Ikat Winter Collection - the reveal!

I am happy to say that I have now completed my 6PAC Winter Collection for the Stitchers Guild sew-a-long - and here is the proof!  Just a quick warning before you start - this is a monster post . . . !

I made two skirts - a straight one and a 4-gored one, two tops - one with a polo neck, one with a round neck and two cardigan/jackets.  So without further ado. . . I give you my

Ikat Winter Collection:

The first two items are a top and skirt that make a two piece dress.  The top is my franken Kwik Sew 3752 and the skirt is from Simplicity 4221.  The fabric is an Ikat Hiatchi Sweater Print from Fabric.com.  The skirt is lined with black Bemberg and has a lace border.  I blogged about these two items here.
 

The next item, which I actually completed last of all is a jacket cardigan from McCalls 4466.  I changed the neckline from being a round neck to a more 'V' line as this is a casual cardigan.  The fabric is an orange ponte knit from Fabricland and I LOVE the fabric.  The cardigan had been tissue fitted during my fitting class.  There are some changes that I could have made - I have a feeling that I messed up the centre front and have more fabric in the front that I should have. Ho hum - I can fix that next time!  I am happy with how the back fits, and if I had stood up straight during the photo session you would have been able to see how it fits my round upper shoulder and swayback.  A nice casual (and yet fitted) cardigan!  It picks out the orange in the dress very well.

A little peek inside - I did not touch my serger with this!  All the seams were sewn then the edges zigzagged and pressed open.  The shoulder and centre back seams were also top-stitched open.  I hand-stitched down the seams of the sleeve near the cuffs so that they looked more professional.  It took a lot longer to sew, but I really liked the process here.

Ah yes.  My black corduroy skirt.  This is the second one that I made.  The first was blogged about here, but I really did not like how it looked so I made another!  (I will do something with the first one to make it wearable - probably by cutting off about 10" in length!)

This straight skirt is from Butterick 4877 and I first blogged about the pattern here.  This time I just lengthened the yoke to make a straight skirt, pegging the hem 1" on the side seams.  I inserted an invisible zip - I really have not master a lapped zip, and have managed without one so far!  The skirt is, of course, lined and I have to say that I feel great in it.  I love the silhouette and have cut out another two - one in brown jumbo corduroy and one in a tartan fabric (or it may be plaid - I will need to see if I can ID it!)

 

This top (same Kwik Sew pattern as above) feels great - it is a cotton/lycra mix and I really should have ironed it again before putting it on . . . . !  With the black skirt it looks OK - I probably would not wear it just like this, but with a cute scarf I think the outfit would really pop!  The only difference between this top one and the orange patterned one above is that I put a nice long polo neck to keep me snuggly warm!

Another headless shot - this means that I was pulling a face or it is out of focus!

This cardigan is my final piece, and I originally blogged about it here.  This cardigan is part of a two piece and is a Linda MacPhee pattern.  I thought that two layers of animal print was a little too much and made the plain brown top instead.

Yep, you are right - I need to adjust the lining of the black skirt as it is pulling slightly on the vent on the back of the skirt.

Here we have the brown top and orange Ikat skirt.  I really like this look as well . . .

And to finish it off - with the orange cardigan.  I think this color rather suits me and I shall have to get some more!

Here we have the begining of . . . .

Jazz hands.  Well, sort off!  It looks more like I am pushing the photographer (my father) away!  Sorry Dad - you did a grand job!

There are 9 looks here out of my 6 pieces and I already have the top that matches the brown cardigan for a couple more looks.  I am really happy with these garments - I think that I have moved on quite a lot from my K.I.S.S collection.  This is mostly down to feedback from yourselves and I really appreciate comments - so thank you!

I learned quite a few things during this collection, a lot of it from studying these photos.  I can't believe the difference between looking at photos and looking at myself in the mirror! 

1. Shorter skirts are OK
2. Longer gored skirts need to be made in very drapey fabrics
3. A shorter jacket/cardigan would probably look good too - worth trying that next time
4. I love a fitted skirt.  Elastic waistbands are great, but I really like the fitted one on the black skirt
5.  I love, love, love hand sewing.  There was not much in this - the cuffs on the orange cardigan and the lining of the black skirt, but I do like slowing down the pace and hand sewing.
6. Not everything needs to be serged!  I plan to use more couture techniques in future garments - where appropriate of course, such as french seams, Hong-Kong finishes, interlining etc. instead of whipping everything through the serger!
7. Yes, you are right.  Despite avidly watching America's Next Top Model, my posing is pretty poor - but there is a new season starting soon so I will see what I can do!!


I also think that my fitting class has helped a lot - I can't believe how fitted the orange cardigan is and how good it feels.  There will be many more of these garments - taking into account the alterations mentioned above.  I can't wait to start!

To finish off, here is my compilation photo:

PS - If you would like to see more photos, they are on Flickr, just make sure you are sitting comfortably as there are LOADS!  Apparently there is a monthly upload limit, and I exceeded it with this batch.  So soon in the month as well!

Taking Care of Business

I am happy to say that I am busy making the most of a few days off work.  I having been planning, cutting out, and am about to put needle to fabric - that is for tomorrow!  I needed to make one more item for my Ikat Winter Collection (previously mentioned here and here) that is part of the Winter 6PAC on Stitchers Guild.  Today I cut out a cardigan using the pattern that I fitted in my pattern fitting class.  It is from McCalls 4466.  I have made a couple of changes to the pattern - changed the neckline to a slight 'V' shape and I will add a band to make it more 'cardigan' like.  The fabric is a lovely Ponte knit in a burnt orange that I bought from Fabricland.  The fabric is a poly/rayon mix and is incredibly soft.

I have also been making plans for the 2013 SWAP on Stitchers Guild.  The rules are that one is 'to make two 4 or 5 piece collections, with a single other garment that can be worn with both capsules. 

Each collection is either 3 tops and two bottoms, or 2 tops, 1 bottom, and 1 dress, which all form a cohesive group.  The 11th garment should be a jacket or other piece that coordinates with both collections, both in style and color.

These collections can be for different occasions, or in different colorways, or simply reflect two very different styles or images. 

There will be no requirement this year to use a particular fabric or pattern choice, no fussy print matching or need to master any new skill. 

Sewing will begin December 26th, and all garments must be finished by April 30th, 2013.'

The main colors that I am playing with are brown, grey, mustard, red and cream.  Interesting eh?!  For each of the two collections I am planning a 2 core two-pieces (skirt & top or trousers & top) with a co-ordinating cardigan/jacket and another jacket that would work with each mini collection.  So, in total there will be 4 bottoms (skirts/trousers), 4 tops (short sleeved polo necks/shells) and three cardigans/jackets.  I will be using some new patterns - making shorter skirts and attempting to fit trousers, my shell tops will probably be based upon Sorbetto by Collette Patterns, and I am looking forward to trying Vogue 8146 or McCalls 5763 for the final jacket.

This is the first collection of fabrics and from the left I pan to make a 2 piece dress with the grey Aztec print (Christmas pressie fabric!), a solid grey skirt with a fitted yoke and circular flounce, a Sorbetto top with the grey floral and a jacket with the mustard solid (which really needs a good press!):

And here is the fabric for the second collection.  From the left is a brown jersey to make a top.  I also have some poly/rayon jersey in the same color so will make at least one more top and maybe a jersey wrap skirt, (I've just realized that I have missed a patterned brown fabric for another potential Sorbetto.  Oops.  I guess that will just have to stay as a surprise!), some brown corduroy for (hopefully) a pair of trousers, and an cream textured fabric for a cardigan/unstructured jacket.

And here is the collection (less the above mentioned brown patterned fabric!) with some red Ponte knit (a super soft poly/rayon mix) that will be used for another cardigan/unstructured jacket that will work across the whole collection.

As these items are all for work, I am calling this collection 'Taking Care of Business'.

So, having introduced you to my plans, I reserve the right to make changes as and when (well, I did stop off at Fabricland today and they had some FAB-U-LOUS poly/rayon stripey sweater prints and a few metres may have fallen into my basket!)

What about you?  Are you taking part in the 2013 SWAP or do you have another lists that you are working from?

Ikat Winter Collection - Orange Ikat Update

I am loving the Hiatchi sweater jersey from Fabric.com.  It is very reasonable priced (even after the Canada mailing uplift) and it sews up easily - I am not too sure how it will wear, but it appears to wash well.  Hopefully it won't pill . . . . .

For the next two garments in the Winter 6PAC contest on Stitchers Guild, I made a two piece dress using my trusty Kwik Sew 3752 and Simplicity 4221.  You wouldn't believe that I had over 500 sewing patterns in my collection would you!!!

So, without further ado - this is how they look:

I have found that the neckline on this top is rather large, so on this top and the brown one I moved the neckline in about 1" and shortened the neckband.  It looks and feels much better!

And you know what, ! am really pleased with them!  I think that the skirt length suits with this drapey fabric - more so than the black corduroy one here.  The fabric is very cheery and the jersey is soooo soft against the skin.  I lined the skirt with black bemberg lining that has no stretch (with black lace hemline trim) - I am hoping that will help prevent the 'bagging' that you can get from jersey skirts and the fabric does have 5% lycra as well - but time will tell! 

The skirt also looks good with my plain black slinky top.

And finally - thank-you hubby for taking the photos!!

I almost forgot to mention - if you were wondering about the headless shots, well those are the ones where my face was out of focus/there were too many double chins/too much background/etc, etc :o)

Ikat Winter Collection - Brown Twinset Update

Well, I have been a very busy seamstress and have made a number of lovely items for my entry into the Stitcher's Guild Winter 6PAC, or Ikat Winter Collection as I prefer to call it!

I have made 5 pieces so far - a black corduroy skirt, a brown, animal print, jersey twinset and an orange Ikat 2-piece dress.    Here are the first three garments - are you sitting comfortably?  If so, here is the fashion show (hey, I watch America's Next Top Model, I know how to pose . . . . )

The black skirt is made out of a fine wale corduroy (from my collection and it is ages old)) is is from Simplicity 4221, a 4-gore skirt   I lined it with black bemberg lining (from Fabric.com) and trimmed the hem with black lace.  

Check out the round shoulders.  My father would be appalled at my posture - sorry Dad!

For the twinset I used Hiatchi sweater jersey from Fabric.com.  The cardigan is a Linda McPhee pattern that has just three pattern pieces - the sleeves, the front bands and and 'all in one piece' that makes up the fronts and back.  The top is my adjusted Kwik Sew 3752.  I am not sure if I like this as a twinset - it seems very busy.  

Now this I think, looks much better.  I like the patterned top and the plain skirt.  I am a little bothered by the gathers in the front of the skirt - too big, or the wrong fabric?

  I think the back of the skirt fits great - no gathers.  Maybe a tad long though?

Now this is interesting.  This is another Kwik Sew 3752 that I made out of black slinky fabric (from Linda McPhee) and I think that the black 'column' with the patterned cardigan looks much better.  So, perhaps I will institute a new rule - only one animal print garment per outfit?!

So, what did I learn from this little photo shoot?  Well, it appears that my favourite skirts are rather too long.  This black one is about 35" long, but I think that I prefer length of my red and grey flirty skirts.  I have enough of the black corduroy to make a shorter straight skirt, so I will try that out with these tops and see if it is a better match.  And I think a smaller size is in order to get rid of the gathers in the front.

Secondly, I really do need to put a seam in the back of my cardigan's.  Other posters are quite correct when they say that the expanse of fabric is not very flattering.  I also need to make an adjustment for my upper back - something that I learned from my 'Fit for Real People' sewing class I attended this weekend (more of that in another post later this week).

And finally - when did I go so grey?  Like really?  I have a couple of years before hitting 50 and I think that from the back I look much older.  Sigh . . . .   My hairdresser says that it is a lovely color (I think she is just being polite), but all I can see is grey.  As I am not going to dye it (can you imagine the time that it would take and as soon as the roots start growing back I would need to dye it again) as that would eat into my sewing time - so I am just going to embrace it.  But what style to have?  I usually have very short, almost spiky hair but had thought about a Louise Brooks short bob . . .

But I wonder if would just look like a metal helmet on me.  Hmmmm.  I need to think on this.  

Winter 6PAC

Stitchers Guild is running a Winter 6PAC sew-a-long - and I'm in!  I guess that first of all I ought to mention that my Singer Collection is on hold - but only because I am going to take some fitting classes over the last two weekends in November, and I am not wanting to sew any fitted garments until then . . . . so in the meantime I need to make some clothes to fill the holes, no - not holes but CRATERS in my wardrobe (don't tell hubby, he would never believe you!)

Soooooo, I have a few TNT patterns (4 gored shirt, pullover top, cardigan) and a 6PAC would be perfect.  But wait - what is a 6PAC you may ask?  Well, it started some time ago and stood for 6 Piece Autumn Collection.  The name PAC took on a life of its own, and now PAC stands for Pieces of Amazing Clothing.  Cute huh?!  The guidelines are:

You are sewing 6 garments that work together and fit your life and your climate.  You are picking pieces that can become workhorses for you, in your life. Obviously if you are a Massage Therapist in a seaside resort your selections will be very different from a NYC Corporate Attorney. Just choose garments, patterns and fabrics that are worth your time and talent- things that will last, if you want them to. That way you really get a big reward from this type of sewing.

You might not need a coat. If it's Summer coming on in your area, sew for Summer. Depending on how extensive your wearable wardrobe is, you might go for another bottom piece and drop one of the layering pieces. If 6 is too much, make an outfit, say pants, top, and a nice vest or jacket. If time allows, make a 2nd 2 piece outfit and see if you can't just get them to work together.

Fabulous!  I am starting with a good old black skirt - I was half dressed this morning and found that I did not have a longish black skirt (plain, not heathered/striped/anything else, just solid black) to wear.  Sacre bleu - how can this be?  As I have said before, I would love to be in the situation where on a Sunday night I prep a full week of clothes with accessories and footwear - but if I don't have a black skirt, things will be rather tricky!  I found some soft narrow-wale black corduroy in my stash and lined with black Bemberg lining, this will be garment 1.

I am also terribly short on tops, so I will be using this fabric to make a twinset comprising of a pullover top and cardigan - garments 2 and 3:

This is a lovely soft sweater knit (as are the next two fabrics) from Fabric.com.

I am then going to make a two piece dress with this cheery Ikat print for garments 4 and 5:

Fortunately I have some solid orange in my stash that matches the the Ikat print, and I think I will make a funky (for me) jacket - three quarter sleeves, scooped neck, maybe Simplicity 2977, 2662 or New Look 6788.  I will have some time to think about that!

I will start cutting out tomorrow, and should have the black skirt, twinset and 2-piece dress completed this weekend - it is a long weekend and I have also booked off Tuesday.  Wow - I will have some choices for work next week!

 These items will be called the Ikat Winter Collection and I am excited to get going . . . . .

I will also be working on my re-construction grey cords-to-a-skirt - I have unpicked the seams, I just need to start cutting!

And finally . . . . . I have made up this (realistic!!) purple cheetah fabric (more sweater knit from Fabric.com) into a pullover top and cardigan twinset.  They will work well with my Ikat Winter black skirt, and I hope to get some photos this weekend.  With the nights drawing in, it is dark when I get home and there is no light for pics.
  

Well, that's me sorted for this weekend - and I hear that it is going to snow, so I am alright (Jack!!)