Inspiration...Button Down Shirt

 The button down (up) shirt is a classic.  This one has additiona detail:

This is the YSL Pocket Button-Down Shirt by Saint Laurent.  Price tag: $1350.00.  Details: signature embroidered chest pocket, point collar, button front, long sleeves, french cuffs, relaxed fit, shirttail hem, cotton/linen blend.

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!

New Vogues...

 Even though I feel like Vogue has lost it's way with designs, I saw a few that I found interesting.  Here they are:

This is Vogue 2093.  This is a loose fitting jacket with two versions.  It would be great for an everyday type jacket.

This is Vogue 2102.  It is a vintage remake from the 80s.  I love the design lines on this one.  View C is just right for me.

This is Vogue 2069.  It is another skirt pattern.  It has two skirt lengths.  The short version looks like it might be okay with the slit but I bet the long version will need some work to keep the slit from being anything but pick-a-boo.  I am thinking that the short version might be a good warm weather skirt.

This is Vogue 2094.  It is pants with two variations.  This feels like it is trending right now.  I prefer the short version.  

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!

Inspiration...Popover Dress

 If you are looking for a quick and easy dress, this one is it:

a

This is the Cuffed Short-Sleeved Silk Dress by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $998.00.  Details: abstract print, cuffed sleeves, approximately 42-inches from shoulder to hem, jewel neckline, button/keyhole front neckline, short dolman sleeve, knee length, silk, dry clean.

This is a very simple shape. Fabric will be the key to how dressy or how causal this looks.  Here is the a pattern suggestion:

This is the Ellie & Mac Adult Essential Dolman Dress pdf pattern.  The look of the pattern is very similar to the inspiration photo.  I suspect that the neckline is lower/wider because it is the only opening for the head.  It is a cute pattern with lots of options.

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!

Another Box Hit The Porch...

 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:

This is a cotton/hemp blend chambray, 56-inches wide in indigo.  It is machine wash cold, tumble dry low.  My plans are for a Love Notions Clef jacket.  It will most likely be a version with a zipper.  The pattern needs fitting.

This is a beautiful 100% rayon challis.  It is machine wash cold, tumble dry low.  My plans are a Love Notions Rhapsody.  Version unknown at this point.  This pattern needs fitting as well.

That is my confession of fabric buying for now.  Hopefully there won't be anymore for a while as it would be really nice if I could work down the fabric stash a little bit.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Popover Top

 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!

Inspiration...Sleeveless Shift Dress

 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.

This is the Style Arc June dress pattern.  This is pretty close to the inspiration photo.  It does have a slight a-line shape.  

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!

Inspiration...Denim Midi Skirt

 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!

New Itch to Stitch Acari Trench Coat....

 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:

• Regular and full bust options for a personalized fit
• Double-breasted front for classic style
• Buttons single-welt pockets for a polished look
• Two-pieced sleeve for enhanced shaping
• Back vent for ease of movement
• Fully lined for a professional finish
• Optional details:  gun flap, storm flap, epaulettes, and sleeve bands
• Designed for non-stretch woven fabrics

Sizing is 00-40.  See the size chart for measurments.  The sewing skill level is advanced.

To celebrate the release, the pattern will be 20% off through February 12, 2025.  Plus you can stack the savings with the volume discount  - 15% off over $20+ or 20% off over $30.  That is win when you check the other patterns.

Please note, I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate and if you use any of my links above to purchase, I will get a small commission. Thank you!

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Crocheted Polo Top

 This inspiration is definitely for the crocheters and would keep you busy on the long, cold days.

This is the Akris Punto Boxy Knit Cotton Crochet Polo Top. Price tag: $795.00.  Details: polo top with contrast trim, johnny collar with drawstrings, short sleeves, boxy fit, ribbed hem, pullover style, cotton, dry clean.

I love the look of this outfit.  The skirt appears to be a pull-on, elastic waist skirt.  Easy to recreate.  The top however will take a little bit of experience to recreate.  Although ever pattern that I found states that they are beginner patterns.  I found this vintage pattern that is being sold as a pdf.  However, if you do a google search there are a lot of patterns available.  Mostly for men.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Storage Baskets and Bowls...

 Today's scrap buster project is storage baskets and bowls.  This is a tutorial for braiding scraps of fabric and creating baskets and bowls.  From experience, this might take a little bit of practice to get the bottom to stay flat but it is fun and addictive.

Hope you are inspired to use up those bits of fabric.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Linen Top and Skirt

 I really enjoy wearing linen tops and bottoms in the summer.  This inspiration outfit is beautiful:

This is the Lafayette 148 3D Carnation Raw Linen Sleeveless Top and Midi Skirt.  Price tag: Top - $695.00, Skirt - $895.00. Details: Top - sleeveless, crew neckline, relaxed fit, invisible back zipper, linen, dry clean.  Skirt - high waist, hem fails below knee, a-line silhouette, invisible back zipper, linen, dry clean.

This is a perfect silhouette for summer.  It is even dressy if you put this applique on.  

This is the Phoebe Tank from fabrics-store dot com.  It is a free pattern and might take time to fit but it is worth it.  I have made around seven of these tanks and they are worn all the time.

This is McCall's 8510.  View A of the pattern looks like it might work for the inspiration photo.  Although it is more like a 1/2 circle skirt so it may be too full.  

In reality, there are not any skirt patterns that I could find in the big four that matches this simple skirt not there were not a lot of nice skirt patterns.  

If you have a straight skirt pattern fitted, this tutorial shows how to draft an a-line skirt using an existing pattern.  This would be an ideal solution and help with the fitting portion of making a new item.  Here is a tutorial on how to draft an a-line skirt using your measurements.

There is also a chance that you can find a pattern on Etsy.  

Here is a tutorial on making 3D flowers.  Hope it is useful.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!