Jalie 3355 Times Two

My twins are always in need of cozy, snuggly, warm sweatshirts. I love this Jalie pattern and I've used it so many times. I'm sure it's in the 30's by now. This time, I made them one size too big and added four inches to the length so they are more tunic-y length. I think they'll be perfect over leggings, which is their pant of choice at the moment. 

I couldn't resist adding a little bling to them. On the red/pink sweathshirt knit, I added a blue silk woven X to the front. I added decorative stitching to the sides to attach it to the front. I got this inspiration from the most current Ottobre kids magazine. 

On the second sweatshirt, I added a little orange rhinestone bling to the front and shoulder. This is a hard fabric to photograph. It's little darker and warmer than this picture. This is the same fabric as this Ottobre tunic. I didn't do the hood only because I didn't have enough fabric. 

I've talked about these before here. They are plastic rhinestones attached to this mesh and they are so easy to add. Plus, they are indestructible. 

I wanted to show you my little helpers. This is a small room with a lot of stuff in it. Why is it, when I'm in here, that BOTH furry creatures need to be in here too? Why can't they sleep outside the door?? The cat mostly leaves my stuff alone now and just sleeps on this dresser. Sometimes, though, the serger threads are too tempting and she gets "invited" to leave the room. 

Pantone Color of the Year 2014

This, people, is my color.

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 Pink	Cotton Broadcloth Lilac	Slub Heathered Hatchi Knit Purple
Wool Herringbone Lavender/White	Cotton Voile Paisley Purple	Silky Sweater Rib Knit Rose
Stretch Linen Pin Stripe Grape	Dupioni Iridescent Violet Purple	Stretch Hatchi Knit Fuchsia
Kimono Voile Paisley Dream Fuschia	Caprice Faux Silk Plum	Amy Butler Blossoms Rayon Challis

 

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

Another great gift idea.

So how cute is this little idea? I'm sure lots of people know about these and wear them while they run. But, for me, these little armbands are new. Super cute too. I probably won't give any for gifts but I will keep this in mind for my summer training season. I tore this out of the REI leaflet they send for the holidays. The top pictures are from the REI website. Here's a link to the page. They could be made out of little tiny strips of knit material. It's perfect for those of you who hate throwing away scraps.

Early Morning Sewing II and Next Up

Well, dag-nabit. I wanted to show you what I was working on today but Burda is being uncooperative. Ya know that in-between time on their website? When they are showing the current issue (November) and the archives shows two months ago (September) but last month's (October) issue is no where to be found? I am making 10/2009 #104. It's that red and black sweater dress. It's kind of shapeless in the line drawing but it's cute on the model? Well, I'm making that. Hopefully I'll be able to finish by tomorrow so I can wear it to work on Monday. I love quick weekend projects. I love dresses that I can wear with thick tights and boots.

Speaking of quick, I cut these out last night and finished them this morning. All the ribbing is random stuff from my husband's grandmother that I inherited when she died. The mittens themselves is made from Polartec 200.

CAbi Fall and Winter Collection 2009

If you've never been to a CAbi party you should go. They are like Tupperware parties but for Carol Anderson clothing. The clothing is nice but expensive (for me at least, I'm cheap) and it's fun to look at your friends dressed in something that is totally not them. I never buy anything at CAbi parties but it is fun to hang out with my friends and try on clothing. The consultant knows I'm only there to pick over details and she always tells me that maybe I should go and design for Carol Anderson. Yea, as if. I always tell her the same thing. I'm a workhorse, I have skills, I can copy, but I CANNOT design or be creative on my own. I am not an artist. For me an artist is someone who creates using their own ideas. I always use a pattern. If I change it, it's because I've seen that detail on something else and want to copy it. And, I'm not looking for "Dawn you ARE an artist!" comments. I come from a family of artists (woodworker, potter, silversmith) and what they do is way different than what I do. So here are some excerpts from the fall and winter line. I did like a bunch of the details. I sit and draw while she is doing her presentation.

First up, this cute pair of pants that was made out of a very thick bottom weight knit suiting. It was very interesting to touch. It had a bit of stretch. The details in the back where cute too. It had a notch at CB, seaming lines that ran down each leg, and a little buckle in the back.

I loved this vest/jacket thing . . . until I tried it on. I love the colors on it and I love the design on other people. I think it was too baggy in front and that kind of threw the belt off. It just looked too big and made me look very flat chested. Which, of course, I am. This is why I sew my own clothes.

There was a very cute t-back vest (far right) that I really liked. It was more slouchy than fitted. I think this Simplicity pattern is the same back but the CAbi vest is much loose; made to be worn open and flowing. The wrap dress (second on right) was made out of a beautiful fabric. It's an orchid purple with navy and black accents. You could totally use the Jalie wrap top pattern for this.

Hmmmmm, there are more but my scanner has decided that it does not want to work. More on this later.

Fall Fashions

My MIL bought me an Instyle subscription a few months ago and I really love looking at it for inspiration. Here are some of my favorites from the September issue.

I love these bright wool coats. The yellow-orange one does look like a bathrobe but the color is fantastic. I was given some camel coating a while back and really should make a nice jacket for myself this winter. I love the camel jacket with the hood on the lower left.

I just love vests. There are several in the past years of Burda and I also downloaded the free Hotpatterns vest from Fabric.com. They are so cozy and can really add a nice pop of color to a dull outfit.

And I have been wearing dresses almost exclusively since school started a few weeks ago. They are so easy to wear. No matching, no coordinating, just rip it out of the closet and put it on. This dress really reminds me of the crazy purple and black one I made a while ago. Well, they remind me in shape, not color.

So, Burda has been doing these weird necklace/ribbon things for the last two months. I guess that aren't totally off base. People do wear this stuff. Here I just thought they were getting a little too kitschy but they were right on. I still probably won't be making and wearing one but you never know.

I love this LBD from DKNY. It's a lot like the cozy cardigan in that you can wear it several ways by tying it around you. The only color is black, of course. That makes it a bit difficult to see the details. Here is the link to the real dress. It's a steal at $995.

This weekend? I plan to make an outfit. Black RPL Jalie pants with a striped knit top. I might make the J. Sterns top again.

Too much???

I have this gorgeous piece of silk charmeuse my husband bought in Houston. It's a pretty big print with the circles being about 5" in diameter. I want to use it in a simple top to showcase the fun fabric.

I really like these two patterns out of the new August Burda. Would it be too much to have that big print with a tie or flounce? And remember I'm a pretty small person too. Would it be too overwhelming on me?

If I used the one with the flounces, I would be careful to match the center front.

I'll probably end up making this skirt too because I love it and school starts in about three weeks.

Pop Quiz For Ya'll

Many of you know I am making another pair of jeans for my Spring Mini-SWAP at PatternReview.com. I know, I know, that's three pairs of jeans in less than two months. What can I say? I really only had two pairs of jeans that fit. And when I say "fit" I mean they had major gaposis in the back and a waist that was too big. So, today I'm working on those jeans.

Now, let's see who is as addicted to PatternReview.com as I am. Here's the pop quiz part. Which PatternReview.com member inspired these jean pockets? This is one of my favorite PR members. Mine aren't exactly like theirs but the pockets were certainly inspired by this member . . .

I did experiment with putting the octopus on the pockets. When my husband started calling me Octopussy and Tentacle Butt, I realized that 7th graders would have way too much fun with the motif too.

Boden Spring 2009 - Inspiration

I just received a Boden catalog in the mail. They have cute clothes that are reasonably priced. Here are a few of my favorites.







I love these skirts. They are called Fun Skirts. I love the name and the big, bold appliques on them. I love the brown with the blue embroidery and applique. You can see a close-up here if you zoom.




I have some red/white crinkle fabric that would be perfect for this type of dress. It's kind of an empire waist with a cross top and waist ties. It might make it on the short list for Hawaii. And no I haven't forgotten about the F-ing Cold SWAP but it got a lot warmer!! Right now my focus is warm clothing for Hawaii and all the little things I have to do. I'm sure I'll have plenty more winter to keep me busy.


I;m in love with this dress. It's very similar to BWOF 12/2008 #130. I will be making this but I need to find the right fabric.

Simplicity 3775, anyone? View F.

Back to the grind. :)