Sunday, May 12, 2013
Sunday, May 5, 2013
And they were all yellow.
I was in dire need of something yellow. Although yellow is my all-time favorite color, I haven't made a yellow dress since Vogue 8645 (almost two years ago!). I have some butter yellow linen-look fabric slated for a future Cambie but this yellow pin dot lawn called out to me first.
I wasn't sure what dress pattern to use, but I was sure that I wanted something simple. I would've loved to make the Colette Peony, but the bodice is terrible---there, I said it. I had such fitting woes, that I've contemplated tearing the bodice pattern into shreds. The Darling Ranges dress pattern inspires the same amount of hatred but that's a story for another time.
I knew that I wanted a bodice with a boat/bandeau neckline and cap sleeves, so I sought out a pattern. I bought Butterick 4386 with the hopes of trying out a sheath dress pattern. I made a muslin of the dress and the top fit so well that I decided to make it as a separate bodice.
Next, was the skirt selection. I tried it with the Peony skirt but I used the wrong size and it didn't quite work out. Instead, I used the flared skirt from Butterick/See & Sew 4957, an oop pattern that I stumbled across a few months ago. I'm still not sure how I found out about it, but I'm glad I did. You can still find it on ebay. I made the dress (not blogged) and liked it, but the bodice didn't have waist darts. But it was a perfect match for my Butterick 4386 bodice.
I cut a size 18 for the shoulders, sleeves and bust and graded down to a size 16 for the waist. I used a size 20 for the skirt---the finished waistline measurement was the same as the size 16. I used a hem facing for the dress and a tiny baby hem for the lining.
The yellow pin dot lawn was practically see-thru. I thought about underlining it, but summer will be here and it will be too hot to wear. I decided to fully line the dress but this time I used pongee (also called Posh Lining on the Joann website) instead of my usual cotton/poly batiste. For something that is 100% polyester, it sure does breathe well and was an excellent compliment to the cotton lawn.
I love this dress. It was an easy make and perfect for the beautiful weather here in Austin this weekend. I think I may use this bodice again but with a pleated skirt next time. I'm also in dire need of something pleated.
I wasn't sure what dress pattern to use, but I was sure that I wanted something simple. I would've loved to make the Colette Peony, but the bodice is terrible---there, I said it. I had such fitting woes, that I've contemplated tearing the bodice pattern into shreds. The Darling Ranges dress pattern inspires the same amount of hatred but that's a story for another time.
I knew that I wanted a bodice with a boat/bandeau neckline and cap sleeves, so I sought out a pattern. I bought Butterick 4386 with the hopes of trying out a sheath dress pattern. I made a muslin of the dress and the top fit so well that I decided to make it as a separate bodice.
Next, was the skirt selection. I tried it with the Peony skirt but I used the wrong size and it didn't quite work out. Instead, I used the flared skirt from Butterick/See & Sew 4957, an oop pattern that I stumbled across a few months ago. I'm still not sure how I found out about it, but I'm glad I did. You can still find it on ebay. I made the dress (not blogged) and liked it, but the bodice didn't have waist darts. But it was a perfect match for my Butterick 4386 bodice.
I cut a size 18 for the shoulders, sleeves and bust and graded down to a size 16 for the waist. I used a size 20 for the skirt---the finished waistline measurement was the same as the size 16. I used a hem facing for the dress and a tiny baby hem for the lining.
The yellow pin dot lawn was practically see-thru. I thought about underlining it, but summer will be here and it will be too hot to wear. I decided to fully line the dress but this time I used pongee (also called Posh Lining on the Joann website) instead of my usual cotton/poly batiste. For something that is 100% polyester, it sure does breathe well and was an excellent compliment to the cotton lawn.
 |
| Never put a Kate Spade bag on the ground |
I love this dress. It was an easy make and perfect for the beautiful weather here in Austin this weekend. I think I may use this bodice again but with a pleated skirt next time. I'm also in dire need of something pleated.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Two things I'm in love with right now...
...this dress pattern:
Usually, I don't care too much for her patterns. Although cute, they're always made from quilting cotton which is a turn-off for me. Sometimes (emphasis on sometimes) quilting cotton can make even the greatest dress look homemade. Then I saw this pattern and all the samples (all made with quilting cotton). They're beautiful to say the least.
You know, sometimes opinions can change. The ombre chevron fabric changed my mind (if only briefly, but still). I have a border print voile fresh from Fabric.com that would be beyond perfect for this dress:
The second thing that I love so very much at the moment, is this lovely polka dot chambray shirt from Ruche:
I found the most absolute perfect fabric for it. Robert Kaufman Chambray from Hawthorne Threads:
I'm thinking of using either McCall's 6436 or Simplicity 2339. At first, I wanted to make it into a dress but I'm seriously in need of more shirts. The ever-popular Archer shirt pattern crossed my mind, but I want to work from stash patterns having already blown my wad on the aforementioned Marilyn dress pattern (and on this fabric as soon as this post is up).
Aside from that, I am finishing up a mash-up of Butterick 4386 (I used it as my bodice) and out-of-print See & Sew 4957. You can find it on ebay for cheap and you should, it is a great pattern. The fabric for this lovely spring dress is a yellow with white pin dot lawn from Fashion Fabrics Club. All is well. Sleeves will be set then it's hem time...just in time for the weekend.
Usually, I don't care too much for her patterns. Although cute, they're always made from quilting cotton which is a turn-off for me. Sometimes (emphasis on sometimes) quilting cotton can make even the greatest dress look homemade. Then I saw this pattern and all the samples (all made with quilting cotton). They're beautiful to say the least.
You know, sometimes opinions can change. The ombre chevron fabric changed my mind (if only briefly, but still). I have a border print voile fresh from Fabric.com that would be beyond perfect for this dress:
The second thing that I love so very much at the moment, is this lovely polka dot chambray shirt from Ruche:
 |
| Cassie Polka Dot Chambray Top |
I found the most absolute perfect fabric for it. Robert Kaufman Chambray from Hawthorne Threads:
 |
| Dot Chambray in Indigo |
I'm thinking of using either McCall's 6436 or Simplicity 2339. At first, I wanted to make it into a dress but I'm seriously in need of more shirts. The ever-popular Archer shirt pattern crossed my mind, but I want to work from stash patterns having already blown my wad on the aforementioned Marilyn dress pattern (and on this fabric as soon as this post is up).
Aside from that, I am finishing up a mash-up of Butterick 4386 (I used it as my bodice) and out-of-print See & Sew 4957. You can find it on ebay for cheap and you should, it is a great pattern. The fabric for this lovely spring dress is a yellow with white pin dot lawn from Fashion Fabrics Club. All is well. Sleeves will be set then it's hem time...just in time for the weekend.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Colette Laurel Take Two
So, I made another Laurel:
Not too shabby, huh? I made a couple changes this time around. First, I changed the neckline. I used the neckline and tie from Butterick 5859:
Then, I added 1" of flare to the skirt to make it slightly more A-line.
Also, I added a split cuff to the sleeve (I picked this up from New Look 6180 sleeve).
At first, I had planned to move the zipper to the side but the neck was wide enough to slide over my head. I drafted a hem facing (I love them so much).
Other than that, no other changes were made. As before, I made used a size 14 for the bust and shoulders, grading down to a size 12 for the waist and hips. For the fabric, I bought some rayon/poly linen look fabric from Hancock Fabrics.
This came together rather quickly and I am quite pleased with it. Very pleased. I want to send out a very special thank you to my friend, The Amazing Q for all of the photos.
Not too shabby, huh? I made a couple changes this time around. First, I changed the neckline. I used the neckline and tie from Butterick 5859:
 |
| Butterick 5859 |
Then, I added 1" of flare to the skirt to make it slightly more A-line.
Also, I added a split cuff to the sleeve (I picked this up from New Look 6180 sleeve).
At first, I had planned to move the zipper to the side but the neck was wide enough to slide over my head. I drafted a hem facing (I love them so much).
Other than that, no other changes were made. As before, I made used a size 14 for the bust and shoulders, grading down to a size 12 for the waist and hips. For the fabric, I bought some rayon/poly linen look fabric from Hancock Fabrics.
This came together rather quickly and I am quite pleased with it. Very pleased. I want to send out a very special thank you to my friend, The Amazing Q for all of the photos.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Everybody's looking for something.
Have you ever come across a pattern that you just had to have only to discover that it's no longer in print? Have you ever searched in vain for the pattern which only fueled your need to own it? This is the pattern that I want and can't find for the life of me:
It's Vogue 8511 and I can't find it. Pissed off doesn't even begin to describe how I feel. I hate that cute patterns go out of print, but similar variations of the same crappy skirt seem to last forever (I'm looking at you Simplicity).
ARGH.
I'm looking for something similar (the Burda Marie skirt could work), but I have no real interest in drafting or franken-patterning. Right now, I'm in the mood for minimal effort. I almost made a third Laurel (I know I haven't posted about the second one, yet) because I could finish it in 4 hours without thinking about it.
If anyone could point me in the direction of this pattern (I fall in between sizes 18-20); I would be eternally grateful. My husband would also be grateful since I've whined about it for a week now.
I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. My stash is chocked full of fun, spring-like fabrics and I have no idea what to sew. Indecisive, that's me. I purchase fabric with an idea in mind. By the time my fabric shows up, my mind has changed and I'm inundated with new ideas. Then I fear that my idea won't work and I'll end up wasting my fabric (this even applies to TNT patterns).
ARGH.
Aside from that, I have finished a second Laurel which I will post about this weekend (preview now via instagram). Two, I've just finished the buttons on another Simplicity 2215 shirt dress, this time with a collar. I will post about that one this weekend as well.
 |
| Vogue 8511 |
ARGH.
I'm looking for something similar (the Burda Marie skirt could work), but I have no real interest in drafting or franken-patterning. Right now, I'm in the mood for minimal effort. I almost made a third Laurel (I know I haven't posted about the second one, yet) because I could finish it in 4 hours without thinking about it.
If anyone could point me in the direction of this pattern (I fall in between sizes 18-20); I would be eternally grateful. My husband would also be grateful since I've whined about it for a week now.
I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. My stash is chocked full of fun, spring-like fabrics and I have no idea what to sew. Indecisive, that's me. I purchase fabric with an idea in mind. By the time my fabric shows up, my mind has changed and I'm inundated with new ideas. Then I fear that my idea won't work and I'll end up wasting my fabric (this even applies to TNT patterns).
ARGH.
Aside from that, I have finished a second Laurel which I will post about this weekend (preview now via instagram). Two, I've just finished the buttons on another Simplicity 2215 shirt dress, this time with a collar. I will post about that one this weekend as well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
