More Fabric...

I recently got sucked into another sales at Fabric Mart.  I am usually pretty good about not buying but not this time.  Here are my chooses:

This is a cream/black herringbone is 100% cotton.  This is probably one of my favorite patterns.  My original intend was to make Colette Clover pant in ankle length.  Unfortunately, I didn't read close enough and missed that this pattern was meant for a stretch woven.  I will need to locate a similar pattern.

This is a black/white 100% chambray.  My intend with this one is to make a shirt using the Grainline Archer shirt.  This has been on my bucket list for a long time.  Maybe this will be the year that I get it accomplished.  I certainly have time.

Happy Stitching!

Muslin...Men's Shirt

I purchased this Simplicity pattern long ago:

It's Simplicity 5581.  I am sure that I purchased it with the intent to make my husband and son making shirts.  It never happened.  Now, my son is far to  old to want a making shirt with his Dad.  My husband on the other hand is very happy to have me make a shirt.

As far as sizing goes,  I measured a ready-to-wear shirt and compared to the finished meausrements.  This put him in the medium size.  The only thing that may be an issue is length but that will be taken care of when he tries the muslin.  Adding inches is easy.  If any other alteration is needed, that may not be so easy.  Here is the muslin straight from the pattern:

Note that I did not add facing or pockets.  I did put in the hems so we could see if any length will be needed.  Mens patterns are drafted for 5'10 and my husband is about 6'1".

Older Patterns Not Vintage...

Do you like older patterns?  Not the vintage ones but the ones from the 90s or 2000s.  I happened upon this pattern:

I am a fan of Koko Beall and have a few patterns by this Vogue designer.  Here's the line drawings:

This seems like a good basic pattern.  Not only that, in my searches for inspiration, I have been finding a lot of clothing with similar lines.  It also have a loose fitting tank.  I recently fitted a tank pattern and I know it will be wonderful this summer. The styling is a little different with this tank or loose fitting top.  The neckline is a little more scooped. I'm hoping that I will be able to compare the tank patterns and make adjustments using the already adjusted patterns.  That's the point of doing the muslin.  I'm also very interested in the tunic.   It will definitely require a muslin as there are not any darts and I know that I need them.  I will most likely rotate that out as well.

I think this will be a good addition to my vast collection of patterns.  Yes, I did check before purchasing that I did not already have this pattern. 

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Cargo Skirt

Today, I have found a cute little skirt.  It's called a cargo skirt but you decide.

This is the A-Line Belted Cargo Skirt by Akris punto.  Price tag: $395.00.  Details:  button waist closure, zip fly, side seam pocket, belted waist, cotton/polyester, dry clean, 33-inches long.  For closer view, check the Saks Fifth Avenue website.

What is the most surprising thing about the description?  For me, it was the 33-inch length.  I would believe 23".  How about you?  Let's see if we can find some patterns that might work.

This is New Look 6643. The skirt in this pattern gives a similar silhouette as the inspiration photo.  You have the a-line silhouette, the button waist and zip fly, and the side entry pockets.  The styling of the patch pocket and the belt are missing.  The belt is easy.  Here's a pattern that has the necessary styling:

This is Burda 6218.  This is a pant pattern which has the styling details from the inspiration photo.  The pockets and the belt.

I really would have like to find one pattern for this but couldn't.   However, I would double-check the pattern stash and see what you have there.  Both of these patterns offer  options.

Happy Stitching!

The Camber Set - Dress

I am moving right along on my summer wardrobe.  The Camber Set dress is my latest.  The muslin work is here.  Here is a refresh on the pattern:

I selected a stretch chambray in indigo. 

I thought this was going to be a perfect match.  I forgot that stretch wovens can be a challenge.  Here is my first challenge:

This is a regular straight stitch at 3.5 length.  Not such a pretty look.  So, I started playing with various stretch stitches.  Here is what I ended up with:

This is a triple straight stitch.  I have my machine set at 3.5 length, knit settings, and used a 75/11 stretch needle.  I think this looks much better.  Here is some top stitching:

Here is the finished dress:

I think this is going to be a perfect hot weather dress.  It seems a little big through the shoulders but it is a very wearable dress.  I think that I need to look for a belt to give a wee bit of shaping.

I highly recommend this pattern for both the top and the dress.  It is very well drafted and well worth your money.  Here is a link to a shop in the US that carries the paper pattern - The Confident Stitch (affliliate link) and here is a link to Merchant and Mills for pdfs.  If this pattern interests you, please support our small businesses so they will still be with us when the current problems are over.

Happy Stitching!