Tag: DIY Projects

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Chanel Coat Inspiration

When I saw this Chanel Coat in the online fashion show I knew I had to have it or I knew I had to make one like it. I was more than sure the cost of this coat would be about $4,200 whew too rich for me.. However, when the collection was released, I couldn’t wait until I found out the REAL Price :-O

Umm yeah that will never happen unless I hit the $455 Million Dollar lottery currently going on! Heck that price can purchase the Bernina 560 I need, two student machines and fabric for my ready-to-wear.. anyway I digress.. here is my actual creation from this inspiration..

This is a beautiful 100% Wool Tweed from Mood Fabrics I purchased mine at the store in New York but there is a similar one Here.  I used Burda pattern 7020 with the following modifications:
Added 2″ to sleeve and added a fringed self fabric band
Added a waist casing for the leather belt
I obtained the leather belt (which is simply a leather tie by the yard) from ToHo Shoji Trimmings in New York along with the Swarovski Balls on the end of the leather tie.
I loved making this coat! My client was so amazed when she saw it and want to purchase it from me..lol
Dets on the rest of the outfit:
Leather pants DIY (details coming soon)
Suede Hills with studs — JCrew
Ring DIY (details coming soon)
More coming soon 🙂

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Photo Shoot Sneak Peek!

Well my photo shoot finally took place yesterday and at first I wasn’t nervous.. ah it will be a cinch.. I have done some modeling before .. But  I was a lot younger then! We shot about 5 outfits and it took about 4 hours.. I never knew it would take so long and standing in heels in and out of changes was a bit grueling.. Now I know why they are top models.. then you must totally listen to your photographer and tune out outside interference was not easy.. You have to stand straight, shoulders back, head up hair perfect lipstick on smile big pose no leg more leg soft hand.. dern whew thats a lot.. But I had fun and I would do it again.. I felt so special for the day!
This is photo is a sneak peek of one of the photographers that snapped me with my own FujiPix S4400 humm came out pretty dern good!
This dress is a Vogue pattern with shirring on the side, the fabric came from Mood Fabrics (one that was not on my list) but I saw it and had to have it. I originally planned to create a top but I think the dress came out much nicer! The whole shoot is coming with shoes and all but I just couldn’t wait to share this!

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Marc Jacobs never looked so lovely!

I love love love this reversible fabric by Marc Jacobs.. I knew I was obtaining a great piece of fabric when three women flagged me down in Mood Fabrics to find out where I got it and had suggestions on sewing it. I really had no intention on purchasing coat fabric when I went too Mood Fabrics in August.. right who sews for fall/winter in August when the temperature still says 88? And sure enough it did not happen and I created this beauty in October when the temperature dipped! On the dominate side is this beautiful grape stripe and on the reverse side is the hot pink and the grape peeking through with small dots! Matches great with the silk top I just created also found here.

Alterations, I made the hip wider by one inch on each pattern side because I did want the coat to close or look closed.  I added the huge button, there is a snap on the other side.  I added three smaller matching buttons to each sleeve and omitted the huge hook and eye for the drape.

More details on the pattern creation below:

Project Review Detailed

Pattern Description: Vogue Donna Karen Collection – loose-fitting unlined coat with drape and two-piece sleeves

Pattern Used: Vogue 1129
Pattern Sizing: 14 – altered

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done? Yes, just like the pattern but with alterations
Were the instructions easy to follow? Somewhat, it became a bit confusing when it came to attaching the drape.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I was not too happy with how the drape instructions were described

Fabric Used: Marc Jacob two sided 100% Wool from Mood Fabrics
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Of course, had to alter the hip area

Would you sew it again? No I only need one coat like this!

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First Fall/Winter Outfit Completed!

When I saw the skirt fabric in Mood Fabrics I knew I had to have it and I knew exactly what would become of it! It sewed like a dream and it has so many other colors to bring out of it.  While the dominate color is charcoal, I decide to pick up on the hot pink circles and make a beautiful silk top to go with it.  Koonan at Mood assisted picking out the fabric! He is such a doll! Below are my pattern reviews:

Project Review Detailed

Pattern Description: Top is McCalls loose-fitting pullover tops with gathered front neckline and the skirt is by New Look and is a set of peplum style skirts. I altered the skirt pattern to just a simple pencil skirt with back slit and overlooked the inside with the same color as the blouse.  Just to give it a peek-a-boo look on the inside. Besides why keep changing serger thread.. it really worked!

Pattern Used: McCalls 6650 and New Look 6003
Pattern Sizing: Cut a 10 for the top, 14 for the skirt

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done? Yes, just like it especially the top, once you made the neckline it was easy to make the sleeve cuffs and the waistband.. they are all created the same way.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, the instructions were easy and clear.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Nothing it constructed well

Fabric Used: Silk Crepe and 100% Boiled wool from Mood Fabrics
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Had to alter the hip area

Would you sew it again? Yes the top and the skirt again, the top has so many variations it will never look like the same blouse!

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Too low too much to show!

Ok so here are the jeans that turned out OK except.. the fact that its way too low in the back! There are some other issues that appeared that I will describe below:

Pattern used: McCalls OOP 6404 slender legging pants in four styles
Fabrics used: Stretch Grey Denim from fabric.com with leather trim obtained from Michael Levine.
Pattern alterations: I took the front leg piece and divided it into four other pieces and quilted the top piece in the front and the back. I only altered the back piece into two pieces, added a gold metal zipper, and a leather band.


What should have been done:
Crotch area made higher in the back, bottom pants piece made at least three inches longer and slimmer at the bottom, the waistband increased by at least two more inches, and keep the metal zipper insertion.

I will make the pants again perhaps in another color or the same grey denim but applying the mentioned alterations.

Update: it was suggested that I remove the leather band, add a yoke with the left over quilted pieces I have and add a new leather band but larger.

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