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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

Comments

  1. SewRuthieJanuary 24, 2012 at 4:18 PM

    Very nice! Love all the pieces and they really work for you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. JillybejoyfulJanuary 24, 2012 at 4:56 PM

    LOVE this top...and the jacket...and the scarf. What a great combo!

    ReplyDelete
  3. JDayMinisJanuary 24, 2012 at 6:18 PM

    Gorgeous, love the colours, especially the scarf!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. HeathersSphereJanuary 24, 2012 at 7:43 PM

    Absolutely stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnnJanuary 24, 2012 at 11:47 PM

    Well, that is just amazing. Imagine all that going together from your stash. I love your plan for dealing with charmeuse. And with that print, simple is perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  6. pdiddlyJanuary 25, 2012 at 3:59 AM

    everything looks wonderful together - how satisfying for you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. LisaJanuary 25, 2012 at 6:02 AM

    What a great combination . I love all three pieces individually but they look great combined. That McCalls pattern looks like a great pattern too .

    ReplyDelete
  8. DanaJanuary 25, 2012 at 10:22 AM

    I love love love this! the cardigan with the silk blouse and the scarf, I want it all! I love your style.

    ReplyDelete
  9. grammyJanuary 25, 2012 at 1:53 PM

    This is fabulous - what an eye you have - that combo is perfect - Bet you get tons of compliments - Thanks for the inspiration

    ReplyDelete
  10. TanyaJanuary 25, 2012 at 3:56 PM

    Very nice look. Especially love the cardigan. The shell print might have given me pause, but it looks great on the bias. Good call!

    ReplyDelete
  11. prttynpnkJanuary 25, 2012 at 6:25 PM

    Oooh, this is so well put together- I wish my stash held such good stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  12. MushyWearJanuary 26, 2012 at 2:33 AM

    Don't you just love easy to sew projects like this, especially when they all look so great when you are finished? Very satisfying. I love the way the shell looks, both the print and the fit. I am finding that I like to get at fabrics in my stash sooner rather than later, otherwise I may grow tired of them, even before they become a garment.

    ReplyDelete
  13. SaraApril 2, 2012 at 10:04 PM

    Thanks for reviewing the shell. I am just floored by these three pieces you put together. This is my goal, to be able to use fabric in the way it calls to be used and to have a wardrobe of mixable pieces. I love this look on you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownMarch 3, 2017 at 10:03 AM

    Hello where did you buy that ombre fabric i really want one

    ReplyDelete

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