And the winner is . . .

My goodness, I feel the Sewaholic Pattern love - I am sorry I can only choose one winner, although I am thrilled for Tasia and her popular new pattern!  

Taking into account the duplicate entries and one rogue spam comment, there were 96 entries.

Without further ado, the winner is Christina!  I am incredibly jealous of her rayon with bows and polka dots – sounds like perfection.  Please contact me with your seam binding color choice at lauramae.p.s [at] gmail [dot] com so I can get your goodies in the mail.

I loved hearing what everyone is working on in the New Year!  I am knitting these days, since the light bulb died in my sewing room – it is some strange tubular contraption, and I have not had a chance to get to the hardware store.  With darkness arriving soon after 5:00 p.m. there has not been very much I can accomplish in that room.  And, to be honest, in this chilly weather, knitting suits me just fine!

Hollyburn Hullabaloo

Today I was featured on Tasia’s blog in my Hollyburn skirt!  As you already know, I had the pleasure of testing the pattern.

I have seen a few versions, and cannot wait to see what everyone does with this pattern as all of the pictures begin flooding the internet.

Make sure to check out the sew-a-long that is starting at the end of the month.

Happy sewing!

A Simple Jumper

This may not be my favorite dress pattern, but the fabric matches back beautifully to my rose blouse, which I love wearing every chance I get!  And it is always fun to look at old projects and learn from our "mistakes."

The fabric is a cotton jacquard stretch in a mid-weight.  I love the color, but the fabric looks wrinkled no matter what I do.  

And the silhouette of the back skirt did not turn out as full as expected.  

I originally sewed in some horsehair along the hem to see if that would help, but it looked terrible, so out it came.

However, it sure is nice to have an easy-to-wear jumper to throw on, and especially one that works back to my favorite blouse!

Dress:  Made by me, Simplicity 3673

Blouse:  Made by me, McCall8358

Shoes:  Nine West

Earrings:  Kate Spade

A New Designer Obsession

While he may never replace Galliano’s Dior Couture collections for me, Zac Posen is fast becoming a fashion designer that inspires.

I have to admit that when he first came on the fashion scene, I was not a fan.  But that probably had more to do with my dislike of the celebrities he was dressing than the actual clothing – how petty is that!?

There is quite a bit of origami-like folds and draping and seaming.  It almost looks like, dare I say it, Donna Karan!

There are very clear 1930s influences . . .

1940s . . .

and even some 1950s.

The looks are so theatrical and fabulous!

And I am thinking that the next time an event presents itself, Vogue 2931 may just have to help me create my  very own!

I wonder, what is the likelihood of Vogue patterns producing some Zac Posen designs?!  Pretty, pretty, please!

If you could borrow any designer's drafted designs in your own size, which would you pick?

[Images from style.com]

Tapestry Time

This skirt was one of my final projects for 2012.

I set a challenge for myself to create a skirt out of fabric and notions that were already in my stash – no cheating!  And it turns out I can complete a project in a single day, finished seams and lining included - I believe it is the first time that has happened!

If I had my druthers, the skirt would be a skosh longer.  But with the limited yardage, I think I did a pretty good job.  The upholstery remnant was originally purchased to make a tote bag – which I should pull out of storage, come to think of it . . .

The waistband is quite thin and is seamed at the center front, but the weave disguises the issue.  And speaking of issues, I did not have any chance of matching seams on this one, but surprisingly, I like the finished product.

The lining fabric is leftover from my Snow White Halloween costume.  It is a polyester (horrors!) flannel backed satin.  I had to cut one of the pieces on the cross grain, but it does not seem to have created any problems.

During construction I was a bit concerned that the flannel was going to cling and bunch up, but it actually keeps the lining from shifting during the day or showing when I sit down.

I am thrilled with how this personal challenge turned out, and think I will have to do this every couple of months.  Perhaps I can get all of those yards of fabric under control this year!

Sweater:  Banana Republic

Skirt:  Made by Me, Simplicity 4047

Shoes:  Banana Republic

Earrings:  Liz Palacios

A Birthday Outing

This dress has been in pieces for months.  It was originally meant for a mid-year Sew Weekly challenge, but something else must have come up because I folded the pieces with the pattern tissue and put it aside.

I have been wondering what happened to all of my pins for a couple of months – turns out, they were with this dress – whoops!  [From past experience I can tell you that it is a very bad habit to leave pins in fabric because after time they may rust - the same goes for brooches, so make sure to remove them from garments before storing.]

I ended up shortening the skirt and sleeve length.  I also raised the cutout of the back bodice so no special undergarments are needed.  Although, I did have to add two ribbon and snap bra wranglers.  The weight of the cuffs create a bit of pull through the shoulders and make the neckline want to slide off my shoulders - the loops help to keep everything in place. 

The dress was finished just in time for my birthday.

I spent the day with mom at the De Young Museum, enjoying the Rudolf Nureyev: A Life in Dance exhibit looking at pretty silk tulle and images of dancers.  

One of my favorite details was a scalloped edge on a few of the tutus.  Having worked with tulle in the past, I cannot imagine what a pain in the behind it must be to cut a scalloped edge that matches back to another layer of scalloped edge tulle!

The one thing that really surprised me was the quality.  The incredible fabrics and exquisite details are amazing and look more fashion house than costume shop.  

I cannot imagine there are more than a handful of dance companies in existence, if any, that use silk tulle and silk velvet these days.  What is even more amazing is that I spotted very few tears or repairs on the costumes.    

Oh, to be a ballerina and get to flounce around in a tutu!  Although the broken toes and bunions and pain cannot be fun - I will just admire the incredible athletes from afar!  I suppose those girls deserve some beautiful costumes to wear considering all of the sweat and tears that go into a single performance.

Dress:  Made by me, Simplicity 5876

Scarf:  Made by me

Earrings:  Shadows

A New Year’s Giveaway

I thought that the New Year would be the perfect time for a giveaway!

Up for grabs is the new Sewaholic pattern:  the Hollyburn Skirt.  The pattern is perfect for all skill levels, and all sizes are contained in one pattern envelope.  I just love my Hollyburn and I think everyone should have their own!

And because my Seam Binding Tutorial is by far the most popular post here on Lilacs & Lace, I thought I would add five yards of rayon seam binding, in your choice of Cameo Beige, Carafe Green, Lilac, or Black.

To enter, just leave a comment and let me know what you have planned for your first sewing project in the New Year.  I will pick a winner next Tuesday, January 8th.