Inspiration...Knit Dress

 Continuing along on the comfort mode of dressing, this week's inspiration could easily go 3/4 of the year in the right color.

This is the Eileen Fisher Crewneck Washable Stretch Crepe Midi Dress. Price tag: $238.00.  Details: lightweight stretch crepe, crew neck, shorts sleeves, side inseam pockets, a-line silhouette, falls below knee, slipover style.

This is a simple easy way to get dressed and go.  I would guess that changing of accessories would also dress up/dress down.  Here's the pattern I would use to recreate this look:

This is the Seamwork Piedra dress.  Although this pattern is intended for fall/winter, it is easy enough to shorter the sleeves.   It is also misses those all important side pockets but they could be added as well.

As far as fabric goes, I was unable to locate the exact type of fabric that Eileen Fisher uses but there is plenty of the stretch polyester and lycra fabric available.  Just do a search on stretch crepe by the yard.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Knit Cardigan and Pants

 This week's inspiration kinda goes along with the pandemic world.  Dress for comfort but look good also.  

This is the Zip-Front Double-Knit Cardigan and Double-Knit Tapered Pants by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag:  Cardigan - $698.00, Pants - $598.00  Details: Cardigan - ribbed baseball collar, 2-way zip front, long sleeves, hip length, slim fit, length about 24" (small), rayon/merino wool/nylon/spandex blend; Pants - banded waist, side entry pocket, seamed front legs, tapered legs, rayon/wool/nylon blend.

This outfit should be similar to wearing pajamas.  Just saying.  However it is a step up from wearing pajamas if you are out and about.  Let's think about some patterns:

This is Silhouette Patterns Leslie's Bomber Jacket pattern.  This pattern is not as slim fitting as the inspiration photo but gives a similar feel.  The pattern itself has princess lines so there is plenty of fitting options.

Here is another option - Silhouette Patterns Sweater Set pattern. This would give you the slim look but you would need to do some alterations to pattern - the collar and zip front.

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This is the Love Notions Duet Pant pattern. This pattern would definitely work for the pants.  The would need to work out the seamed front leg part or just put in a little stitching.

If you found fabric in a color you were interested in, you should be able to get the pants and jacket/cardigan out of 5 yards.  Even at $20/yd, you would save a ton of money making your own cute little outfit.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Fun Hot Pads...

While I was decluttering/organizing the sewing room I found two of the hot pad kits and interfacing, so I decided to make something useful for the kitchen. Hot pads are always a useful item and my current ones are not looking so good with burns and holes. Based on the post where I made the last hot pad, I'm guessing age has a little bit to do with it.   Here's the pattern used:

This is the Folded Star Hot Pad by Plum Easy Patterns.  This pattern will give either a round or a hexagon hot pad.  I used to the interfacing for the hot pads which make the placement a little easier:

The interfacing templates are printed with everything you need to create the hot pads.  There are two packages - a 3 pack and a 12 pack.  There are also blanks and templates available.

I also used a prairie point pressing tool - 

Here are my results:

They will be very useful at my house.  

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...White Shirt and Jeans

 Let's complete the outfit from last Monday.  Here is another look at the picture:

This is Lafayette 148.  I have no idea if the jeans and shirt are from the same label but I would suspect that they are.  Here is a couple of ideas for the shirt:

This is the Grainline Studio Archer Button Up pattern.  View A is a classic shirt pattern. 

This is the Liesl & Co Classic Shirt pattern.  As the name implies, this is a classic button-up shirt pattern but with a little twist.  It has cup sizing which for some can be a wonderful addition to a pattern. 

Here is a couple of jean options:

This is the Ginger Skinny Jeans pattern by Closet Core.  If you prefer a slim fitting jean, this one is highly rated by most people in the sewing world.

This is the Merchant & Mills Heroine Straight Leg jean pattern.  It has a looser fit than the skinny above. I am all about options here.  

All of these patterns are hiding out in my pattern stash.  They are fairly basic patterns that can be used over and over.  I think I really need to get working on fitting a pair of jeans.  I have a very hard time finding jeans that fit. Remember once those patterns have been fitted, you can change the style lines to whatever you desire.

I am an affliliate for the company that has been linked these patterns above. I would get a small commission if you choose to purchase.

Hope you are inspired to create some fabulous basics for yourself.

Happy Stitching!

So Much For Not Buying More Fabric...

 I had planned so many projects that I didn't get to last year that I really want to just finish those projects.  However, I opened an email today about a sale and how could I resist?  No.  Here are the items that I purchased:

This is a voile in navy.  My intent for this fabric is this top:

This is the Seamwork Willis pattern.  I'm considering Version 1.  I did purchase enough fabric for that version.

This is another voile.  I purchased enough to make this pattern in mind:

This is the Merchant & Mills The Camber Set.  My thought is the top and not the dress.

One last purchase:

The is the Grainline Willow Tank Dress pattern.  I have been seeing a lot of versions of this late and decided to just go for it.  It is very hot in the summer where I live and this would be an excellent addition to my group of patterns for summer.  In fact, I don't see any reason not to have a daily uniform.  It will make it easy to get dressed on a daily basis.

It will take a couple of weeks for this to get to me.  I will plan on stitching at least as much fabric as I have purchased.  My fabric and pattern stashes are bulging.  I really need to get this under control.  Wish me luck, I really need to get stitching.

Happy Stitching!

(affiliate links are included in this post)