Inspiration...Plaid Jacket

Today's inspiration is very similar to an inspiration post done in July but it is a different designer.  Here is the jacket:

This is the Akris Small Pied-De-Poule Cashmere Short Jacket. Price tag: $3690.00.  Details: features pied-de-poule check styling, stand collar, button front, long sleeves, split cuffs, front welt pockets, hip length, fitted, lining - cupro, dry clean only.

Here is how it was styled:

I love the little black and white check dress with the jacket.  This is perfect going to work in an office outfit.  My pattern pick is the same as the July inspiration:

This is an OOP pattern by Textile Studio Patterns.  If you can find a copy of the pattern, these are the changes that I see:

1.  Add welt pockets.

2.  Add lining.

3. Lengthen sleeves

4.  Add split cuffs.

That is not a bad list of changes.  Honestly, I think that the first one will be the hard one.  It could be the second item on the list.  Maybe I will re-visit this pattern.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Long Skirt

 I enjoy wearing skirts with boots in the winter.  I find them warm just because of all the layers.  This skirt caught my eye because of it's simple shape:

This is the Slit-Hem Wool Tricotine A-Line Midi Skirt by Akris Punto.  Price tag: $595.00.  Details: A-line silhouette, falls below knee, invisible side zip, virgin wool, lined with cupro, dry clean.  Model is 5'10".  

I like the look of the skirt but I do not want a lined wool skirt that is dry clean only.  I am thinking I can find a nice fabric that I can line and still be happy.  The first pattern that I thought of was a pattern long out of print:

This is the Brussels Skirt pattern by Textiles Studio Patterns.  This is from the nineties and it is a super quick make.  This is a straight skirt instead of an a-line.  This pattern is hiding in my pattern collection and worth pulling out and using.  I do not think I would make the skirt that long but I did the last time I made it.  

This is another vintage pattern McCall's 6263.  View A looks like a dead ringer for the inspiration.  There are copies available on the web.  Sizing might be an issue.  

Something to consider - you do not need to purchase a new pattern for every item you want to make.  If you have an existing a-line skirt pattern but it does not have a center front seam.  Create one.  Save those dollars for beautiful fabric.

Hope you are inspired to make something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Button-Down Jacket

 Have you been thinking about cooler weather items yet?  I have.  This jacket would be nice as part of a suit or by itself.  

This is the Button-Down Wool-Cashmere Jacket by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $1498.00.  Details:  Approximately 22 1/2-inches from shoulder to hem, mandarin collar, button front, dropped shoulders, long sleeves, side welt pockets, boxy fit, fully lined, metallic buttons.  Model is 5'10".  If you want a closer look, check it out at Neiman Marcus website.

When I saw this jacket, I immediately thought of this pattern:

This is an OOP pattern by Textile Studio Patterns.  If you can find a copy of the pattern, these are the changes that I see:

1. Modify collar so that there is a gap.

2.  Add welt pockets.

3.  Add lining.

4. Lengthen sleeves.

That is not a bad list of changes.  Honestly, I think that the first one will be the hard one.  It could be the second item on the list.  Maybe I will re-visit this pattern.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Jersey Top and Skirt

I always like looking for items that would be very wearable for my life.  This top and skirt are really nice and I would love to own them.

This is the Akris punto Jersey Chain-Neck Shirt and Belted Gabardine Skirt.  Shirt price tag: $395.00.  Details:  cotton/spandex stretch jersey, crew neckline with chain inset, half sleeves, slim fit, back zip.    Skirt price tag: $395.00.  Details:  cotton/polyurethane stretch gabardine, sits high on the waist with a wide self d-ring belt, side slash pockets, a-line silhouette, hook/zip front, knee length.

I love the neck detail on this top.  The neckline detail will need to be worked out.  I supect that the back zip is so that there is less stress on the chain.  As far as patterns go, your favorite t-shirt pattern with some modifications will work.  I'm always for using existing patterns that have already been fitted.  I am going to consider this one:

This is the Textile Studio Basic Top.  This is a out-of-print pattern but you might be able to find it.  I have View B fitted already.  With small modifications, I think I can get this to look very close to the inspiration photo.

As far as the skirt, I was unable to locate a similar pattern.  Silhouette Patterns has a jean skirt pattern that has an a-line silhouette but it doesn't have the high waistline. This may be a time to look at vintage patterns.

Hope you're inspirations to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Pullover Blouse

I feel like I have started moving away from tee shirts and really liking blouses again.  Here's a great pullover top:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Jessica Sublime Linen Short-Sleeved Blouse.  Price tag: $378.00.  Detials:  Spread collar with v-neckline, short sleeves, relaxed silhouette, straight hem, pullover style,

I was unable to locate an exact pattern.  Here's a couple to consider:

This is the Marseilles Shirt pattern by Textile Studios.  Long out of print but View A offers the v-neckline, the collar, and the extended shoulders.  This is probably best in a drapey fabric.  One is available on patter walk dot com.

This is Vogue 1681.  View B would be a good match for the inspiration photo.  You would need to shorten the sleeves and add a collar.

This is Fisher's Pleated Blouse pattern by Silhouette Patterns.  This has a deeper v and would need to be raised alone with adding a collar and shortening the sleeves to match the inspiration photo.

I have given you lots of ideas today.  Hope it has been helpful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...V-Neck Tee

T-shirts are pretty much a wardrobe stable.  This is no different:

This is Eileen Fisher Organic Cotton V-Neck Short-Sleeve Jersey Tee.  Price tag: $78.00.  Details:  organic cotton jersey, v-neck, short-sleeves, relaxed fit, straight hem, and pullover style.

This is where you pull out your favorite t-shirt pattern and change the neckline.  It's not hard to do.  Just use your french curve.  Need a suggestion:

This is the basic t-shirt pattern by Silhouettes.  It's the Sweater Set pattern.  I can hear you already saying it doesn't have a v-neck.  Use your french curve.

Another good pattern would be this one:

This is the Basic Top pattern by Textile Studio.  View B would be the pattern.  This pattern line is no longer being producer but it would be worth looking for.  I already have this pattern fitted and need to use it more.

Hope your inspired to create something beautiful and useful for your wardrobe.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Elbow Sleeved Tee

Everyone needs a basic top in the wardrobe.  This one fits the bill:

This is the Eileen Fisher Organic Cotton Elbow-Sleeve Jersey Tee.  Price tag: $68.00.  Check Neiman Marcus for close ups of this tee.  Details:  Oversized fit, curved hem, elbow length sleeve, crew neck.

To me, this looks very much like a top that I recently fitted with the exception of the curved hem and the ribbed neckline.  I can do that.  Here's the pattern:

The is the Textile Studio Patterns Basic Top pattern.  It is out-of-print but you could possible find it.  The internet delivers this sort of pattern from time-to-time.  View B would be the match for the inspiration picture.  You can see the version that I made here. 

There are many t-shirt type top patterns.  Perhaps you have one that is already fitted. 

Hope your inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Zip Front Blouse

The Pre-fall fashions are showing up.  So, here's a cute top that could be a basic:

The is the Lafayette 148 New York Durham Finesse Crepe Zip-Front Short-Sleeve Blouse.  Price Tag: $398.00.  Details:  Crew neckline, partial front zipper, short sleeves, back yoke, box pleat, side slits, and relaxed silhouette.  The blouse also has a darted front. Check out the details on the Neiman Marcus website.  This blouse is dry-clean only.  I think we can do better than that.

I recently fitted this blouse:

The silhouette of View B is very close to the inspiration.  To do the zipper, I'm sure that I would need to draft a facing but that is pretty easy to do.  As far as other patterns, I haven't noticed anyone doing the 1/2 zip on the front of the blouses.  Let me know if I've missed a pattern and I will reference it.

Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

A Basic Top...

I decided that I need more basics in my wardrobe.  You know, the things that you reach for day in and day out.    Then, I started looking for a pattern.  As an attempt not to increase the pattern stash anymore, I went through the drawers of the pattern cabinet.  Well, low and behold, the pattern stash did yield something that looked very much like the inspiration picture.  Here it is:

Textile Studio Basic Top pattern.  I don't know if this pattern is still available anywhere but doesn't View B reminds me of a good basic woven t-shirt type top.   Here's a close up of view B:

Here's the line drawing:

I traced the largest size in the pattern and then started measuring.  Changes:

1.  Removed the allowance for the shoulder pad making changes to the front/back/sleeve.
2.  Rounded back alteration.
3.  Sway back alteration.
4.  Added length for bust.
5.  Width to sleeve.
6.   Trued hems on sleeve and bottom.

I was unable to locate any illustrations for the changes for removing the shoulder pad.  Here's a tutorial on how I did this with pattern illustrations - tutorial.

As with any pattern, once the fitting is done, you can make many versions.  Here's the finished muslin:

The fabric is a tightly woven polyester which made turning the hem at the neckline virtually impossible.  I changed the neckline from a turn back hem to use a bias facing.  I do think that I ended up with a wearable item.

Here's the knit version:

I changed the neckline on this version slightly by making it deeper by 1-inch.  Here's another look with the top tucked in:

I'm pleased with the new additions to my wardrobe.   The skirt is Amy's skirt and you can read about it here.

Happy Stitching!

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!