Blue Damask

If there is a gap in my wardrobe, it would be lightweight coats.  I have plenty of warm wool coats (although I always want to make more), but the transitional pieces that work in Spring and Fall are lacking in my coat closet.

This garment was an attempt to remedy that.

And while a solid color would probably have been more useful, the remaining yardage from this dress was just to wonderful to ignore.  And I think the fabric suits the 1960s silhouette beautifully.

I almost have a mind to make another version of this pattern.

And I definitely need the shorter version in my life.

The only question would be, what fabric to use?

But first I should find a few appropriate dresses in my closet and figure out my best color options.

I have a bad habit of charging ahead with outerwear in a fabric I like, only to realize that I don't have a whole lot of clothing to match.

Of course, that means I get to make more things to match my new coat, but I am trying to create more pieces that work with things I already have in my closet.

And I am definitely still doing my best to work from the stash.  It feels incredibly satisfying to use leftovers instead of purchasing more fabric that I am going to have a difficult time finding room for in my home!

I have a few more Summer appropriate projects I hope to finish before the weather changes, but I have a bad habit of waiting to make Fall things until the season is almost finished.  So maybe I should find some fabric for a short little jacket that will be perfect for chilly autumnal mornings and evenings.

Dress: Made by me, Simplicity 1197
Coat: Made by me, Simplicity 3856
Shoes: Liz Claiborne "Leigh"

Mellow Yellow

This dress was a test . . . I had a design idea and thought Simplicity 1197 might be a good starting point to create it.

In my mind, I decided I wanted to make my trial run in a mint green fabric.  I never found exactly what I was looking for, but I did pick up this yellow cotton at Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics that felt suitable for the dress.

The design turned out to be much more fitted through the skirt than I was expecting.  Which means it will not work for my original idea (too many alterations necessary!), but at least I have a new summer dress that is great to wear in hot weather!

I added two inches to the hemline of this dress, and I feel like to it is bordering on too short (which is a common issue I have with the vintage reproductions from Simplicity).

I also added sleeve heads which helps the garment look more tailored on my sloped shoulders.

The style is a little out of my comfort zone, but I ended up really liking the result.  There may even be more 1960s designs in my future . . .

Dress:  Made by me, Simplicity 1997

Shoes:  Liz Claiborne

Earrings:  Made by me