Storyboard Part 3

I'm having a tough time figuring out a topper as well as free choice item for PR's Wardrobe Contest this year.  This is a picture of the latest and greatest storyboard.

(click to make larger)

The Burda shirt dress is back.  I found a lightweight denim that should work.  Depending on how large it is, I may choose to add darts in the back to make it more fitted.

See that cute little sleeveless thing on the upper left?  How would you like to shell out $278 clams for that one?  Granted, it's adorable, IMHO and silk but I draw the line at $100 for a sleeveless silk blouse from a mass marketed store.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE that store but right now I need to be more frugal.  Here's a close-up.

This will be my inspiration for a cute floral top.  I found a nice border print floral today and will use that for the blouse.  Simple bias tubes adorn the front and flowers are on the right shoulder- they don't look that hard.  I will need to add a facing piece on the left shoulder unless the strips are carried to the should seam- thinking on that one.  The top will cost me about $10 but alas, it's not silk but rather cotton.  

Tomorrow the cutting and sewing begins!

Update on Wardrobe Contest

It's a beautiful day outside and I'm inside tracing... where are my priorities?  Obviously they are with sewing:)

(Click to enlarge)

The vest is on the drawing board but I'll wait until the pieces are done to decide on what I should do there.  Mainly, I'm worried that it won't coordinate.  The shirtdress is still planned but I've changed my thoughts on the fabric.  See, I have a nice lightweight denim, more of a shirt weight that would have been great but then I started thinking...  That always gets me into trouble.  The Burda skirt 6-09-103 would look great in a lightweight denim and it would tie nicely.  So, the denim is being used there for the skirt.  Now I don't know what to use for the shirtdress.

Also, I've got 1 yd of madras plaid I'd love to use as a topper or a pair of shorts.  Honestly, I don't know if it's enough for a pair of shorts that don't show too much of me.  The bermudas take about a yard so I'll lay out the fabric and see if it will work.

Photos of the fabric will come tomorrow after they are washed, dried and ironed sufficiently.  Oh, btw, do you think the topper would be cute in a jersey knit?  Probably won't go with a shirtdress though.

Wedding Dress

We have 2 weddings to attend this summer, one in Montana and another in LA.  I'd like to have one dress for both but may change my mind since the temperature is going to vary significantly at each venue.  The dress I'm planning on making and starting the muslin this weekend is New Look 6829.

I'm embellishing the facing piece with metallic thread embroidery, sequins and beads.  The silk is a little dark but since the weddings are in the evening it will look classy.  (Keeping my fingers crossed)

My concern with the pattern is I don't like A-lines on me.  Probably because I'm short and feel like I'm about to float away.  So, the muslin will help me work out the FBA, armhole (armcye) and A-line shape.  

So, plan of attack:

1. Measure the pattern pieces
2. Perform a FBA by the slash and spread method
3. Muslin this up and start making changes
4. Cut into the silk and make up lining pieces
5. Send the facing piece over to my mom to have it embroidered
6. Sequins, beads, sequins, beads...

Love Jalie 2805

Well, I have just thrown out my Hot Patterns t-shirt that was TNT for the Jalie 2805.  I can I just say I LOVE this pattern?  My original review from Patternreview.com Jalie review described the issues with the diagrams being mislabeled, that have since been corrected.  So, with this new t-shirt the following changes were made.

• Increased the hem to 1.5" and used a double coverstitch to hem.
• Opened the sleeves by 0.5" since the knit is beefier with less stretch
• Raised the neckline by 0.5"
• Altered the v-neck binding to make it more pointy- still need to work on that

As you can see, there is a little puckering of the v-neck.  I believe it has to do more with the beefy knit and less with the pattern but back to the drawing board on this one.

After looking at the colors that were supposed to be hot this year, I consulted my stash.  This was one of the projects I didn't finish made for the wardrobe contest this Spring.  Hey, at least I finished it in the same year.  Obviously it is a different pattern but still the same fabric.  A sunny yellow since we are now getting the sun- boy, I've missed you!
You see that darn jacket on the left side?  That's what slowed my Spring wardrobe to a screeching stop.  It's really about done except for the sleeves.  I'm having the darnest time getting the 2-part sleeve to fit right.  You can find it on my ironing board staring at me daily...

So, Patternreview.com has another wardrobe contest starting June 1st.  Here's the thread about it. PR Wardrobe Contest 2010  This is a full-blown contest with 10 items.  I'm adding the pants on the lower right from the Spring wardrobe and the purple DVF fabric as well to the new contest.

Here's the preliminary storyboard- nothing set in stone.  I'm missing a RTW or another topper.  Ideas are appreciated.

(Click it to make it larger)

I'd like to make a dress for a couple of weddings I'm attending this summer but they don't go with the plan so add another item to this list- whew!  The dress on the right side will be a shirt dress made from lightweight denim.  I'm busting the stash to get these items done.  Also, the long shorts with the cuff will definitely have the cuff removed.  I don't need anything to make me look shorter!  Do you think that coat will cause me problems?  That's why it's going to be the last item I make and possibly get replaced with the RTW item.  If so, I've got to add another topper- maybe a vest???

What do you think?  

Finishing UFO

I finally finished the 3 button wrap from SWAK (Sealed with a Kiss) in Oklahoma.  3-button wrap  The buttons are from Sawyer Brook online.  The yarn is Berroco Vintage in a color called Denim, I think... where are those labels?  As you can see, the knit is lighter than the heavy wool they used.  I prefer the light wrap so I can throw it in my carry-on bag for flying and not have to lug around something heavy.  It rolls up nicely but still keeps me warm.  Do you ever take anything to the movies?  I get so cold that I end up taking wraps or blankets to keep warm.  Is this a sign of me getting old?  My husband says my "Ther-mom-e-meter" is broken.

I'm on a blue kick right now...

Also, I sewed up the Jalie 2805 t-shirt pattern with a little added accent.  That was a quick and easy project but check out the copy of my review from Patternreview.com.  Be aware if you use diagrams because there is a major mix-up with the pattern.

My iron decided to spit up all the minerals in it and deposit them on this top.  Guess I need to clean the iron...  Time to wash the shirt too.

Pattern Description: Choice of t-shirts with 4 sleeve lengths and 4 neckline variations: Jewel neck (A), Mock turtleneck (B), V-Neck (C), overlapped V-neck with decorative buttons (henley) (D).

Pattern Sizing:Childrens thru womens

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Somewhat after I added the flowers.

Were the instructions easy to follow?The instructions are easy once you figure out the pattern pieces- more on that below.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?I love the styling of these patterns. What I didn't like were the drawings on the pattern pieces which were all wrong. BEWARE.

Fabric Used:Cotton-lycra

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:I cut out the henley because the drawing was for a v-neck. I thought it looked odd but chalked it up to a design issue. Not so, it was for the henley and not the v-neck. The front piece for the v-neck is labelled for the round neck. What a mess after I cut them out. Subsequently, I labelled my original pattern pieces so, in the future, I don't make that mistake again.

I also added a rosette on the shoulder to make it a little more trendy. Instructions are on my blog.

I also made a 1/2" FBA. Also, I extended the front by 1/2". For the record, I am a 32DD and typically wear a BWOF 38.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?Yes, I plan to sew it again. I will go down a size if using a really stretchy knit because this top was a little loose for my taste.

Conclusion: Great style, good pattern, see above for the warning. Otherwise, this is a great one to sew and love the way the neckline is done. 

Necklne rosette

Another view- less fuzzy

Love the neckline and how it's attached.

How to make the rosettes:

Cut 6 circles of 1.5 in. diameter.  This will make 3 rosettes.

Fold 1 circle into rough fourths

Place a stitch through the layers

Now attach another circle to the base of the folded circle (this is one rosette)  I used a couple of stitches and gathered them to make the folds more pronounced.

After all of them are done, run a running stitch through the center and attach them to the garment.  (I was going to add beads in the centers but haven't decided finally on that yet.)

I roughly positioned them next to each other to make a broach-type of decoration as you can see above.

Have fun!

Another Knitting Project

I've been thinking about another project to start knitting and finally decided on Rowan's Kidsilk Aura sweater called Shaylee.  (Yes, I know, it's going to be summer but when I travel it's easier to take knitting to pass the time.)

All Rowan photos courtesy http://www.knitrowan.com/patterns/Kidsilk-Aura-Collection.aspx

I really like the patterns Rowan publishes and this is no exception.  It's rated as easy so what's not to love?

This is the Shaylee pattern as knitted in the Kidsilk Aura.  I find it way too scratchy so I've decided to knit it out of Shibuiknits yarn Silk Cloud.  

Photo courtesy Shibuiknits.com

Colorway: Wasabi

Silk cloud link.  It's 60% Mohair and 40% Silk- yeah, I know, it's still going to have a high itch factor but being that it will always be worn as a cardigan I'm hoping not to crawl out of it too quickly.  I saw a similar yarn at my LYS but they didn't have enough in the same dye lot and couldn't order it for me so I found it at Yarn.com.  

It's a little bright but I think with some gray pants for the fall and a crisp white shirt it will look fantastic.  Add a little black and silver jewelry or a different belt and it will really pop, in a good way.  (I hope:)  I was tired of the same purples and blues I've been knitting and really, I've got a lot of black and white sweaters.  This will force me to add a little (or a lot of) color to my wardrobe.

While I was at it, I couldn't help myself and ordered some of the Baby Alpaca DK weight in Peony.  The baby Alpaca isn't as scratchy to me and can be worn closer to the skin.  

 Photo courtesy Shibuiknits.com

I plan to use it in a pullover from the same Rowan brochure.  Funny, it's similar in color...  I like to wear my pullovers with a shirt or turtleneck underneath so the neckline won't be a problem.  Do you think I can knit it in the round?  I'm thinking on that subject.  The pattern does call for a worsted weight but I'll just size up the needle to get the gauge, it will lighten up the sweater a bit or I'll keep the same needle gauge and knit it up a size.  Still considering this- what do you think? 

Honestly, I sure hope it won't itch...

Burda Magazine 2-2008-119 Top

It was necessary to finish something that required little to no effort since the jacket is still sitting unfinished on my desk.  I needed a break.

So, I chose Burda Mag top # 2-2008-119, Mock Tie Blouse.

Photo courtesy Burdafashion.com

I opted to make the collar 1/2 width because I didn't have enough fabric.  It is a poly-charmeuse from Joann fabric.  I do like this fabric but make sure you don't have dry fingers when working with it because it pulls terribly.  Ask me how I know...

French seams finish the interior.

This is another view of the mock tie.  I decided to place it on the right side because I wear a name badge on the left side and my purse strap is usually on that side. 

This is out of focus but it shows you a close-up view of the collar.

I finished the armholes with store bought bias tape.  This worked well and gave it some body.  

I'll add more pictures when I wear it this week.  It has turned cold in KC so I won't be wearing it anytime soon.  It feels like mid-April weather and I'm NOT happy.  This gives me new incentive to finish the Burda jacket that still sits on my desk.  I've got to get my seam ripper out again for it.  I'm building character.

Here's my review found on Patternreview.com:

My review of this blouse

The Never-ending Jacket

Ok, if I've said it once, I've said it a million times... this jacket is taking forever to finish.  I've gotten stuck on the sleeves.  I hand basted them in place and they appeared fine so I stitched them into position.  Then tried on the jacket again and the cap was too far forward.  Don't ask me how that happened.  So, back to ripping them out and starting over again.  I think I'll have it done in time for Fall.  Maybe I should have interlined it like the pattern suggested.

So, I won't give up sewing fun and EASY garments in the meantime.  The Pinheads started on Pamela's Perfect T pattern but I was still on the jacket so it didn't happen for me.  Good thing too since it appears the shirt is made for a more mature or "Real" figure (insert immature joke here;).  I'm going to try the Jalie t-shirt pattern that I've had for some time.  The HotPatterns t-shirt works well but does require a bit of adjustment for me.  It has become my TNT but you know, how is it I can't leave well-enough alone?  I end up having to add about 3" to the top and an inch to the sleeves (short-sleeve version) to make it work for me.  Also, I add a 1/2 FBA at the side seams.

I haven't abandoned my Spring SWAP but am trying to keep this steam engine rolling.  Sometimes life has a way of getting in the way and derailing well laid plans.  Here's the plan as follows:
1.  Finish that darn jacket
2.  Start on a couple of t-shirts with interesting details like these- (photos anntaylor loft and jcrew respectively)

or these


Short shorts are going to be all the rage this season.  I think they were last seen on my body as of 1999.  Spider veins took over and now it's best to keep the gams covered.

My hubby still wants his shirts I promised him a few 6 months ago.  He's not very patient;)  That will be after I start and finish a few other of my selfish projects.

Now that I'm working part-time again I hope to actually have time to finish many items.  Stay tuned.