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#1 Elaray from Another Creation
#2 Marla from the sewphisticated artisan
I just want to thank the guys over at seamingly.com for sponsoring this giveaway.
Thanks to everyone that took the time to play along, I know giveaways can be a bother to most, but I appreciate your support.
Keep looking out on the blogs I'm sure they will be doing other giveaways in the future.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Sunday night I was wiping down my Singer Futura and it occured to me.
Wow, its been a while since I've lusted over a new product for sewing, ever since I've received my baby in the mail, I've been very content.
Happiness IS looking at my sewing machine while knitting :)
So.....
This morning I walked past it again and I had an instant idea for today post.
I want to hear what is on your wish list, what are the things that are on top of your list the moment you get some extra money or a fairy god mother, which ever comes first.
There is a lot of things I don't know about that is out there for sewist, so this is a great way to share what you would like with other readers so they can add it to there wish list too.
Don't be shy, post whatever you like, even if its just a pattern.
I was thinking about things I need for this holiday season in terms of dressing when I came across a few items that got the wheels spinning in my head.
This purse by Tiffany's is all over the new fall magazine, for 995, its a little much but a simple black evening purse with the same shape and some added studs and maybe it will become the look for less.
Same applies to this dress, well, I was thinking more like a top, adding some black metallic studds or beading can add a little holiday glam also.
This is a little "different" and may not be something everyone like or will wear.
However!
I would definately wear this, everyone knows I sew so it makes for a great conversation starter. I love the idea of hanging charms, so I hope to find some sewing related ones to add to the theme of the bracelet.
Another statement piece I plan to add to my wardrobe this fall is something handknitted.
Vitamin D by Heidi Kirrmaier
and this is the yarn I'm going to be using
and one more statement.
Enjoy!
Suddenly its chilly here in PA, I don't know what happened but I need to get my coats to the cleaners this week, pronto!
Cowl Neck Capelet PDF can be found here
Enjoy!
He knew I wanted to cheat.
I don't believe in coincidences, I believe that everything happens for a reason. Events happen based on decisions that was made over a period of time, but I won't get into that today.
So when I came across this post in my google reader, it didn't take me that long to put two and two together.
My honey always say "God is a comedian" he likes to mix things up for his amazement.
Hence why I had to shake my head when my computer froze as I was trying to scroll past this post and just "glaze over" the photos instead of actually reading it.
You see, I tried to cheat by choosing to forego making a muslin for Vogue 1223.
For days I deliberated but I just don't want to make the dress twice, I just want to be done with it the first time around.
Believe me, I know I need to make a muslin for this.
I need to see how the bodice fits, where to do the petite adjustment, if I need extra ease to make the pleats flow effortlessly and to see if the pattern just have quirks about it that I need to figure out before I cut my lovely fabric.
Now, this fabric is Special.
"It" was giving to me as a gift so I can't mess it up because its sentimental right?
So.... knowing all this why I'm I willing to sabotage my dress because of laziness?
I think he is mocking me, saying something along the lines of "if you do what I KNOW you want to do, don't be surprised when you are crumpling up your beautiful fabric and tossing it in the trash, I have shown you a sign, toy".
Because in my head, God calls me "toy", just like my grandma calls me "toy" and guess what?. My Grandma is somewhat of a comedian too.
So guess what I'll be doing much to my disdain, this weekend?
Bingo!
On to the next vision board:
This has been on my mind since around June/July. This is the only thing in my plan that is absolutely concrete because I have the fabric already. When I thought about doing this, a few days later I spotted a suitable piece of chocolate brown Bengaline suiting at Joanns.
Bengaline is a mix of Polyester, rayon and Spandex, so you know what that means right: EASY CARE CLOTHING!
It feels great, looks great, it has stretch and its washable, so its great for work suits.
And I can't wait to shop for the buttons, MJ Trim is my version of Dylan's Candy Bar.
Its a been a busy week around here but I hope it was interesting to see what I have in the works. Now its back to some sewing so I will touch base with you guy soon.
I don't recommending planning sewing projects without throwing in some simple knits or just simple patterns in there. You need some quick wins to keep the mojo going.
Some colors just give you life, especially during the cold winter months, I think sea green is a great year long color.
It goes well with black/grey/cobalt blue in the winter for a beautiful pop of color; then it works well with nudes, coral and yellow in the spring/summer and then the rich coppers, orange, magenta and brown tones in the fall. Very versatile. So I had to pick up some beautiful rayon jersey for this dress:
Absolutely!
Meanwhile, my thoughts have been on maxi skirts lately, not Midi, Maxi, all the way down to the ground. Of course my perfect Maxi skirt would have to be made from a jersey, sleek, no bulk or added volume included.
I emailed Adrienne to help me find a pattern because I wasn't sure which to use and she responded back with a link to Leanne of Elle Apparel (who graciously agreed to me using her photos for this post, so contact your blog writers they are very very helpful) Maxi tutorial (click on photo to expand). This skirt is the perfect silhouette for my maxi skirt, I'm going for the more polished look of Michael Kors fall 2010 collection Maxi.
as seen in the photo on the far right, but clearly you can see how versatile this skirt is, dress it up or down.
My only concern is the weight of the knit, I am still thinking of this, I don't want it to be too thin you know, any thoughts?
Blogging is such a wonderful thing.
It really opens your mind up to what the "average" person is doing creatively and not some "photo-shopped", over staged representation of crafting like a glossy magazine or daytime tv show.
Earlier on this week, Carolyn showcased her new dress. Truthfully, I didn't know what to expect when she first laid out the fabrics she was going to be mixing together for the dress, but boy did she "make it work".
I must admit (being someone who likes a simpler and classic approach to fashion) that her dress was well executed. It looked GREAT on her, pretty fantastic in my opinion. I am in awe of Carolyn, because she took the risk and being a plus size woman like myself, I KNOW it takes a high level of confidence to showcase your creativity especially in your work closet.
That's what is so good about blogging.
This is real life, creating beautiful clothing is doable and the people that inspire you are reachable, let me say that again, REACHABLE, you can shoot them an email and get feedback about how to create something they made AND they want you too.
Its Flattery in its best form but it’s also great for the soul to help and mentor people. It makes you feel like what you are doing is meaningful - to someone other than yourself.
Even if it’s just vanilla with buttercream frosting, you still want it.
So never hesitate to contact your sewing blog writers for more info, I've done it many times and I have always gotten a response.
You know I am planning right?
So, a couple days ago I was emailing back and forth with DD and she shared her fall wardrobe plans with me (an exclusive).
Can I tell you?
Instant Mojo!
Her wardrobe is so functional and versatile and I love when people put thought into what they want to create and then.... they share it.
So wonderful, whew, moving on, here is another vision board.
The dress, I talked about in my butterick fall collection must haves, it IS a must have IMO.
The shirt, I am thinking, maybe a georgette or something semi sheer or something silky in a stone or taupe and the skirt I would love to find a fabric like the one in the photo and add the leather trim in the seams. So, we will see what develops on this one, stay tuned.
I wear my knit dresses mainly in the fall and winter months. Yes, it may seem strange but there is just something so wonderful about no ironing during the winter, just putting on some tights, put a dress over your head, zip up the boots, pull over your coat and you are out the door.
Lifestyle is an important aspect of my planning. With so many great patterns, fabric and even more inspiration everyday online its hard to commit to a sewing plan over a long stretch of time. Therefore, whatever I plan to make, MUST be true to my personal style. Fantasy have to be pushed aside except if I know I need a certain garment for an upcoming event, this can be a "one hit wonder" everything else have to be worn over and over again.
Today's vision board:
This color is Me all over. I love Orange, corals and Pinks and I don't have a ponte knit dress in any of these colors. I can't wait to see what I find on my shopping trip next month to make this dress.
So this week, I'm going to post some ideas for my next line up of sewing projects.
For those of you that have been with me long enough know that I don't usually sew outerwear or winter weight garments, so this year, no difference, its all about clothes that can be layered or "sew it now, wear it when the weather gets warm again" clothing.
First on the list:
I've always felt that Teal is fall's Turquoise and I love myself some turquoise. When this dress "walked" down the runway for the Fall 2011 Gucci collection, I rewind the video a few times. Of course in reality, I don't need a gown like this any time soon but I plan to use this color and maybe even the little black black belt as inspiration for V1241, which I can then wear to work any time I want.
Btw, introspection is another way of saying "deep thought" which I thought to be the best way to describe how I picked the patterns I chose for my sewing projects for the upcoming 4-6 months.
