SewBaby News

High low hems are taking over the stores this season.  I wasn't sure if I could pull this look off, but was very tempted to try it.  When Vogue 8870 came out, I was first at the store to buy it.  This pattern has two options- one with a very slight high low hem, and another more dramatic one.  You can see the difference in these line drawings: You can see a gorgeous version of View B on Adrienne's Blog .  I decided to dip my toes in the water and try the more moderate view- View A.  Even though there is probably about a foot between the highest point in the front and the lowest point in the back, it doesn't seem that much when you are wearing it.  I added 2 inches to the length all over.  Here is the back view: The fabric is a rayon challis that I got in a mystery bundle birthday gift from my friend Priscilla.  It's wonderful to have a friend who knows what you really want for your birthday!  My family would never indulge me with fabric, and believe me, I'v

Once in a while, I like to take a chance by making a pattern in a fabric that is unexpected for that style.  McCalls 6603 pattern line drawing Take for example, this silk chiffon border print that I got in a mystery bundle last year.  It has a striped border along one selvage, and the rest is this beautiful floral watercolor print.  I had enough to make a dress, but I wanted to make something that I would wear more often.  I looked through my pattern stash, and saw this oversized pullover pattern from McCalls 6603 .  I thought- this is a pattern that I could wear everyday.  What if I made it out of the silk chiffon? I lined up the pieces so that the striped border would be at the bottom of the top and the sleeves.  You can see how the angle of the border changes if your arms are up or down.  You can see how much ease there is, and this is after I reduced each side by about 6 inches!  Yes, I think that you can safely say this pattern is HUGE!  I really can't imagine anyo

3/15/13- Update: Here are some photos of my denim version of this skirt that I made to make sure this pattern was going to work, before cutting into the expensive lambskin.  This was a stretch denim, so I cut the side seams about 1/2" smaller for a closer fit.  I also didn't line it.  I really love this pattern- Burda 01- 2011-137A.  I did the topstitching in the classic gold and it shows up nicely.  Here's a back view of the vent and topstitching. I bought 4 skins of this pearlized blue lambskin leather a few months ago from an online vendor, not knowing what to expect. It was absolutely stunning.  So soft and supple, you cannot imagine!  Each skin was $15 (half off!), so my leather cost alone was $60 for this, not including lining, zipper, thread, etc.  This is a lot for me- so I had to be picky about what I was going to make with it. Burda Line Drawing -1-2011-137A  . I knew that I wanted to make a skirt, but picking the perfect pattern for it was hard.

Vogue 8871 is a new Vogue Very Easy dress pattern.  I gravitate towards these patterns, as they usually live up to their name, and sew up quickly and easily.  Spring is right around the corner, and I decided that I need some new Spring dresses to liven up my dreary winter wardrobe right now!  This looked like an all season dress- throw on some tights and a cardigan, and you can make it work for a cool March day, or wear it with sandals and you'll be set for a sunny May day.