I am collaborating with Style Maker Fabrics for their Fall Tour. Michelle allowed us to select fabric cuts of our choice so that we all could create pieces that perfectly suited ours styles and personalities. 

I picked this fabulous black lace that's fused over a white knit. I decided to create one of this season's best jackets - a bomber jacket. I picked Burda Style 7210 (can't find it on the site).

I made this jacket 3 years ago and I've literally worn it to death ever since. I reached this particular pattern because I absolutely love the lines, the various characteristics such as the slanted welt zipper pockets and of course I had it already sized and cut out.

Since the lace is fused on a bright white knit, I left the jacket unlined and finished the inside with a lovely Hong Kong finish.

With the lace being fused onto the knit, I had to be particular with what type of needle to use because this fabric has a lot of structure. I initially started out with a Ballpoint, which didn't work at all. This fabric sews like a neoprene. So I switched over to a Microtex. And it worked perfectly.

I wanted my jacket to resemble high-end RTW, so I modified the front...

Sewing Tip!

I wanted to give my jacket a mid-strip. It's that piece that you see in RTW bomber jackets that's sewn on one side behind the zipper. It's similar a fly shield in pants. 

I drafted my own by measuring the length of the front edge of the jacket front, from the neck (minus the 5/8" seam allowance) to the fold line at the waist. 

My width is 3". I cut 2 of these and interfaced one of the pieces. 

Here is how it looks front and back after it was finished. 

And I picked up my zippers (22" metal zipper and 2 - 7" metal zippers for the pockets) and rib knit from Joann's. I love this fabric and I have a little bit leftover that I plan to use again. But here's something you need to know: even though this is a lace over a knit, it has almost no stretch. So I would definitely treat this as a woven.

My second piece of fabric is this luxurious faux black suede. I've worked with genuine suede and I've worked with faux suede. I made this great faux suede skirt last year and I'm dying to pull it back out. So I'm accustomed to working with this type of fabric with positive results. And I've also worked with some faux suede before that left me sad because it was too structured and was probably meant for upholstery instead of being a fashion fabric. So I know what I look for in a good quality fashion faux suede. And this is a great fabric.

I wanted a suede skirt, but one that was interesting -- appealing to look at. I didn't want a back pencil skirt or an a-line. So I picked this New Look 6418. I love the seam details of this pattern. It's the same lines that you would find in suede and leather in RTW. So if you're actually thinking of using genuine hides, this pattern is already cut out and ready to go.

I cut the size 16. I generally go up a size in New Look patterns than I would normally cut in Big Four. I find that New Look patterns run about a size smaller and have less ease than the others.

This skirt is noticeably similar to the white skirt I just recently made. The white skirt is completely self-lined. The New Look skirt is unlined. 

So for the top portion of the skirt, I flatlined it with a flannel back satin that I had in my stash. Flatlining is slightly different than underlining. I plan to do this again so, so I'll give an indepth tutorial on how to do this.

I zhooshed up my skirt, because that's just the kinda gal I am! I wanted mine to be ornate and not just basic. 

Sewing Tips!

I started out by adding eyelets to each side.

I made my markings on both sides of the side seam lines.

And used a mallet and the eyelet tools. For the top, I used rivets that were left over from my chocolate leather skinny jeans because those eyelets were not going through all of those layers of fabric.

I was on a roll, so I continued the multi-sized rivets across the front. And I laced the sides with suede lacing found in Joanns in the leather/suede section.

So, these were two great fabrics and I have to thank Michelle for including me in on this tour! Don't forget to check out Helena's project tomorrow on the next stop of the tour!

And for an evening out, why not add some drama and a play on texture.

This ruffle dip hem blouse is definitely serving its share of drama.  And very effectively at that!  I really thought that I was over high-low garments.  But this amazing top drew me back in.

To balance out the volume of the top, I went with a slim silhouette on the botton with my amazing guipure lace skirt, which is Vogue 8916.  Anytime I see lace like this, it always reminds me of Dolce & Gabbana.

And to accessorize, I wore a statement necklace and I mixed metals all the way through this look.  Lots of silver and gold.  And for that "pop of color", I went with magenta pumps.  I have to use color. It is indeed spring!

A couple of weeks ago, I attended Belk's Girls Night Out to support blogger buddy Alexis Barton of Same Chic, Different Day who was hosting the event.  I wore an oldie, but goodie - Vogue 1258 (Out-of-print now).  I re-discovered this dress about a month ago as I was purging my closet preparing donation bags.  I tried it on and it fit better than it originally did, so into rotation it went!  So while at Belk, I was there absorbing the atmosphere and sipping on wine, I did some exploring and some trying on!

This fabulous Elie Tahari Emory Floral Print Sheath Dress - $428, jumped off the rack at me!  I had to try it on!  

It's neoprene and mesh!  A floral neoprene at that!  Can I just tell y'all that I've been searching high and low for a similar print and I've had no luck thus far.  But I'm not giving up.  I absolutely loved the details.  This is a dress that can easily be made.  I could use a ponte knit or a stretch twill, but I really want a floral neoprene on a black background.  Notice how the darts are sewn.  I hope you can see it.  On the inside, the seams were left raw.  I've noticed that in ready-to-wear, neoprene is never finished on the inside.  And on this dress, nor is it hemmed.

I also wanted to try this tailored jumpsuit.  What drew me to this is that it has a front invisible zip, even though it's a little low-cut.  I've never really had much luck with ready-to-wear jumpsuits because due to my height, they always seem too short in the rise.  

But this one fits well and it was even comfortable when sitting.  And I was also impressed with the length.  It stopped where it was meant to according to how the model is wearing it.

Trina Turk Emmalyn Jumpsuit - $328

Let's look at the inside...

The bodice of this jumpsuit is fully-lined with a facing.

Here's the back.

And they even used hem tape.  This is a detail that I don't often see.

And of course, I had to buy something and what an amazing buy it was!  I found the DKNY Feather Hem Lace Dress that originally retailed for $495.  Brace yourself... I found it on clearance for... $19.98!  Yes, 20 bucks!  I paid for this dress with pocket change!  I very rarely buy ready-to-wear, so this purchase makes it worth my while!

There is just something so classic and elegant about a black and white ensemble.  And I just can't get enough of these wardrobe staples.  There are so easy to mix and match with other pieces in my closet.

And one of the things that I've been craving most is a black guipure lace skirt.  And why not a white top with dramatic sleeves to pair with it!

For the top, I used Vogue 8945.  It's actually a pattern for a dess, but I love the sleeves... so why not a top?  I cut the size 14 and I only used the front darts.  I didn't make the darts in the back because I wanted the top to fit a little boxy.  I plan to wear it with pants and to leave it untucked.  My fabric is this unusual Italian Pearl Solid Textured Cotton Blend (Content: 53% cotton, 26% nylon, 16% rayon, 5% linen).  

This fabric has a crisp hand, similar to a bottom weight linen.  And it's woven with glossy threads.  I found a that a very sharp Microtex needle worked best for sewing this.  This fabric has no stretch at all, and it would also work well for tailored garments.  And it would make a divine full skirt!  

My skirt is Vogue 8916.  I used Bemberg lining from my stash and cut the lining in the size 14, straight from the envelope.  I added 3 inches to the length of the skirt so that it would fall below the knee.  I felt a midi length would be much more elegant.

My fabric is Black Cotton Guipure Lace.  The fabric is 36" wide.  I cut it on the cross grain.  I eliminated the darts.  For this particular guipure lace, the motifs are smaller.  So instead of working around the motifs in the seams, I just cut the seams straight.  And since this lace is so delicate, I chose a skirt with a waistband.  I underlined the waistband with the lining fabric and used silk organza from my stash to stabilize it.  And for the hem, I cut around the motifs at the selvage line.

This year I decided that, ground sweeping maxi dresses will probably not be in the cards for me.  I've been dragging around, closing my car door, getting my heels caught and tripping over these elongated hemlines for a few years now.  I'm not the most graceful gal and I've literally fallen UP stairs from my feet getting caught in my dress.  And with the temps already dipping into the mid 90s with high humidity, I just don't want to be swathed in yards of fabric this summer.

So when I have the desire to wear a longer length, it will be a midi hemline.  I can still get the same coverage and flowy, without adding to my clumsiness!

I love this dress so much!  Y'all already know how much I LOVE details and design elements.  And this "simple" black dress has a few!  Notice the cut-in shoulders... lace insets at the waist and an exposed zipper!  I'm addicted to those things.  I know one of these days, I'm going to wake up completely out of the blue and be totally over them.

Wearing:  Vogue 8900.  See my original review of this dress!

Please bare with me, new sewing is coming.  Life has been so busy these days -- hence the reason I've actually had to get up and get dressed!  But I currently have a project cut out on the sewing table.  Now if I can only find the time and muster the energy!  Pray for me!

The short suit is one of the hottest trends this spring.  

It says, "I'm smart, sophisticated, confident and oh so pulled together!" 

My blazer is Simplicity 2446. I love this pattern so much that I made it twice!  Both in bright colors!

My cobalt blue lace shorts are Vogue 8865.

My white peplum top is Vogue 8815.  I think I made 3 versions of this top!

There use to be a time that you couldn't get me to go near bright colors.  I don't know what the fear was about.  But now, I love them and they make me just feel so cheerful!