What I'm Wearing | Orange + Turquoise!

Remember when I mentioned the Sam Edelman appearance at Belk?  Well, that was today!  He is super awesome and not to mention talented!  His shoes are gorgeous, comfortable and pretty reasonably priced.  Here are some of the hotness in his current collection that was in the store:

Just fabulous!  I'll be showing you my favorites later...

This is what I wore today:

Sam Edelman shoes of course!

Color-blocked to death!

Wearing:  jacket: Simplicity 2250; top: Old Navy (old. Similar HERE and HERE); pants: Vogue 8774; pumps: Sam Edelman; purse: TJ Maxx.

What I'm Wearing | Sheer florals + White

Spring is in full effect and that means florals!

I'm reminded of a Miranda Priestly quote from "The Devil Wears Prada":

LOL!

Wearing:  silk chiffon tunic: McCall's 6204;  optic white jeans: NYDJ; heels:  Zara (sold out, here it is in solid black); purse: Urban Expressions; sunnies: Karen Walker.

Review: Vogue 8721 | Hot Pink Blazer!

I'd been wanting a pink blazer for a while now.  And I've also been seeing a lot of softly tailored blazers and I knew I wanted something not so "normal".

 I'd seen Vogue 8721 in an issue of Vogue Patterns magazine and it really jumped off the page at me.  The colorblocked styling was some of the best I've seen in the magazine.

I knew that I wanted mine in a vibrant color that would be perfect for spring and I had this bright pink linen in my stash.

The pattern description is: Jacket D is semi-fitted, lined, front and back darts, angled and bias cut middle, lower fronts, middle and lower backs, three-quarter length sleeves

I cut the size large and I added an inch to the length, but I probably could have left it as it was.  As far as jackets go, this is a very simple jacket that I would recommend if you've never sewn a jacket.  It's collarless, so you wouldn't have to try and tackle notched collar.  And it's kind of boxy, so you wouldn't have to make 10 muslins perfecting the fit.  

The only real tailoring method I used on this was to stay tape the roll lines.  The jacket is fully lined and has a back yoke that is easily bagged.  And I added a thin shoulder pad.

Worn with:  Polka dot silk chiffon blouse: Simplicity 4112; shorts: Old Navy; wedges: Jessica Simpson; purse: Urban Expressions.

What I'm Wearing | Colorblocked Shift Dress!

"Colorblocking" is one of the biggest trends this season. It's an awesome way to brighten up your spring wardrobe with bold and vibrant colors. I saw this dress by Heidi Merrick and I was inspired to make my own since this one was $437!

Inspiration:

Heidi Merrick "Huntington" Dress -- Shopbop.com, $437.00

To recreate this look, I used Butterick 5522 as my base pattern.  As you see, the original design looks pretty boxy and shapeless.  I decided to use this pattern because I wanted an a-line fit.  I've had this pattern in my drawer since it was first released.  I always thought this was a cute dress, being that it was a Trina Turk knockoff.  I never got around to making it because I was deterred by the reviews I read. Most referred to the dress as being "tent-ish".  When I think of that, I instantly think "maternity-ish" and after being pregnant three times, I ran screaming from that look!  But after seeing Cidell's version, I completely changed my mind.  Sometimes you need to listen to your instinct instead of  completely relying on reviews.

To achieve my inspiration look, I first lengthened the pattern by 2 inches.  I made a 1 inch non-dart FBA and changed the sleeve to a slimmer style.  I cut the back, front and sleeve pattern pieces into block sections and created new seam allowances.  And I also used an exposed zipper because that was a detail of the original design.  I used cotton jersey fabric whereas the original used silk crepe.

Worn with: wedges: DV by Dolce Vita; vintage Chanel quilted drawstring bucket bag; sunnies: Karen Walker; earrings: Marc by Marc Jacobs;  necklace: Forever 21; bracelets: Forever 21, ASOS.com and Tiffany & Co.; ring: Melody Ehsani Jewelry.

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.