It's a Sewing Life: Gorgeous Fabrics

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

I Didn't Forget How to Sew! Just Look!

It's just like riding a bike, right? I've gone many more weeks, months and, yes, even years between sewing projects, but I was just feeling a little disoriented, and right in the middle of a project! I don't think I even told you what I was making, so let's start there.

Simplicity 4530 at Down the Street

A fabulous pattern from 1953, that is indeed for sale in my shop (click on the caption to go see the details). You don't think I can amass all these amazing vintage patterns without making up a few of them, do you? Often they sell before I get my chance, but I trace my real favs for that eventuality. This one is still available! Still, I traced, because I did make some semi-extensive alterations. I do not have a 1953 waistline! I'll plan show you those changes on Thursday, because I think more than a few of us do not have 1953 waistlines.

So, I pulled out the tripod, went outside because it is a fabulous day here today, and took pictures. I'll show you a few of those, but alas, there's no mirror out there, and the collar is a little wonky. I took one inside with the collar going the right way. I can see this could get to be a wearability issue if I start messing with it.

I made view 1 (the green one), out of some fabric from Gorgeous Fabrics (still available). I used the "wrong" side. Buttons are from Sunny Buttons (an Etsy shop).

This style just screams out ... wear pearls!! By the way, the cuffs, arghhhh!! They were much harder than they should have been, and I really did them my own way. More on them in the alteration post.

Now the outside shots, which show different ways to wear it. (Ignore the collar.) Pants: Clover Pattern, Blogged here.

With a Skinny Belt

No Belt, Untucked

Tucked In

Which way do you like the best?

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

A Little Fantasy Sewing

Friends, I haven't been sewing. No. I haven't lost my sewing mojo (a term I personally loathe, by the way... no judgment for those who like to use it). It's just that the sewing "studio" aka the former guest room has had it's decorating upheaval, and there is currently no furniture... at all... in it. The walls have been repainted a delightful shade of aqua (Valspar calls it Distant Valley), and the carpets are awaiting the arrival of the carpet cleaners as I type. This is a fairly accurate representation of the color:

OK, so if there isn't any real sewing, this was kind of a long introduction into some fantasy sewing. Follow along and see what you think...

Valentine's Day is just around the corner (can it be?) so I've chosen Simplicity 5663, a Mad Men style 1960s dress for this Fantasy Sew.

I love the jewel tones on the envelope illustration, and I think I'll stick with those. If I want to go completely over the top, how about this silk satin faille from Gorgeous Fabrics:

I'll make view 1, and the pattern calls for 2-1/8 yards of 45" wide fabric, but at $30 a yard, I'll just "order" 2 yards. Definitely a muslin is called for here. On first glance, the only design change I might make is to lower the neckline just a tad. With my shape, the front waistline gathers are a good idea, but a muslin should let me know if they look too poofy.

OK, our fantasy dress is made, complete with handpicked zipper, and now we need some accessories. I love the brooch idea from view 2, so I'll go with this one:

Brooch from Crimson Vintage

This brooch also has a pendant link, so it can do double duty.

I thought about a rhinestone belt buckle, but that would just be a bit too much. A fabric covered buckle with supplies from A Fashionable Stitch will be perfect. What else do we need? How about some garnet earrings? My friend, Amy has these beauties in her shop, and I love that the red is not too matchy with the fabric: