I know it's only July, but I'm sooooooooo ready for Fall. Here's a great video put together by Nordstrom, previewing their Fall Designer Collections.

Yesterday, as I was beginning to sewing the lining into my jacket... I was dragged away from my sewing machine by my family. I have to admit, I did have fun... it was a welcomed interruption. Hopefully, I'll be able to make more progress today!

This Fall, I'll be starting "Project: Chanel Jacket". This is the wool/cotton/silk blend bouclé that I selected for my jacket. I'll be using Vogue 7975 as my pattern.

While shopping in Hancock's a couple of weeks ago,

to make this dress.Simplicity 3874, View B

I have found these to be two great resources... two that I have been buried in for the last couple of days. JFRP is a great companion book for tailoring a jacket for ANY size that I've come across. If you have not tackled jacket construction and tailoring, this book is a must have for your sewing library. This book provides step-by-step instructions on how to choose and treat the fabric; seam finishes; how to make the alterations; where to add interfacing; welt pockets; bound buttonholes; sleeve heads; shoulder pads; set sleeves and the list goes on. The particular chapter that struck me was the last one on Men's jackets, something I definitely want to try. Here is the chapter list:

1. About Sewing Jackets
2. Pattern Selection
3. Fabrics
4. Shaping Fabrics
5. Great Notions for Jacket Sewing
6. Pressing and Seam Finishes
7. Make Sure it Will Fit
8. Fitting Jackets on REAL People
9. Cutting, Marking, and Interfacing
10. Jacket Front
11. Back and Under Collar
12. Sleeves, Shoulder Pads, and Chest Shaping
13. Facing, Upper Collar, Lining, and Hems
14. Bagging a Lining
15. Buttonholes
16. More Pockets
17. Easy Mitered Back Vent
18. Finishing Touches
19. TIPS That Will Improve ALL of Your Sewing
20. Plaids and Stripes
21. Men's Jackets

The only thing I didn't like... well, I won't say "didn't like", but I wished there had been color photos instead of so many illustrations. BUT, it wasn't hard to figure it out since they are GOOD illustrations.

Easy Guide to Sewing Linings by Connie Long is the only book that I've seen that discusses the treatment of linings in such detail. It talks about how to line EVERYTHING and all of the possible problems you may encounter.

Chapters

1. The Purpose of Lining a Garment
2. Jacket Linings
3. Coat Linings
4. Vest Linings
5. Skirt Linings
6. Pants Linings
7. Dress Linings
8. Sheer and Lace Garment Linings
9. Sweater Linings
10. Lining Vents

She gives precise instructions on how to make your own lining pattern; how to put them in by machine or hand sewing. If you enjoy wearing lined garments (as I do), this book is a must have.

I am very hard to impress when it comes to music because almost everything put out now is gar-bage! But this CD is worth every penny! Chrisette Michele's debut album - "I Am" brings back the true meaning of what an R&B album should be. This chick can sang! No booty shaking -- no studio enhancements -- no screaming and over singing -- just talent! Even her lyrics have depth.

So far, I've done:

right and wrong sides of band and darts

M5464 - This cute jumper looks to be inspired from Luella Bartley's Fall 2006 collection. I think this would definitely look cute over a fitted turtleneck and tights.

M5467 - The strapless jumper. I've seen so many variations of this style. I don't know if this will be on my "MUST SEW" list, but IF I do make it, I will be wearing it with...

M5471 - I love this white shirt! I love that it has princess seams! I love the dramatic cuffs!

I decided to do this very popular Builty by Wendy shirt is a sheer. I too had avoided sheers for quite sometime and decided to take on the challenge. This is a very simple pattern and if it had been sewn in a fabric with more body, it could have been completed in probably an afternoon. Since I sewed this in the sheer, I decided to take my time.

I gave most of the construction details in my previous post, but there was one other thing that I didn't include. The additional things I did was a bias-bound armscye. Since I used french seams, I decided that this was the best method for finishing the set-in sleeve seam allowance without resorting to serging, which would have looked unattractive from the right side of this sheer blouse. I did this by sewing the sleeve to the garment and wrapping a bias strip around the seam allowance. The front facing is done by turning back the the CF edge three times for a "self-interfacing" effect. Since my fabric was so sheer, I really feel that I could have used some interfacing right there.

I like the fact that this top is very cute and trendy and I love the mandarin collar. I decided to layer mine over a black cami. It can be worn untucked with the sash or tucked without it.