My New Cashmerette Patterns

I think I'm finally a *little* bit into the swing of things...

I saw Cashmerette patterns for the first time on Carolyn's blog a couple of weeks ago. One cool thing about being out of the loop for so long is that everything is new for me! Some things I've kept up with--I continued my Burda and Ottobre Woman subs for the majority of my hiatus, and checked in on Colette patterns and Hotpatterns regularly too.

Still, that's relatively little exposure to the sewing world. I'm sure there are many things I missed and many things that changed. New pattern companies that cater to curvier folks was a fun surprise though!

There are several nice patterns in the line, but here are the four I chose:

Upton Dress: (I also got the sleeve expansion which is shown on these models). 

Lenox Shirtdress: 

 Concord T-Shirt:

Turner Dress:

I'm interested in trying these--the expanded cup sizing (size 12-28 and cup C-H) is inspiring! I am completely unbiased too--other than Carolyn's lovely garment, I haven't had time to look these up online. I think I will just remain spoiler-free until the time comes to sew one up .

I'll keep you posted!

Canvas Storage "Bucket"

I promise I'm not turning into an anthropologie knockoff blog (altho...would that really be such a bad thing??)

Fell hard for this storage basket from the anthro site this weekend:

chevron pop canvas basket

Something that's actually an easy-to duplicate project.  If you're not at all familiar with creating a pattern for something like this by hand, there are several tutorials on the internets. This one looks good and even has measurements.

The anthro basket isn't horribly priced, but who knows about the fabric quality. When you make your own, you can customize the fabric and quality (and this project wouldn't take much fabric either, so you could invest in the good stuff).

There are lots of canvas and twills at Fabric.com. Love love love this one (and bonus! it matches my bathroom cabinet):

waverly sand art

I still haven't sewn a seam yet this month. But hey! There are a few more days left in January. It could happen.  I need to clean and oil my machine first. Poor baby.

Skirt Pattern Investigation

Bet y'all thought I was never going to mention sewing again, huh??

I was so excited to get my February Burda Style magazine (the real one, not the US knockoff) because of THE BACK COVER!!!

It features this skirt in the red lace overlay version:

What can I say? That skirt speaks to me. Lace overlay. Casual chic chambray. Swishy half circle goodness. Shaped almost yoke waist. *love*

Unfortunately I can't find it on the Simplicity.com site, but I found it on this German site. I'm not sure if that means it's an old pattern or a new pattern? I'm hoping new so I can pick it up! Because I also love that center view, the red & white wide stripes! (Reminds me of a Kate Spade skirt from a couple of years ago).

If I can't find it, I'm fairly certain I can wing this one on my own though. Finding the lace will probably be the hardest part! But mmmm-hmmm, I am certainly going to give it my best shot.

What's in your sewing basket for (not even close yet) spring??

Colette Sorbetto Inspiration

My ultimate summer top has come out of winter hiding again!

Colette Sorbetto - Free Pattern

I've been wearing last year's versions (vers 1, vers 2) and of course dreaming up new variations. (Last year's are now too big, so there's that motivating factor too). Here's another cute gathered version (and the linked post has several other adaptations):

via craftser

These are toddler dresses from the etsy shop pinkdixie, but I think they're adorable and would be easily adaptable for a Sorbetto (or any tank pattern).  FINALLY. A use for all those cute cottons I have in my stash!!

quilty cottony faves

doilies? yes/no?

old sheet or tablecloth or giant peasant dress cut down! YES!

And Mary's buttoned version is one of my all-time faves. Plus Mary is adorable.

source - Mary I <3 a="" u="">

Oona's feathery embellisment (and DRESS variation!) makes me swoon.

Oona

 There are a ton of cute variations out there.  The best of the lot seem to benefit from fiddling with the (somewhat dodgy) armhole/armscye shape.  Be forewarned and make a muslin for this one! It's not much fabric and takes VERY little time (2 pattern pieces!)

GUYS. I might actually sew something this weekend.

(although I have a huge research paper to write for my class. Yikes. I haven't written one of those in YEARS. Nevermind how many.)

Happy weekend peeps!

Burda Style: April 2013

I'm so far off my blogging game, I thought I'd posted this LAST WEEK. ha!  In a nutshell, here are my favorites from the April issue of Burda Style (which you've already gotten and found your own favorites probably.  But still.  A new post! yay!)

Those are my favorites. What are yours??

ps...I finished a second novel (the first draft) about 10 days ago! I started a third on last Saturday (a week ago) and have been writing up a storm.  So...that's partly why I've been incognito the past few months.  Writing, writing, writing. 

The second one, it's pretty special.  I'll be working on the revise/editing/second draft of that one to prepare it for that whole scary submission process.  But not for a few weeks yet (probably in June when I'm out of school!)  Wish me luck!

Ottobre 2/2013. And Pi. And Dean.

I got my Ottobre Woman in the mail last week! Did you? I only subscribe to the women's issues now, since Lu won't let me sew for anymore. 

I thought this was a great little issue, with several basic designs I can see myself using over and over (Kristine thought it was a terrible issue, with nothing she could use ever. So...your mileage will vary! Also, Kristine is a Crabby Patty. She also thinks I'm terrible half the time and has no use for me either.)

All kidding aside though, there are some great basics here! Especially if you've never tried Ottobre before.  #14 is a basic sheat dress pattern (on the right below):

And I love the 40s/80s throwback of the blouse #9 (colorblocked below):

 The jacket is pretty cute too, a linen "motorcycle" jacket!

Then we have a nice basic wrap top/dress, #19 (nothing innovative, but still a flattering silhouette on most body types):

And also a cardigan/jacket #12 and a pair of slim pants in ALL sizes (I love when the do all size pants. So often they don't!). Pants #5 & #6.

Knit colorblocked dress. I'm not sure I have the patience? But I actually like this. #17:

And although I hated the gather neck tee below at first  because of the odd shaping, it's growing on me. Tee #13, with shorts #5&6 (all sizes!)  The sleeveless top though, that's fabulous! #3:

I even like the dress/tunic version below left, #7:

That's about it for me, I guess.  But then, that's almost all of the garments too! So it's a keeper.  Maybe if you missed this issue, Kristine will sell you hers. Muwhahaha...

In Random Fits of Nonsense And Wasted Time News...

Happy Pi Day!

from me & my favorite tv boyfriend, Dean Winchester.

He has rhythm. 

I make baked goods. 

Basically, it's a match made in tv heaven.

Burda Style: March 2013

I almost forgot to renew this year (yikes!) and while I've been mojo-less for months, I still love looking through my Burda Style every month.  Luckily, GLPNews sent me the March copy in the mail. Whew!

Here are my favorites!

I could own several of these cute capelet/jackets! So cute, and other than the hassle of marking that rounded casing, how easy to sew too! 

Channeling my beloved Season 1 Glee with this cute cardigan and skirt (there's also a basic pencil skirt in this issue).

Several garments with applied seaming treatment. This top is from the plus section and I L*O*V*E it.

I don't care if we've seen it before, this time it has a bonus EXPOSED ZIP.

Burda Style obvs knew I was going to Belize this summer.

Vintagey Chanel-esque jacket, and slim cigarette pants.  (Ignore the ugly midriff top thing)

Sweet spring dress. I think they did this exact pattern a few years ago, in a similar floral.  Still cute, subtle shaping.

Vavoom sundress, instantly reminded me of Sophia Loren, although I couldn't find a photo. It has a very "50s summer" vibe. (Louis Vuitton agreed.)

Another 50s inspired piece, the lace top.

Adorable sheath dress, reminded me of Joan's navy dress with applied trim and button detailing.  (Super easy to extend that trim to the hem on one side only!)

Little "black" dress love (poorly fitted on the model, but the lines are perfect):

Boho chic, how I love thee:

Those are my picks from this issue! I'm dying for spring to hurry and get here.  Come on sun!

Any favorites I missed out there in sewing blogland??

50s Eyelet Amazeballs Dress. And Cheongsam.

Holy eyelet, Batgirl.  And shaped bias!  I'm very nearly speechless. And salivating.

source

AND it has a sweet matching bolero, with scalloped edges to echo the shaped bias, which throws me fully into incoherent territory.

Can you imagine what else was in this girl's amazing wardrobe??  I wish I knew!

From the same Etsy shop, RococoVintage, comes this gorgeous cheongsam.

Tiny umbrellas!?  WHAT?!!  Shannon has always been more the cheongsam type than I, but this dress has completely won my heart and soul.  Must. Have. One.

So now I'm on the lookout for a cheongsam pattern. I've almost positive I don't have one...although I do plan to go through the (*cough* extensive *cough*) vintage pattern stash later today to make sure.  (It wouldn't be the first time I purchased a vintage pattern twice. Ahem. Three times.)

These are all possibilities for my ebay saved searches (wish Etsy had that feature!)

Simplicity 1447

Butterick 7718

American Weekly 3104

Advance 7906

McCalls 3527

I've been getting back into the swing of things sewing-wise lately.  You might have noticed the mojo is kicking it up a notch.  I'm both excited and (to be honest) a little nervous to start new projects right now.

I'm at least a few sizes smaller than I was last time I sewed something (back in the spring?) and pretty much everything I have made in the past 12-18 months is too big.  Dresses I can fake it with a cardigan and/or a belt, for now.  But most of my skirts with fitted waistbands are now in the "mending" pile, waiting for a new waistband solution.

Soo...I've put sewing on hold for a few months, not sure how much energy I want to spend fitting items that might not fit in another 2 or 3 months.  You know how we all love our stash.  BUT I'LL NEVER EVER FIND A FABRIC I LOVE AS MUCH AS YOU!!!!!!

Am I right?

Awesome.  Now that Taylor Swift song is stuck in my head.  Bah.

Anyway.  The good news is...I can sew all new clothes!  And, a couple of things that haven't fit in years and years, from the far recesses of my closet, are in rotation right now.   (I don't make a habit of saving clothes that don't fit though, so after I lost weight this year, I literally have almost nothing to wear! I look like a hobo most of the time.)

There are still three pieces I'm longing to wear that I saved because I loved them so much when I made them.  One is a black crinkle rayon Milan dress (Textile Studios), one is a crinkle rayon sleeveless column dress in bright, delicious turquoise (an Adri Vogue pattern from the late 90s), and a simple cream with black polkadot skirt, no pattern, with a sweet little ruffle at the hem.  I actually remember the last time I wore that skirt and it has long been my favorite "go anywhere" skirt.  Skirt, I have missed you!

And the day I fit into all three (it will definitely be the same day, they're all from the same identical time frame), we're having a huge blog party and I'm going to give away a buttload of patterns and fabric and books. Or something.

Now I leave you with two more RococoVintage dresses, so classic and timeless that I'm already plotting in my head to knock them off.

Happy Saturday!