Monday, December 23, 2013

Pantone Color of the Year 2014

This, people, is my color.

orchid_1

orchid_2

Once I found out that this was the color, I had to look for fabrics. These are all from Fabric.com (they are a sponsor of mine – if you click and buy, I get a cut!).

Sparkle Hatchi Knit Stripe PinkDesigner Sparkle Hatchi Knit Stripe Pink

 

Cotton Broadcloth LilacCotton Broadcloth Lilac

Slub Heathered Hatchi Knit PurpleSlub Heatherd Hatchi Knit Purple

Wool Herringbone Lavender/White
Wool Blend Coating Herringbone Lavender/White

 

Cotton Voile Paisley PurpleCotton Voile Paisley Purple

Silky Sweater Rib Knit RoseSilky Sweater Rib Knit Rose

Stretch Linen Pin Stripe Grape
Stretch Linen Pin Stripe Grape

Dupioni Iridescent Violet PurpleDupioni Silk Fabric Iridescent Violet Purple

 

Stretch Hatchi Knit FuchsiaStretch Hatchi Knit Fuchsia

Kimono Voile Paisley Dream FuschiaKimono Voile Paisley Dream Fuschia

Caprice Faux Silk PlumCaprice Faux Silk Plum

Amy Butler Blossoms Rayon ChallisAmy Butler Soul Blossoms Rayon Challis Sari Blooms Raspberry

 

Purple and gray is one of my weaknesses. Help me people. That wool herringbone in lavender is calling my name.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Burda Challenge 2013

A little recap of my Burda Challenge pieces, shall we?

January 01/2012 #110 – I wore this dress a few times on our Caribbean cruise. It’s comfortable and sexy.
b_012012_110_3

 

February 02/2013 #109 – I like this top but I never wear it. It’s too tight to wear alone and I don’t wear many jackets.
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March 03/2012 #126 – I wore these a lot in the spring. I wore them a bit in the fall too when school started back up. I get compliments every time I wear them. People like the coloring and the seam details.
b_0312_126_4

 

April 04/2011 #122 – I like this top and have worn it several times. The color is a little scary. You really have to be ready for it.
b_0411_122_2

 

May 05/2013 #107 – I love this top and I wore it all the time this summer.
b_0513_107_2

 

June 06/2013 #110 - I plan to wear this dress to a holiday party we have coming up. Fun times with sparkle!!
b_0613_110_1

 

July 07/2011 #110 – This particular dress was a dud in this fabric. But, and this is a big butt (har har), this pattern turned into my favorite dress of all time. It’s amazing what happens when you pair the perfect fabric with a pattern.
b_0711_110_1

Same pattern, different dress! This is my most favorite thing I’ve ever made!
b_0711_110_14

 

August 08-2012 #113 – I love this peplum top. I know that trend is probably here and gone, but I live in Alaska and we live in the past, ya’ll.
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September 09/2008 #104 – I love this jacket and wear it all the time!
b_0908_104_7

 

October 10/2013 #111 – The weird hip poochies still bother me. I get compliments when I wear it so other people must not be bothered by them!
b_1013_111_11

 

November 11/2013 #105 – Ugh, do we have to go through this one again. To save myself the pain, just read my first post about it. DUD!
b_1113_105_5

 

December 12/2013 #119 – I love this top. I plan to wear it to a few holiday parties this season. Again, fun with sparkle!!!
b_1213_119_1

 

 

 

Some interesting observations:
7/12 are knit,
4/12 are dresses
only 2/12 are bottoms
4/12 are prints (I always think I use prints, so this surprises me)
6/12 are fabrics from the National City Swap Meet
6/12 are patterns from 2013 Burda magazines
b_012012_110_3b_022013_109_4b_0312_126_4b_0411_122_2b_0513_107_2b_0613_110_1b_0711_110_1

b_0812_113_3b_0908_104_7b_1013_111_11b_1113_105_5b_1213_119_1

 

I’m definitely doing it again this year. I think I will use patterns from 2014 only though. It was fun looking through my back issues of Burda though. I’m thinking of this for January . .

b_0114_122_1

 

or these . . .
b_0114_109_1 

 

Happy holidays!

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Jalie 2911 + 3245 in Merino Wool

j_2911_26j_3245_5

 

How freaking cozy is this tunic? I used Jalie’s 2911 upper bodice with Jalie’s 3245 bottom to make it. I’m loving the tunic length tops with leggings and boots look. I’ve made several tops like this lately. This is my favorite. This is made out of merino wool and the fabric is fan-FREAKING-tastic. Oh, obviously we have been getting some snow. I think we are getting about 12” today. I had to take my pictures outside because it is so dark. The sun is coming up at 10:06am and setting at 3:39pm so there isn’t a lot of light. I’m working with what I have, people.
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Love the booty coverage.
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Lightened and with flash although with all the snow you can’t see much.
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The 2911 top is considerable shorter than this and a little boxier. I narrowed it through the waist and followed the 3245 pattern. The length and rounded hem are straight from Jalie 3245.
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Here’s an inside picture. The color is pretty close here. It might be a tiny bit darker in real life. It’s a thin merino wool that drapes well and has some stretch to it. You can’t really see it well but there is a very subtle herringbone design to the knit.
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Here’s the inside. It’s a sport material with two faces (you totally can’t trust it! Get it, it’s two-faced? My humor is lame, I know.). The outer face is 100% merino wool and the inside face is antimicrobial 100% polyester. I may have a few bolts in different colors for those of you who are interested. I’ll set up my ETSY store with some goodies right after Christmas. I have some delish wool doubleknit too. Divine, I tell you!
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Here’s the inside of the knit. It’s had to photograph inside with low light.
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Happy, happy holidays to you people! Things are busy here! Hardly any time for sewing!!