Summer Dress - Simplicity 2360

Hi

Last week I sewed a wearable muslin of the Simplicity dress.  I have finished the silk chiffon, lined with viol.  These fabrics are not recommended by the pattern but I think together they are OK.

Cheers Lara

Wearable Muslin Part two - Drape Drape No 7

Hi

For Christmas I was given a Japaness Pattern Book Drape Drape. Purchased from hhttp://tessuti.blogspot.com/.

I have never attempted to make a pattern with out instructions before.  My first pattern is Number 7.  It is very simple with only two pieces.  The fabric is double muslin from my stash.  I have made this as a beach cover up.  I think it is only just wearable as it feels frumpy and too bulky. The difficulty in choosing fabric for the pattern there is no English instructions. I am considering making it out of silk chiffon for me.   Before I do this I will make another for my Mothers Birthday, she loves caftans and is keen on the pattern.

Wearable Muslin Part one - Simplicity 2360

Hi

I am on holidays at the moment and have been sewing alot but I don't have very exciting things to show for my efforts. 

This summer dress and the lining is made out of cheap cotton voil from my stash and is a wearable muslin for some silk chiffon I have waiting. 

The muslin was worthwhile because I struggled with lining the sleaveless dress. I added the lining because my silk is sheer and will need interlining.  I wanted the lining to be machine stiched at the neck and arm holes for that RTW finish.

As there is no back seam the fabric needs to be flipped and folded in a unusual way to allow it to be pulled out.  In the end I found the technical information I needed on Pattern Review.com.  If you are looking for the details this information is clear and easy to understand. The link below will save you searching time.
http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/review/readreview.pl?readreview=1&ID=1618

Other alterations I made to the pattern are I aided one inch to each neck shoulder edge and I used ties from the side seam instead of a belt.

Cheers

Lara

Fashion Illustration

Hi


While on holiday I found a great note book by Moleskine, see photo. It is pocket sized, hard backed with beautiful quality paper with either lines or in my case blank for drawing. I love the note book because it fits in my purse and I can take it window shopping. I like to go to my local Shopping centre and browse through some of the 33 women’s fashion stores looking for inspiration. I now go to a cafe and draw the garments that have made an impression. These very simple drawings then give me a record of ideas as inspiration for new garments. It is so simple and easy to do and I have found it very satisfying. There is a certain peace from hot tea, a pencil and note book. Please find attached the site I found most useful for fashion illustration. http://how-to-draw-fashion.com/movement_figure

With the note book I have reviewed my wardrobe and planned the clothes I will make this year. I have included both challenging projects and others that will be less demanding but just as necessary. Looking at the lists for each season I realised that I have more than enough fabric in my stash for all of 2011 sewing.

I have always pledged to myself that I would use the fabric I have spent time and money purchasing. So ... this year’s resolution is to use my stash for a majority of my sewing.  My motivation and fear steams from watching a family member with a very large collection of fabric leaving it to rotting away unused for over twenty years.  I think that I fell in to hording for two reasons. Firstly the fabric stores in my city are steadily going out of business and I am frightened that if I don’t buy it when I can I may not have a second chance. Secondly lately the Australian dollar has been so strong against the US dollar I can afford to buy more on line. I will let you know with each post if I am using new or stash fabric. It certainly has made me feel more settled to be making this commitment.

Cheers Lara

Top, Dress and Belt - Vogue 1195

Hi

Please find below my first review for Pattern Review. com.  I have finished but can't seem to remove the draft status even though I have published it.  Please let me know what I have missed?

I have shown more pictures so you can see the outfit without the top and belt.  I made this outfit for my work Christmas party.

Pattern Description: Misses Top, Dress and belt. Pull over fitted top has front and back stitched pleats, front and back v-neckline with self binding, bound buttonhole openings for belt, stitched sides forming sleeve openings and shaped hem. Close-fitting, straight above mid-knee length dress has front and back darts, front and back V-neckline with self binding, self-armhole binding forming straps, back invisible zipper and belt.


Pattern Sizing: Size 12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the elegance of the design and that it can be worn all year round

Fabric Used: Stretch Silk Charmeuse (From Emma One Sock) for top and Silk Shantung for dress and bow

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Increased the neck line by one inch on each shoulder and curved the back neck to prevent the top slipping of my narrow shoulders. Fitted the stitched sides to dress form. I finished the hems with a hemming foot that turns the fabric under and then stiches it down. I find self binding too time consumming and I am not very neat. I was happy with the turned under hem

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Personally I would sew it again without the bow and button holes for it to be different. Highly recommend the pattern. The dress would be useful for other sheer tops.

Conclusion: Excellent pattern which is very easy to wear

Dress Shirt - Vogue1589 Calvin Klein

Hi

Yesterday I made this long shirt dress out of linen and cotton from the stash for wearing at the beach this summer, very easy pattern. The pattern is out of print and I think comes from 1997 or 1998. This is version B is buttoned up the front with raglan sleeves. This means it is very loose and comfortable for summer. I made version C in the 90s and it was a sweat stylish dress.

Cheers

Lara

Christmas Dress - Vogue 8574

Hi

This is my favorite dress as I feel great when wearing it and it is very versatile. Originally I made it in 2009 for a friends 40th birthday, but have since worn it to many occasions. Its last outing was for Christmas as we were in Sydney on holiday and going out for lunch at a good restaurant. This dress is very cool to wear because of the empire line and both the lining and dress material are silk. The dress fabric was from the Vera Wang collection sold in 2009 by Fabric.com, I purchased because it was recommended by several blogs and I was very pleased when it arrived.

Any way the pattern is from the Very Easy Vogue range. I it dose not have a separate pattern for lining I just cut the same as for the dress. I like to line my dresses because I think they are much more flattering that way.

I did struggle with fit as you can see in the lining photos. I think this was a technical and skill problem and hopeful now I have a dress form won't happen as often. My philosophy with sewing is that I only unpick when absolutely necessary as it is deflating and can lead to outfits not being completed. Hence I left the misaligned lining at the zip. I have since learnt from a dear friend about easing in fabric when it is not aligned.

Self Drafted Summer Shealth Dress

Hi

This dress is a self drafted sheath dress that is easy to make and wear in the hot summer months. I always have this type of dress in my wardrobe and as it was 36 degrees on New Years day it was a comfortable choice for visiting relatives to wish them happy New Year. It is stretch linen and does not need a zip.

Cheers Lara