Welcoming the New Year

The past week or so I have been going through my fabrics and remnants to put some order in the stash. Out of that came out one Christmas present for my mom, which I will show a picture of later, since I forgot to take one before giving it to her. I also found a couple of knit remnants big enough to make simple skirts out of this pattern, Christine Jonson's Base Wear Two 1025

Photo from CJPatterns.com

I have used this pattern before for the skirt and top before I started blogging.

I also traced two tops from different Burda Style issues

7/2010 112

9/2011 108

I lengthened 108 to turn it into a dress but because the cut on sleeve requires so much fabric I did not have enough in the knit I pulled out to cut it as a dress. I did make it as long as possible to wear it as a tunic. I will still make it as a dress I just have to have a different fabric.

I'm planning on a quiet day sewing interrupted by family time =). We will wait for the New Year watching Avatar in our new blue-ray dvd player with sparkling wine for the boys and a good bottle of wine for DH and me.

Happy New Year to all my wonderful readers! Feliz Ano Nuevo para todos!

Feliz Navidad!

Merry Christmas!  Feliz Navidad!

Today after having lunch (leftovers from last night) my husband and I took our Clio for a walk in one of our beautiful county parks. We were forced to take a different path than usual because the park was officially closed, even though us hardcore hikers parked farther out and found a new path that it turned out super enjoyable; we are planning on coming back to take this new way in the future. Don't you love it when a little twist on your road allows you to discover something new and wonderful?

Here is hoping that whatever twists life throws your way will help you discover an unexpected and enjoyable path!

And because I don't like photo-less posts here is a picture of a Danish style ornament I made years ago following instructions from a Martha Stewart show. I still love them and put them on my tree every year. You can see one hanging near my head on the first picture of the previous post.

Burda 7428

The fabric I had picked for this jacket was soft and almost sweater like but I didn't have enough so back in the bin it went and I pulled this loose weave wool instead. The fabric was bought at PA fabric warehouse, back when we were lucky enough to have one in our area.

Buttons also found in my collection.

The fabric came with a tag " Cecchi made in Italy" so I looked it up. Anywho I wanted to show you the cool weave design.

This pattern does not include a lining but because I interfaced the whole jacket for more body I included a lining. The lining fabric came from my stash, I think this one is actually from my mom's stash :-) I forgot to modify the construction of the sleeve bands to attach the lining so I ended up attaching the lining by hand there. After wearing it yesterday I tacked the lining a few more places along the sleeve to prevent too much peek-a-boo; as you can see in the pictures it was bubbling out of the sleeves a bit.

This is an easy jacket to construct as you can see not much fitting went on and it doesn't get easier than cut on sleeves.

If I were to make view B I would downsize the pattern and give it a little more shape at the side seams. While I like it, I do recognize that it is pretty shapeless as is.

I'm deciding what to sew next, I think I'll make pants, it has been a while since I have sewn any. They will be Burda since their patterns fit so well.

Paco's half circle skirt and Vogue 1261

Photo from In Style Magazine

After finishing Paco's gorgeous skirt I wanted a new top to go with it. I had saved this picture from a In Style magazine and I decided I would replicate the look.

Paco Peralta half circle skirt Pattern Review

Isn't it gorgeous?

 

Working with Paco's patterns makes you feel very special. Paco hand draws every single one and clearly marks all pertinent information, both in Spanish and English. This pattern is drawn whole for single layer cutting, as you can imagine you need a very large surface to cut out the maxi! Once you see the shaping of this pattern you know you will get one fantastic looking skirt.

I cut the skirt before I started working full time on Peter Pan so it has been a while, but I believe I traced the medium and added a bit extra, since my measurements fell between these two sizes.

I used a rayon lycra jersey with a wonderful weight. Because of the weight I made sure that I stabilized the waistline with Seams Great (which gives you stability with a bit of stretch) The waistband I interfaced with weft interfacing. I let the skirt hang overnight but there was no additional stretching so I felt confident inserting the zipper and finishing the waistband once I had a good fit. I referred to Paco's tutorial for the zipper placement into the waistband. I added a lining, a tricot that I hoped would smooth everything out, and it does!

I love my skirt! I could have one in every color! I am planning many more outfits with this skirt, I hope to share them with you as I wear them.

Vogue 1261

I bought this pretty lacy sweatery knit from Gorgeous Fabrics without a plan, I just liked it, and then I knew it would be perfect to replicate the above In Style inspiration.

I had two other patterns with raglan sleeves, Burda which had the ease I was looking for since my knit is not super stretchy but I did not want a cowl and without it the neckline was too high. The other pattern (from Burda Stle magazine) had a boat neckline and very tight fitting, two style features I did not want. I did try to modify the Burda envelope pattern but got myself all confused with matching the seams at the neckline so I gave it up. Then Vogue patterns went on sale online and I found the perfect pattern with raglan sleeves and the pretty round neckline I wanted!

As you can see I did not make the uneven hemline, not that I don't like it but I just wanted a simple hem for this version. I removed some of the flare at the hem and I cut the back on the fold since I did not want to cut up my knit's cable design.

The instructions have you leave raw edges, this is not the kind of fabric for those finishes so all my hems are finished, including the neckline binding.

Looking at the pictures I'm considering taking in the side seams of the tunic for a slightly more fitted look...I'll keep you posted.

And a last picture wearing the coat I made since I left the nurse at my son's school speechless when I told her I had made it after she complemented it.

Winterizing a summer frock

I had planned on wearing this dress (Burda 5/2010 105) with a green tee in the same shade in the print, and blue tights (which I did wear). However when I put on the tee with the dress the neckline pairing did not work (don't you hate it when that happens?)and instead I pulled this lightweight black sweater whose low scooped neckline worked with the dress'. I also own purple Mary Janes that I can wear with this dress and I will get yet another look.

I hope to have something new to show in the next post!