Tag: makingsewingsexy

Silk and Leather…

 
 
 
This is the last in the series of photos that were taken in November, unfortunately I don’t have access to rest of them to share .. More will be taken soon hopefully this week as the weather breaks and I have someone available to take them for me..
 

 

This outfit is created from 100% silk and 100% Leather.  The silk was obtained from Mood Fabrics and can be found here. The leather was one big hide I think about 23 sq. ft. and that was obtained from Tandy Leathers in Essex Maryland.

The pattern used for the sweatshirt was Vogue 8877 with alternations noted below and the pants were made from McCalls 6404 altering a few of the pieces.

For the shirt I made it a true sweatshirt by adding ribbing to the neck, sleeves, and bottom of the shirt to give it the bunching look.  The bodice of the shirt was also cut on the salvage as it gave the shirt more character, the sleeves were cut from a different silk.

The pants I cut the legging pieces straight instead of diagonal like view C.  Since this leather does not stretch as recommended on the pattern I should have cut it a hair bigger. Some leather is just like woven fabric they do not stretch. If you get it wet you might find it will stretch but it does not bounce back into shape like a true knit fabric.

Would I create the pants again, yes as the style of the legging have lots of character and design alternatives? Another lux sweatshirt maybe not..

Shoes: JCrew
Hair and Highlights: Kier Ross-Johnson for Bangz Hair Salon Montclair NJ

 

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!

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.

My First CHANEL like Jacket


Finally finished the CHANEL like jacket. It took over 15 hours to create. Lots of hand stitching! More details here http://sipthediva.tumblr.com #picstitch #diy #seamstress #makingsewingsexy #sew #sewing #CHANELlike

Pattern Used: Vogue 7975 view B

Fabric: Lowest Price Fabric — no longer available; Boulce tweed

Part of this jacket is quilted by machine the front and back, partially hand-stitched lining obtained from G-Street.  The lining is very pretty with small paisleys, medium weight that covers the inside seams very well.

This fabric is very delicate as it frays as soon as its touched and / or stitched.  In essence the whole jacket receive interfacing including the sleeves.

Would I sew this again? Probably not as it did take over 15 hours plus to create. Including three hours of cutting!

I love it though and I cant wait to wear it, I will be wearing it with a similar blouse once I make it LOL

My jacket was also featured in Michael Levine’s newsletter on October 7, 2013. Yeaaah for me!

Update March 11, 2014 — Initially I said I would not make this jacket again, but since doing more research on this jacket I would certainly sew it again. In fact I have chosen the fabric for a summer style and conducted more research on the construction of it. I am sure it will take a lot longer than the originally as there are more techniques to incorporate to create this jacket.

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