Inspiration...Turtleneck Top

 This top intrigued me.  It definitely has a casual vibe to it.

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Mixed Media Drop-Shoulder Turtleneck Top. Price tag: $998.00.  Details:  turtleneck, long sleeves, drop shoulders, oversized fit, pullover style, approximately 30-inches from shoulder to hem.  For reference, the model is 5'10".  This can be found on the Neiman Marcus website.

I know this is another over sized top but you really need to check out the "turtleneck".  It reminds me of cozy sweatshirt with a bit style.  When I saw the neckline, I had all kinds of ideas on create the top with a similar neckline.  

I think the Cowl Top pattern by Loes Hinse Designs would be perfect.  The pattern is available on the casual elegance website.  Replace the cowl with a handknit neckband.  Finding a cozy fabric should not be too hard.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful. 

Happy Stitching!

Boxy Tunic...

 Last fall I noticed that boxy tops seemed to be what everyone was making.  So, I looked through my patterns and found this top pattern:

It seemed to be just perfect for what I was thinking except I didn't want the cowl.  This is the Cowl Top pattern by Loes Hinse Designs.  Here is the fabric:

I fell in love with this fabric when I received it.  Perfectly soft.  It is still available at fabric dot com.  Here is where I posted receiving the fabric and the intended project - here.

I pretty much made the pattern as is.  The shoulders are a L with the armscye at a XL. The hip is at an XL.  Here are the results:

Even with all the imperfections.  I really like this top and I am glad that I pulled this oldie but goodie from the pattern file to use.  I may make a couple of short sleeve tops from this pattern for the spring.

Happy Stitching!

Buying Spree...

 I just can't help myself.  Change of season needs new fabric.  Let's hope I don't purchase too much more.  Here's my latest acquisitions:

This is a Telio sweater knit.  I intend to make a boxy top using this pattern:

This is the Cowl Top pattern by Loes Hinse Design.  It's an oldie but goodie.  I haven't decided yet whether I'm actually going to put the cowl on or not.  It will depend on the fabric.

This is an inexpensive knit to use an a muslin for this pattern:

This is the Love Notions Duet Trousers pattern.  I'm hoping that I can get this pant to fit rather quickly.  It is meant for both stretch woven and knits.  All of the remaining fabrics are intended for this pattern. 

This is a navy ponte de roma.  It is a polyester, rayon, lycra blend.  I'm hoping it's the correct weight for pants.  It said that it was a medium weight fabric.

This is a grey ponte de roma.  It is a polyester, rayon, lycra blend.  It is a heavier fabric than the navy ponte above.  

This is a charcoal grey suiting.  It is a rayon, nylon, polyester, lycra blend.  It's the only woven that I purchased today but it is intended for the same pattern.  Hopefully, I can locate an inexpensive source of stretch woven that will work for the muslin on this one.

I do have other pant patterns but it is so hard getting them fitted that I want to make it worth my time to do the fitting.  I seem to always plan way more than I can actually sew.  Let's see where this goes.

Happy Stitching!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe - Week 46

Week 46 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 46 here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.  Note: as the series progresses, the chart changes a wee bit.  It should be shown on the weekly posting at the bottom.

Week 46 is a neutral light-weight second layer.  This could be a button-down shirt, a cardigan, a wrap, a cape, etc.  I think you get the idea.  It is something to wear when you go into a restaurant that is really cool or for a cool evening.  Here's some ideas:

This is the Grainline Studio Archer button up shirt pattern.  It is a classic pattern.  Once it is fitted, you can easily make it may times. View A would work well as a light weight 2nd layer.  However, it might be fun to use View B.

This is the Loes Hinse Zipper Jacket pattern.  It is a little harder to locate but can be found here.  You get two views with this jacket.

This is the Indygo Junction 5-Way Wrap pattern.  This could be a fun, versatile piece to add to the wardrobe.

Hope your inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Layering Tunic or Not

Here's a lovely little tunic to think about:

This is the Don't Think Twice by Nic & Zoe.  Price Tag: $168.00.  This tunic sweater comes with a dickey.  For a closer look check the Nic & Zoe website.

Here's a pattern that would work well to duplicate the look:

This is the V-Neck Tunic pattern by Loes Hinse Designs.  It can be found on the Casual Elegance Website.  This is a nice pattern.  You could use a ribbed knit to make your own version.  Changes would be lengthen and add pockets, if you choose.

Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Sewing!

Inspiration...V-Neck Tunic

Here's a nod toward cooler weather, I think. 

This is the Lafayette 148 New York V-Neck Open-Sided Linen/Viscose Tunic.  Price Tag:  $448.00.  For a closer look, check Neiman Marcus.

Here's a pattern that gives a similar look:

This is the Loes Hinse Design V Neck Tunic.  It can be found on the Casual Elegance here.

If you want a complete outfit, add a tank top by Silhouette Patterns and the Oxford Pant by Loes Hinse Design.

Hope you're inspired to sew something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Cardigan, Tank, and Skirt

Let's continue the linen theme from last week.  Here's a nice little outfit:

This is the Shine Open-Front, Bracelet-Length Crop Cardigan, Organic Handkerchief Linen Camisole, and Organic Linen A-Line Side-Slit Midi Skirt.  Price tags:  Cardigan - $248.00, Camisole - $118.00, Skirt - $178.00.  Let's see what we can do to duplicate this.

For the cardigan:

This is Silhouettes 195 Sweater Set.  It is a base pattern.  Once this is fitted, the neck line can be changed, the sleeve length shortened, and overall length cropped.

For the camisole - I was unable to locate a woven camisole pattern.  I know they exist.  So, I'm substituting a tank -

This is Silhouettes 514 4-way Tank Top.   This top is a bit fiddly for fitting but once you have it there are many options.  Remember the neckline shaping is fairly easy to change.

For the skirt -

This is the Loes Hinse Skirt Trio pattern.   View C is the version you would want.  All you need to do is add the slits.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Striped Top

This top is really a sweater but I love this styling:

This is the Eileen Fisher Chenille Striped Tunic Sweater.  Price tag:  $278.00.  If you hop over to the Neiman Marcus website and look this up you will find the entire outfit.  There is also a silk camisole.  Price tag: $98.00.  We can't forget the leggings. Price tag: $98.00.

To recreate the outfit, you could use the following patterns:

This is the V Neck Tunic by Loes Hinse Designs.  This pattern would give you the general look.  It is a bit more fitted.

This is the 4-way Tank Top pattern by Silhouette Patterns.  This pattern will require fitting but once it's done you make as many changes as you like.  Remember style lines are easy to change.

This is Angel's Handbag & Leggings pattern by Silhouette Patterns.

I'm going to take a short break from the inspiration posts over the holidays.  See you in the new year.

Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Knit Boucle Vest

Here's a lovely knee-length vest:

This would definitely be a fun extra in the wardrobe.  This is the Soft Boucle Knit Vest w/Patch Pockets & Chain Trim from St Johns Collection.  Price tag:  $1495.00.  To check it out closer go to Neiman Marcus.  This is a knee length vest with patch pockets and trim.  Note that the trim looks like the selvage so you would want to make sure that the desired fabric had a nice selvage.

As far as the pattern goes, any unlined jacket pattern with the correct features should be good.  It would be even better if it was already fitted.  If that doesn't sound good, this pattern would work:

The lapel is missing but you would still end up with a nice sweater vest.  This is the Sweater Coat by Loes Hinse Design.  One of the views has patch pockets. 

Here's one more:

 This is McCall's 7476.  This pattern gives the vest with a slightly different silhouette with the shawl collar and dropped shoulders but it would still be good.

Hope your inspired to make something beautiful.

Happy Sewing!

Inspiration....

Another window shopping trip to Neiman Marcus, today I found a lovely, simple sheath dress by Eileen Fisher:

I love the simple shape of this dress but this dress is made from a silk georgette crepe and this isn't a type of fabric for my current lifestyle.  However, this is a good basic style for me now.  At least, I think it is.  Details of the dress:  Eileen Fisher Silk Georgette Self-Tie Crepe Dress; price tag:  $398.00.

I'll save some cash and rummage through the pattern stash.  Here's what I found:

Both patterns have been in my stash for years.  Can I produce an equivalent dress with one of these patterns?  I suppose it never hurts to try.  I may even have something in the stash that will produce one of the dress.  I think the Basic Dress is really closest to the inspiration dress by shortening it and adding a tie belt.

Let's see what type of fabric either dress requires.  View A of the New York Dress (left) is for stretch knits.   View A of the Basic Dress (right) is for soft drapey fabrics such as knits, rayon or wool crepe, textured rayon, rayon/silk cut velvet, rayon/silk sheers.  So, Basic Dress is the winner here.

I may very well have a drapey rayon in the stash.  I will have to figure out fit first which will require at least one muslin.  Simple may not be as simple as it seems by the time I get done adding darts.

By the way, did you know that Textile Studio Patterns had closed?

Happy Stitching!

V Neck Tunic Completed…

Here’s a pic of my latest creation:

I love this fabric and thought it would be perfect the V-Neck Tunic pattern by Loes Hinse Design.  There were a few challenges that I wasn’t expecting.  This sweater knit was a difficult to work with.  Serging a single layer was impossible and this stopped the sewing process down until I could go to JoAnn’s and get some mesh.  Actually, I was amazed that they had this item.  In reality, neither the serger or the sewing liked sewing on this fabric.  The serger handled one layer of the fabric with one layer of power mesh just fine.  

Ok, back to the pattern.  I combined the two views on the pattern envelope as I really wanted long sleeves with the tunic length.

Here's a close-up of the sweater knit that I used:

Coordinates perfectly with the colors chosen last fall.

I did note that on several reviews that it was mentioned that the neckline was low so I raised the neckline by an inch.    I know I will not be wearing this without some type of top under it but I wanted to draw the eye up more.   I cut ½” pieces of mesh to serge to all the edges including the neckline.  Due to the super stretchy nature of the fabric, I used the “lighting” stitch on my machine and lengthening it to 4.0 mm.  

After getting the tunic sewn together, I tried it on.  I was very surprised at how long it was in both the body length and the sleeves.  I ended up removing 4" in body length and 2" in sleeve length. Overall, I'm happy with how this top turned out.  

Now, I wonder why it took me so long to use this pattern.  Even though it took me about a month to finish this tunic, it shouldn't have taken longer than a day.  I did make a mistake and I to re-order a yard of fabric to finish the top.  I will be using this pattern again.  

Happy Stitching!