New VOGUE Patterns!

I always get excited when Vogue Patterns release new offerings!  Here are the ones I plan to buy:

 1265 - Pamella Roland

1267 - Tom and Linda Platt.  I love the asymmetrical hemline.  Very similar to a knit RTW dress I already own.

1268 - Guy Laroche.  I would love to make this in a faux suede as recommended.

1271 - Kay Unger 

1273 - Badgley Mischka 

8766 - Vogue Easy Options.  I really love the strapless dress.   

 8772 - Vogue Easy Options.  This is a great basic blouse pattern.  The bow tie blouse is such a hot trend.

8773 - Vogue Easy Options.  You can NEVER go wrong with a princess seam pencil skirt!

8774 - Jeans!  I'll also be adding this one to my collection.

"Fashion Forward"?!

This summarizes my thoughts on the issue and how some people think they fly above fashion and how "silly" it all may be:

Stuff



The Devil Wears Prada

— MOVIECLIPS.com

Even the silliness that is fashion plays a MAJOR part in those sale patterns that you fish out of the drawers at JoAnn's, Hancocks, online on your BMV memberships and from vintage sellers.

Stop acting as if you're unaffected.

Happy Birthday to Me!

I'm only getting more and more comfortable in my own skin!  

Cheers to another year!

McCall's 6330 - Mikaela's Homecoming Dress!

Project Details:

Pattern:  McCall's 6330 - Phoebe Couture

Pattern Sizing:  4-18.  I cut the size 6.

Description:  One-shoulder, two-toned dress with empire waist, invisible side zipper and diagonal ruching.

This is Mikaela's first homecoming as a high school freshman!  Can you believe how fast she's growing up?  I can't and I see her everyday!  This is the pattern she selected and I think she made a great choice.  This pattern is by Phoebe Couture.  This is the fun, youthful line by Kay Unger.  I liked the original dress so much, that I decided to copy the colors:

Last Call by Neiman Marcus, $215

I used a turquoise and cobalt blue crepe back satin.  And I used just regular lining fabric from Hancock.  Colorblocking is such a trendy look right now and seemed to be well represented when we dropped Mikaela off at the school dance.  

This pattern was pretty easy to sew.  It just has quite a few tedious details that were time consuming.  Making the pleats/ruching was one.  And another was sewing in the boning.  

And the topstitching on the strap.

 I really loved the shoulder detail of the original designer garment.  I wish the pattern had the exact design.

I sewed this practically straight out of the envelope.  I only had to slightly take in the bodice.  I also pulled the strap tighter than the model on the envelope in order to raise the bodice, so that it would be "bra-friendly".  

I love the bow detail in the back.  I think the dress is just as striking both coming and going!

And best of all, Mikaela loved everything about her look.  I'm always just as excited as my girls when I get to doll them up.  It's like every year, we get that red carpet moment!

Crocodile Embossed Faux Leather Skirt

As you can tell, I'm having a love affair with faux leather.  I wish I had some place locally to purchase authentic skins -- I like to touch!  If I did, I would sure buy some.  I still may take a chance on ordering.  But for now, I'm working with faux and copying trendy items that I've been fawning over.  

This time I decided to make an elongated crocodile embossed faux leather skirt.  I've been seeing lots of fashions made from skins with exorbitant price tags.  But since I sew, I don't need to take a small business loan out to have something "similar" to the looks I love.  

This time my inspired look was taken from Marc Jacobs and Anne Klein:

 Marc Jacobs Stamped Pencil Skirt - Barneys, $995

Anne Klein  New York Embossed Leather Skirt - Bloomingdales, $450

Instead of using a pattern, this project is actually an upcycling.  These were faux croc embossed pants that were in my closet.  I re-discovered them a few weeks ago while cleaning my closet it out.  They were headed to the donation pile and I saw that Marc Jacobs skirt in a magazine.  The pants already had the waistband in tact and a side invisible zipper.  All I need to do was rip open the inseams and sew center front and back seams.  I then cut it off to the appropriate length and hemmed it.  

And just like with the prior project, I pressed the seams open using a warm iron and a pressing cloth.

This was another quick project that I could get in for Fall.

Polka Dots and Ladylike (faux) Leather!

Project Details: 

Pattern: Butterick 5285, View D.

Pattern Sizing: 6-22, I cut the 14.

Description: Skirts A, B, C, D have side seam pockets, back zipper and waistband. A: front and back gathers. B: front and back pleats. C, D: front and back stitched pleats. C: contrast hem band. A, B, C, D: length is mid-knee.

I was completely inspired by this upcoming season's a-line leather skirts.  I had pinned a few a while ago and  used them as a reference point.  This Butterick pattern was perfect for what I wanted.  I wanted something that was edgy, but at the same time feminine... hence the flouncy chiffon top and the maryjane peeptoes.  My husband said the look was "June Cleaver on acid"!  LOL  I wanted to wear my new Kenneth Jay Lane belt that I found at TJ Maxx and I kept adding gold accessories.  And while "shopping" my closet, I found this polka dot blouse that I made FOUR years ago!  

I found this faux leather at Hancock.  I'd seen it last year but I didn't buy any.  I took a chance a couple of weeks ago, hoping that they'd have it again and they did.  The fabric is 55% polyurethane/45% polyester.  I bought a teflon foot for my machine (Bernina #56) and used a Microtex needle.  (Had this been real leather, I would have used a leather needle.)  And I had no problems... it was pretty easy to work with.  

I made my usual lengthening of 3 inches.  I added an exposed metal zipper and a 2 inch deep hem.  And even though the pattern didn't call for a lining, I lined my skirt with Bemberg Rayon.

If you love an a-line skirt with gathers or pleats, and whether you choose leather, faux leather or a woven -- I highly recommend this skirt!