Description: Fitted shirt have collar band, shaped hemline, long rolled sleeves (wrong side shows) and button tabs., front-button closing, topstitch trim and narrow hem, button trim on pleated pockets, front bands and princess seams.

Fabric: White oxford shirting from Jo-Anns (70% cotton/30% polyester).
Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn't really use them because I've made a couple of shirts before.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love a pattern with several variations that can be mixed and matched.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:

• I used the princess seam front and the plain back.
• I altered the back to create a yoke.
• I also added 2" to the length. I don't know why these types of shirts are drafted so short. They don't even give you enough length to tuck the shirt in.
• I used flat fell seams.
• I also used snaps instead of buttons.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would possibly sew this pattern again. I've been wanting to make a chambray shirt, so I may use this one again.

I had been dying to see "The Golden Age of Couture" exhibit every since I'd read that it was coming to the Frist Center in Nashville. I had been extremely busy for most of the summer getting Amber ready for college. And for almost every weekend since she's been at Alabama State University in Montgomery, she's been wanting to come home. It's been A LOT of driving back and forth for Michael and I. I was in awe that something so fabulous was within driving distance from my home. I made it a priority to see this exhibit before it left, because today is the last day.

From this point, cameras and cellphones were prohibited inside of the galleries. I had to take quick notes and dog ear pages in the exhibition guide to remember what I liked. I'm using pictures from HERE , HERE and HERE to help with the visuals so you guys will see just how FABULOUS this exhibition was!

There were so many breathtaking garments that I felt completely overwhelmed. But I'd like to show you first my favorite dress there:

The pictures do not do this dress justice. It was simply incredible to look at. All of the rich detailing was amazing! This was one that I really wish I could have seen the inside. I would have loved to see the foundation. And from the outside, there appeared to be about a 3 inch hem.


The bias cut pleated bodice along with the full skirt is simply impeccable! As Rachel Zoe would say, "I die!" And even though this dress is from 1951, it could EASILY be worn in 2010!

The description said that the embroidery is "heavy and dense" and why the dress was made as a short evening dress. And it took 600 hours to complete! Credit must be given to Brossin de Méré, who did all of the work! This is another one that looked absolutely amazing in person.


As you can tell, I was drawn to a lot of the beaded and embroidered dresses. I was completely captivated by all of the detailed work.

And then there was tailoring...


This suit was part of Chanel's comeback collection in 1954. She challenged the "excesses of couture".

"Femininity had gone too far -- you needed stagecoach luggage to pack your frocks in and ladies' maids to fix the trimmings and petticoats. Chanel simplified clothes to meet modern needs."
- Pat Cunningham, editor of Vogue

(from left to right) Tweed lined with taffeta and silk (Autumn/Winter, 1951); Tweed lined with silk (Autumn/Winter, 1954) and Tweed with coiled metal buttons (Autumn/Winter, 1954).

And for kicks...

This doll was used by the Lachasse couture house to show the type of wardrobe a couture client would usually have. It included lingerie, accessories, jewelry and the tiniest pair of nylon stockings I've ever seen!

This exhibition was wonderful and I feel as if I've had a course in fashion history! And for a keepsake, I'm ordering the coffee table book from Amazon.com!

GIRL ON THE RUN – 10 Year Anniversary

Here is the latest picture of my sewing room. As you may notice, I've made an addition. When my sewing room was highlighted on The Blue Gardenia blog, I mentioned that I was looking for something larger to store my ever so growing pattern stash. And lo and behold, an angel was reading! Her name is Margaret and she contacted me and offered me this wonderful pattern filing cabinet -- yes, like the kind in Jo-Ann and Hancock (with the built in dividers), that onced belonged to her mother who no longer sews. I jumped at the opportunity to own it!

The cabinet was in really good shape. It had a few scratches and some tape marks, but nothing a little elbow grease and a coat of Krylon couldn't take care of. And here it is! It fits perfectly into my sewing room!

And I've already loaded it down with my patterns and filled in the extra space with my notions. So as of today, pattern storage is no longer a concern and probably won't be for a very long time!

Pattern Sizing: 4 - 16. I cut the 14 on top and graded to a 16 at the waist.

Description: Close-fitting sleeveless silhouette, above mid-knee length with princess seams in the front and darts in the back, bouclé dress with fringe bottom and exposed zipper.

Did it look like the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? No it doesn't. My version is completely modified.

Fabric: a bouclé that I've had in my stash for a couple of years now, that was meant to be a Chanel-style jacket. I had always thought the fabric was a little too light-weight for a jacket. But when I saw this dress that I wanted to make, it was the perfect weight. I used Bemberg for the lining.

Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn't even bother reading them. This dress is so basic. If you've at least made a dress like this once, you could make it again with your eyes closed and one hand tied behind your back.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved that one of the variations included in this pattern, there was a low/scooped neckline, which I feel is much more flattering than a higher neckline that you see on a lot of sheath dresses.
I liked that this pattern had the basic silhouette of what I was looking for in order to recreate my inspiration dress.


Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I made a 1" FBA and I lengthened the skirt my usual 3". A cut and added a Bemberg lining because this pattern was for an unlined dress. I added an exposed zipper. Even though the inspiration dress had an invisible zipper, I thought that detail is so very Dolce & Gabbana!
And I fringed the bottom. Anytime I can eliminate a hemline, that's a great project!

Here's the back:

I'll be adding a cardigan for chilly weather:

I have attempted to shop at your store for the last several pattern sales you've advertised. And to no avail, I have had to leave empty-handed. I arrive at your store bright and early on the first day of the sale with my list in hand and low and behold, when I open the drawers your pattern inventory is very scarce.... limited sizes and some not there at all! This is very disappointing to say the least. BUT Hancock Fabrics, my disappointment was short-lived because there is also a Jo-Ann Superstore in the same shopping center. How convenient! And guess what Hancock Fabrics? Jo-Ann will match a competitors offer! Isn't that just wonderful? Well... maybe not so much for you, but it definitely works for me! All I had to do was drive to the other end of the shopping center, pull my patterns from their filled to capacity drawers and present your sales paper!

Hancock Fabrics, here's a piece of advice: If you have your largest competitor located just yards away, you may want to consider stepping up your inventory AND your customer service. Just think about it.

Signed,
A (formerly) loyal customer.

Read the rest of it here!

Pattern: Vogue 1190- Tracy Reese

Pattern Sizing: 6 - 20. I cut the 14 on top and graded to a 16 at the waist.

Description: Close-fitting, A-line, above mid-knee length dress has front ruffles, pleats, exposed darts, back straps, princess seams, back zipper and contrast waistband with bow.

Did it look like the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? With the exception of it being a solid, I think it does!

Fabric: a silky solid from Jo-Ann's (100% polyester) and I used a black crepe back satin from my stash for the contrasting waistband and bow.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, they were very easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love that it's a Tracy Reese pattern and the dress was in stores a few months ago. I LOVE that I can make my version for a fraction of the retail cost.

I love the ruffled details:
I also love how Tracy Reese dresses are finished even though they are unlined:
The armholes have bias binding; the dress is constructed with French seams and the invisible zipper has a Hong Kong finish.

I'd thought about omitting the contrast waistband and the bow, so that I could just belt the dress if I wanted to. But I decided to go ahead and add them. I thought that was a really cute detail:
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I made a 1" FBA and I lengthened the skirt my usual 3".


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? As much as I love this design, I wouldn't sew it again. It's a very unique style and I only need one version in my wardrobe. But I do recommend this one!

First is B5520:

Inspired by this Jason Wu dress from his Fall 2009 Collection:

Next is B5522:

Deadringer for Trina Turk's Hijinx dress from Spring 2008.
(yeah, I know... I have an excellent fashion memory!)

That's about it for me with this collection. I'll probably only make B5520, ONLY if I find lace that I like for the sleeves.

Sidenote: Eva Mendes' dress is very similar to the fabric I used for my skirt!