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!

Pattern: Simplicity 2436

Fabric: Linen-look Fabric from Hancock. (I think it's a poly-rayon blend)

Description: Girls' dress with sleeve, design detail and trim variations.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it does!

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were very easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Right now, I'm loving all things "Mad Men". This dress has a very retro style that is reminiscent of the 1960's Mod Era. So we added a head band, big hair and modern little kitten heel slingbacks.

Pattern Sizing: 8 - 16, I cut the size 12.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I added 4" to the hemline.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I actually would like to make this again for her (if she wants another one). I think the 3/4 sleeve version would look really cute in a lightweight boucle with the chain detail.

**Sidenote: Not only did she want me to make her a dress for her birthday, she wanted a *homemade* birthday cake. See... I DON'T BAKE! I mean I CAN bake, I just don't like to. She's been watching "Cake Boss" and food challenges on The Food Network and figured, "Hey! My mom can do that too!" Sigh... But for her, I gave it a shot.

Since I'm pretty sick of sewing Summer clothes, I decided that I'm sewing what I'm calling "Pre-Fall". Those are things I can wear now with sandals and things that will transition into cooler weather. I thought this skirt was a good start. I loved the colorway of this print. It works now and it'll work with opague tights when it's chilly out.

Pattern: Simplicity 2512 - Cynthia Rowley Skirt

Pattern Sizing: 4 - 20. I cut the 16.

Did it look like the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Pretty much.
Fabric: a silky print from Jo-Ann's (100% polyester) and I used a black crepe back satin from my stash for the contrasting binding.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Very. I only read over them to see how the binding was supposed to be attached.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the style of this skirt. I've had it since it first came out and I'm just getting around to making it.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I lengthened it by three inches.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would not. Even if I did find the time to sew this again, it would be the other view. And there's another skirt that's similar (but cuter, LOL) that I'd rather make instead.

I was perusing the new offerings at Net-a-porter.com. And I came across this beauty. It's a lovely LBD, but what really caught my eye was the multi-colored polka dot lining. I stopped and asked myself, "Why have I never thought to do this?" I mean, I line coats and jackets with colorful and contrasting linings all of the time. Why NOT a dress or skirt? Why do they not deserve to have a decorative interior? Well, this is about to change! This is something I plan to start doing. Of course it's not going to show while I'm wearing it. But, it'll be like having a little secret. And it'll look beautiful hanging in the closet!

Do you line your dresses and/or skirts with fancy linings like this?