Inspiration...Linen Jacket

 Here is a little linen jacket:

Close up of the jacket:

This is the Single-Breasted Linen Jacket from Giorgio Armani. Price tag: $2,595.00.  Details:  notched lapels, button closure, two front welt pockets, breast welt pocket, partially lined, length 70 cm, fabric - flax, lining - cotton.

This is not must different than the jacket. Just a different price point.  You can see a little bit of the seam finishing inside the jacket.  It is called Hong Kong finishing.  The how-tos should be in a basic sewing book like Vogue Sewing, here is a written tutorial, and here is a you tube tutorial.   

Here is another jacket pattern:

This is Butterick 6960.  With this pattern, it is pretty much what you see if what you get.  It is just a jacket but it is very close to the inspiration photo.

Also, remember to make a second garment to go with your jacket.  That way, you will always have a matching outfit. Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Fit & Flare Skirt

 I really like that the longer skirt are showing up again.  Here is an example:

This is the Fit & Flare Twill Skirt from Talbots.  Price tag: $129.00.  Details:  100% cotton, length 30-inches, full, midi-length, hidden side zipper closure, removable belt, machine wash & dry.

I admit that they need to hit in the right spot to look good. So, get out  Ithose measuring tapes and start figuring out where they need to hit for you.  The length of this skirt would probably be best just as the calf is curing down to the ankle.

If you have a straight skirt pattern already fitted, you could use it to make this type of skirt.  Here is a tutorial.  If you would rather have a pattern, then try this one:

This is Butterick 7012.  The skirt would do for the inspiration photo.  It might be a little wider.  This pattern gives you a couple of bonus pieces.

This is Simplicity 9267. This pattern gives you the waist band and the pleats. Very cute skirt.  It could be manipulated to remove the front band and put the zipper on the side.  

Inspiration...V-Neck Dress

 Spring is in the air.  I have been looking at my summer wardrobe and realized it is time to make a few new pieces.  Hopefully, that will occur.  Here is a dress that is perfect for our hot weather:

This is the V Necked Linen Dress from Poetry.  Price tag: $258.00.  Details: 100% linen, yarn dyed and laundered. slightly fitted and a line skirt, deep v neckline, princess seams front and back, long godets in skirt to create fullness, pockets in side seams, metal zip fastening with long cotton tape pull, center back seam.

I could not find an exact match to the princess seam type but here are a couple:

This is Butterick 6850 (also McCall's 7352). This is a princess shoulder dress.  View C is sleeveless with View B neckline.

This is Burda 6894.  It is a princess seam going into the armscye.  The flare is different in this pattern than the inspiration.

If you find a better pattern, please let me know. Hope you are inspired to create a something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Sleeveless Dress

 I love looking for inspiration pieces.  I do try to put pieces out there that are more consistent with my current lifestyle - retired, casual.  However, sometimes I find things that just speak to me.  This dress is one of those -

This is the Harpson Short Sleeveless Darted Wool-Blend Dress by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $998.00.  Details:  tailored dress with darts front, back, and waist; pickstitching around neckline and armholes; round neckline; sleeveless; hem hits around the knee; sheath silhouette; concealed back zipper closure; poly/wool.

This is such a timeless silhouette.  To me is says "Do not mess with me.".  Working ladies put a matching jacket/blazer with this and you have a power suit.  Add a pair of matching pants and you have a second power suit.  It does not matter than all three are the same fabric.  Mood Fabrics has some wool crepe for about $25 per yard.  That's a bargain considering that you might be able to get all three pieces from about 6 yards of fabric. Do not forget the lining, the zippers, the buttons, the thread for pickstitching (it might as well be added to all pieces for a high end look).

I know you are saying but a good pattern is hard to find.  Well, I think this pattern will work:

This is Butterick B6849.  Lovely little dress pattern.  It covers all seasons.  I would pick View C which is not shown but it is sleeveless.   The main difference from what I can see if the pattern has a waist seam and a back slit.  I am okay with the waist seam but I think that back kick pleat would be a much nicer look.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful for yourself.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...A-Line Skirt

 I am loving the longer fall/winter skirts this year.  Here is a great one:

This is the A-Line Crepe Weave Midi Skirt by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $798.00.  Details:  crepe weave organic cotton dobby, vertical darts at waist, approximately 30-inches from shoulder to hem, sits high on the high, falls below knee, a-line silhouette, invisible back zip.

This is an overall great look.  A perfect work outfit.  I do not have access to fabrics that would make like this blouse and skirt do but I wish I did.  Here are a couple of ideas for the skirt:

This is New Look 6053.  This pattern has two variations with additional length variations.  Once fitted, you could have a whole weeks worth of skirts.  Views C or D is what I was thinking for the inspiration.  Basically, whichever one would give you the best length for you.  

This is Butterick 6866.  This is a princess seam skirt which is different than the inspiration photo but View A would give you a similar look.  This skirt might be fuller than the inspiration photo but I think it would do a good job.

I was not able to locate the camp shirt in the photo but it is very much a necessary component of the outfit.  I think this pattern would work well:

This is Liesl & Co Camp Shirt-Dress.  Perfect little pattern to duplicate the camp shirt in the inspiration photo.  I have found that the Liesl & Co patterns are well drafted.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful for yourself.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Jacket and Skirt

 This outfit is create a long and lean silhouette.  It gives a little bit of the 90s feel.

This is the Camel Hair Patch Pocket Collarless Jacket by Lafayette 148 New York. Price tag: $2198.00.  Details:  camel hair, dry clean, straight fit, twill lining, dolman long sleeve, snap closure, patch pockets, tonal pickstitch finish.

This is the Camel Hair Slim Pencil Skirt by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $1198.00.  Details:  slim silhouette, sits at waist, zip back, lower calf length, waist darts, lined, charmeuse piping with pickstitching at the waist, camel hair, vented back, dry clean.

Here is a detail shot of the pick stitching for the jacket:

Here is a detail shot of the piping and pick stitching on the skirt:

Here is a video on how to accomplish pickstitching from Threads.

To complete the outfit, check out the Striped Silk French Cuffed Blouse by Lafayette 148.  Price tag: $998.00.  All items can be found on the Lafayette 148 website.

This is such a great outfit for working at an office.  I suppose if you just wanted to dress up a bit on a daily basis it would still be great.  Now, for some patterns:

This is the Atelier Scammit Claudie jacket pattern.  The view on the upper left is the one that I thinking would do a fair job for the inspiration jacket.  You would need to add a closure as this pattern is meant to be open.  

This is an older Butterick pattern from the 2000s.  View A has the kickpleat.  This has pockets which you can leave or take away depending on the look you are wanting.  This might be difficult to find but anything similar would work.

I have made this particular pattern and I found it to have a very pronounced high curve.  So, keep that in mind and be sure to make a muslin or toile.

Fabric - 

• Easy care - a brushed cotton twill - a Mood fabric
• Medium care - a wool fabric - online fabric store
• More effort care - a cashmere camel hair herringbone - etsy store

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Sheath Dress

 Just a little more tweed because you can not have too much.

This is the Donegal Tweed Sleeveless Sheath Dress by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $1198.00.  Details: vented back, fitted, sleeveless, lined, zip back, waist darts, dry clean only.

I think we can do better with price and cleaning ability.  Now even though this is a super simple sheath dress, I had a hard time finding a simple dress like this.  The neckline is where the issue is at.  I suppose if you owned somethiing with this neckline you could tranfer it to your pattern.  I was able to locate two sheath dress patterns.

This is Butterick 6849.  A simple sheath dress with a waist line.  This would be a very versatile pattern to own.

This is McCall's 7533.  This sheath dress pattern gives you four sleeve variations and two hem variations.  It is not as fitted as the Butterick pattern but adding front and back darts will take care of that.  Remember to follow the rules of dart placement.

So, do you know the difference in a shift dress and a sheath dress?  The shift dress falls from the shoulder and typically is looser and straighter silhouette.  The sheath dress is fitted to the body curves.  I think the Butterick pattern is more of a sheath dress and the McCall's pattern is more of a shift dress.

Hope you are inspired to make something beautiful. 

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Zip Front Jacket

 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?

This is Butterick 7008.  View B is very similar to the inspiration photo with the exception of the vertical darts.  You can always add those it you want.  You would probably need to check length to make sure that it will hit the hip area where you want it to.  This pattern probably has more ease than the inspiration jacket as well.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful. 

Happy Stitching!

New Buttericks...

Here are a few of the spring butterick patterns that I find interesting:

This is B7008.  It is a bomber style jacket with collar variations.  I find view B a little more interesing only because matching ribbing is really hard to find.  This one might actually find it's way into my pattern stash.   

This is B7030.  It looks to be a good general pattern for the entire family.  

This is B7024.  It is a wide leg pant pattern with length variations.  This one feels very on target with trends.

Here is B7017.  This one could be a fun pattern if you like all the sleeves.  Hopefully, the pattern includes an armscye for the sleeves.

This is B7016.  Here is a light-weight jacket pattern for the whole family.  

This is B7022.   It is a sleeveless button front dress with length variations.  This would be a nice warm weather dress if that neckline is one you like.  This one would need those circumferences to be correct so that there is not any gapping.  So, had a seat when you are fitting to check the ease.

Not a very exciting release but there are a few patterns that could become TNTs.  With JoAnn Fabrics closing, I will not longer have access to Butterick Patterns except via online sources.  The only physical patterns sold in the area are McCall's outside of the JoAnn Fabrics.  

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Flannel Pants and Houndstooth Jacket

 In the winter, I tend to wear a lot pants.  This outfit caught my eye.  It is a perfect outfit for going to work.

This is The Sophia Straight Pant in Flannel by Anne Taylor.  Price tag: $109.00.  Details: straight leg with slim fit, front zip with hook & eye bar closure, front off-seam pockets, back besom pockets, lined, 17" leg opening, mid-rise sitting about 2-1/4" below waist, polyester-viscose-spandex fabric, machine washable.

This is Houndstooth Tweed Jacket by Anne Taylor.  Price tag: $189.00.  Details: split-hem, crew neck, long functional button sleeves, button front, button welt pockets at chest and waist, back vent, lined, 27-inches long, hips at hip.

Now, for patterns.  I found this pattern for pants:

This is the Butterick B6526.  I think the pant is very close to the look but not perfect.  

This is Vogue V1992.  The jacket is similar without the split hem.  You might even use the pant pattern. Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

First Item For Fall/Winter..

The first item for fall/winter is completed.  Here it is:

I do not have a photographer right now.  I will photgraph the skirt with the intended blouse, later.

As stated in an earlier post, I decided to go with Butterick 5668 View A.  My inspiration was in this post.  I thought the selected pattern was a very good copy of the inspiration witht the exception of the pockets.  My fabric is more of a check than a herringbone but it is good.  

The pattern is from the early-to-mid 2000s.  As skirts go, it was fairly straight forward to make with the following expections:

1. I had to enlarge the pattern.  I used the pivot/slide technique that Nancy Zieman was an advocate for.  This was not a difficult thing to do.

2.  I chose not to make a muslin.  To my surprise, the pockets did not match.  So, if you are making this pattern adjust the pockets before cutting out.

3.  The hip curve is very pronounced.  So much that I am going to need to figure out how to adjust it.  I have made many pencils skirt in the past but I do not remember any of them having a obvious curve in the hip area.  It could be that the skirt is hanging lower than intended when I tried it on.  

Hopefully, my skirt will get lots of wear.  Right now, I only have a black sweater to go with it.  I did order some fabric that I thought would go with it but I am not sure about the dark navy and black going together.  Thoughts?

Here are pictures of my other challenges:

My sweet little kittens just had to be involved.  Everything is so interesting - scissors, pins, needles, seam ripper, rulers, tape measure, sewing machine... I think you get the idea.  

Happy Stitching!

Starting Fall/Winter Wardrobe...

 I have started working on the fall/winter wardrobe by starting on the second skirt on my list.  I ended up picking this pattern for the skirt:

I am working on View A.  Unfortunately, my hip is a little bigger than the pattern so I used the pivot and slide method of pattern alteration to add enough width (I hope).  I might cut wider seams allowance as a just in case because there is not going to be a muslin.  I know I know I know but I generally do not have too many issues with skirts.  Here is the fabric again:

I had a helper every step of the way while I was working on the pattern so it was very slow going.  Here is a picture of my helper:

Now, you can see why my helper is slowing me down.  Yes, everything I was doing was interesting and everything had to checkout and tasted or slapped. This is Misty, one of my 5 month old kittens.  She is generally very sweet girl.  She is the mother of the pair of sisters that I got.

I know that I have thread for this project.  I just need to check out the zipper situation.  If I have a zipper, that is fabulous.  If not, I guess I will make a JoAnn run.  Hopefully, I will not be disappointed.  If I am, there is a nearby Wal-Mart that might have zippers.  Sadly, I do not have too many options for sewing notions locally.

Have you started your fall projects? 

Happy Stitching!

Planning Fall/Winter Wardrobe...

 I never really made much for spring and summer this year.  The sewjo was just missing.  However, I did a bunch of mending and that seemed to get things going.  Then, I decided to make a sleeveless blouse to push out the end of summer with the Itch to Stitch Dana Point Top (affiliate link).  This is a cute top which is a step above my normal Phoebe Tank Top which I love to pieces.  You can see my versions by doing a search on the blog.

So far, I have made the following decisions for garments:

1.  A skirt using New Look 6809 (OOP) View A in denim colored stretch suiting:

 

My inspiration is this post except I am not using real denim just a denim colored fabric.  I know the silhouette is different but that is okay.

2.  A checked skirt using either Butterick 5668 (OOP) View B or Butterick  6717 (OOP) View C.  

My inspiration is this post.  I think both of the patterns are pretty similar to the inspiration photo.  

3.  A navy/white striped button down using the Classic Shirt pattern by Liesl & Co.

My inspiration is this post.  I finally took the fabric out of the package and realized it is a little sheer.  I do not know if it will stand up to all the stitching required for a button down.  The weight was stated to be 130 gsm which should have been almost 4 oz per yard.  I washed the fabric and dried it in the dryer with hopes that it shrunk and tightened up the weave a little bit.

4.  A plaid button down using the Classic Shirt by Liesl & Co:

This is stash fabric.  I had intended to make the shirt in 2023 but it slipped. I have grey pants to go with this fabric.

Things that need more thought:

I need to think about some blouses to go with the skirts.  Most of the shirts/blouses have been similar to the Classic Shirt pattern above with a hidden placket.  I doubt that is the only style of blouse that I would want though.

The Pussy Bow Blouse pattern by Sew Over It would be addition.  Here is the line drawings:

I think one of these tops would be nice to go with one of the skirts or pants.  I will continue looking for blouses. Maybe it will be something more casual than this bow blouse.

 I would like to make a jacket and right now I am thinking about using this pattern:

This is McCall's 4598 View A. It is an OOP but it matches closely to this inspiration post.  I have not decided on fabric type yet.  I really need to sit down and go through the fabric stash.  I have a lot of fabric and really need to try to use as much as possible.

Happy Stitching!