Inspiration...Jean Jacket

A jean jacket is something that I have always wanted to make.  Yeah, it's on the list but somehow other things always jump ahead.  Check out this little jacket:

This is the Destiny Prestige Denim Snap-Front Jacket by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $498.00.  This can be found on the Neiman Marcus site.

This jacket seems to be a pretty standard jean jacket except for the fabric.  It is a cotton/polyester/spandex blend.   Let's see what patterns we can find for this jacket style:

This is the Silhouettes #900 Carol's Jacket/Top pattern.  This is a fairly classic jean jacket pattern.  The plus with this is the cup sizing.

This is the Jordan Jacket pattern y Serendipity Studio. Again, this is a very classic example of a jean jacket.

These are actually the only two jean jacket patterns of which I'm aware.  It is possible that you can find the Kwik Sew version of this pattern on eBay or Etsy.  It would just be a matter of searching for it.

Hope you're inspired to sew!

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Basic+ Shift Dress

In mid-April there was an inspiration post on the Basic Shift Dress.  Today brings a shift dress with a little bit more:

This is the Farah Stretch Canvas Shift Dress by Layette 148 New York.  Price tag: $498.00. 

At a mere glance this is a basic shift.  However upon closer inspection, you will see that there is a yoke front and back, seaming around the high hip area, large patch pockets with zippers, and an exposed zipper.   I'm not so sure that those pockets are functional.

As far as patterns go, if you made a basic shift dress it would probably be just as easy to alter the pattern by adding the yokes and seaming.  Remember once the dress is fitted, you can make changes.  Check the suggested patterns for the Basic Shift Dress. 

I did find one shift dress pattern with blocking but no sleeves:

This is Vogue 1382.  The basic seaming is there and it also has bodice shaping.  It's missing the sleeves but it could be used to create the look.

Happy Stitching!

I've Done It Now - Day 3...

Here's Day 3 progress:

There was a black jute type fabric under the faux leather seat cover.  Still many tacks to go.

The black jute with all the stuff removed revealed the Z Springs.  I have never seen this type of spring before so I had to do a lot of research to figure out how to handle them.  They will remain part of the chair.

Here's the jute that was removed from the chair.  I did not save this piece.  You'll see in the pictures below that it is very messy.

Here is the cotton bat that was attached to the jute fabric.  I have no idea if a product like this is still available but I will most likely use to separate products.

This is what was in the middle of the cotton bat.  When I first saw it, I thought that it was hay but it's more like a wood product.

Since these pictures were taken, we have removed all of the tacks on the frame.  Then, I had my brother check the frame because I had found a crack and wanted to know if this was something we could still work with.    His hobby is wood working and he worked as an upholsterer for a short time.  He suggested gluing and clamping the crack.   After looking the rest of the chair over, he wanted to know if the z springs had been tied which they had not.  He told me to tie them down.  This sent me back to the internet to find out how.  I think that I understand the process.  This has added another couple of items to my list of supplies.

Life is going to be very busy over the next few weeks.  So, it will be a bit before I can order the supplies and get started.  In a way, this is kinda funny because I thought I could knock this out in about a week.

Happy Stitching!

Summer 6-Pac....

It's time to think about a new 6-pac for summer. Here's the links to the 6-pac discussions:  Artisan Square, Dr E, and Pattern Review.  The stories are worth reading.

Basics for the summer 6-pac:

1.  One layering piece in a neutral or color.
2.  One top in your main neutral.
3.  One top in your color.
4.  One top in your secondary neutral or a print combining neutrals and color.
5.  One bottom in your neutral.
6.  One bottom in your second neutral.

My neutrals will stay the same - black, gray, navy.  Ok, I know that I have three instead of two but I can't see to let go of the blue colors.  My colors will still be pink and teal (or some shade of blue). I have already been giving this some thought.  Here's my ideas:

1.  Layering piece - still thinking about this one.
2.  Top in main neutral  - still thinking about this one.  I may purchase.
3.  Top in color - still thinking about this one.  i may purchase.
4.  Top in print combining neutrals and color.  Stash has revealed a lovely floral pink in pinks and navy.
5.  Bottom in neutral - skirt in navy.
6.  Bottom in second neutral - I'm contemplating pull-on capris in medium gray.  Just haven't found the right fabric yet.

So, how did the Spring 6-pac go:

1. I completed the black and white striped knit shirt.  I did not enjoy wearing this top.  The top would ride up which made me think that it was too tight across the bust.

2.  Blue and white plaid top.  I'm just now getting started on this.  Timing isn't great but I may get a chance to wear this a little bit before it gets too hot.  I may just make it a short sleeve instead of a long sleeve.  Then, it will be counted as part of the summer 6-pac.

3.  Black skirt.  I loved the idea of the AC style basic skirt.  I loved wearing this skirt.  However, this skirt needs to be reworked as it was too big after 6 hours of wearing. 


I'm try to do a better job with updating on any progress of the 6-pac.  Really, I have a lot of things that I want to get done and I'm not sure how I'm going to get them done.  I suppose I could quit cooking, eating, and sleeping.  Nah!

Happy Stitching!

New Rug...

I finally found a rug that will fit in the living area of the new house and just as important, that I like.  A week or so ago Houzz was having a rug sale so I decided to check it out.  Here is the rug that I purchased:

Purchase area rugs on Houzz

I purchased two of them.  One is 11' x 15' and the other is roughly 2' x 4'.  I really wanted a 3' x 7' but that size wasn't offered. 

Here's close-up of the actually rug colors:

Sorry for the kinda dark picture.  The living area doesn't have much in the way of natural light.  The colors beige/gray/navy/med blue.  You don't see a lot of the gray in this picture but as you move to the middle of the rug there is more gray.

I suppose I should start looking for fabric for new slipcovers.  The slipcovers for the chair and sofa will be a new thing for me.  I have never made slipcover for anything larger than an ottoman.  I will also need to figure out the quantity of fabric.  Anyone know where a chart is?  Anyone know how different the fabric quantity for a slip cover verses upholster is?

Happy Stitching!