Month: March 2014

Uncategorized/

Neoprene in Radiant Orchid!

I saw this fabric on Fabric Mart Fabrics and had no clue what I was going to create! But then this simple pattern from the pattern fairy appeared McCalls 6886 and I knew I wanted to created it!
Pattern Review:
Pattern Description:
Close-fitting, pullover dresses have neckline variations, sleeve variations,
and stitched hems, view A.
Pattern Sizing: 6-14
(I cut a 10 for the top and 14 for the hips) in fact I could have cut a 12
because of the stretch of the fabric.
Did it look like the
photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes exactly, I added the flounce.
Were the instructions
easy to follow? Yes very easy no problems at all.
What did you particularly
like or dislike about the pattern? Nothing simple go to pattern cuts and
sews quickly.
Fabric Used: double-sided
neoprene in Radiant Orchard and Purple on the other side.
Pattern alterations
or any design changes you made: None, to the pattern just measure the
amount of flounce I wanted I believe it was 5 inches, double the width of the
bottom of the skirt.
Would you sew it
again? YES! Great for beginners – has set-in sleeve, side bust darts easy
hem.
Would you recommend
it to others? Yes, I certainly would its adorable!
Conclusion: I did
not find this pattern difficult at all; I can probably sew it without the
instructions next time.
Accessories
Necklace: JCrew
Shoes: (Old) Ann Taylor
Bracelets: David Yurman

Uncategorized/

Pretty Polka Dots – Lady Shorts

Cute hun?

I would never think to make my own “foundations” let alone my own bras or panties.. but after meeting a fabulous ASG member at the sewing retreat in December and she was creating her own bras I became intrigued. I happen to stubble upon another blog where this sewer has created the most adorable pieces Very Purple Person and I knew I had to begin somewhere. However, most of the suppliers seemed to be in the UK or elsewhere and I wanted to begin right away with something simple at least — yes its that shopping impulsive urge. I then stumbled upon Cloth Habits site and link to a free Lady Shorts Pattern .. the result you see above..

Materials Used:
Polka Dot Cotton Knit from JoAnn’s 1/2 yard
Top Lace from JoAnn’s 2 yards
Smaller lace around the legs JoAnn’s 3 yards
You can’t see it but I did purchase a 1/4 yard of thin cotton fabric in orange (they did not have white, why I do not know).  The clerk suggested a different thin white knit but it had polyester mixed.

I downloaded the pattern — pieced it together and I had to think about it a minute.. Like how in the world would these two pieces of fabric become “lady shorts” lol but 4 seams later or less they were!

I add the cute lace with a little ease and tension and there you have it.. I promised this is probably the quickest thing I have ever sewed! And in less than 30 minutes I might add!

For sure using stretch cotton might not be very economical especially with the lace trim which I love.. But if you use different fabric like stretch silk, or other luxury fabrics you will have a unique piece of lingerie to love and it was fun sewing!

Yeah or Nay.. let me know your thoughts 🙂

Uncategorized/

Spring is Coming! McCalls 6844

I ordered this pretty piece of sweater knit from fabricmart.com; I originally ordered to create a wrap dress but it was too light for that. I would need tricot lining and this and that and I just did not want to go through the drama so I decided to create McCalls 6844 you see below.

As I mentioned the fabric is quite light so it will be perfect for the spring transition of weather; stylish yet simple and it has a mix of colors that can be worn in the office when the heat is not enough or if the AC is on too high! Ladies you know what I speak of..
Pattern Description: Loose-fitting front tie crop top

Pattern Sizing: xs-small-medium (I cut the medium)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes exactly, only needed interfacing for the collar.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes very easy, with cutting time it took about three hours to sew.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Since the fabric was so light-knit I did not need to use the ease method for the sleeves — love love and winning!

Fabric Used: light-weight knit from fabricmart.com

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None, just made the sleeves a wee bit longer but I do not think I needed it because of the fabric.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I certainly would its adorable!

Conclusion: I did not find this pattern difficult at all, I can probably sew it without the instructions next time.

Uncategorized/

Little Black Dress with a Little Bit of Leather ;-)

Finished Dress… inspiration below

When I saw this black dress with a touch of leather I knew I had to recreate it ASAP.  I first had to think about how it will be done.

Here is the wool fabric I obtained from Mood Fabrics  and the leather skins were obtained from A Fabric Place here in Baltimore.  I used this basic pattern above and then used the pattern pieces that would be used for the leather.

Then the muslin is created with the NEW pattern pieces pieced together allowing for the leather strips in between.
The zipper is inserted prior to dress construction as its easier to put the zipper in without so much fabric.  

Final zipper insertion
Final Dress worn with a BCBG crystal flower belt and JCrew Studded Shoes.  I think the pink shoes above really give the dress more pop and I plan on wearing pink snakeskin sandals in the future..
What ya think yeah or nay?? 😉
Verified by ExactMetrics