K.I.S.S. - the reveal

Well, all the sewing is complete on my wardrobe and I am absolutely thrilled! I have already worn the patterned skirt and white top to work and received many compliments - the skirt is rather swishy and that was apparently very attractive!

Some of the photos are rather poor - I am usually photographing hand-knitted socks and shawls and I have not yet worked out my 'pose' yet.  Hubby did a good job though, but next time I will be working him harder!!

So, here we go - 

View 1 - skirt 1, top 1, jacket.  As you can see I am perfecting the 'one legged model' look!

View 2 - skirt 1, top 1.  I have had to take in the hip-band on the top as it is rather wide and it kept falling down my skirt.  It fits well now!

View 3 - skirt 1, top 2.  Hmm.  I can now see what my yoga teacher keeps telling me off about - relax those shoulders!!

View 4 - skirt 1, top 2, jacket.  I've seen the' hands on hips pose' work very well for other bloggers!!

View 5 - skirt 2, top 2.  Here I am all in black - none of the 'front' photos look very good, so here is the back.  It was interesting to see that the black really drains the color from me - it is funny what you see in photos of yourself that you do not see in the mirror.  I absolutely love the sleeves on this top - all loose and 'dolmany' in the arm then nice and snug in the wrist.  I will probably have to reduce the size of the hip-band on this top as well . . . !

View 6 - skirt 2, top 2, jacket - posing for all I'm worth!!

View 7 - skirt 1, top 2.  I think that the white top is more flattering color-wise.  Working those shades!!

View 8 - skirt 2, top1, jacket.  And the last 'look'  Eight in total - who's a thought it?!

Just one more (view 8 again) this just shows that all those hours watching 'America's Next Top Model' are clearly paying off!!

And here is my composite photo:

So, what do you think??

K.I.S.S. - part 4

My visitors have now returned back home - and as lovely as it was to have them, it has been great to get back to my sewing!  I had my Pfaff serviced and it runs like a dream now.  I had forgotten how quiet and smooth it ran.  Lovely, lovely!

My black skirt was a doddle - other than the fact that it is somewhat shorter as I did not measure the fabric beforehand, but hey - it all worked out!  The skirt is lined with a fabulous patterned silky polyester fabric and has a deep lace border.

It is pretty hard to photograph black (as you know), but I hope that you get the gist!!

The jacket (in my opinion) is great.  It is fully lined and feels very luxe!  I used plain white lining for the sleeves as they will not be on view, but matched up the lining for the rest of the jacket with the fashion fabri.c  It glides on and off like a favorite robe - in fact the pattern is not too dissimilar!

Here is the centre back seam with the pleat sewn down for a few inches for ease.

I hand stitched the band by hand - I absolutely love hand sewing and this was a dream to sew!

I feel kinda good using the white lining for the sleeves - it was a short leftover length of fabric that would not have been good for much else . . .

But it looks good!  The lining is a little loose to allow for movement.

So there you have it - I am going to work on the actual pattern reviews as well as completing the composite photos to show all the garments.  No rest for the wicked . . . . !

K.I.S.S. - part 3

The white top story . . .

I am really pleased with how my black top has turned out for my SWAP, but I know that I can improve upon it.  And as I do not have enough of my white jersey, I have had to do some serious thinking and this is what I came up with:

This is the original Kwik Sew pattern - long sleeved version:

photo from www.simplicity.com

And this is a less 'fabric hungry' top that caught my attention (the pink version).  The reason I like these two tops are that they have hop bands.  As I am essentially a 'V' shape - wider shoulders than hips, I find that tops that fit my shoulders, bust etc are swimming with fabric around my hips, these band help pull the fabric in and give me some definition.  And being plus-sized, I need all the definition I can get!!

 photo from www.simplicity.com

As the neckline on the Kwik Sew pattern had such a fantastic neckline and width, I kept that, but used the sleeves, length, and band off the Simplicity pattern.  Oh, how I love it!  I had 1.5yds of 60" fabric, I had to put in a centre back seam to be able to fit all the pattern pieces on, but it worked.  I could had still decreased a couple of inches more from the hip band, but I have a feeling that this may end up being my 'go to' top.  It is perfect for work, will work with skirts and trousers and will be comfy under jackets.

Here is a sneak peak of the neckline with the centre back seam:

Here you can see the sleeve and hip band.  I serged the sleeve edges then used Stitch Witchery to hold up the hems.  I love the professional finish that it gives - no puckering or risk of wobbly stitching.  I am happy to continue this way until Santa buys me a cover-stitch machine!!

 

And that is where I am right now.  Three pieces completed, as well as working on my black skirt and camel colored jacket.  I cannot believe how well this is going so far, but as I have visitors from the UK arriving this weekend, for the next 10 days so I am glad that I have a 'jump' on my collection!

Inspiration

Every now and then I go through a bit of a drought.  I think that the problem is that I love too many crafts.  And I can get a bit obsessive.  I love knitting socks - they are quick (ish), easy and transportable.  They one take about 100gms (or one skein), can be knit up on a circular needle and fit in a ziplock bag I am going to rectify that last comment in the near future and turn some of my fabric into chic knitting bags - watch this space!

I have recently moved into shawls and knit these two:

Grains of Salt

Magarathea

And with the yarn I bought in Tofino, I predict a lot more in the future!

But this is only one hobby - I also enjoy beading, cardmaking, cross-stitch, sewing - you get the picture.  So, I think that I may have to close down one of these hobbies.  At least for the time being.  This will give me more space in my craft room, removing clutter from both the room and my head.  I have been obsessively following the blogs of Male Pattern Boldness, the Diary of a Sewing Fanatic and Frocks and Frou Frou.  The first two are written by two of the most talented sewers I have 'read', and the last two by fashionistas.  And boy are they inspiring.  The two ladies would fit into plus sized styling and are pure inspirations - I would encourage all fashion conscious, vintage inspired, sewing/non-sewing personages to check out their blogs.

So, cardmaking - I am afraid that you will be boxed up and put into the garage for a while while I concentrate on some dressmaking.  I am very excited having recently cataloged my patterns and fabric using a very nifty application on my iPad (hey, I mentioned that I was obsessive).  So this weekend I plan to get my craft room in shape and start planning my new wardrobe!

Just to finish off, I picked our two greyhounds up from the kennels where they had been holidaying whilst we were in BC, and this cartoon sprang to mind . . . . .