Inspiration...Denim Pencil Skirt

 If the last skirt is not the type of denim skirt that interest you, maybe this next will be:

This is the Pencil Winter Denim Midi Skirt by Akris Punto.  Price tag: $495.00.  Details:  high-rise waist, banded waistband,  side zipper closure, 100% cotton, dry clean.

I love the idea of this skirt.  I could not find an exact match to this but I did find this pattern that has the pencil skirt shape and the front slit:

This is the Pencil Midi Skirt Sewing Pattern #1327.  This pattern has a front zipper instead of a side zipper but I think it will make a nice skirt.  The pattern is meant for woven fabrics. Denim is a good option.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

A Little Something Extra....

 This is a little scrap busting project.  I recently made a Itch to Stitch Brisas Pullover (affiliate links) which you can see here.  However, there are always leftover fabric.  In my attempt to not toss or hoard this little bits of fabric I have been collecting little projects to use them up.  I found this ear warmer pattern and it seemed perfect.  A lot depends on the fabric but it does not hurt to try it.  The instructions are fairly straight forward.  Here is the results:

I think it took longer to print the pattern and cut it out than it did to actually stitch it. Definitely a quick and easy project.

Hope you are inspired to up some of your little leftover knits.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Denim Skirt

 This is an all year type of skirt:

This is the Button-Front Cotton Denim Midi Skirt by Akris Punto. Price tag: $695.00.  Details:  cotton denim, a-line silhouette, silver buttons, high-waist, angled side slip pockets, hem falls below knees, button front closure.

Here is a pattern that would work:

This is the Sawyer Skirt pdf pattern by Seamwork.  This is a button front, a-line silhoutte, and midi-length.

I suspect that the inspiration skirt does not have the panels that this skirt has but I think that is okay.  Hope you are isnpired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Itch to Stitch Brisas Pullover Muslin...

 It is time to start working on fall/winter items.  I started my first item with the Itch to Stitch Brisas Pullover.  Here is the line drawings:

I found an interesting fabric for my muslin.  It was a very inexpensive fabric for the test garment.  I hope it will work.  After reading through the directions, I chose a 14 for the upper bodice with 18 below the bust.  I will also transfer the size 18 armscye and sleeve.  

The fabric that I chose for the muslin can be seen here.  It is a light weight sweater knit.  Matching the stripe is not going to be easy, if even possible.  Since I had plenty of fabric, I chose to fuzzy cut the collar, sleeve cuffs, and hem band.

Here is the completed test garment:

I think the muslin turned out fairly well.  It is too hot to wear this much but I need to wear it around a bit to see if it will sit correctly before cutting the fabric intended for this pattern.  If it pulls back, I need to add a little length at the back.  That is something that I do on many garments.

Overall, I think this is a solid pattern.  The hardest part was the zipper installation and I took my time with it.  I do not know how many of these pullovers I want to make but I do like it a lot.

I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.  Any purchases made through the links on this page will result in a small commission at no cost to you.  Thank you!

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Top & Skirt

 We are winding down into the hot part of the year where I am.  It is still hot but you are wanting to move more to fall colors.  Here is a great little set:

This is the Streamlined Tank and Streamlined A-line Skirt from Jill.  Price tag tank: $69.00.  Price tag skirt: $89.00.  Details tank:  crew neck, button keyhole back, side slits, mid-hip length, polyester/rayon/spandex blend fabric, machine wash cold.  Details skirt:  sits below waist with flat front and elasticitized back waistband, side zip, tailored fit, seam detailing with straddle stitch, about 30-inches long, polyester/rayon/spandex, dry-clean only.  

I love the look of this outfit.  I even love the color.  However, the dry-clean only is a bit off putting because I know I would not want to do and try to wash it on gentle cycle and hang dry.  It might work and it might not work.   Here are some thoughts on patterns - 

Tank:

This is the Phoebe Tank by fabric-stores.com.  I think this would be a great pattern for the inspiration tank.  It does not have the keyhole back opening but that is okay in my box.  This pattern takes a little bit of time to fit but is a great pattern.

Skirt:

This is the Seamwork Arbor Skirt pdf pattern. This is a full a-line skirt with in-seam pockets and an invisible zipper.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.  

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Midi Skirt

 It is time to start thinking about fall/winter.  Skirts that work with boots is a great start.  Here is an interesting one:

Complete look.

This is the Wool Midi Skirt by Prada. Price tag: $2,700.00.  Details:  drawstring elasticized waistband, central inverted front pleat, contrast satin-effect underskirt, side zip closure.

The first picture is just showing the skirt as an outfit.  

I could not find an exact pattern for this style of skirt but New Look has several drawstring skirts that are straight.  Here is a tutorial that explains adding an inverted pleat.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Cardigan and Skirt

 The look of this inspiration is really good:

This is the Chunky Yak Knit Half-zip Pullover.  Price: $995.00.  Details:  half-zip pullover knit in chunky stitch, fold-over collar, long sleeves, half-zip placket, wool/yak/cashmere, dry clean only.

The skirt - Plaid Lightweight Wool Blend Shelley Midi Skirt. Price $895.00.  Details:  bandless waist, side zip, light-weight viscose/wool blend, stitched pleats at the waist, 100% rayon lining, dry clean only.

The chunky boots are fun for this outfit as well.

The pattern for the pullover is easy:

This is the Itch to Stitch Brisas Pullover pdf pattern (affiliate links).  The right chunky knit fabric could really bring this top into the look of the inspiration.  Mood Fabrics has many chunky knits.

I was unable to find a pattern exactly like the inspiration skirt. Here is a bias skirt pattern:

This is Pamela's Favorite Bias Cut Skirt by Pamela's Patterns.  This pattern gives you two lengths and two silhouttes -full and slim.  For the pleats, this tutorial  might help.  I would say that the inspiration is a inverted pleat but you do you.  Here is a link to the few fabrics that Mood Fabrics had in a light weight wool.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

I am an Itch to Stitch affiliate.  Any purchases made through the links on this page will result in a small commission at no cost to you.  Thank you!

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Pleated Skirt

 Sometimes, you find a cute skirt but can not figure out why the pricing is the way it is.  Here is one:

This is the Floral Pleated Poplin Midi Skirt by Prada.  Price tag: $5.600.00.  Details:  100% cotton poplin, floral print, elastic waistband, side on-seam pockets, pleated a-line silhouette, dry-clean.

Have you calmed down about the price for a pleated poplin skirt with an elastic waist?  Well, I did find a pretty good pattern to match this silhouette:

This is New Look N6605.  Unfortunately, it is a discontinued pattern but you can find it on the resale market.

Floral poplin is relatively easy to find.  Just head over to your favorite fabric store online or physical.  

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful. 

Happy Stitching!

 

Closet Curtains...

 Years ago, I made linen curtains for a large window in my home. The bedroom is on the small size being only 10'x10'.  I finally decided to take the closet doors off so that 3-feet that the doors took up could be used.  This allowed me to center the bed in that room instead of having it pushed up to within inches of the window.  Here is the linen curtains that I made for the closet:

I am pleased with the way these turned out but some how the measurements were a little bit off.  We had originally measured the height to be 86-inches.  However, it was noted that the fabric was puddling on the floor.  I am not going to work on this anymore.  It should be okay as long as no ones stands on and tries to open the curtains.  

Linen is a fabulous fabric to work with.  I have a very small piece of fabric left over and I may make some tie backs if I can find some simple tie back hardware.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Corduroy Dress

 Today's inspiration is a simple pullover type dress and completely for those who love the general style but find it a bit short:

This is the Sleeveless Pinafore Mini Dress from Old Navy.  Price tag: $44.99.  Details:  v-neck, wide straps, center back seam, patch pockets, relaxed fit, 100% cotton.  Model is 5'9". 

I really love the idea of this little dress but it is shorter than I would be comfortable wearing.  I also like that it comes in corduroy or denim.  Since I already have a corduroy dress, think that a denim one would be good.  Here is the pattern with very similar design lines:

This is the Seamwork Dani Pinafore pdf pattern.  This pattern has a waistline seam and inseam pockets. It would be very easy to substitute the patch pockets for the inseam pockets.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!