Marci Tilton Jacket Vogue 8693

I was on such a roll the first 2 weeks of January, thanks to the Fabric Stash Contest, making 4 items, that I decided to tackle my most challenging project in the third week, while I still had plenty of time.  It's a good thing I did.  It took me a while to make this one, and I'm not sure I'd have the energy had I saved it for last!

Instead of the Butterick coat that I had planned, I made a last minute switch for Vogue 8693.   It's a Marci Tilton design, and this is the first one of her designs that I've made.  Lot's of people rave about her patterns- lots of neat angles, loose fitting and comfortable.
So, this jacket looks pretty simple on the face of it. But it is definitely an unusual design, and I had to concentrate on this one. My boucle fabric that wanted to ravel itself silly added to my challenge.

Lining with the points cut out.

The original jacket pattern only has you do a partial lining.  My fabric was a little on the thin side, and with Illinois weather, I decided it would be better to line the whole thing.  After it was done, I could catch glimpses of the lining in those points in the front.  So, I basically cut out a 8 inch triangle of the lining just in that area, and straight hemmed it across.  

 The collar is just awesome.  It is really nice and full and high.  You can see it here from the back.  I wouldn't need a scarf with this jacket. 

Single Welt pocket

Button detail

The single welt pockets were tricky and I'm sure that I didn't get them exactly right, but they are functional.   I used a girls' pony tail elastic to make a loop for an extra large button. 

I did add 1-1/2" to the length, and added a little extra width at the side, which I wouldn't have needed.  It's a loose fitting pattern, and even with a DD bust, I don't think I would have needed any extra room.  I also made a full bicep adjustment to be on the safe side.  I hate tight sleeves in jackets.

I like it!  The one problem that I've already encountered is that I can't wear it with prints.  I tried to walk out the door today with this jacket and a polka dot dress. I just happened to glance in the mirror, and realized it looked ridiculous.  But if I wear it with solids, I think it will work.  What do you think?

-Ann

National Thank Your Mentor Day

 January is National Mentoring Month and January 26th is National Thank Your Mentor Day. 

I would like to thank my Mom, Barbara Atkinson, for teaching me everything that she knew about sewing, and encouraging me to follow my spark.  I have no doubt that it was difficult at times, if not most of the time. In addition to teaching me for nearly ten years:

-She would sit with me for HOURS in the fabric stores when I was picking out my 4-H projects.
-She would spend money on fabric and patterns for me that she could have spent in many other ways.
-She would rip out my sewing mistakes so that I wouldn't have to, and she would console me when I didn't win a prize in the 4-H contests.
-For my college graduation present, she gave me my first Bernina sewing machine (better than a new car to a sewist!).  

 Did you have a mentor?  For sewing, or life in general?  Feel free to share your story here!

-Ann

An Easy-to-Sew Layered Look

My easy to sew layered look- infinity scarf, shell and cardigan.

I love silk charmeuse and silk chiffon! But sewing them can be a real pain.  So, in a compromise, I decided to sew the simplest things possible with them.  Forget about set in sleeves, collars, etc, and go for a pullover top or an infinity scarf.  Leave the tough stuff for fabrics that are better behaved.

Top from McCalls 6519

I've had this crazy animal print silk charmeuse for a couple of years.  Since I bought it, I've often wondered why.  It's garish, it's loud and not "me".  Yet, for some reason, I love it.  Now with animal prints being in fashion, what better time to sew it up!

I chose McCalls 6519- a really basic shell.  I would normally have to do a full bust adjustment, but I had enough fabric to cut it on the bias, which gives it enough stretch that I could get by without one. I did add some length to the body, and used a self-fabric bias binding instead of the recommended bias tape.  I love how this simple top fits and will definitely be making it again.

While perusing my stash, I noticed that I had a 1-1/2 yard cut of ombre silk chiffon that had the same colors in it.  Hmmm...  How about an infinity scarf?   I just sewed the long edges together into a tube, twisted once, and then sewed the short edges together.  Voila!  A designer scarf in 30 minutes.  I have to say- silk chiffon is warm when you have 1-1/2 yards wrapped around your neck!  This is not just a pretty scarf, it's really practical as well.

Cardigan from Simplicity 1945

Unbelievably, I did not have a sweater or cardigan that looked good with this combination, so back to the stash I went, and found this caramel colored boucle knit.  I love a waterfall cardigan, and decided that the cardigan from Simplicty 1945 would round out this look. 

Most of this I got on the cheap- 2 yards of the boucle knit at $2/yard from fabric.com, the ombre chiffon was in a free mystery bundle,  2 yards @$9/yard for the charmeuse, so a total of $22 for fabric, and probably $4 for the patterns.  So, $26 plus a few hours of my time is the cost for this look.  And I can wear all three pieces with lots of other pieces as well!

This is one of those days that I'm glad that I have an extensive fabric stash.  But I'm also glad to be sewing it up! I want my stash to be functional- just big enough to find what I need, but not so big that I let fabrics go out of style before I can sew them up.

How about you?  Do you have a stash, and if yes, is it a source of inspiration or frustration? 

-Ann

McCalls 6161 Dolman Sleeve Dress

I wanted to make something warm and snuggly for my daughter who loves to wear dresses, and I found this great fuschia and grey sweater knit on the clearance section at Joann's.   I think I paid a whole $3/yard for it! 

I chose McCalls 6161 because I wanted something easy to sew, and carefree to wear.  This fit the bill.  I didn't have enough fabric to make the cowl the full size, so mine is quite a bit smaller than the original design.
The whole pattern is only three pieces- the front, back and cowl.  Sew the side seams, sew the shoulders, hem the raw edges, and you've got a dress!  The cowl is just a tube that you sew the ends together.   It truly is a one hour pattern.
I just saw it on Clearance on the McCall's website, so if you'd like this style, grab it before it's gone!
My daughter's already worn this a few times, so I will probably be making more of this one. 

Lace tunic from Simplicity 2195

I cleaned my sewing room yesterday.  This was no easy job.  I'm a truly MESSY sewer, who goes from pattern to pattern, without ever putting away anything.  If you ever wonder how I can whip out projects so fast, this is the reason- I just throw things over my shoulder and never look back.

Eventually I reach a point where I can't find something, and I say "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!", and I break down and pick stuff up.  This happens about once a month.  What a bad example I am.  New sewists, please don't sew this way!  Look how pretty my sewing room is when it is clean.  I should keep it this way always.

Anyway, in the cleaning, I actually found a top that I made, but never wore from December!  WOOHOO!  At least I got some reward for cleaning!

This top is from Simplicity 2195, which is another Khaliah Ali pattern.  I am a HUGE fan of her patterns.  They always include multiple items and are trendy, but still flattering if you don't have *uhhum*"a perfect figure".  For this one, I wanted to make the handkerchief hem tunic. 

I had this really cool piece of striped black and cream lace fabric that I just couldn't quite figure out what to do with it.  It was a little too scratchy to wear right next to my skin, so I decided to cut out the shirt pattern twice- once out of a black ITY knit for an underlayer, and once out of the lace.  I just sewed them together at the neckline, and then turned one inside the other.  Both of these fabrics are knit and won't ravel, so I decided to not hem either layer at all.  (Talk about LAAAAZY!)

My cat Maddie studying the hem.

Because of the weight of the black ITY knit, it hangs a little longer than the lace one, which I like.  I like the length of the top.  It is actually quite heavy, which is good for now, as it is cold outside.  I think that I'll have to cut out the black underlayer and just wear a cami with it if I want to wear it when it warms up. 

I would like to make this pattern again in something with better drape.  It isn't specifically designed for knits, and I think I'd like to use a silk charmeuse or chiffon next time.  I'm also going to put the vest on my list- I think it is super cute.

Thanks for reading!

-Ann