First Fall Winter Classic Shirt...

 I am starting the first of the sewing for the wardrobe post here.  I will be starting witht the Liesl & Co Classic Shirt.  Here is the line drawings:

This is a pattern that I fitted over a couple of years and absolutely love it.  I have made two shirts this time.  The first shirt is made from the gray oxford shirting here. It is made using the View A of the pattern and this is the version I have made the most.  Here is the finished shirt:

Well, that is the second piece of the the ten I have planned.  The button holer on the machine gave me a hard time.  I have never had an issue with it before but it seemed that the same size buttonhole was not to be.  I had to redo at least three buttonholes not once but more than once.

I think I will need luck on finishing the remaining eight projects.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Wide Legged Pants

 I really like the look of these pants.  The wide leg would be comfortable.  Here is the first glance:

This is the Linen-Cotton Twill Wide Legged Pant by Polo Ralph Lauren. Price tag: $398.00.  Details:  high rise sits high on the hip, flat front, side slant pockets, back buttoned welt pockets, full length, wide legs, zip fly, belt loops, linen/cotton, dry clean.

I love that these pants are styled with a casual shoe.  Here is the pattern that I would use to recreate:

This is the Hollywood Trousers by Liesl & Co.  They are a fitted, moderately high-waisted, wide legged pant pattern.  The only thing missing is the welt pockets but that is an easy detail to add.

The linen/cotton twill might be a hard combination to find.  However, there are lots of twill blends available.  Both Mood and Califabrics has many variations of a twill blend.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful. 

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Printed Shirt

 I have become obsessed with the Poetry website.  Here is another shirt:

This is the Printed Shirt from Poetry.  Price tag: $198.00.  Details:  100% cotton, machine washable, short boxy silhouette, delicate collar and stand, double yoke, soft gathering at front and back yoke, full length sleeves, gently gathered sleeves into a narrow cuff with one button, gently curved shirt-tail hem.

I love this blouse but I can not bring myself to order it nor can I not think about the price.  I would be terrified that I would do something to it.  A pattern is not hard to come come up with.  To me, this is the Liesl & Co Classic Shirt with some minor modifications:

I have made this pattern like seven times in the past two years.  There is nothing like having a pattern that you can just sew and not worry about the fit.  However, it does boring to make the exact shirt over and over.  Here are the changes that I would make to view B:

• Take away the pockets
• Add enough width to the from bodice to make the gathers to the yoke
• Narrow the cuff
• Add length to the sleeve to make up for the narrow cuff
• Add width to the back bodice to gather into the yoke (remember that there is pleats)
• Change the placket to a plain blouse placket.

I think that is all the changes.  I will be on the look out for some kind of fabric that gives the feel of this shirt.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Tweed Pants

 We will stick with the tweed clothing for a bit.  Here is a beautiful pair of tweed pants:

This is the Donegal Tweed Gates Pants by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $998.00.  Details:  full through hip and thigh, sits at waist, zip front, full length, slant pocket and back welt pockets, back waist dart, high rise.

This is just a wonderful looking pair of pants.  Tweed is a fabulous fabric.  Here is the perfect pattern:

This is the Liesl & Co Hollywood Trousers pattern. This pattern is an almost perfect fit for the inspiration photo.  Just add the back welt pockets and you are done.

This will make part of a wonderful suit if you are so inclined.

Happy Stitching!

More Patterns...

 Yeah, I added more patterns to the ever growing pdf pattern collection.  I took a deal on a couple of Liesl & Co patterns:

This is the Camp Shirt + Dress pdf pattern.   

This is the Recital Shirt.  I am really interested in the pleated front on this one.  I am also fairly certain that the collar from the Classic Shirt will work on this pattern.

I have had really good luck with Classic Shirt pattern and I am hoping that adding these two patterns will add a little more interest.  As much as I like the Classic Shirt, it is time for sometbing a little bit of different.  Of course, both of these patterns will need fitting and that is a time issue.

Happy Stitching!

New Patterns...

 I got intot the last Simplicity sale and purchased a few patterns.  Here they are:

This is Simplicity 3065.  I specifically purchased this pattern for the neckline.  I'm hoping that I can transfer the neckline to my favorite button down shirt pattern - Liesl & Co Classic Shirt Pattern.  

This is Simplicity 3111.  I purchased it specifically for the zip-front jacket.  The pants and shorts are just bonuses.

This is Simplicity 3136.  You get two views of a classic button down shirt.  I purchased this pattern specifically for view B.  Again, I'm hoping to be able to transfer the pleated to my existed Liesl & Co Classic Shirt pattern.

This particular sale is no longer running but there is a pdf sale going which if you're looking for a particular pattern might be a good time to purchase it.

Happy Stitching!

Wardrobe Considerations...The Overall Plan

 Here is the sewing plan with pattern selections, fabric selections, and color:

• Liesl & Co Peckham Trouser in navy and gray.  Fabric will be cotton twill.
• Itch to Stitch Taroko Skirt in teal. Fabric will be a cotton sateen.
• Liesl & Co Classic Shirt in pink and gray.  Fabric will be a cotton pique and cotton oxford cloth.
• Love Notions Classic Tee in navy.  Fabric will be a cotton/lycra jersey.
• Love Notions Rhapsody Blouse in teal.  Fabric will be a solid challis.
• Seamwork Flor Cardigan in gray.  Fabric will be a knit of some sort.
• Liesl & Co Classic Shirt dress length in pink.  Fabric unknown at this time.
• McCall's 7818 jacket in navy.  Fabric unknown at this time but would be nice if matched first item.

Whew!  That is a lot of sewing.  I do need to track back to the  "Starting From Scratch" series at the Vivienne Files.  Just to make sure that I am on track.   

Of this items, the Liesl & Co Classic Shirt, Itch to Stitch Taroko Skirt are fitted.  I am in the process of fitting the Love Notions Rhapsody Blouse.  That leaves the Liesl & Co Peckham Trousers, Seamwork Flor, and McCall's 7818 jacket to be fitted.  That is a lot of fitting.  I really do want the trousers fitted though and will be starting with them first.

 Do you think this is too far in front of the season to start planning?  Have you tried this?  It would really be nice to get ahead of a season and not be sewing like mad to make something to wear right now.

Hope you are inspired to sew.

Happy Stitching!

Oh Yeah, More Fabric...

 I have started working on the wardrobe plan.  Checking the stash has a little bit of interest but you know that new fabric is always better, right?  Here is the lastest fabric:

This is a pink/gray pique cotton shirting.  I purchased 2 yards to make Liesl & Co Classic Shirt.  Care:  Machine wash cold and tumble dry.

This is a Teal Rayon Challis.  I purchased 2 yards with thoughts of making a Love Notions Rhapsody Blouse.  Care:  Machine wash, tumble dry.

This is a teal cotton sateen.  I purchased 2 yards with the idea of making a Itch to Stitch Taroko Skirt. Care:  machine wash cold, tumble dry.

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That is it for now.  Shipping has gotten really expensive.  I guess I should be looking at the stash more to reduce costs.

Happy Stitching!

Wardrobe Considerations...On Going Decisions 2

We are now moving on to tops.  The AI suggested many top patterns but the only one that I took was the Liesl & Co Classic Shirt.   The other tops pattern will be the Love Notions Rhapsody Blouse and the Love Notions Classic Tee Shirt.  Here are the line drawings:

Liesl & Co Classic Shirt pattern.  These will be mostly easy.  There will be two shirts with colors of pink and grey.

This is Love Notions Rhapsody Blouse & Dress pattern.  Lots of options with this one.  I am currently working on fitting this blouse.  There will be one shirt in teal.  I might add another one in navy (AI suggested item.

This is Love Notions Classic Tee Shirt.  This pattern has several options. I may need to refit this pattern.   It should be a good option for a good, everyday type top.  This one will be in navy.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Plaid Button-Down Shirt

 There is nothing like a good button down shirt.  For me, this one clicks all the boxes:

This is the Darleen Plaid Chambray Button Down Shirt by Ralph Lauren Collection. Price tag: $1490.00.  Details:  point collar, button front, long sleeves, button barrel cuffs, chest button-flap pockets, yoke back, relaxed fit, linen.

I just love the look of this shirt but I really do not love that price.  The pattern:

This is the Liesl & Co Classic Shirt. The only change I would make is the flap on the pocket.  Although there may be a flap included in the pattern.  As for a linen plaid, Cali Fabrics does have some light weight linen in a plaid.  

Happy Stitching!

Classic Button-Down Shirt....

 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:

I admitted to purchasing this fabric in September.  I am very happy that it did not spend a great deal of time hanging out the fabric stash.  As stated in the fabric post, I used the Liesl & Co Classic Shirt:

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!

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!

Inspiration...Menswear Pants

 This inspiration post is for a very basic item.  This is a menswear style pant:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Menswear Stretch Wool Pants.  Price tag: $348.00.  Details:  flat front; slim, straight legs; tab/zip front; wool spandex; dry clean.  

I am the first to admit that if you can get a nice fit in a pants pattern, that you are a winner.  One basic pair of pants like the pair shown here and you can make as many pair of pants as you want by just changing the type of fabrics.  Design details can be added.  Here is a couple of patterns to consider:

This is the Liesl & Co Hollywood Trousers pattern.  This pattern has a little bit wider leg but you can make changes during fitting.  The pattern has side pockets which I do not think that the inspiration photo has pockets.  Again, this is a style detail that you can keep or delete.  

This is the Liesl & Co Peckham Women's Trousers pattern.  This pant is a little more causal than the pattern above but has a few more design details.  

I have both of these patterns and really need to work on getting both of them fitting.  Honestly, I would much rather sew than fit but it is very rewarding to get a basic pattern fitted and then sew over and over.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

A Look Back At 2024 Sewing...

 Folks, I did not do a lot of sewing in 2024.   The sewjo took a little bit of a vacation.  So many things happened.  My cat passed suddenly.  I went to Ireland for three weeks and want to go back.  I got two new kittens and that makes sewing an adventure.

Most sewn pattern:

1.  Liesl & Co Classic Shirt pattern.  This is such a great shirt pattern.  I have so many plans for changes.  The designer has a lot of information on the blog regarding this pattern as well.

Most loved patterns:

1.  Liesl & Co Classic Shirt pattern.  I do not think I can say much more about this pattern.  It is just a classic that you can make over and over.

2.  Itch to Stitch Taroko Skirt pattern.  This one is a repeat from last year.  It is such a nice little skirt pattern.

Most dislike project:

1. Itch to Stitch Dana Point Top pattern.  Do not get me wrong about this top.  It is a great hot weather top.  It is a little outside my comfort zone in styling and I just could not get the top to fit me.  After two muslins, I gave up.  

2024 Sewing Reflection:

My sewing for 2024 was pretty limited.  I did manage to complete two slipcovers and that was a big win.  I did manage to make some shirts which are also a big win.  I did not get as much completed as I wanted but life happens and you have to go with the flow.

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Happy Stitching!

2nd Classic Shirt...

This is the third item from my September plan.  I decided to go for it even if I was not super happy about the fabric.  Here is the fabric:

If I decide that it is too light weight for cooler weather, I will make it short sleeved.  Of course, it could be a great layering garment.  Back to the fabric, I ironed the fabric to check for flaws or just weirdness.  I did find one spot that looked funny.  With luck, I will cut around it or maybe put it into a seam or hem.  I still have kittens to deal with as well.  For whatever reason, some of the pins are super interesting.  No and redirecting just is not helping the situation.  Any additional ideas would be great.  I really do not want them to get hurt.

Here is the final shirt:

I am fairly happy with the way the shirt turned out.  There are not too many mistakes.  I can say that I am very happy for having Fray Block and Collins Wash Away Wonder Tape.  

If you have not tried this pattern, you really should.  It is a great basic shirt.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Floral Shirt

 This shirt feels like spring to me but I do love the colors.

This is Floral-Print Button-Down Blouse by Carolina Herrera.  Price tag: $890.00.  Details:  point collar, button front, long sleeves, button cuffs, relaxed fit, shirttail hem, cotton/elastine, dry clean, made in Italy.  

This shirt is a little different than most of the shirts that I show.  This one has princess seams.  You can see them if you zoom in.  The blouse also has a back yoke.  Here is my solution:

This is the Recital Shirt pattern by Liesl & Co.  It has the back yoke and the princess seams.  It does not have the gather cuff or the collar.   I would take the collar from the Classic Shirt pattern by Liesl & Co.

In looking around a little more, I found this Vogue shirt pattern:

This is Vogue 9029 and View A is a fair fit to the inspiration photo.  It has the princess seam, and the collar.  It does not have a back yoke but has princess seams in the back as well.  I would not use the rufffle on the cuff.  This pattern has a bit of bang with it.  Once fitted, there are six options which could give you a whole wardrobe of tops. 

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Go To Patterns...

 Do you have go to patterns that seem to always be in rotation?  I seem to have collected a few.  Here are my favorites:

1.  Liesl & Co Classic Shirt pattern. The hard part was fitting this pattern.  Once the fitting was accomplished, I have made a couple of long shirted shirts and a popover dress.  I need to make a couple of shirts for warm weather.  

2.  Fabrics-store.com Phoebe Tank.  This is a freebie for registered people.  Once the fitting is finished, you have a great warm weather top.  I have made at least seven of this tanks.  It really is time to mix up a little bit by making some minor changes.  Every time I make new tanks, I evaluate the fit and make tweaks.

3.  Pamela's Patterns The Magic Pencil Skirt.  Oh, this one is a quickie.  Need a skirt in a flash?  This one is it as long as it is a stretch fabric.  I have at least four versions of this and one is hand sewn in the Alabama Chanin style.

4.  Love Notions Allegro Bottoms.  This is another quickie once it is fitted. I've made at least four pairs of pants and one skirt.  No doubt, there will be more in the future.

5.  Merchant & Mills Camber Set.  I purchased this pattern to make the top but have yet to do it.  However, the dress is wonderful.  I have three versions and love them all but the linen one is my favorite.  Maybe next year the top will get made.

I am still looking for a good t-shirt pattern, a blazer jacket pattern, trousers, woven tops that are different from the classic shirt and the tank.  

What are your favorite patterns?  Are they quick items to make or are they a classic pattern for you?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Button Down Shirt

 I have found an interesting button down shirt.  It is just a little bit different.  Here is a glimpse:

This is the Button-Down Striped Cotton Shirt by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $598.00.  Details: Approximately 28-inches long, spread collar, button front, long sleeves, button cuff, chest pocket, back yoke with stitched box pleat, shirt tail hem, relaxed fit, cotton, unlined.

Here is a glimpse at the back:

The back pleat would be so easy to duplicate.  Just add the needed amount at the fold and mark it.  Note that this is stitched all the way to the hem and then pressed flat.  It is a small detail but so easy to change the look of the shirt.

The other detail that is a bit different on the shirt is the collar stand.  If you look closely, you can see that there are two buttons instead of the normal one button.  I am not sure about how to duplicate that.  I am fairly certain that there is more to it than just sewing an extra buttonhole/button. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.  I have been known to sit and play with this type of item.

As for the pattern, my standard go to button down shirt:

This is the Liesl & Co Classic Shirt.  I have sewn this shirt many times and it is a great pattern.  Things to change would be not to add the button/buttonhole to sleeve placket and add the pleat down the back of the shirt.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

1st Classic Shirt....

 The fitted pattern for my Liesl & Co Classic Shirt had gone missing and it took a couple of weeks to locate it.  The first shirt for this season, I am using a stash fabric:

The original post where I discussed using this fabric is here.  While I was pressing it, I found this:

The dreaded flaw marker.  Thankfully, the flaw is fairly close to the edge.  Unfortunately, I was not informed that this was a fabric with a flaw.  I did carefully iron this to make sure that was the only one.  This is the only obvious flaw.  There is a second marker shown in the picture but I could not locate another flaw.  I will try to cut around this section of the fabric.

The actual cutting out of this shirt was a real adventure due to my kittens.  I chose to cut out in a single layer and the kittens seemed to find pins interesting.  They were taking them out almost as fast I was pinning.  It was only certain pins that they found interesting.  The first night was very frustrating but the second day I was able to finish the cutting out.

The adventures continued as the sewing.  Kittens stitching their head through the machine harp.  They continued pulling out every pin that looked interested.  Then, they sewing machine needle.  There was more than once that I thought one of them was going to get a paw under the needle but I was able to thwart every attempt.  

The very last thing that happened to this project is I ran out of thread.  I did start with a new spool of thread but obviously a small spool is not big enough for a button down shirt with lots of topstitching.  Thankful, the local JoAnn Fabrics had the matching thread.  Since I was at JoAnn's, I went ahead and looked at buttons.  It was truly a pitiful selection.  Obviously, the closest store to me is not looking for garment sewers.  There is another nearby store.  It is only a little further away.  Maybe it is time that I investigated it.

Running out of thread kinda put my sewjo off for a few days but I finally finished it.  Here is the result:

I am really happy with the shirt and hope that it will be worn a lot.  There are ton of mistakes but that happens with almost everything that I make anymore.  

On to the next project.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Striped Shirt

 I really like the idea of this shirt.  It is a little more fitting than previous inspiration shirts:

This is the Kennedy Striped Cotton Shirt by Lafayette 148 New York. Price tag: $598.00.  Details: approximately 25-inches from shoulder to hem, long sleeves, button cuffs, back yoke, shirttail hem, relaxed fit, cotton, unlined, handwash.  Details not mentioned:  bust darts and back vertical darts. 

I really like the idea of this shirt but I do not really like the green/beige stripes.  I think a blue/gray stripe would be much better.  Do you think I could find a fabric like that?  This shirt is the Classic Shirt by Liesl & Co.   The back darts would be just a fitting detail or they could just look like a fitting detail.  That type of dart does not need to be very wide/deep.  The front dart could/should be draped should you need it.  Here is the Classic Shirt:

I will be watching a fabric that is a two-toned stripe that will work in my wardrobe colors.  Can you have too many shirts?  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!