I think that the fit is a little better. It is still not perfect (does that exist?) but I will enjoy wearing it.
I think that I am done with the pattern for while. Really how many bow blouses can you have? I think two is plenty.
Happy Stitching!
I really love the look of this outfit.
Dress is the Leather Trimmed Cotton Dress by Lafayette 148 New York. Price tag: $998.00. Details: approximately 37-inches from shoulder to hem, crew neck, short sleeves, hem hits around the knee, a-line silhouette, back zip (leather trimmed), cotton/leather, professional dry cleaning recommended.
Here is a pattern that would work well for the jacket:
Here is a selection of fabrics from Mood that might be suitable for the dress/jacket - fabric.
For the trim, you might be able to locate an actual leather trim. However, there are lots of vegan leather that work work or a suede knit.
Hope you are inspired to make something wonderful.
Happy Stitching!
The stash shrinks a little bit then it expands a little more. Yep, I purchased another piece of fabric. I thought this one would be good for patterns that required a light weight, drapey fabric. Since it is a Walmart precut, there is not any way to know what the fiber content is. I am guessing that it is a blend of some sort. Here is a view:
It is a kinda pretty. The weight is a little like a lawn. I purchased a 3-yard piece. My intent is to use this as muslin for the Love Notions Rhapsody Blouse. There should be enough yardage here to make two muslins.
Happy Stitching!
Today's scrap buster is more of a creative idea. Just a picture but a great way to use up those odds and ends you can not bring yourself to get rid of.
Happy Stitching!
Here are a few of the spring butterick patterns that I find interesting:
I am seeing scarves showing up this spring. Here are a few that I found interesting:
Marcy Tilton has some great abstract prints that could possibly be used for a square scarf. All you need to decide on the size and hem detail. Mood Fabrics would also be a great place to look for fabrics to make a scarf.
Scarves are so easy to make. Just decide to size/shape/finish and there you go.
Happy Stitching!
The button down (up) shirt is a classic. This one has additiona detail:
The main difference with this shirt is the french cuffs. How to create is all over youtube. Just look it up. I instinct is to just double the cuff. The pattern is my go-to button-down shirt pattern:
This is Liesl & Co Classic Shirt. This is by far my favorite button down shirt pattern. Once fitting you can make it over and over. This pattern does not have french cuffs but there are multitude of videos on youtube. My best guess would be to double the depth of the cuff so you could fold it back. The actual collar looks a bit different.
The fabric is probably the key here. A simple google search will toss up a ton of options. Here is a couple of interesting I found:
1. Fabric Warehouse Direct - Mansa 4.1oz 100% cotton woven linen. Yeah, it is really 100% cotton with a slubby 1x1 weave which resembles linen. I am very intrigued by this fabric.
2. I See Fabric - Linen + Cotton Blend Woven. This is an interesting fabric and it is a bit pricey but I bet it would work up beautifully.
Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.
Happy Stitching!
Even though I feel like Vogue has lost it's way with designs, I saw a few that I found interesting. Here they are:
Too bad there was not any interesting top patterns this round. It would be nice to have something to go with the bottoms. Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.
Happy Stitching!
If you are looking for a quick and easy dress, this one is it:
aThis is a very simple shape. Fabric will be the key to how dressy or how causal this looks. Here is the a pattern suggestion:
If you have a top pattern that has already been altered to fit you, use it and add length. Just remember to add circumference at the hip line.
Happy Stitching!
I have tried very hard to not purchase fabric until the last purchases were completed. I have done fairly well but I broke down and purchased two fabrics:
The inspiration today is a popover top:
This is the Striped Point Collar Popover Top by Lafayette 148 New York. Price tag: $598.00. Description: wide point collar with slit opening, short sleeves, boxy straight fit, cotton, machine wash & dry.
I love the look of this top. I even like that skirt. Make an outfit everyone. I was not able to locate a top pattern exactly like this. My first thought was the Donny Shirt by Friday Pattern Co or the Factory Dress Shirt variation by Merchant & Mills but neither shirt was exactly right. I was not able to find another pattern similar. Let me know if you find something more appropriate.
Happy Stitching!
This shift dress is perfect for hot weather. Sew it now and be ready for the season early. Here is the dress:
This is the Lafayette 148 New York Sleeveless Cotton-Blend Shift Dress. Price tag: $698.00. Details: dress featuring bust darts, pick stitching, back gore darts; approximately 37-inches long; round neckline; sleeveless; shift silhouette; knee length; back zip; cotton/nylon/polyamide/elastane blend; unlined; machine wash cold, and line dry.
Here is a tutorial for pick stitching. As for the back gore darts, I am not familiar with that term and neither is Mr Google. Maybe they are simply referring to the back darts that simply shape the back of the garment. If you find some better explanation, please let me know.
Now, I will admit that I probably would not make a white dress but that is why I sew. Sewing allows me to pick the color and shape that I want. Now, how about the pattern. I generally recommend this dress:
Although New Look 8500 is a great pattern, the shape is a little bit different than the inspiration photo. I will keep looking.
Simplicity 1609 without the collar might be a good interpretation of the inspiration photo without the collar. This might be an A-line dress. It is not part of the description but it could be modified slightly.
McCall's 7533 View B might be a good contender as well. This pattern gives you a little more bang for the buck with the hem variation and sleeve variations.
Well, it looks like I have given you lots of pattern options for this one. This feels like it should be a very basic dress and easy to find but it was not. Hope you are inspired to sew a nice dress.
Happy Stitching!
This is a basic skirt. I can not decide whether it is actually the fabric that I love about this (probably) or the actual skirt style.
This is Akri Punto Fringed Check Denim Midi Skirt. Price tag: $695.00. Details: fringed check detail, raw hem, high waist, side slip pockets, hem falls below the knee, skirt falls straight from hip to hem, center front vented hem, hook/zip fly, belt loops, cotton/polyester, dry clean.
I looked around a little bit for this type of fabric and I found it. It is not inexpensive. I found varies fringed fabric from $19 per yard to $50 per yard. Yet, you could make several skirts for the price of this one skirt. By the way, did you notice the plaid matching perfection. Now for a pattern:
This is the Style Arc Tommie Jean Skirt pdf pattern. It is a pretty good version of the inspiration photo with the exception of the slit. This is a little more casual.
Make sure to deep dive your pattern stash. There might already be a pattern that can be used there. If not, here is a tutorial on drafting your own pattern. Here is a tutorial on added a kick pleat vent to any skirt.
Hope you are inspired to add a nice skirt to your wardrobe.
Happy Stitching!
Itch to Stitch has a trench coat pdf pattern just in time for spring. It is call the Acari Trench. Here is the line drawings:
The Acari Trench is a pdf pattern that can be printed at home or sent to the printer to print on a large scale. The pattern has the following features:
