Sew What

Recognize This Shoe?

I knew it the instant I saw it on my calendar this morning. It is the shoe from Sex and The City - the movie. These are the Manolo Blahniks Carrie married Big in! I really love this calendar...

Are You Watching Project Runway?

Project Runway airs on Thursday nights at 10PM EST on Lifetime.

This was Seth Aaron's creation for episode 1.

OK, so maybe I wouldn't wear this, but, I love some of the details.  Look at the belt used as a bracelet.  I love the little checkered straps and the chain at the hip.  I like the straps in the back and look what he did to her shoes!  I think this guy knows how to make a total look.  I am looking forward to seeing what else he creates.

So who is your favorite designer this season?

BURDA Style February 2010

Normally, I do not like to check out the new BURDA Style desgns before my magazine arrives, but  couldn't help myself today.  Here are some of my favorites:

 

 

Love the shoes!

 

This dress is perfect.  I like the collar, fitted waist, and just below the knee length.  This is next on my project list!

 

 

Skirt Fitting

In order to tweak the fit, I slipped the skirt on inside out. I decided not to do a center back seam alteration. Instead, I will use elastic between the skirt and the facing. I have some elastic that I purchased from Emma Seabrook at the Sewing Expo. I bought an entire roll. This stuff is not like the rubbery elastic at JoAnns. It is 3 inches wide and it is soft and has good recovery. This will keep the waist from stretching too much.

Remember When...

Remember the 80s? When shoulders were big! (pun intended). I think the prevailing logic was that big shoulders would balance large hips and make the body look slimmer.

I think the big shoulders make the body look bigger - like football players. What do YOU think?

A Work In Progress

I assembled the front and back of my skirt by sewing all vertical seams. Next, I sewed the zipper in the center front.
Now, my leather skirt is ready for a final fitting. The fit is good, but I might want to snug the waist a tiny bit. I will tweak the back waist at the center back seam. In the photos, I have the waist facing clipped to the outside. In order to fit perfectly, I will have to cut the facing at the center back and sew a lapped seam there to make the waist tighter.
Once the fit is fine tuned, I will use the adjusted facing to draft a one piece yoke.

It will look better once it's pressed. Also, I think it is time to add more padding to my dress form. She doesn't quite fill the skirt out the way I do, and I don't think I'll ever get back to the size I was when I originally padded her. I have been hoping, but it's time to get real!

Cari turns 14

HaPpY BirThDaY to my first niece! PS - love the hat! I hope your birthday wishes come true!

Pattern Drafting

A couple of years ago, I took a pant fitting class at the Worcester Sewing and Quilting Expo.  The class was taught by Peggy Sagers.  I now can sew pants that fit me perfectly.  If you ever have an opportunity to take her class, I highly recommend you do it!

With my custom pant pattern, I made a basic skirt sloper.  I sewed a mock-up to correspond to it, complete with a zipper.  It has been hanging in my sewing room since 2007.  Last night, I broke it out to draft a pattern for a skirt to go with my red leather jacket.  I tried on the mock-up just to make sure I was still happy with the fit.  

 

   
 

The sloper is for a mini skirt.  I want this skirt to come to just below my knees, so I added length.  I converted the darts in back to princess seams.  Then, I angled the seam lines and added additional style lines.

I did this for the front and the back.  Next, I drafted facings for the waistline.  Voila! I now have a pattern for a skirt to go with my jacket!

Little Indulgences

I bought this calendar for my friend Gina but I got it too late so I kept it for myself. Merry Christmas to me! I love it. This is the sort of thing I never would buy for myself.

Here it is on my desk at work. What are your little indulgences?

I can MAKE that!

I have been bouncing around ideas for a skirt to match my jacket.  I think a princess pencil skirt is what I want to do.  Instead of buying a pattern, or looking for one in my pattern stash, I am thinking - you guessed it - I can MAKE that!  If I can get the fit right, I think it will be stylish and comfortable to wear.

Here is a sample of the fabric stitched with lapped seams

What about shoes?  Oh I would LOVE to make my own shoes!  Hmmmm, maybe I could cover a pair of pumps and add some embellishment to them.  And a purse....  I could also make a little clutch purse with a frame.  See how easily I can get carried away with a project?  Hey at least I'm not thinking about a hat!