How a CHANEL Jacket is made!

When you see the price tag for a Chanel jacket and thought it to be ridiculous, you should watch this video.  I've made a "Chanel-like" jacket with all of the handsewn couture elements.  And it was definitely a labor intensive project.  (Hence the fact that I've not made another!) The Haute Couture house's process is incredibly mesmerizing!  Take a look!

"Fashion Star" premieres tonight!

I'm always excited when there is a new version of this type of reality tv show.

Will you be watching?

What I'm Wearing | Springing ahead!

I love the color combination of yellow & turquoise, as evident also here.

I love this time of year when the clocks move forward.  I love when the days are longer.  I feel rejuvenated... like a bear coming out of hibernation.  

This week's nail color:  Essie - "Mint Candy Apple".  The color "mint" is everywhere!

The only thing I don't like about this time of year is dreaded allergies.  Mine aren't bad enough that I have to get shots, but I can't miss a dose of Zyrtec before leaving home.

I'm normally not a sneaker wearer, but while shopping with Mikaela I saw these.

Wearing: Yellow trench jacket: Vogue 8480; turquoise top: McCall's 6287; white jeans:  NYDJ; sneakers:  Converse All-Star Silver Glitter Athletic shoes;  purse:  Vintage Chanel quilted bucket bag and sunnies:  Karen Walker.

Sam Edelman appearance at Belk at The Summit!

For those of you in the Birmingham Metro Area:

source

 Fashion Designer Sam Edelman to Showcase Spring 2012 Collection and Contribute to Breast Cancer Research in Alabama

Edelman joins Belk in giving $10,000 to BCRFA

Where: Belk  at The Summit, 205-968-4200

When: Saturday, March 31

Time:   1-3 p.m.

I'm a MAJOR fan of his designs and here are two of my favorite pairs:

Sam Edelman 'Lyla' Pump

And a pair of my favorite Sam Edelman boots that I believe are sold out now.  They're from a couple of seasons ago.

Put this on your calendar.  If we make these types of events successful, I'm sure there will be more fashionable events coming to the area.

What I'm Wearing | I'm so blue!

 Can you tell I'm willing Spring to come forth!

So, I've been seeing high-low hem skirts and dresses everywhere.  And I mean everywhere!  But the ones I've seen in the stores are usually too short for me.  They hit me at the mid-thigh... like the length of a mini skirt.  So that only left one option:

To make one myself.  I used the same process for this skirt that I did when I made my maxi skirt last summer.   Mimi wrote a great tutorial and I read over that to make sure I was on the right track and I started cutting.  I knew how to shape the hemline, but it was just a matter of getting the right length for the front and the back.

My seams are serged and I added elastic to the waist.  And since this fabric is a plissé, I was going to leave the hem raw but this fabric was starting to shred.  So I left a serged hem.  I found the fabric at Joanns.

Wearing:  sweater:  TJ Maxx; belt:  The Limited;  bag:  Vintage white quilted Chanel bucket bag; wedges:  Lotus Boutique.

Review: Simplicity 2250 & Vogue 1282 | Minty Fresh!

So, my spring sewing is off to a great start.  My plan for March is to be a beast in the sewing room!  Now, let's hope the mojo holds out!

I've been wanting a white blazer for the longest.  I was planning (and still planning) to do a more classic-cut tailored white jacket, but I ran across Simplicity 2250 a Cynthia Rowley pattern,  while flipping through the pattern catalog.  I'd always thought the dress was really cute for one of my daughters, but I'd never notice the jacket.  So I did my research to see if anyone else had made the jacket and I read the reviews that I found.

I used a white wool-blend crepe suiting that I've had for a while.  I cut the size 16.  I knew I wanted my blazer to be longer than picture, so I lengthened it by 3 inches and I tapered it in slightly at the waist.  I did that to compensate for the omitted self-belt and the boxy-ness of the original draft.  

The jacket is unlined, which would normally bother me.  But since I'm sewing for spring and summer, it's perfect.  I always want something lightweight to wear when going into cold movie theaters and chilly restaurants during warm days.  And to give the blazer a crisp finish, I interfaced the binding that trims the edge of the blazer.  The jacket also has 3/4 length sleeves that were fine right out of the envelope.

And I also made the Vogue 1282 - Donna Karan Collection top.

As several other reviewers mentioned, this top is very simple.  It's one piece and binding for sleeves.  But it's cut extremely LOW!  But that was easily solved by just sewing the seam higher.  And also, the instructions suggested using a "weight" for the inside of that seam.  No... didn't have one, so I used a penny.  Seems to be working just fine.  I cut the size 16 and used a mint green rayon spandex jersey.  And I left the hem raw.  A raw hem on fabric like this for tops like these just works for me.  

Also wearing:  jeans: The Gap; pumps: Sam Edelman; clutch: Street Style; sunnies: Karen Walker.

What I'm Wearing | Black and Yellow!

This is what I wore earlier today.  It was 75 degrees and this jacket didn't stay on long!

I was going through my closet taking inventory of what I have for spring.  I need to know what I have for spring so that I can begin sewing and/or buying things that I want.  I came across this Vogue 1053 Montana jacket that I made almost 4 years ago.  So I pulled it out.  It's lightweight with a rayon challis lining, so it was pretty cool to wear since the weather was warm.  

Here are the accessories I wore.  I love a big pop of color!  

And I also pulled out my bright yellow Simplicity 2562 pants with a black and white zigzag print Missoni for Target t-shirt. I've been hibernating and working on some spring sewing this week.  I already have 2 pieces completed.  I want to strike while the oil is hot, so I'm going to sew, sew, sew before the mojo is gone.  Reviews to come!

What I'm Wearing | A maxi dress in winter!

Casual Sunday afternoon look!

You know you don't have to wait until Spring or Summer to rock your maxis!  Well, that's how I feel!

Just add boots, a jacket and a scarf and you're cool weather appropriate!

Wearing:  denim jacket: Old Navy (old); cashmere blend pashmina scarf (similar HERE); maxi dress: Mission Maxi; boots: Circa Joan & David; sunglasses: Karen Walker; earrings: Marc by Marc Jacobs Zip It Studs.

What I'm Wearing | Red with Neutral & Gold!

If you can't tell, I've REALLY enjoyed my red and pink pants.  And their starting to show it some.  I'm already planning a new red and pink pair for spring and summer.  

I'm thinking the next pairs will probably be straight-legged and slightly cropped.  I want the option of wearing flats and heels with them.  

I love a little bit of daytime sparkle!  My choice of a neutral shoe!

Wearing:  Military jacket: McCall's 5190; pants: Vogue 1039; pumps: gold glitter Steve Madden 'Unityy'.

Review: Vogue 8797 | Hi-Low Hem Shirtdress

Happy Shrove Tuesday!

  This is the first pattern I've sewn from the new Vogue Patterns spring collection.  It's 8797.

The description states: Loose-fitting top or dress has collar, yokes, back pleats, back longer than front and narrow hem. A: stitched hem on sleeves. B: sleeves with seam opening, pleats and button cuffs. Semi-fitted, tapered pants have waistband and side zipper. Purchased belt.

I cut the size 16 and used a crepe de chine-like fabric.  I bought it a while ago from Jo-Anns and I'm pretty sure it's a poly print.  But I love the explosion of colors and the weight and drape of the fabric.  Look at how it flows.  It's very fluid and it'll be perfect for those mild spring days.

I wanted the back hem to have a slight bit of drama to it, so I extended the "low" hem by 3 inches.

And I also changed the buttonhole orientation from horizontal to vertical.  I looked at shirtdresses on sites such as Net-A-Porter.com and studied the buttonholes on similar dresses they had available and the ALL had vertical buttonholes.  I also decided to ask Mr. Google.  In my research, I found that the reason that this pattern had horizontal buttonholes was (1) because it does not have a placket; and (2) because horizontal buttonholes stay buttoned more securely.  But when deciding whether to place buttonholes horizontally or vertically, it's determined both by function and fashion.  I choose "fashion".  I thought the original design caused the shirtdress to look dated and not in a cool vintage-y sort of way.

I also added a double yoke to the back and finished off my seams with the serger. 

I really like this pattern and the "hi-low" hemline is so on trend.  I would LOVE to make one of these in several colors for spring.  Who knows... if I get time, I may make this one in another color!

Inspired by Pinterest: Yellow + Black leather leggings!

Whenever you fall into a wardrobe slump, Pinterest is definitely the place to go to find that much needed inspiration.  Last week, I was feeling really drained and just didn't have the energy to even think about taking a photo or blogging.  But I'm always online and checking out Pinterest.  

Pinterest via Chictopia.com

While browsing, I repinned the above.  It's really a simple outfit and I knew I had all of the components to make it happen.

It started out really chilly today and I was prepared to go head first on this look with a knit beret and coat.  But the mercury rose so quickly that I ditched the hat and coat and was damn near ready to peel off the leggings!

So I guess you can say my look is a "modified" version!  And I added wedges instead of pumps.  I had a lot of walking to do today and I was also pushing Isabella around, so I needed more stable footwear.  

Wearing:  J. Crew sweater; bag: Urban Expressions; leggings: McCall's 6404; Steve Madden Wedges.

Sidenote:  I'm currently cutting out pieces for Spring.  When the mercury sticks, I want to be ready!