It's the Fabric and not the pattern

Hello blog world. I know it's been a long time since i blogged but a lot has happened. So i won't go into details...LOL I have been sewing and the disasters are endless. Recently i was in Joann fabrics in a very posh part of Cincinnati attempting to find some knit to play with. I Purchased Hot Patterns Sunshine weekender pattern and i was anxious to try it. While waiting in line to have this cut.. A lady across the cutting table was being praised for how beautiful her outfit was. Her sewing was impeccable. The worker cutting asked her what pattern it was. I think she said See & Sew. The women in the store gasped..Literaly. So the woman said "it's not the pattern that makes the outfit it is the fabric." I swear you could hear the chimes ringing for each woman that finally came to the same conclusion right there in the store. Finally i get it....My success in sewing has not been as great i would like to believe..however the few pieces that have turned out beautiful have been because of the fabric. SO now it's time to think about what i want to sew instead of seeing it only with my imagination.

Special Event - Next up

Next up on my sewing list is Burda Magazine 3/2010 Dress 132 and Coat 130. I have a special event to attend to Tuesday the 30th. This special event is so special that a new outfit is needed. I have already started working on the dress and hope to be able to post photos this upcoming sunday. The coat is a whole other story and i may not be able to finish in time for my tuesday event. But here goes the details.

The dress is simple a high waist skirt with a heart shape neckline with simple pleating. The muslin sewed up in 10 min without sleeves. The dress should take a few hours. At this point the neckline was way too low. look at the photo below, girlfriends cousins are hanging out a little too much and this special event requires modesty. So i have raised the neck line 3 inches and here is how i did it. I traced a copy of the right and left front straight to the muslin. At the lowest point of the copy i placed a dot three inches up. I placed a pin in the paper copy at the shoulder and then pivoted the paper copy untill the lowest point met the dot. traced the curve and neckline raised. I did this on both the left and right front pieces.

This top has princess seams. Using the nancy zieman method has proven successfull for my on pricess seams so i have increased the side front, right front, left front, and back by 1" each. Yes that seams like a lot but i need room from my cousins to fit into this slightly fitted dress. So far the adjustments seem to be OK. I am struggleing with the sleeves can't quite figure out how they go on.

The fabric for this dress was a steal from joann fabrics. I had purchased 2 yards of this bridal weight silk dupioni on sale at 40% off. I fel like i walked away with a major buy. about two months ago the stuff was on the red tag table 50% off the original price and then........Joann's was have a 50% red tag sale. Ladies i purchased this 24.99 silk duiponi, in the most luxrious nude/gold color for only .........$3.00 per yard. so i purchased 5 more yards. And guess what ladies it is 60" wide!!!! I tried to take a photo of the stuff but it doesn't show up well on my camera. I have to wait for daylight to take a photo. Progress pending...

Simplicity 2840

From 2010-03-02-0842-17

In my previous blog i wrote that i was sidetracked. I finished my sidetracked garment and just love it! Here is my review of this comfy frock.

Pattern Description: loose fitting knit dress

Pattern Sizing: 18W-32W I did the 28W and could have done a 24W

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? No, the photo of this dress on the package is rather ugly. You are unable to see the details in the bodice. I think my photo turned out better

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were very easy. This is a weekender dress or maybe even a sewn in an afternoon dress.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?I selected this pattern becuase of the sleeve on view B. I just loved that flowing look. This pattern was a surprise in that it does fit very nicely and does not give the plus size girl that Pregnant look. I dislike the sizing. I had to reduce the shoulder by about 2 inches and it's still a little too big. I took the waist band in and waist in about 2.5 inches and that is after gathering. in summary the dress is a little big without alterations.

Fabric Used: A beautiful colbolt blue Matte Jersey from Fabric.com

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: had to reduce the shoulder by about 2 inches and it's still a little too big. I took the waist band in and waist in about 2.5 inches and that is after gathering. in summary the dress is a little big without alterations. THe hem is to be hand sewn but i will use a twin needle to sew in the hem. Before i did that i used Steam a Seam to attach the hem and this gave the hem some weight becuase this stuff curls badly. With the steam a seam the hem looks very professional

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes i will sew this again. This dress can be dressy or casual depending on which pattern option you choose.

Conclusion:
Overall this is a great casual dress or dressy dress. I would recommend it for those needing to find some mojo it's easy and will get your wheels spinning.

From 2010-03-02-0842-17

From 2010-03-02-0842-17

From 2010-03-02-0842-17

Next Up Chanel like jacket

I have been digging the Chanel like jacket for some time. This year Lanebryant had them in blue boucle for spring. Very cute however too short for me. I need a jacket to hit just above the hip. So with inspiriation from Claire Kennedy and the go chanel or go home blog and a great sale from Banach's fabric store here in Cincinnati,and my Nancy Zieman Pivot and Slide DVD & Book, i feel i have the armor to go into battle.

Several weeks ago Banach's had a great sale. Up to 75% off fabric. Banach's is a fine fabric store they have superb selections of silk, wool and other expensive fabrics. I can only visit the store when i have a lot of cash and they have a big sale. On this Haul i picked up some Silk tweed. Oh My Goodness can i just tell you about this product. THe original price was $32.95 per yard. Yikes! but at 75% off i decided to buy all that was on the bolt ( something like 3 yards). Check out the photo below. Here you will see my fabric, lining and now i need to find a trim and buttons.

From GO Chanel or Go Home

From GO Chanel or Go Home

The pattern: Initially i wanted to use Vogue V7975 and was all set to use this. However while browsing my BWOF stash i found this great jacket from the Burda Feburary 2010 magazine. Perfect! Hopefuly i can start my Muslin within the next few days.

Next Up Vogue V8623

Next Up on my sewing list is Vogue 8623. Vogue's description is: " Loose-fitting, lined jacket A has yokes extended into three-quater length sleeves, front princess seams, back pleats, bias collar and snap closures with button trim. Separate pattern pieces provided for A, B, C, D cup sizes".

I hardly ever sew Vogue patterns and this is becuase getting a pattern to fit my very large bust is a huge issue. Typically in RTW i am a size 22, 24 and sometimes a 26. But for the last several months i have been loosing weight off and on, and now feel that it is time to move forward. :)

In the Fall of 2009 i purcahsed the Nanzy Zieman Pattern Fitting with Confidence book and recently purchased the DVD (still waiting for it to arrive). My goal is to get out of my comfort zone with BWOF or the Khalala Ali selections from Simplicity, and both fit perfect every time.

For this project I have selected some very nice all season wool blend from Joann Fabrics. I picked up this fabric from the red tag section in Early november at 50% off, i think the cost was only $2.00 per yard so i purchased 6 yards. The color of this fabric is a nice Brownish Gray and it has a slight sheen to it. Great!

I selected this pattern for several reasons.

1. It is listed as Very Easy Vogue (sounds like a confidence booster to me)
   
2. It is described as loose fitting (perfect for trying out the pivot and slide method)
   
3. It is princess seam which is PERFECT for large bust women.

Next i want to pair a blouse with this suit. I have two in mind which are almost exactly the same. One my be self drafted and the other a trace from BWOF. I have 2 yards of some very pretty cobolt blue silk that i purchased on ebay about 2 years ago. This blue would just pop on the gray fabric. What do you think of my choices. The first is from Vogue and would be a self drafted copy, the second is from BWOF 9/2009.

Keep your eyes peeled for progress on this one. I will post a review on patternreview upon completion.