Sparkles

So, this sweater took a whole lot longer than I thought it would.  The actual knitting (and a bit of crochet) was rather quick – I was just distracted by quite a few other projects along the way.

This was to be my New York project. . . ready to wear by the holidays.  (Green and sparkly seemed fitting for the season.)

But there were more exciting things to occupy my time than a pair of knitting needles in the big city.

Then it took some time to find the perfect buttons.

The devil is in the details.

After all of that, I am very pleased with the finished product.  So much, in fact, that I think I may have to make myself another version . . . perhaps in cotton . . .

Sweater:  Made by me

Skirt:  Made by me, Advance 6256

Shoes:  Miss L Fire “Gabrielle”
Earrings:  Liz Palacios

Irony

I am finally getting around to reading Overdressed:  The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion.  As expected, the contents are rather depressing.  

To sooth myself after reading a few chapters, I spent some quality time in the sewing room . . . hand basting underlinings and seams together.  (This project is about as far removed from fast fashion as it gets.)

Which struck me as rather ironic.

And reminded me how thankful I am that I can make my own clothing!  Happy sewing, everyone!!

Wooly Woolens

In an attempt to finish a few more Winter appropriate items before it's too late (daytime temperatures in the Bay Area have been hinting at a season change), I decided to move forward with this outfit.  

I stalled out on the project after inserting the side zipper on the bodice back in December.  The unfinished garment sat on my sewing table, looking pathetic.  Every time I went in there (usually to get something for my Alabama Chanin skirt), I would feel guilty.  And the pieces were taking up enough space that it did not feel right starting something new.  Time to get to it!

There are no shoulder pads in this top, but I did think adding a sleeve head was a good idea since the wool is rather drapey.

Then out came the tracing paper, the pattern pieces, and the bemberg lining.  It really is ridiculous I have been avoiding finishing this for so long . . .

There are a whole lot of red button options in my sewing room, but nothing matched this wool.  Fortunately, I had a lone covered button left in its packaging that needed a permanent home.

The matching skirt needed a hem, as did the bodice sleeves.

A couple of thread tacks later, and the project is almost done!

It still needs a good press.  

And I keep finding bits of basting thread in the seams, so I will have to do more exploring in the daylight hours for any rogue pink and turquoise silk threads.  But the sense of accomplishment feels great!

New Butterick Patterns

The new Spring Butterick collection has been released. There are no new vintage reproductions.  Boo.  And just when The McCall Pattern Company started producing something other than basic designs . . . last season Butterick gave us historical designs in the retro category, and this time around . . . nothing.

Butterick 6167

Oh well.  I still have so many winter weather projects to complete that the Spring collections are making me feel like I am very behind the times.  Although, if the weather is any indication, cotton dress temperatures are not far away!

The blue hair is a cute touch.
I wonder if Gertie has a red polka dotted version in her closet?

There is one new Gertie design that is very cute, and which I am sure I will be purchasing (I find it extremely hard to resist the call of the pattern drawer during a sale).  And the fabric choice is really lovely . . .  the flower placement at the bust just makes it look like the model has no bust at all . . . I am assuming this is the fault of the floral motif and not the drafting.

 

But never mind that.  The thing that bothers me the most is how similar the style lines are to one of her previous designs, Butterick 5882.

Clearly, the skirt is different.  But the new design is just a dirndl.  It would be extremely easy to swap out another pattern, or just cut a couple of rectangles for a full, gathered skirt.  The bust inset is wider and extends further toward the side seam on Butterick 6167, and the shoulder straps are a minor change.  But the overall design is pretty darn close.  Or am I just getting too picky?

This Lisette design is also tempting.  The front skirt gathers look awkward on the model, but perhaps a different fabric choice would fix that.  What I really love is the keyhole detail at the neckline.

Butterick 6168

And I am intrigued by Butterick 6164.  Exposed darts are very 1940s, and I rather like the shape of the skirt.

Butterick 6164

Do you have any new favorites?  And do you think it is time to pull out the Spring/Summer patterns, or are you still working with wool?  Am I the only one who has not finished their winter wardrobe!?!  And now I shall resume sewing the hem on my wool skirt!

Exclusive Buttons to the Rescue

This past weekend was a very productive one.

Saturday morning I headed over to the East Bay for a get together with a lovely group of Bay Area Sewists for a fabric swap.

While I was across the bay, I stopped by Exclusive Buttons with a few knit swatches.  The only downside of being surrounded by thousands of lovely buttons is that it can be overwhelming.  Looking for something specific helps me focus among such riches!

One of the swatches was for this sweater.  It was finished months ago, except for the buttons.  I have been looking, but nothing  I came across was quite right.  Mary knew exactly where to find the perfect button (no small feat considering the selection in her shop!).

And I may have also stopped by Stonemountain & Daughter and picked up a yummy wool fabric while I was there . . . I already have plans for it . . . we shall see if it gets cut into before the weather turns warm.  But before I start playing with new fabric, I have promised to finish one of the numerous works in progress strewn about my apartment!

The Basic Pencil Skirt

With the leftovers from this dress, I managed to cut out a pencil skirt (just barely!).  The pattern was out because I am still working on this skirt, so why not start another?

The rest of the project was cobbled together with stashed items.

The bemberg lining was purchased online years ago . . . when it arrived, the color was not what I was expecting, but it has finally come in handy.

I interfaced the waistband with leftover quilting cotton.  And there was even a suitable invisible zipper on hand. 

The boning is the cheap stuff, and the casing it comes in is garbage.  The stuff frays like crazy and it was almost impossible to get the boning back in once it was stitched into place.  Of course, I could have made my own channels, but I was feeling too lazy for that.

I am not having much success with completing projects so far this year, but that does not keep me from starting the next.  Case in point, this skirt still needs a few thread tacks at the hemline . . .

So this one is staying on the dress form and in my face until I find the motivation to finish what will probably take a total of fifteen minutes.  But at the moment, I would rather work on my Alabama Chanin skirt . . . so, what can you do?!

New Designs from Vogue

Vogue 9082

The new Spring Vogue Collection has been released, along with two new Vintage Vogue designs.

Vogue 9082

Vogue 9082 would fit right in with the recent Dolce & Gabbana collections.  The dress is rather bland, but I LOVE the jacket and the notched detail on the shell is a nice touch.

Vogue 9082

And I see quite a few wonderful little details on Vogue 9083 . . .welt pockets and pleats, princess seamed bodice with double darts, and a matching button-on collar.  This one reminds me of one of my favorite Butterick designs (I still prefer the Butterick, but this one has definite possibilities).

Vogue 9083

Does anyone remember the vintage accessories line?  I guess the patterns did not sell very well, because they disappeared from the catalog rather quickly.  Time to pull those old patterns out and make myself a hat, I think!

Vogue 9083

Vogue 9076 reminds me of a hybrid of a late 1930s pattern, one from the 1970s, topped off with a splash of Anna Sui (just imagine it in a fabulous silk or rayon print).

Vogue 9076

There are quite a few other designs with some amazing seaming details.  And while they are not my style, I am definitely pleased to see that Vogue is continuing to produce more complex designs . . . let's hope the trend lasts!  On the other hand, this means more patterns to add to the stash, and project ideas to add to the queue (that list is getting really, really long . . . ) 

What do you think of the new designs - will any of them be added to your wish list?