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!

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...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!

Inspiration...Trouser Skirt & Jacket

 This outfit screams fall to me:

This is the Techno Cotton A-Line Midi Skirt by Brunello Cucinelli.  Price tag: $3,100.00.  Details:  high waist, single pleat front, angled side slip pockets, a-line silhouette, hem falls below knees, button tab/zip fly, belt loops, cotton/nylon/polyamide, lined, dry clean only.

Here is a close up of the skirt:

Here is a winter version of the same skirt pattern:

Price tag: $3,650.00.  Fabric:  wool/nylon/polyamide/elastane.

Now that I have shown the skirt in two different versions, I hope that your creative mode is roaring.  Unfortunately, I could not have an exact pattern like this.  My guess is that a pattern could be found in the resale market from the 80s, 90s, and maybe the 2000s.

The jean style jacket.  I would say that if you are going to make one jacket for fall/winter, this is the style to make.  I am seeing if everywhere in leather or suede.  I have been looking for a faux leather/suede that is washable.  I know it is out there.  Jacket patterns:

This is the Seamwork Audrey pdf pattern.  It calls for denim or canvas but I think that a faux leather or suede would be suitable.  

There are many jean style jackets patterns.  So, really just pick your favorite and run with it.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Sewing!

Inspiration...Ruffled Top

 I found this feminine little top:

This is the Ruffle Trim Blouse from Ann Taylor.  Price tag: $109.00.  Details:  Flouncy Ruffles, pintuck details, v-neck, long sleeves with smocked detail, lined body, relaxed fit, 22-inches long, polyester.

This is such a pretty little top.  I have not seen any exact patterns like this.  However, you might be able to use this pattern:

This is the Seamwork Cosmo Collared Blouse pattern.  The silhouette is similar to the inspiration photo.  Changes would be remove the collar and add the flounce.  You might be able to use the collar as the start of the flouce and then add length for the center front seam.  As for the pintucks, it would be easiest to stitch them before cutting out the top.   This way you do not have to figure out the extra width.  The sleeves would need a little extra length to get the flounce.  I do not know if width would need to be added to get the smocking.  That is a detail that would need to be investigated.  Of course, you could just add the flounce and simply the sleeve detail by just having a row of elastic.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Long, Flowy Skirt

 Earlier this week, the inspiration post was a blouse.  Here is a long flowy skirt to go with the blouse:

This is the Emma Linen Maxi Skirt from Bodin.  Price tag: $190.00.  Details:  gentle gathers, relaxed fit sitting at natural waist, fabric covered buttons, functional pockets, falls to the ankle, machine washable.

This is the perfect type of skirt.  If you pick the right color/fabric combo, it could go right into fall.  I found a skirt tutorial for this one, if you are interested.  Size modifications would be necessary, depending on your size.  

Actual patterns for this exact skirt was not easy to locate.  Feel free to let me know if you know about a similar pattern.  Here is a pattern that would work for the long flowiness of this skirt:

This is the Elowen Gathered Midi Skirt pdf pattern from Seamwork.  With this pattern, you get the long, flowiness of the skirt.  If you want it to be at the ankle, just add to the length.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful. 

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Midi Sleeveless Dress

 The hot days of summer of coming.  My favorite clothing for hot summer days is a dress.  Here is a perfect one:

This is the Delphine Midi Sleeveless Dress from Boden.  Price tag: $99.00.  Details:  100% cotton, machine washable, fit & flare styling, side pockets, designed to fall to mid-calf, sleeveless, notched neckline, drawstring waist. 

There are options with this dress  - three prints and three solids.  The sapphire blue is perfect.  

Here is a pattern line drawing that I think will work well:

 This is the Bobby Dress pdf pattern from Seamwork. The neckline is a little bit different and the waistline but I think it gives the same feel.  If you are a Seamwork member, there is a bonus available as well that adds a flutter sleeve.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Double Cloth Top

 I really need to add more top to my wardrobe.  This style of top is a maybe.  It is a little outside my comfort zone.  Here it is:

This is the Rae Double Cloth Top from Boden.  Price tag: $99.00.  Details:  100% cotton, box pleats, puff sleeves with stretch in the cuffs, straight as in not too tight, falls between waist and hip.

I was not sure what double cloth was but found and explaation here at Blackbird Fabrics.  The color of this top is perfect which probably means you can not find it.  Here is the pattern that I thought would work will for this top:

This is the line drawing for the Kit Blouse pdf pattern from Seamwork.  I would probably drop the back tie and maybe change the elastic to shirring. Otherwise, I think it is pretty good match visually for the inspiration photo.  Not exact but fairly good.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Square Neck Dress

 This is a pretty little dress:

This is the Square Neck Occassion Dress from Boden.  Price tag: $270.00.  Details:  fit & flare skirt, falls to low calf, machine washable.

This is a great use for the border prints.  Here is a pattern:

This is Hazel Dress pdf pattern from Seamwork.  It might need to be lengthened to match the inspiration photo.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Funnel Neck Top

 I am hoping to get a few items made this year and something similar to this top may just be a step up from a regular t-shirt:

This is the Cross Hatch Stretch Jersey Funnel Neck Tank by Eileen Fisher. Price tag: $138.00.  Details:  mid-weight jersey, sleeveless, funnel neck, three-inch side slits, close at shoulders widser at hem, tencel lyocell with lyrca.

Finding a pattern is not that hard.  I actually knew of one the second I saw the tank.  Here it is:

This is the Edie Top pdf pattern by Seamwork.  It is not a perfect version of the inspiration photo but it is very close.  I suspect that it is closer in the hip than the Eileen Fisher tank.  However, that is an easy fix.

This would be very fun in a shade of pink and I think that there is some hiding in my stash. Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful. 

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Button Front Maxi Skirt

 A classic every day type skirt is a wonderful thing to have in the classic.  It makes short work of getting dressed in the morning when you do not feel like making a lot of choices.  Here is a nice skirt:

This is the Button-Front Maxi Skirt from J Jill.  Price tag: $89.00.  Details:  100% cotton, sits below waist, pull-on waist, a-line silhouette, machine wash gentle tumble dry low, 33" back length.

When you look at this skirt up close in the front, you would never know this was a pull-on waist.  That front band looks real.  I would think the belt would be neccessary to hide the elastic in the back if you doing a tuck.

I am sure you know that I was not able to find an exact pattern for this skirt.  That would just be too easy.  There is this pattern:

This is the Sawyer Skirt pdf pattern from Seamwork patterns.  It does offer the button-front and the a-line silhouette but not the elastic pull-on waist.  It might be easy to increase the back panels to allow the pull-on silhouette.   You could also take an elastic waist a-line skirt pattern and add a placket.  Here is a tutorial for making a fake placket or a real placket.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Jewelry Roll 2...

This is the second Seamwork Ari jewelry roll that I have made.  The first can be seen here and it is a better representation of the pattern.  

I made mistakes with the second jewelry roll but I can live with them.  The mistake was on the snap pockets, I stitched a 1/4-inch seam instead of a 3/8-inch seam and I did not notice until I started stitching the pockets on.  I decided to just go with the roll.  It worked.  Here are the finaly pictures:

I found some happy little coordinating prints in the cotton stash and just went with it.  I think it turned out cute.

The stash is down another yard.  Now, if I could just convince myself not to purchase more fabric.  I have been fairly good this year.  I have purchased a little bit yardage but hopefully, it will not hang around long.  Fabric is so much easier to purchase than to use up.  

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Suede Coat

This inspiration is probably more for someone who can either sew really fast or wants to plan ahead to the fall season ans sew ahead of time:

Thisi s the 100% Suede Leather Coat Limited Edition from Zara.  Price tag: $759.00.  Description:  100% Suede Leather (goat), lapel collar, long sleeves, front patch pockets, front button closure, bound buttonholes.

This is such a fabulous coat.  I am sure that is heavy because it is leather.  Really the price is not too bad for a leather product.  A faux suede would be wonderful.  Not as warm as the leather but it would still be nice and you would not need specialty cleaning.

Here is a pattern idea that could give a similar look:

This is the Bay Coat by Seamwork.  It would give a similar feel even if it is not exactly the same as the inspiration photo.  You would need to remember to separate the pattern so that the pieces would give the illusion of leather and top stitch.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Jewelry Roll...

  I try to make a small gift of some kind for my niece every Christmas.  I am always late with the gift.  In 2025, I had a great excuse.  I had just had surgery and the sewing room was off limits.  I am just not getting around to stitching the gift.  Here are the line drawings:

Seamwork Ari View B.  This pdf pattern has two versions and I chose the one with all pockets.  Remains to be seen if that is good or not.

Here is the finished jewelry roll:

The pattern is fairly easy to assemble.  The hardest part is installing the snaps on the base of the case.  I have snap pliers and there is very little room to push fabric inside of it.

Overall, I am very happy with how it turned out.  I am planning another one in the near future.

Happy Stitching!

Seamwork Milo...

 When I moved part of my stash in the fall, I found some wonderful long forgotten fabrics.  This is part of the issue with a large stash.  You just remember can not what is in there or how much is there.  I found a lovely black ponte (I think).  If is definitely a polyester or a polyester mix.  I am not really good with determining blends.

Then, I decided to join the two month long stash contest at Pattern Review.  Honestly I do not sew very fast anymore, so I do not plan on being the big winner using up the stash.  Any stash that I use verses purchasing more stash is win.

After finishing the final project (1st sewn item for 2026) of 2025, I decided to make a cardigan figuring it would be a great addition to my next travel wardrobe.  If I had started that project on/after January 1, it would have qualified but alas I did not.  Here is my first official stash project:

I am making Version 2 in a size 16.  I did change the sleeve a little bit to make sure there is enough space for my bicep.  Here you can see the change made to the pattern piece:

Even though it looks a bit funny, the change to the bicep has been working well.

 Construction:

1.  Pay close attention to the front bands.  It is very easy to get them mixed up.  

2.  For the size 16, the sleeve notches did not match.  I was able to get the sleeve to work.

Otherwise, this is a fast and easy project.  Even though it took me many days to complete.  I found some horn buttons on Amazon that were perfect:

Here is the finished garment:

Overall this is nice pattern and I would recommend it.  I will happily wear it.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Scarf Coat

 I found this interesting coat and was kinda shocked by the price.  Here you go:

This is the Reversible Double-faced Cashmere Coat & Scarf by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $4,298.00.  Details:  crew neck, concealed snap front, long sleeves, side pockets, hem hits around the knee, a-line fit, cashmere, scarf with fringe.  Length 37 1/2-inches from shoulder to hem.

Can you believe that price?  I have a pattern for you:

This is the Ivy Unlined Scarf Jacket pdf pattern by Seamwork.  The basics of the inspiration photo are here.  The closure is different and the scarf ends are different but you certainly get the look and feel.  

I even found double-faced cashmere at this site.  Honestly, I do not know anything about that site but if this is the look you are going for, it would be worth your time to investigate it.  The jacket & scarf take 4 yards of fabric.  The fabric at that site is about $80 per yard and look at all those colors.  Now, if your a little hesitant to purchase from someone so far away, Etsy also has some double-faced cashmere.  It is a different price point.  

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Slim Legged Pants

 It is time to start thinking about late winter or early spring.  I think have found the perfect pant.

This is the Bleecker Slim-Legged Pant by Lafayette New York 148.  Price tag: $698.00.  Details:  9-inch rise, 30 1/2-inch inseam, 39-inch outseam, 14-inch leg opening; sits just below the natural waist; slim fit legs; center crease front and back; side zip; acetate/polyester bleand; dry clean.

I really like the pant but I really do not like the price.  I found three patterns options:

This is the Sabrina Slims pdf pattern by Love Notions.  

 This is Pants..Perfected! by Pamela's Patterns.

This is the Clover Pants pdf pattern by Seamwork.

All three of these patterns have similar features.  Even though the Sabrina Slims were my first pattern thought, the Clover Pants and Pants Perfected patterns are probably a little closer to the inspiration photo.  

I do not really want to get similar fabric to the inspiration photo just because of the care needed.  All three pants can be made from stretch wovens with varying degrees of stretch.  Two of the pants can be made from knits.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Suede Jacket

 This might be an inspiration to work on through out the year for the fall.  

This is the Relaxed Suede Trucker Jacket from Banana Republic.  Price tag: $500.00.  Details: relaxed fit through shoulders, chest, and waist; spread collar with snap closure; chest pocket with snap closure; side pockets; one interior pocket (welt pocket); straight hem; fully lined.

This is a gorgeous take on the classic denim jacket.  You know that I have pattern ideas.  

This is the Audrey Jacket pdf pattern from Seamwork.  This pattern has a few more pieces on the front than the inspiration photo but it does have the side welt pockets without making the big patch pockets. If you are a Seamwork member, you can see all of the wonderful jackets that have been made with this pattern.  Be aware that this pattern has been designed for denim or canvas.  

Other patterns to concern - Style Arc Stevie Jean Jacket (oversized but with the welt pockets), Itch to Stitch Atenas Jacket pdf pattern (affiliate link, jacket has welt pockets), and Simplicity S8845 (sized for women, men, teens with welt pockets and  a sew along).

I have found a new source for faux leathers and faux suede.  Both of these links are affiliate links.  I particularly like the red and gray and may order some swatches to see the actual color.

Hope you are inspired.

Happy Stitching!

Seamwork Bryn Dress...

 On a whim,  I decided that I needed another dress that was somewhat loose.  Just so I will have something to wear after my surgery.  So, I picked the Seamwork Bryn Dress.  Here is the line drawing:

I did pick it because of the loose silhouette.  I really wanted to use just stash items for this dress which was a challenge all by itself.  I finally found a remnant of royal blue fine wale corduroy which was pretty much perfect.  There was just enough for the outside of the dress.  I picked a plain black cotton for the facings, and a wild leopard print for the lining.  For the pattern, I cut it out and followed the advice of Katrina at Lifting Pins & Needles and checked all the lengths of the pattern.  Made all my crazy adjustments.  When I was finished with all the lengths adjustment through the body, I made sure that the actual length of the dress was going to be good.  I do not really need to be wearing dressing at mid-thigh.  Down to the knee is fine with me most of the time.  Then, I realized that the bust point on the pattern was no where near where my bust point was.  The level was correct but not location.  It was 3 inches off.  Folks, that is a lot.  The pattern apex to apex was 14 1/2 inches.  My apex to apex is 8 1/2".  Then, I had to figure out how to move a curved dart horizontally.  Not a fun experience but I think I did it.  Here is the resulting pattern:

You can see the dart movement along with where there was shortening and lengthening of the pattern.  I did not make a muslin of the changes.  I am cut out and see what I end up with.  If it does not work, it will be just a bit of wasted time and fabric.  Here is the finished dress:

The darts did turn out to be a challenge not just because they had to be moved at the pattern stage but when I made the dress the dart was just too long.  I had to alter the dart twice.  It is not perfect but wearable.

The changes that I made to the pattern are minor.  It was mostly length changes to match my measurements.  I did move the bust dart horizontally.  I also added a bit of length to the dress to make it long enough for me to be comfortable.

I think overall this is a fairly good dress. However, the balance seems off. I am wearing legging under neath which could be causing a little bit of issue but not sure.   If I had made a muslin, it probably could have been addressed but it is what it is.  Wearable.

Happy Stitching!