Wardrobe Planning - week 2

Thank-you so much for your comments about my first week of wardrobe planning - I have to say that I recommend it to you all . . . wardrobe planning that is!  I found that my mornings ran a lot more smoothly and that I had a everything that I needed.  So here I am again this week, with my next selection.  I am also showing that jewelry that I have selected as I am trying to use more variety there as well.  So here we go - week two (which is a four day week due to Easter Monday) including the accompanying bling!!

White, cotton Sorbetto top - the fabric is the leftover from one of the dresses that I made for Miss Sharon.  The gored skirt is lined. and black with tiny white dots and the cardi is my purple rayon Burda.  It is going to be warm tomorrow so I will start my week here.

My bling consists of amethyst earrings from a little country shop that I try and call in on when I visit Red Deer each month.  The earrings are made locally and I met the designer when I was in there last.  I always feel good buying locally made goods - especially when I have also met the artisan, it makes them more special.  The net bracelet is one I made many moons ago - I wish I could find the pattern as I have some more beads shouting to be made into jewelry!  These seeds beads have a purple/green iridescence and match the earrings better than this photo gives credit!

Yep, another Sorbetto - this is a natural colored linen and I will wear it with these grey pants and brick cardi.  I like to wear scarves - I tend to wear them rather than necklaces, and this one with the fringe works well.

The bling will be kept simple - Swarovski crystal earrings and a braclet that I made with a kit from my local bead shop.  The bracelet was supposed to be elasticated - but I think that looks rather cheap on me.  Instead, I used beading wire and added a simple clasp and I am very pleased with the look.

You may need to take a seat here as my top is a RTW stretch cotton poplin that is probably a couple of years old now.  I will wear it with the blue franken cardi and my lined houndstooth pants - we are expecting quite a bit of rain this week and a drop in temperatures, so I think that this will work well.

My earrings are from the same Red Deer shop as the purple amethyst earrings above, and the bracelet is one of my Mum's that I came across after unpacking some boxes that have been sealed up since she passed away in 2009.  I don't think that she ever got to wear this, so I am happy to be able to get some use out of it - it is surprising light and dainty.  The earrings are some kind of blue ceramic/glaze and I love wearing them!

And finally;

One more skirt combo to see me through the week - I made the lining a little long and the lace edging peeks out at the bottom - I was going to alter it, but I rather like the look!  I will wear it with a natural colored linen shirt and a pink cardi.  My scarf has some lovely splashes of turquoise in it - hence my earring selection!

Sadly, these are not real turquoise, I can't remember what the stones are, but they are frequently dyed to look like turquoise - and that works for me!  Worn with a simple silver bracelet - that will see me through the week.  This selection has made me realise that I need to make some more tops out of stretch cotton poplin (I have one or two Sorbetto's, but a shirt or two would not go amiss) and I should really get round to sewing up the two black cardis that I have cut out.

Phew - it takes me longer to write the post than it does to make my outfit selections!!

Skirt Snippets

I have been really busy sewing (5 skirts, 6 pillowcases and 2 cardigans) but have not had chance to model as yet - blame it on busy weekends, lack of natural light etc., so I have resorted to taking photos of details - mostly for me as a reminder of what I sewed, when, and what finishes I used - but also to keep you up to date!

So, first off are the skirts based on Butterick 4877.  I have found that I do not need any front darts on fitted skirts, but that 4 darts (two either side of the centre back seam) at the back as well as wide side seams that can be adjusted as required, makes a very good skirt for me.  So that is what I have done!

I made one in brown cotton corduroy (Fabricland Sale 2012, $6/m) that has a bit of stretch to it.  Actually, I have to confess, this was cut out ages ago, and I found the pieces whilst looking for some lining . . . . so I finished it off!  Gotta love UFO's that you have totally forgotten about (and then found) that fit into your current sewing blitz!

I trimmed the waistband with some cheery red rayon tape.  The hand sewn hem was trimmed with brown nylon lace and the rayon (Bemberg Ambience) lining was trimmed with black lace.  It looks a little chaotic here, but it really does work well.  And it fits a dream!  A great addition to my Birch Tree Collection.

Next is another cord skirt (I love me some corduroy!!)  This is a really thin wale, also with stretch, bought last Christmas from fabric.com to make a winter skirt with.  I's only taken me a year to do it!!

I used a pretty quilting cotton offcut to trim the waistband, cheap nylon lining (couldn't find any suitable rayon lining), and white lace to finish it off.  This fabric was featured in my Birch Tree Collection.

I then made a skirt from some gorgeous rayon/poly blend from Fabricland.  Other than the fact that it unravels like nobodies business, it is perfect in every other way - washes well, hangs beautifully - great drape and weight.  Lovely, lovely fabric, and another that was 70% off.  Wish I had bought more.

Same finishes as before, including an invisible zip.  I lurve invisible zips!!

The inspiration for the next skirt was a blog post by Funnygrrl and it uses Butterick 5687 - a 'wardrobe' pattern that includes a straight skirt with ruffles on the back.  As I do not have a mind of my own - OK, because her skirt was sooo lovely, I totally copied the color as well, using a great red crepe that has a wonderful drape.

And guess what - I learned to use the rolled hem feature on my serger and it is FABULOUS - how did I manage without it?  Feeling pretty good with myself, I even sewed the hem of the skirt with my double needle - pretty fancy smancy right???  This is such a great pattern - I used my Butterick 4877 sandwiched with this pattern, and it worked out perfectly.  I will do a proper PatternReview on this at some time on the future, as I love how it turned out.  I was able to use the back pieces of '4877 to make the lining (Ambience again) and it looks/works great.  The skirt feels lovely on - and it makes me feel very sassy!!!

Finally, I got around to making a quick and easy skirt with some ruffle fabric that I bought from Vogue about a year ago.  The fabric itself dictates that hand sewing really does not look good, so I interfaced the pieces with a tricot knit.  I serged the tricot to the fashion fabric and treated it as one.  This skirt has an elasticated waistband, but in actual fact there is very little gathering due to the stretch.  To finish off the hem I sewed some nylon 'petersham' type tape to the bottom of the skirt, then hand sewed it to the tricot lining.  The tape gives the hem a really good, stable edge that hangs well.   I love this skirt - it is soooo cute!

Phew, there are lots of photos here, so I think I will write up a separate post for the pillowcases and cardigans that I have made - hopefully with some 'action' shots!  I am hoping to get a new camera pretty soon that I can operate via my iPhone, so I can then take pics with my tripod and not be so reliant on photographers!

All-in-all it has been a pretty productive week, and yet again  have been 'production' sewing (after all, if you can make one item, why not make four?!) and this works really well for me.

I have to ask - what technique does your serger or sewing machine perform that has been quite revolutionary for you?

24 Hours Earlier

Have you noticed the proliferation in TV shows (Criminal Minds, CSI, NCIS etc) where the opening scene is one of shock/horror/devastation, often with one of the main characters apparently dead/seriously injured.  Then cut to the next scene, and a comment on screen saying something like '6 hours earlier' and you know that the show is now going to tell you what happened, leading up to the events in the opening scene.  Well, whilst this drives Mr. SDSC nuts, I find it quite funny, and found myself in that position earlier this week.  It is more of a headslap than an OMG scene, but nonetheless . . . . .

Opening Scene:

I have been busy working on a fitted skirt, using a pattern I first used here.  I'm not sure what pattern it came from, but it had four darts in the front (two per side) and four in the back (again, two per side).  It is a straightforward pattern, centre back seam with an invisible zip.  The fabric is a houndstooth that I bought from Fabricland and it had been reduced by 70%.  Whoop, whoop!!!

I was really pleased with the waistband finish - I used a 3" strip of fabric and applied it like bias binding along the top of the waist, handsewing the inside as I love hand sewing, and forming a small tab at one end for a button.  I intended to make the tab a bit longer, but got a bit scissor happy and cut it rather short!!

I thought long and hard about how to close the waistband - hooks and eyes, trouser closure, button etc?  I was concerned that any closure would pull on the fabric, and I did not use interfacing/grosgrain on the waistband, so that was another consideration.  I considered using a button and buttonhole, but really was not inspired about that - and then I remembered a tip that I had read somewhere (if you are reading this, please let me know so that I can give you credit!!  Edit - here is the link!) and I dug out one of those elastic thingys used for pony tails.  As you can see - I would not have use for them (hey, I like my short hair!), but I had read about using them as closures on small clutch handbags.  And what is good for a bag is good for a waistband!  And of course it gives you a little 'give' that is most welcome!  The button I found in my collection, and although it is plastic, it is rather fun.  I also added a plain button for the inside, just for a bit more strength. 

So what does it look like?

I am wearing a RTW cardi and t-shirt.  Incidentally, I have a 'spot' somewhere on my camera (I have cleaned the lens but I just can't get rid of the mark) and you can see it on the photos, the one above, it is slightly up and left of centre.  Grrr!

I love this skirt - it took less than 1 metre, and is the type that my Mum used to make all the time.  I have about 10 lengths of tartan that she never had a chance to use - so I will be making some more of these!  I made this shorter than the previous one, and did not add a vent.  Although it is not really needed to walk, I think that is why I have wrinkling near the bottom of the centre back seam - I have worn this to work once this week, so this is how it looked at the end of the day!  I will add a vent or a godet next time round.

I had to take out two of the darts in the front, as my waist:hip ratio is pretty close to 1:1, as well as generous 1" side seams to get this fit which I am rather please with.

I really like the look with a white top and cardi, and have some cotton jersey to make my own so I do not need RTW.  Watch this space!

24 hours earlier:

I love catching up on blogs, sitting down and reading a few days worth of sewing, sewing, sewing.  Love it!  Sometimes I am inspired, sometimes I learn something, and sometimes I read a blog, like this entry by Goodbye Valentine about autumnal fabric such as houndstooth . . . 'This time each year I get the craving for a houndstooth something. I’ve bought it all throughout the years, but never tire of the crisp design' . . . . . and think 'Ha!', I would never go out and buy houndstooth fabric when I already have some in the stash waiting to be made up . . . . . .

Screen fades to the writer, standing in Fabricland making her subconscious purchase and producing the skirt above . . . . . the End.

o-O-o

Sheesh, who would have thought that I have other bloggers inside my head!  Thank-you Sarah for the great post, that I read and consequently forgot, until I finished the skirt!!!

New Skirts and Fitting Issues

I love skirts.  There.  I said it!  I could make skirts all day long and I have just completed another three - two have made it for this quick shoot.

The first up is a straight skirt that is slightly pegged at the hem (Simplicity 7623).  Rather than put a vent in the back, I extended the bottom hem and centre back seam (similar to a godet) which gives me the circumference I need for walking ease.  Oh, and it is flippy - and I love flippy hems!  The waistband is elasticated, the skirt is lined and has a lace trim to the hem.  The fabric is a super drapey crepe and is matt, no shine at all, and will see lots of wear!

Next up is a fitted tartan skirt made from a length of Royal Stewart (I think) wool/poly fabric that I have had for a gazillion years.  I put in an invisible zip - in red, call me a rebel - and the skirt is lined with a lace hem.  I sewed the lining down along the vent so that it does not show through.

I matched up the checks up horizontally, and should have paid a little more attention to the vertical as well.  Ho hum.  Next time!  I wore this to work last week and received lots of lovely compliments.  Very nice indeed!

And so on to fitting.  Following on from yesterdays post about a muslin that I had sewn up that I thought did not look flattering, I received an offer of posting the photos so that suggestions could be made by the lovely Carolyn to improve the fit.  Well, who am I to turn down that kind of offer?  So here we are.

The pattern has already been adjusted to account for an FBA as well as a sway back.  From the underarm to the hem, there is no shaping - just a straight seam.

This side view (above) shows that my body does not actually go 'in' much more than the outline of the muslin.

I also thought that I would show you how much fabric that there is to 'pinch'.  Er, not very much!!!  And when I sat down, I kind of filled out the rest of the fabric . . . . just keeping it real!!

And finally - this is how a finished version could look with a cute RTW cashmere cardigan, which frankly, isn't bad!  The length, I would probably shorten it somewhat and I did not put a zip in this version as I can just about slip it over my head.  'Real' versions would certainly have an invisible zip!

Well, I would appreciate any comments - I think that the front view bothers me most.  And thanks, in anticipation!

Cabbages

So, I saw this lovely fabric and bought a couple of yards to make another gorgeous blue cotton fabric skirt.  But first - take a look at the pattern piece.  Yep, all the markings are there, but no pattern lines . . . . . . . Doh!

And this fabulous fabric . . . . reminds my hubby of cabbages, so this is now my cabbage skirt sigh

Here I am on the deck, posing madly - had to chop my head off as it was out of focus.  Apparently posing needs to be done mostly stationary . . . .

But I soon got into the swing of things!

And if the pattern works for one skirt, why not make another.  Well thank-you.  Don't mind if I do.

And continue posing for all that you are worth!

I do love this fabric, it reminds me of a watercolor painting.

So, what is the skinny on the skirt?  I used Simplicity 4233, and changed the yoke from being a fitted one to being a straightforward rectangle that was elasticated at the top.  I measured the bottom of the curve, laid it out on a straight line and then added the depth.  I did make up a 'down and dirty' muslin of the yoke, both the shaped version and my new one.  Although they both fitted well, I went for the lazy version :o) 

My only other change was to incorporate my 'usual' finishes.  I lined the skirt with cotton broadcloth (a very fine version) in white, and trimmed the lining/underskirt with a narrow lace.  After sewing the pieces together to make two skirts, I joined them together at the waist, pressed and folded wrong sides together and sewed the casing for the elastic.  Oh, I entered another inch to the hem, and I think that this may be my perfect length.

I found this to be a cute, quick and easy pattern that will become a favorite.  Great for beginners, and also for more experienced seamstresses who would like to run up a skirt without having to invest too much time.  Next time I will baste the pleats along the fold lines where they join, sew on the yoke and then pull out the basting stitches.  The reason for this is that my pleats don't exactly meet at the yoke, despite basting them horizontally :o(

I am also rather please with my 'cardigan'.  I went hunting for an appropriately colored one in the Bay at lunchtime earlier in the week.  I could not find one, but saw this t-shirt in the perfect color.  I decided to take a chance (it was reduced from a ridiculously high amount to $16.99 with another 30% off!) and home it came with me.  A quick slash down the front and some Stitch Witchery later . . . ta-da!

I may have to sew the front seam at a later date, but it certainly worked for work today.  I received more compliments than I have in a long time, so I am rather pleased.