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October is Little black dress month

But first, I've been tagged.

Faye tagged me so I figured seeing that I've been tagged a few times and can't think of a thing to post that hasn't been post before in my almost 3 yrs of blogging, I will post 7 facts of my sewing history.

1. I started to sew on Fabric in October 2006
2. The first thing I made was a velvet sack to put my grandmother's
   scrapbook album in which I made for her for Christmas.
3. The first issue of Burda World of Fashion Magazine I got was December 2006.
4. I went on a BWOF binge and bought any issues I could find on EBAY and
   I swore I would never sell any issue of my collection as long as I
   lived.
5. I sold 2 the next week on Pattern review. which ended my ebay binge.
6. My first wearable garment that I was proud of was a BWOF skirt I made
   from the December 2006 issue made out of ponte knit. It fit so good
   until I wore it to work and  it rode up my butt so much I never wore
   it again. I still have it for sentimental reasons.
7. I carry a cardigan for many reasons and one will be because it can
   hide a multitude of sins, as in, one of my skirts that I made ripped
   at the seam from getting snagged at the back zipper and I had 2 more
   hours of work and no spare in the car. I slug my cardigan around my
   waist and saved myself from total humiliation.

Okay, Cindy, Angela, Nancy, Monique and Dei, your mission if you accept is to list 7 facts of your sewing history and tag five people to do the same.

My question to you is "Is your Little black dress ready to wear?"

Mines, not so much, well,, not at ALL to be honest.

Its something that has been on my mind for a while

You see my little black dress is 5 yrs old, I got it for a wedding of one of my coworker's wedding back when I was still in the military from Jcrew.

Its a simple halter back A line dress made out of a black on black embroidered cotton blend.

Of course I have other black dresses but this IS the LBD, the wedding to funeral (with shawl or shrug) to cocktail or birthday party, cut just above the knee, fashion faux pas rescue ticket.

The only problem is that, it doesn't fit anymore.... as if you didn't see that coming right?

And this dear readers is what have been on my mind for sometime and lately. Not, the "I can't fit
into a size 8 anymore" but the "Why don't I have an appropriate little black dress or a couple of them, as much as I sew I should have at least 3" part.

From my bed I can see my closet, I usually smile when I look at all my creations, then my eyes will fixate on the Jcrew LBD. My closet will not get another thing until this problem is taken care of and the former dress is sent to Good will.

Back in August I decided to get some fabric for a couple LBDs while I was in Manhanttan shopping with Mom.

My vision is to have to minimalistic pieces that can last for a while but are also in the NOW. I decided to do V8512 withwool jersey and M5701 with wool crepe. I think they have a grown up aesthetic about them with the emphasis on shaping but clean lines.

For V8512, working with the wool Jersey was a first time experience for me. It drapes and hugs the curves like knits do but it has the structured appearance that wool is best known for. Its meaty, stretchy and
awesome.

Its has been on my dress form which seems like forever waiting for the belt

 

to arrive in the mail. You know you will be the first to see it right?

and I will talk about it some more once I get some photos, more later.

What I love now Part 1: Fabric Love and Emilio Pucci

I'm enjoying all the fabulous post about the new patterns from the big 4. That is my type of blog reading, I love to read everyone's take on the patterns because we all have different taste and perspective (the eye), in which you see things I would never see and bring my attention to it.

I could read 10 points of view from 10 different blogs and enjoy all of them, it never get stale, boring or drawn out.

I wanted to share my thoughts on what I love now, as I'm not sewing this week but I have a few things on my mind that I don't want to add to my EOM post.

Ombre prints

I got this piece from Joann's Fabrics but it was after I did my plan. I still have no idea what I want to make, a skirt, a dress,, it will come to me. Its the type of fabric that just ends up being in your stash because you can't bear to make the WRONG thing with it...... then the right pattern comes along. It may just stay in the stash so I can look at it, or made into a tunic style dress to wear to the beach when I go to Trinidad next year.

 Knits on Sale

A few online fabric stores like Fabric.com, Fabricmart and Fashion Fabric Club are having sales on Knits or offering knits at a pretty good price. Of course I picked up a piece here and there to add to the stash, no sense worrying about sewing them up, I don't think they will go out of style.

I absolutely love this print. It reminds me of a MOD/Retro style print. The colors are so great for  summer into fall transition, the chocolate brown, burgundy and winter white and the DOTs,, oh I love those dots.

I don't know what I'm going to do with it either, but it will come to me.

I got a few piece, I'm not going to show all of them, but this one, I want to show because when I got it, I DIDN'T LIKE it.... at all. The print is fabulous and this is why I ordered it online, but when I got it,,,,, Glitter,,, everywhere, on the whole thing. I don't like Glitter on Fabric, stones/gems on the neckline of a garment,,, okay,, glitter.. NOPE. Now this is a personal preference of mine because I like it on other people I just don't like the dust to get on my skin.

so,,,, I am going to make one of those jalie tops for my mom with it, because she loves this type of stuff, problem solved, so I love it, but for her, not me.

Emilio Pucci Fall Prints and Dresses

Because I love prints, the artistic part as well as wearing and sewing with printed fabric, I was so visually satisfied with Pucci's fall offering. I wish,, wish I can get a hold of some of this fabric, lol.

Placed Border Dress

Great Colors, the Palette is great for a wardrobe plan for fall

cappachino, harvest yellow, light grey, deep navy blue, greyish brown and white.

 

The bateau neckline (or boat neck) is one that closely follows the collarbone. It is a good choice for women who have well proportioned necks and heads, but who wish to present a more conservative appearance.

This print is Insane, I love how it is made to give the illusion of sewn borders.

Monterosa Printed Dress

I am going to make one of these tunics for fall, I promise you that,well it maybe not be in such a fabulous print but the style is on my agenda.

First the Palette,, gosh, someone through me in Pucci's Mill and close the door!!!!

not a color scheme for every one but beautiful all the same, blush, light pink, white, celery, navy and magenta.

I love the cowl neck and the fact that the print is working hard here, the design lines are simple, in a line drawing you may not even give it a second look but the print is TDF.

The Shift

Looking closer to the neckline, you can see the details, little pleats that is true to the neckline trend right now,,, once again, the colors.

celery, tan, white, brown and black

I'm I the only person seeing how fabulous these palettes are?

once again, the trend towards shape defining in shape dresses, I think someone finally thought about the women who rather NOT wear a shapeless garment but would like to try a shift dress,, eh hem,, moi!

Not really my favorite thing but I can see it in another print,, the main print looks kind of camo for me and that is a little much!

and last but not least, the Cosmo Print Shirtdress, which has a true Winter Palette

black, grey, white, carnation and violet

another style feature I have to steal, I love how they did the black and print combo on this dress and the button,, TDF,, love it, love it

so,, I'm not sewing but its all in my mind,, all in mind, taking lots of mental notes,,,, its going to be like this all week, more later.

Breaking up the Monotony....

of sewing my M5661

 

everyone!

Look what I got

I picked up some red cotton/spandex with matching buttons for the Encore presentation of my BFJ.

I think I want to use the triangle buttonholes for it this time. This will be my vacation project. My mom is coming next week Friday from Trinidad for a month. She will be in NY most of the time, but I'm going down on the first week of August to do some final merchandise shopping with her, a little sightseeing and of course, Fabric shopping.

On the subject of Fabric shopping,

You won't believe I haven't thought about what I will sew during the fall to winter season. I was looking at some of the collections on style.com, but the only thing that spoke to me what the colors. So, hopefully, went we hit the streets of NYC I will get inspired by something.

As for now, at Joann's Mccall/vogue sale yesterday I picked up 2 jacket patterns from their Latest Line.

M5715 should not come as a surprise to you,, for me. It looks like the fall version of B5223 just with a 3/4 sleeves and more back details like the yoke and pleats. As of right now, I am leaning towards A and thinking of doing the skirt too.

M5711... OMG, I froze, eyes locked to the screen when I saw this jacket,,, Goodness help me, I have to have one, and I promise you if I don't make it, I will find one that looks just like it for Fall.... Oh, I need this in my life,,, I mean closet, lol.

Other considerations in M5701 because even though it is a sack, the lines of View A is giving the illusion of shaping and I love the back detail and I'm liking that a lot.

M5718, Gosh, I will love to see sewn up but it's not for me, because, it will give me a turtle effect,, no neck, my round face just sitting on top of that collar and the way all the fabric sets on the shoulders,, that bulk will not do at all.. woo hoo, not going there.

Okay enough of that

Progress report....

As I said, I am working on my M5661 right now, adjustments has been made, and once it is done, I will try to get some photos of me in it, hopefully by next weekend. I had a lot of bias binding work for the inner seams, I made them myself, 

finally broke down and got a 1/2 inch bias binder maker to experiment with.

I can't say I am loving the process, its kind of tedious.... honestly and hopefully I will get into it as my skill improves.

I plan to have it done my tomorrow for the latest and go straight into my BWOF 05-2008-121. I know once my mom gets here, the sewing will come to a crashing halt so I am planning ahead of the game. Plus once this is done, I can go ahead and post Phase 3..... And the photos will just flow as I wear the clothes.

Oh,, always more ladies, always more.

EOM: Gnaoua MFes Phase 2 Intro.

SHE SAID, "Remember, how you dress tells the world what type of person you are, however you don't need to wear 7 inch strappy heels to express your sexy side, after all, due to the infamous laws of miscommunication, you may be seen as more trashy than sassy, hey,,,,,,, you know what I mean right? Sometimes a red silk tie front blouse is the best thing, sexy and safe..."

-lunchtime conversations

In Retrospect...

When I started looking for inspiration for my collection, it was the Gnaoua World Music Festival that takes place in Essaouira, Morocco that I saw on the Travel Channel that pursuaded me to learn more about that country.

Maybe you know about the celebration of  Carnival in Trinidad,, a seriously big deal and its all about the Music and good times, being carefree and united with one another. I think the Gnaoua MFes can run parallel with the spirit of what Carnival is all about.

In short, I love the concept. Its not about Moroccan music only, but world music, Jazz, pop, etc.

That being said, when I think of Music, I always tend to think about the notes, black and white on a literal platform.

Then I think about the energy that excites you when you are listening to the music you love and I feel some red should be in there also, this will represent peace, love and unity.

That is my main colors (black, white and red) based on what spoke to me from the idea of Gnaoua Mfes.

In Reality.

It doesn't matter where you are in the world, you need pieces that you would use to "hit the town", go to dinner, go to listen to music in the park, like the concerts we have here in Philly at Penn Landing in the summer time. Something pretty, not to formal, so you can wear it in other situations too, versatility is always good. Breezy, not to restricted,,,,, oh maybe you like tight stuff, whatever is most comfortable to you is what goes here.

and now,,,,, introducing Phase two

EOM Gnaoua Mfes

A step up from jeans and white shirts but just as comfy, lol

Ah yes,,,only four this time and two are done,,, yes D-O-N-E. Okay, okay, just a little peak..

Isn't this fabric FESTIVE?

I used a tutorial from a blog for these pockets,,, more on this later!

 

and my TNT pattern from the She's so pique-culiar collection

this basic pattern has endless possibilities as you have seen.

so that is what's up right now. You know I like to start the week right around here, lol

and more photos from EOM Jet set will follow, just have to get them taken, which is really what's holding everything up.

Happy sunday and I hope you have a fab week too,,,,,ahead.

toy

EOM Phase 1 Jet Set: Progress Report

Hey Everyone

Hopefully you didn't get a taste of the heatwave we got here on the east coast from last weekend until about yesterday.

Let me tell you, I was so messed up, I came home and as soon as I got inside,,,, well more like 15 mins later, I realized my left foot was totally swollen with a heat rash on my ankle,,,,not cute, lol.

well, enough about that.

A little progress report

My sewing machine is on my night stand, but ask me if I have sewn a single stitch since I put it in there on Sunday..........

ah,,,,, NO!

In fact, I have slept more this week than any other time since the year has began, I am a total slacker,,, total slacker but,,,, previous to that I made some waves before my MIL came. Here is a little sneak peek.

jalie 2794 and

simplicity 2892 which was not as easy it looks but more on this later

My current work in progress is

the pants is done, but I am still trying to figure out exactly how they want me to do this collar, well, more later on this one too.

My Master Plan, which is very extensive. That's why I refuse to post it because I know I will change my mind a million times,,,,,,well,,,,,, it has changed,,,,, already,,, 3 times.

Oh yea, the GEMINI in me is having a field day with this planning thing, my planning is having a bipolar moment which can be compared to dining out at a buffet, take everything, then pick and chose what you want once you get it all on the table, knowing you can put something back on the plate if you so desire.

In short, its quite fun.

And I have been shopping for accessories seeing that I won't be buying fabric anytime soon.

so a little more on planning now, added to Phase one is

I am loving those jalie patterns, where have they been all my life?

The butterick Jacket stems from my obsession with getting a white cropped jacket in my wardrobe for summer, obviously I am still licking my wounds about that whole thing, I will get into a cropped jacket, you just watch and it will work and I will wear it constantly, positive affirmations always work!

I cut out my top and if for nothing else, I will be start working on this before the end of this week.

I am FOCUSEDand once the first phase is done, I will be celebrating, my coworker Christina, who has been following my progress, cheer-leading and listening to my rants and victories, told me about this Moroccan restaurant,,,,, in Philly, holy crap!

If you have the time check out this set, inspiration is everywhere, wow!

more later!

Essaouira Of Morocco Collection (EOM): Initial Thoughts and 1st phase plans

Honestly, I am so NOT good at planning, but nevertheless, seeing that I am taking a little break from my cleaning, I figured I should share my plans with you.

Purpose: A wardrobe to suit every aspect of my clothing needs for the summer, for casual weekends and work.

Goal: Sewing 16-20 items in a preset color palette using wool,rayon blend, silk and cotton.

Inspiration: My initial thoughts for this wardrobe came from Donna Karen's Spring 2008 collection. Donna is known for her resort runway collections that are "wearable" as in ,, you can literally, step of the runway, walk the streets and not look out of place.

Her spring collection was very heavy on neutrals,, the serious colors, the ones I tend to wear a lot of.
Black, white, red, navy, tan and grey.
I figure if I stayed with colors I know I will wear the hell out of, it would be worth it. But neutrals can be so boring when summer is all about color, therefore, I decided to add some pops of color here and there to keep it interesting.

Color Palette:

Seeing that every collection need a theme, I decided to go with a Place, Morocco.

Its kind of interesting how this all came about, my dh and I was talking about the Middle east, places we've been, seen and where we would go on vacation. Number 1 on the list was Egypt, but looking at an online map, I noticed Morocco, which is in Northern Africa. I've always seem to get Monaco (of Grace Kelly fame) and Morocco (of Casablanca fame) mixed up, lol.

So, having way to much time on my hand I decided to read up on it and there I found out about a little seaside town called Essaouria. Which host a big time music festival and I swear I could see myself chilling out listening to music at the seaside, mohitos in hand, lol.

hmm, a girl can only dream....

But that is the general idea, simple to put together, very comfortable, easy to sew clothes that can look appropriate anyway and mix and match with other things in my closet at a moment's notice.

After all when travelling you should pack light right?

So, I will show you what I'm working on right now, the plan is really big so I'm breaking it down so it won't be really overwhelming. I am doing a few of tops that can be used with one bottom just as how I would pack for a trip, this way I can have tons of tops to go with my jeans and other pants already in my closet.

Phase 1: Jet Set, What would you wear on your way over there?

Well, I've already finished with a couple of things but I will not post it until I can get some photos of me in it so maybe after my MIL leaves, she gets here on Friday and leaves on Father's day after we take her to NY for some sight seeing.

I'm keeping notes to share once I post the final garments and of course, lots of photos.

So, more later, hopefully I can keep the mojo flowing I think this will be fun.

She is so Pique-cular Collection: Set 2 Prelude

She said: I love a gore skirt. I love the flirtatious swing and sway movement it makes as I walk and I love how it kicks up when it hits my knees. In fact, I think the word "walking" is a understatement, its more like a saunter, as in, she sauntered across the room in her strappy heels and swinging skirt, lol. There is an unpretentious sex appeal of how the cut works with a woman's body, you feel more feminine, you act more feminine and a little sexy is always a good thing...."

My Inspiration

For Set two came from Sara Campbell's Tulip Skirt. It an 8 panel skirt, semi fitted at hip and widens out to a tulip style shape at the bottom. The "tulip shape" is made with an interesting shaped godet that I haven't seen in any patterns, but she said its a signature cut so that makes sense. My first thought was to buy it just so I can see exactly how it was made but it sold out before I made up my mind. I don't have any regrets though, it will be my inspiration for my own creation.

So what did I take for SC's skirt. Well, because I didn't know how to get those godets to look exactly like her version. I decided to just add a simple Godet to my pre-modified simplicity 4236.

I know for beginners, this may seem hard, but if I can do it, so can you, a godet is like a cone,,,well, it is a cone pretty much until you get to Sara's version which,,,,, I haven't figured out yet. I have a couple photos that I will post with the final post.

I stayed with the blue/green color family, my skirt has aqua, teal and lime green which happens to be in a knit that I will be working with later in this collection.

My Interpretation

In keeping with the feminine feel of the collection, I decided to use Vogue 2980. I think a bolero/shrug style sleeve is so flattering on the shoulder and I love how it frames the face and open up the neckline. Its a pattern I've had in my stash for a while and I haven't seen a review on PR where it didn't flatter the person that wore it. I think its a winner.

I will be using this teal rayon jersey for it

Because the shrug and sleeves are double lined, a light weight jersey/knit is recommended

We've had crappy, cold weather in Philly today and I hope it gets better to get my mojo going and so I can get some photos of the finished objects outdoors.

I just want to shout out Angie because I love the print of that skirt..... Hey Angie, I feel some sort of way linking your skirt seeing that it looks more Lilly P-ish that mine,,, just playing!!!

have a great day everyone, more later!

S4236 & Bwof 05-2008-103: Getting back in gear

You know what?

It just dawned on me today that was away from my sewing machine for a few days and I didn't oil it before I left, now that is hind sight for you, why didn't I think to do that?

So what do we have now

Well, getting back into the groove of sewing didn't take that much time, in fact I got a shot of insomnia Monday night so I cut out and sewed up most of:

S4238

View C

I used Bougainvillea which was absolutely a pleasure to sew. I modified the pattern to have 8 panels instead of two pieces, I added a free hanging lining with french tacks and stayed the waistline using some hot pink grosgrain ribbon lol

Do you care to see it? Its really simple but its my latest FO

My obsession for this whole full/swing skirt thing started a little while back when I saw this:

Ann Taylor Skirt

Cost 88 dollars, which reminded me why I started to sew anyway. I wanted to be able to make skirts for work plus this price is a little up there. At least its lined.... at least.

Anyway, I plan to make another one using the Daisy Mae Pique and another with a black and white print I picked up last Friday. They will all work with my next project

Bwof 05/2008/103

In a medium weight white jersey, I read a review to it on PR and I am definitely going to add some length and grade out the lower portion a bit to compensate for my hips.

Lets hope it goes smoothly.

Its about 4 am and I'm about to trace it out before I get ready for work....

M5522 Modified A, S2925 Progress & Fabric Love

Its an Overcast Sunday Morning on the outskirts of Philly today.

I really didn't get much done in sewing last week but I did finish two things. The first was S2925 which I will review later because I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do with the pockets, as you can see,,, very bland...... so more on this later. Its on my dress form, hopefully it will come to me soon.

Next thing

I made a quick View A of the M5522. I was messing around with the pattern at lunch one day just because I was bored and it looked like something that I can do so I pulled out a piece of light blue cotton which I had stashed for a shirt,,,, a work wardrobe basic that I didn't sew until now.

so here are some photos first

close up

side view

 

lower back view

Likes and Mods

Well, I love the mandarin collar, not quite a full collar but not a round neck, I still get that V neckline going on that really works for me. I wanted the puff sleeves version, part of it was due to my curiosity with the construction, I thought it had a band but its actually a double sleeve concept, the bottom being a "stay" to give it structure.

This I found to be utilized in a lot of high end designer garments and I was really pleased to see it used for a simple shirt like this.

The mods were easy, I made a 1.5 inch band by eliminating this measurement from the lower pieces and just adding that 5/8 inch SA,, basic stuff.

The back has a little surprise, stitched down pin-tucks which I went backward and foreword in how I was actually going to do it, first I thought maybe just do it half way, but I wanted it to look as if it wasn't even there. Going back to the whole illusion thing where you have to really look to see,, "oh, it has something on there"...... makes for good conversation right?

And its not perfect, I can even tell you that the 2nd buttonhole is a little off, if I really wanted to start pointing out all the imperfections... it will work though because I really am happy with the over all look of it.

and Last but not least,,, some Fabric LOVE

I know I say it all the time, but IS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING, and its not so much the print but the colors will make the people over at Pantone very happy. Is a rayon crepe that feels so good. I am thinking, something simple that I can have for all time and maybe that simple fix will be S2938 view A or maybe not we will see I need a simple project for this week.

so more later....

S2925: Going Forward and inspirational details

No wine today, I'm much more focused now, so with tea in hand, lets get down to business shall we?

First up, some photos I downloaded for my inspirational binder.

Milly and Theory, two brands that are growing on me.

Next the progress on S2925

Muslin making is not exactly,, fun, but one thing that is true and makes them worth the time is that they provide the foresight of making your garment that may have been the dreaded hindsight of an unwearable or less-loved item.
My discovery is that I am not going to make the dress
I have changed my mind again, I am going to make View C,, the tunic.
Why...
well, the more I looked at the fabric itself I wanted it to be more versatile, I thought, how can I get the most wear out of this beautiful piece of fabric,,, Dress did not come to mind but that wasn't the main reason.
When I made the muslin, it didn't drape as how I would want a dress to drape for this style and I knew the fabric wouldn't fulfill the quota for this one...

On the pattern envelope, they mentioned Matte Jersey,,,, yes, a knit, challis and other much more suitable fabrics for the job and I now know why.
I think I "will" my fabric to be things they are not meant to be... I prefer the reality check to come before I cut the fabric and not after.
I did an FBA
which I find revolutionary because its the first time I did one.
I'm not sure if it worked out exactly how it is suppose to work out but I definately have the ease in the bust area that was not there before and the upper back is still the same.....
I am absolutely terrified but I'm going forward with it.

I found that after the second muslin was made the front was pulling the back, so i need to adjust the back at the hips to add more ease to match up with the front.
after the sway back adjustments, the dart on the back, looked a little,,,, well not right at all,,,, but I'll work it out.
I did a minor adjustment to add ease to the raglan sleeves, I needed more ease for the elastic gathers to occur without pulling the width and making it to snug on my arms.
and that is the round up for the second muslin, I still have some minor adjustments for the hip area but don't need to do a third attempt for that.

I really don't know what I'm going to do with the pockets, they are so,,,, bland. maybe some peacoat style big buttons?

Anyway

so,,, here we go and I will try to post another update as I find and work out the kinks,,,, as usual.