Stella McCartney Style Pants

All summer I'd been loving these pants at Nordstrom, the Stella McCartney brocade pants:

But I just couldn't swallow the $1200 price tag (obviously). So I made my own!

These pants cost me less than $15 using fabric that I found at SR Harris and Butterick 5614, and I've worn the heck out of them all fall. I've also transitioned them into winter by wearing them with fishnet or swiss dot trouser socks as shown above. I still have to make these simple pants in a few more fabrics too!

Vogue 2899

Since my mom doesn't have a Facebook like the rest of the world (Love you Mom!), here is a photo of my new dress, Vogue 2899, worn to a wedding last weekend. The doubleknit fabric and self lining helped hide a multitude of sins, but I still wore Spanx too. I got so many compliments on this dress, it was very much worth the effort to put this together!

And here with Kim and Marcie in Rice Park:

Garment District Fabric Shopping

Last week, Andy and I went to New York for five days. It was Andy's first time in the city, and I was happy to play tour guide. We did everything touristy: Guggenheim, the Met, MoMa, Ellis Island, Chinatown, Times Square, Central Park, saw Newsies on Broadway, accidentally ran into Tina Fey filming 30 Rock, and last but CERTAINLY not least, shopped for fabric in the garment district.

Armed with a carefully edited shopping list and close to 10 pattern envelopes, we finally made it to 38th St on Wednesday morning, our last day. We had a great time, and here are my finds:

To make Vogue V8804:

I found the following items:

The wool tweed is officially the most expensive fabric I've ever purchased at $30/yd from Paron Fabrics. The 4-ply silk lining fabric is from Chic Fabric, and the trimmings (braid, grosgrain ribbon, chain and buttons) are from Pacific Trimming.

To make Vogue 8766 ( dress view E) and McCalls 6173:

I got these:

This picture is hard to see accurately, but the red lace is for the dress, to copy a Valentino that I saw at Nordstrom's Designer Preview event in June. The black (yes black, not navy) pleather is for leggings, they will have a ponte back, for a fraction of what the ones at work cost. Fabric is from A.K. Fabrics.

For Butterick 5780:

I found this:

Marine blue wool crepe from somewhere cramped, can't remember or find the receipt. Hopefully this works out since it doesn't stretch like the pattern recommends.

For Kwik Sew 3503:

I found these:

I've wanted the peacock print since April, and loved the multi brush print too. These and the power mesh for lining are from Spandex House. The rubber swim elastic is from Pacific Trimming.

I've wanted to make McCalls 5433 for awhile, but could never find eyelet that didn't look like it was meant for a nursery.

Then I found this:

All from H & M Fabrics, which is right next to Paron. We actually found these fabrics on our first day, and then I thought about them all week before going back to purchase. The eyelet is for the tunic, obviously. The brocade in the middle is sososo yummy and will make a gorgeous pencil skirt. The sequined sweater knit will make something, maybe a jacket? How could one find such beautiful fabric and not just take it home?

My most anticipated shopping place was Mood Fabrics, which is featured in Project Runway. At Mood I found the prices high, although the organization and staffing certainly justified it in comparison with other shops in the area. I found one fabric that I just couldn't not have (rhinestone print silk charmeuse), and a t-shirt. That awesome tote bag came with my purchase!

And that's it for my garment district finds. These should keep me busy for... awhile.

Simplicity 2154

Awhile back I sewed Simplicity 2154, which is the great vintage looking pattern for a skirt, bow top, cardigan and jacket. To start, I made the skirt. This was simple to cut out and sew up, and I love the result! This has been a great spring work staple and I can't wait to make another!

Simplicity 2184

I've had this skirt complete for about a week now, and I'm fairly pleased with the result. I wanted a bright colored maxi skirt for summer, and this jade green color just called to me!

I used Simplicity 2184, view C, because I like how full it is on the bottom without the shape of a full ballgown skirt. The elastic waist is easy and comfy, although now that it's complete, it's probably my least favorite feature.

This went together pretty easily, I read the directions and decided to do my own thing instead. Rather than connecting the top parts of the center front and the sides and then inserting the godets, I just started with the center front and added the godet, then the side piece. This was simple and turned out just fine. I also lengthened the skirt pieces by 5" each so that this skirt would hit the floor.

I'm playing with the idea of adding a sash or using a belt to cover the elastic waist. Thoughts or suggestions?

Simplicity 2053

Pattern Description: Misses' day to evening dresses in two lengths with bodice and sleeve variations sewing pattern

Pattern Sizing: 6-14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, but with no sleeves.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were great, the side pleating looks really weird even when you folllow the directions on the tissue. Looking at the directions helped especially with this step.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Classic, great dress for work.

Fabric Used: Project Runway cotton sateen from Joanns. This fabric is an awesome weight and feels nicer than other sateens that I've worked with. I lined the dress with non-stretch cotton because the sateen has some stretch to it.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I left off sleeves and bound the armholes with bias tape.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would possibly make this again because it's such a timeless shape. For now, on to other projects!

Conclusion:  I adore this dress, and I'm sure that I will get a lot of wear from it both at work and for social occasions.

Simplicity 2178

Tuesday night, I cut out Simplicity 2178 while watching TV. Wednesday night and Thursday morning I worked on it, and this afternoon, I finished it! This went together really easily, is this possibly a sign that I'm becoming a more skilled sewist? Is it because the cotton fabric was incredibly easy to work with? Either way, it was a dream to sew! If I make this again, I'll lengthen the skirt by a few inches, I would prefer the skirt end closer to my knee. Good thing this is a summer dress!

Spring Vogues!

This spring I haven't gone TOO crazy, but I did pick up a few patterns the other day during JoAnn's sale.

Vogue 1286. I'm really excited for this one, although the one dress alone has 21 PIECES to put together. Why, again, do I do this to myself?

McCalls 6281. Right away Andy told me, "That looks like a Sammi Sweetheart dress." Fail. I do NOT want to look like anyone from the Jersey Shore, so that is why I'm making the longer, grown up version. This will be for our tropical vacay this fall.

Vogue 1287. I have some leopard fabric that I'm dying to make this out of, but I'm 3/8 yard short. I haven't looked closely at the peices yet, so maybe I can make it stretch. Probably I need to find another fabric here.

Vogue 2899. This will be my new grown up cocktail dress. Also for our fall trip, and many weddings, and New Year's Eve, and holiday parties. I better find some quality fabric, I'd like to wear this dress to lots of occasions!

Vogue 8799. I love the skirt and the jacket for work. I just don't have any fabric in mind yet. I have to sew up a bunch of other things first!

Simplicity 2258

Yesterday afternoon I made Simplicity 2258, what a comfy and easy summer skirt! It took me just a few hours, and that included making and inserting my own lining. I think there will be more of these in my future!

The pockets are nice and big, and also loose enough to actually hold things without looking like I'm growing a goiter out of my pelvis. Yay!

I really love the bow belt that covers the front. It hides the elastic waist nicely, at least from the front!

I added 2 inches to the back half of the skirt and skirt lining (pats self on the back). Good move Martha, good move.

The best part is that this fabric was only $3/yard, so this skirt cost less than $6 to make. Definitely under $10 if you factor in the lining, thread, and elastic!

Shorts that FIT!

I have such a hard time finding walking shorts that fit but that don't "squeeze" the thighs. I used McCalls 6361, and I'm really satisfied with my result:

Black Friday!

I was so stressed about Black Friday that I could barely sleep last night! Instead I got up and cleaned my sewing room so that I could welcome all the beautiful new fabrics into a clean room! An outline of my day is over at Martha Saves, so I won't repeat it here. It was awesome! So worth my time, and only took 2 hours total to get everything I needed. Next year I'll be back for sure and probably get there about 15 minutes earlier! Here is my haul from JoAnns and Target combined.

Oscar de la Renta Suit Jacket - FINISHED!

Here is the suit jacket finished! The skirt is cut out, but I haven't sewn anything past the waist darts. Soon enough!

How to Sew From a Pattern

I've had a friend repeatedly ask: How do you SEW something? How do you even know what to do? As a result, here are some general steps that I follow, much abbreviated, for Kathy.

Step 1: Select your pattern and fabric.

Step 2: Pre-shrink your fabric. This means that you put it in your washing machine on the final "rinse" cycle, so you get it wet and then also rung out. Then dry it in the dryer. Unless it's formalwear fabric, silk, or some other dryclean only creation. This dress is cotton, so we'll proceed. This step will make my garment washable, so it won't shrink wierdly after it is assembled.

Step 3: While your fabric is pre-shrinking, determine which pattern pieces you'll need, and cut them from the pattern tissue. Take note of how many you'll need of each piece.

Step 4: Lay out your dry fabric, and figure out the best way to lay out the pattern pieces. This may or may not be the way the pattern directions tell you to do it. I usually review their suggestion and then do my own thing. Now that you're sure you'll have enough fabric to cut out all of your pieces, just cut them out, following the shape of the pattern.

Step 5: Read the directions start to finish. Go over each pattern piece and mark them as noted. In this project I'm using hot pink thread to mark my pattern, since it contrasts well with turquoise and is easy to find. Then go back to step one of the directions and begin sewing. As you go, be sure to iron every seam so that your finished garment looks crisp and tidy.

Step 6: Continue sewing as the directions state, or sometimes I decide that I know a better way and use that instead. Make sure to use enough pins so your fabric doesn't slide as it enters the machine. A person should really remove their pins as they sew, I'm bad about this. Once you've sewn a seam, press it. Periodically, try your garment on your mannequin (and yourself) so that you can ensure that each side is even and that everything is fitting correctly. I ended up taking this bodice apart and taking the sides in so that it fit better. It's easier to fix while you go along than when you're finished.

Step 7: Continue all steps until the garment is finished. Try it on to make sure it zips!