Inspiration...Cap Sleeve Silk Blouse

Today's inspiration is a simple, little top that is a basic.  This is great little layering piece as well. 

This is the Cap Sleeve Silk Blouse by Giorgio Armani.  Price tag: $1495.00.  Details: cap sleeves, round neck, button closure, hip length, relaxed fit, silk, dry clean.

Such a simple little top for such a big price.  The big pattern companies do not seem to be putting out good basic patterns anymore because this type of top pattern should be everywhere and it is nowhere.  Is this a failure to pick up on what the designers are planning?  As far as fabric goes, Mood has lots of silks from $15/yard to $50/yard.  Even at those prices, you could fill your closet with tops for the price of the silk blouse pictured above.  Personally, I would/will go for a easier care fabric.

So, did I find any patterns?  Yes, a couple:

This is the Cap Sleeve Shell pattern by Pamela's Patterns.  It comes in two lengths.  The neckline is slightly different than the inspiration photo.

This is the Hansie pdf pattern by Seamwork.  Again, this one is similar to the inspiration photo but has a slightly different neckline.

Let me know if you know of a pattern that resemble the inspiration photo and I will add it.  

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Skirt & Top

 This is going back to another inspiration post.  This is more of a complete outfit from that post:

The top is the Merino Wool Striped Knit Sweater by Akris Punto. Price tag: $695.00.  Details:  ribbed knit, turtleneck, long sleeve, hip length, fitted, wool.

So, outside of the fact that is this top is a knitted sweater, the top could be duplicated by using a ribbed knit, a t-shirt pattern, and added a band for the turtle neck.  

As for the pattern, use your favorite t-shirt pattern.  Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

First Item For Fall/Winter..

The first item for fall/winter is completed.  Here it is:

I do not have a photographer right now.  I will photgraph the skirt with the intended blouse, later.

As stated in an earlier post, I decided to go with Butterick 5668 View A.  My inspiration was in this post.  I thought the selected pattern was a very good copy of the inspiration witht the exception of the pockets.  My fabric is more of a check than a herringbone but it is good.  

The pattern is from the early-to-mid 2000s.  As skirts go, it was fairly straight forward to make with the following expections:

1. I had to enlarge the pattern.  I used the pivot/slide technique that Nancy Zieman was an advocate for.  This was not a difficult thing to do.

2.  I chose not to make a muslin.  To my surprise, the pockets did not match.  So, if you are making this pattern adjust the pockets before cutting out.

3.  The hip curve is very pronounced.  So much that I am going to need to figure out how to adjust it.  I have made many pencils skirt in the past but I do not remember any of them having a obvious curve in the hip area.  It could be that the skirt is hanging lower than intended when I tried it on.  

Hopefully, my skirt will get lots of wear.  Right now, I only have a black sweater to go with it.  I did order some fabric that I thought would go with it but I am not sure about the dark navy and black going together.  Thoughts?

Here are pictures of my other challenges:

My sweet little kittens just had to be involved.  Everything is so interesting - scissors, pins, needles, seam ripper, rulers, tape measure, sewing machine... I think you get the idea.  

Happy Stitching!

New Itch To Stitch Shirtdress Pattern...

 Itch to Stitch has released a new shirtdress pattern and it is a little bit different.  Here are the line drawings:

This is the Ladera Dress pdf pattern.  The twist tie is a lovely little twist to the shirtdress.  Here are the features and options:

• Available in multiple cup sizes for a customized fit
• Cinched waist with a front tie for a flattering silhouette
• Choice of hidden or non-hidden front button placket
• Options for short, short-cuffed, or long-cuffed sleeves
• Optional side inseam pockets
• Classic standard collar
• Best suited for medium-weight woven fabrics

Be sure to check out the tester's versions of this dress.  You'll get an idea of what the dress looks like in different fabrics.

This pdf pattern is on sale with 20% off through September 30, 2024.  All volumne discounts still apply.  

I am an affiliate of Itch to Stitch.  If you purchase anything through my links, I will receive a small commision. Thank you.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Bateau Neck Midi Dress

 Sometimes, it is all about the fabric.  This dress is one of times:

This is the Bateau-neck Camel Hair Midi Dress by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $1798.00. Details:  Felted camel hair, pick stitch detailing, approximately 41-inches long from shoulder to hem, bateaux neckline with pick stitch detailing, long sleeves, on seam pockets, hem falls below knee, shift silhouette, invisible zipper, animal hair/polyester/spandex, lining is spandex/polyester, dry clean.

This dress is a wonderfully simple silhouette which really showcases the fabric.  I did find some camel hair by the yard at B Black & Sons.  Although the fabric is expensive, it is a small percentage of the cost of the dress.  The lining fabric needs to be considered as well.   Is a pattern available for the particular silhouette?

I do not find a pattern similar to this silhouette with the exception of patterns from the 50s and 60s.  So, my suggestion is to take an existing shift dress pattern with a similar silhouette and use this tutorial to change the neckline to a bateau neckline.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!