Separates are so necessary in building my home sewn wardrobe.  They’re interchangeable and can be rotated throughout so many looks. I'm always adding low maintenance tops to my wardrobe, because it seems like I never have enough. Also, each cool weather season, I gravitate towards a faux leather legging. It's one of my wardrobe staples. A couple of years ago, it was faux leather jeans that I was obsessed with. This year, it will be these faux leather high-waist tapered leg trousers that will look amazing with everything from heels, flats, ankle boots and sneakers. Go on over to the Mood Sewing Network to see how I created Kwik Sew 3555 Button Front Shirt and Simplicity 8749 Faux Leather Pants.

Every now and then, I need to cut the damn fabric and sew the damn dress! It doesn't matter whether or not I have a specific place to wear it. Because that's always the number one question: "Where are you going to wear that??" My answer: Around my house... To the grocery store... Anywhere... and Everywhere I'd like. Sometimes, I just want to sew something because I CAN and it makes ME happy. No other reason required.

This project was already on my cutting table when True Bias and Closet Case Patterns decided to host the Sew Frosting Challenge. It's basically just sewing all of that "impractical" shit you've dreamed of sewing or cutting that fancy fabric just for the unbridled joy of it. So, what better confection to whip up than a full-length evening gown... a backless, shiny one at that!

My pattern is vintage Vogue 2230 - by Isaac Mizrahi that was released in 1998. 

It's from his Fall 1997 ready-to-wear collection.

My fabric is Black Jersey Knit with All-Over Circle Sequins from Mood Fabrics. I used the white version of this fabric for Vogue 8961, earlier this year. When I posted this dress on Instagram, I was asked how difficult is this fabric to sew? It's not. It's jersey with flat, round sequins. I used my sharp needle and my walking foot with the lightening bolt/stretch stitch. I only originally bought around 2 yards of this fabric, so I used a slinky stretch jersey for the sleeves.

I cut the size 14 and I added 5 inches to the length. I was surprised at how long the sleeves were. At first, I thought my fabric had some how stretch out. 

But I looked at the envelope and saw how the sleeves were slouching at the wrists of the model. The raglan sleeves have darts at the shoulder and the armholes are finished with 1/4" elastic.

The elastic is carried around the entire back opening as well.

The collar has 3 hook and eyes closure.

Even though I cut my normal size, I found that the dress was a little big at the waist. I'm thinking it was because of the weight of the fabric. So I had to go back and take in the center back seam. And I left the hem unfinished because I like the way the fabric drapes and it looks perfect from being cut with a rotary cutter. Before you even ask about a bra... I'm not wearing one.

Cheers to the ladies for organizing and encouraging the Sew Frosting Challenge. And just like there shouldn't be a special occasion for drinking champagne, there shouldn't be one either for sewing up something fabulous.

I haven't always been the biggest fan of floral prints, but I'm completely drawn to the dark and moody oneson these dark backgrounds. I also made a sundress in a dark floral print. I'd had this floral print brush spandex knit that I'd purchased from LA Finch Fabrics sometime last year. It felt so soft that I'd thought about making a rob, but I'd never gotten around to it. And the more I started seeing really amazing dark floral print dresses, I pulled it out.

I saw this amazing dress and fell in love with the shape of it. The style makes the floral print look super edgy and that's the look I was going for.

I picked McCall's 7833. The side ruched detail with the adjustable drawstring captured the asymmetrical essence of the inspiration dress.

Over on the Mood Sewing Network, here's my newest Chanel-Style Jacket.

It's been 11 years since my first one... see the details how I made this one.

I love a great topper... something I can just throw on over everything from activewear when I'm leaving the gym to a gorgeous sexy dress for date night. Last year, it was my velvet kimono. This year it's Style Sew Me Madison Cardigan.

When Eryn offered to send me her latest pattern, I jumped at the chance to add this to my wardrobe. I don't currently have any cute knit cardigans and I love the lines of this one.

I picked this amazing lightweight Italian Warm Gray Abstract Wool Sweater Knit from Mood Fabrics.

The print is so gorgeous that you can't see the beautiful seaming detail. This cardigan has princess seaming in the back. Which creates a beautiful slenderized waist and not boxy or sackish like a lot of cardigans.

It even has a lovely tailored two-piece sleeve. Y'all know how I feel about those!

The pattern is drafted with 1/2" seam allowances and finished with nice narrow hems.

I'm hoping I can find another lightweight sweater knit that I love, because I feel I need another one of these so that I won't wear this one to death. Because it's definitely leaning that way.

I cut a straight 14 with no alterations. The dress is meant to be a little blouse over the drawstring waist, so it had enough ease that I didn't have to do a FBA.

I love a simple design with good sewing details. This dress has a hidden button placket. 

And it's details like that, that make my sewing heart happy.

I love the sleeve tabs. The sleeves are meant to be up all of the time. And that's fine by me.

The one thing I didn't like is that the yoke was cut in one piece. I hate when some the patterns come like that. You NEVER see ready-to-wear yokes like that. I cut mine in two pieces so that the inside would be beautifully finished. Here's my tutorial for How to Sew a Shirt Yoke.

I didn't add any additional length. I'm pretty much over ground dragging maxis. I like for mine to hit at the ankle. This way, I know this dress will work with heels or flats and most importantly, I'm not tripping over the hem.

I don't have a lot of plaid in my wardrobe, especially colorful plaid. But this coat is a favorite. It's one of those pieces that makes me happy when I'm wearing it. It's so cheerful. Every fall, I have the intention of using more plaid, and hopefully this year, I'll add at least a tartan skirt to my collection.

It goes without saying that animal print will be in my fall wardrobe. It's a staple. Here are some of my favorites from the past: leopard coat; snakeskin print jersey dress; zebra print pencil skirt; mixed animal print dress.

Pleats have always been one of those trends that can go "cutesy" or "precious" really quick. Even though I love a sophisticated and ladylike look, I have to be careful with this one, by putting my own spin on it. I would love to add another pleated looks to my wardrobe. I love the pleated sleeve top, it was one of my favorites from last year. And this pleated skirt was an unusual make for me as well. 

I've never made a full leather dress before, only this one that is made from wool with lambskin leather panels. Lambskin hides are so small and quite expensive that I may have to treat myself to a Christmas gift of a leather dress this year!