Vogue 1245

This is an Alice + Olivia pattern, a variation on the traditional peasant top.  I've done a review on it at Pattern Review, so you can read my thoughts on it there.  

The blue is much more vibrant than what you see here.  I did this in a soft rayon (60% off at Hancock's) but next time I think I'll use a crepe-de-chine.  I just wanted it lighter and "floatier."  It does drape beautifully, and feels wonderful!

I am disappointed that the fit is off for me.  I kind of roughly fit it with the tissue to check for the waistline measurement, and it seemed fine.  But in the finished product, it just sits way too high on my waist.  I wanted it down more toward my hips -- so live and learn!  It will fit Rose nicely, and the weight of it will be perfect for winter.  I hope she'll love it!

It's been so nice to get back in the sewing room again!  Next up is Vogue 1255, and I'll be interested to see just how much work all the ruffles are.  This patter (1245) taught me that I definitely need to get a package of those metal bias tape makers.  That would have made it SO much easier!

xoxox

Let's Talk Vogue Spring 2011

Good grief.  I haven't even had time to make some of the Fall/Winter Vogue projects that I had planned, and now it's already approaching Spring! 

Here are a few of my favourites from the new Spring Vogue 2011 collection.  Overall, I'm so happy that the shapes have changed a bit and are reminiscent of the late 1980's-early 1990's.  I loved those lines.

Vogue 1219, Donna Karan

I seem to gravitate to Donna Karan patterns.  I really liked this for three reasons: first, the dropped waistline, secondly, the wrapped front, and thirdly the front pockets (what a bonus!).  I think it would potentially hide a host of problem areas those of us who are thick-waisted and be very slimming.  However, I have a feeling that this particular dress is all about fabric choice.  The pattern calls for stretch broadcloth, and maybe that's the best.  But I have a feeling that some sort of soft knit might be more flattering.  This particular version of it in the photo seems a bit stiff.

 Vogue 1220, another Donna Karan

Now this dress is not my style at all -- and yet I think it could be just beautiful and very flattering.  I like flared skirts and soft lines.  But all the wrapping here and especially that bow in the front -- I think it could be gorgeous!  Again, the pattern calls for a stretch broadcloth.  Not only is that fabric very easy to work with, it's beautiful as shown here.  I may have to give this one a try.

 Vogue 1223, Anne Klein

I included the line art for this pattern, because it was such a surprise to me.  I love the dress, with it's flow and femininity.  It's shown here in a floral print -- but what a treat to see the actual lines in the front!  this would be so pretty in a solid.  It's definitely an option for a graduation dress for Jenna, who has one of those curvy, slim, "to die for" figures.

Vogue 1233, Pamella Roland

My favourite of the bunch!  Thank you Pamella Roland for listening to those of us who love vintage!  I love it here in (what looks to me like) a raw silk, and I would love it in a plain cotton.  It calls for silk tweed, tropical wool, and pique.  Wouldn't this be a great dress for a summer vacation, maybe on a cruise, made up in a classic cotton pique? 

Vogue 8711, Easy Options

Mia just needed a pencil skirt the other night, and I quickly threw one together from a Nancy Zieman pattern.  She is long and thin, and when I saw this skirt, I immediately thought of her.  It would look so cute on her slim figure!  She has those legs that just go on forever, and this skirt is perfect for that.  I love the gathering at the side.  So many of these types of skirts have that same shirring at the top.  Although it might not be as flattering for those of us who are older and had several children (and thus carry the evidence!), it seems to flow much more nicely with a lot more shirring through the front than you might normally see.  It's also shaped nicely in the front and back, with side panels.  It calls for a 2-way stretch knit, which makes me think of fluidity.  It also makes me think it would hug every flaw!  But fitted correctly, this could be drop-dead gorgeous.

So those are my picks for spring.  Now to wait until Vogue goes on sale!  What are your picks for the new season?

xoxoxoxox

Pattern Envy

You know, I don't buy patterns like I used to do.

(just couldn't bring myself to end that last sentence with a preposition)

I don't buy them for 2 reasons:  1-I have a ton of patterns already, and 2-the basics of tops and bottoms never change that much.

HOWEVER.

Remember that little black sundress I tried to make for the Bug and was a near fail?  I tried and tried to find more of that fabric, and finally found it.  So while I was in Raleigh yesterday, I ran into JoAnns for a quick look and got 2 more yards of it.  Plus interfacing.  And then I noticed --

McCalls patterns were $1.99, and Vogue was $3.99!

How could I resist?

So I quickly flipped through the catalog -- I really only need the first few pages for what's new -- and decided on a couple.  Some were gone, which was unfortunate.  But they were all McCalls and what I really wanted was the Vogue -- so here's what I got!

Vogue 1044

This was for me-- it's a Vintage Vogue that takes yards and yards of fabric.  But so pretty, and hopefully I can make it up.  Barbie likes it too.

Vogue 1178

This is an Anna Sui, and I loved the ruffles and tiers for my girls.  Maybe even me if I cut it a bit longer--

Vogue 1182

This is a Kay Unger/New York, and I loved the lines of it.  It says it needs to be made up in a satin or shantung, but I think you could probably get away with a lightweight linen.  I have a couple of things in the stash that I may try.  I think JB would look like a million bucks in this.

McCalls P355 or 6168

This caught my eye because Barbie has a cute 3/4 sleeve sweater she got recently at Gap, and it looks a lot like the views to the right.  I love the idea of the sweater with a belt.  I think maybe some sort of lightweight knit would work here, even a sweater knit.  

And lastly, McCalls 5138

Honestly, I wouldn't have gotten this one if it hadn't been $1.99.  But it's a classic white shirt, with cute lines.  I liked the sleeve variations.  I probably should have gone with a shirt with a collar + stand, whereas this is just a flat collar.  But I probably have a couple of shirts in my pattern collection already that are just that: a basic button-down with a stand-collar.  

Classic, tunic-length white shirts seem to be all the rage right now.  I love that look; I swear my uniform since I was about 8 has always been a white shirt and pair of jeans.  Add a big wide hip-slung belt and a cute pair of boots, and you're ready for fall 2010.

What have you been buying?  Made anything lately?  Put it on your blog or Flickr, and link it up in your comment below!  Like I always have heard (and still hear) from my girls:  "I wanna see!  I wanna see!"

xoxoxox

Gotta Be Kidding Me

OK, just WHAT is this?

OK, there is a limit to what I would call fashion.  Is this what up-and-coming designers are doing these days?

Sorry, Andrea Katz Objects.  I think you can do a little better than this.  There is no way even the cutest, thinnest, most adorable young girl would be seen in this, let alone any of the rest of us.  The Laura Ashley version of this went out of style back in the 1990's.

Do you agree?  Have your say in a comment below.

xoxox

Prom 2010

Change of plans on the prom dress. Uh, dress-es. JB couldn't really find one that fit her nicely, so she asked me to make hers.

Here's the idea for Barbie:

And here's the fabric. Can you say GOR-GEOUS????

I found this at a little shop where I took my serger to be serviced. It was a bit pricey, but at only 3 yards, definitely worth it.

And here's the idea for JB:

We're doing the view in the center.

And the fabric. Can you say GOR-GEOUS again?

Needless to say, I have my work cut out for me. I don't really have a pattern for Barbie's dress, so I'll be morphing a couple together to really get the look of the dress I'm copying.

I'm making muslins of both dresses first, in order to get the fit right. Better to have it right the first time than have to fuss with the real dress fabric .

And I should be in there right now -- gotta go!

xoxoxox

My Vogue Fall Review

OK, it's a little late. But I'm a Yankee living in North Carolina, and quite honestly summer doesn't really quit around here until about mid-October, no matter when the fall fashion lines release. Seriously.

So here are my favourites from the Vogue Fall collection:

Yep, that's it. I know. Slim pickins!

However, I do like this --

if only it had a more loose and drapey skirt. Sorry Michael Kors, this straight skirt just isn't doing it for me -- even if it does look like a million bucks on Mrs. Obama. This model just looks a bit thick in the middle and rather middle-aged to me. It doesn't flatter very nicely.

I also like this a lot, but again with changes --

Absolutely stunning dress from Badgley Mishka, (love those back pleats!) but who's got a bra to wear with that neckline? Are you kidding me?

Just one more, from Donna Karan --

How much do I adore this coat? Oh, if I could only say! The beautiful lines, the way that drape falls . . . How much would I actually WEAR this coat without strangling myself and freezing to death? Oh, again, if I could only put it into words!

And all that is to say nothing of the abominable color they've used on the model. What is that? Baby poop brown? One of the fabrics called for is lightweight woolens. I'm wondering exactly what kind of beautiful drape you're going to get with a lightweight woolen.

I suppose the clincher for me on this coat was this -- the actual sketch of it --

See how the coat kind of separates in the front, with that drape? Can you imagine the nightmare of trying to get it to drape right while standing in front of the mirror, running late?

Well, there you go. Just my opinions, but of course I'd love to know what you think as well! Will you be trying any of the new Vogue patterns for fall?

xoxox