Beaded Appliqué

Here is actual proof that not all of my sewing is selfish.  I do not like to make a habit of sewing things for other people because, generally, they have no idea how much work is involved, but every once in a while I make an exception.

I had so much fun stitching up my other Alabama Chanin projects that I decided to make Mom her own Corset Top for her birthday.

The fabric was leftover from my previous Alabama Chanin adventures so all that I needed was some dye.  I picked up a tub of "lilac" fiber reactive dye from Dharma Trading Company on my way home one evening and got to work.

For a bit of contrast, I added some "sapphire" dye to half of the remaining cotton jersey.  The difference is subtle, but I really like how the colors came out!

Instead of cutting out the tiny portions of appliqué, I decided to use beads for added texture.

And I added a length of binding along the bottom to encase the raw edge.

I already have another hand appliqué project in mind, but I am not sure if I will get to it before the seasons change.  But there is always next year!

Sewing Indie Month Pattern Sale

As you may have heard, September is Sewing Indie Month!

To help us gear up for the event, a sale is running on this pattern bundle until August 12^th – just in time to help inspire your sewing creativity for the September sewing festivities. 

There will be a sew-a-long contest this year, so if you want to start making your muslins, now is the time to try out something new!  I know I already have a few new project ideas in mind!

[Disclosure:  I received this pattern bundle for my involvement in Sewing Indie Month.]

The Waistband

For this waistband I tried something a bit different.  

Since I already had hair canvas out for the jacket, I cut a piece the width of the finished waistband and applied it to a strip of organza.

That was then basted to the waistband.

A set of permanent stitches keep the organza in place at the fold line.

The inner edge was then pressed under.

Next, the waistband was pinned to the skirt.

And hand basted into place.

Two lengths of ribbon were stitched to both side seams.  Then the only thing left was to fold and hand stitch the waistband in place.

I am going to leave the hem alone until the jacket is finished and I can figure out proportions.  But this piece is finished for now!

WAWAK Sewing

You may have noticed something new over on the sidebar of this blog as I was contacted by WAWAK Sewing about offering a promotion for my readers.  I know I love a great deal on sewing supplies, and I think you will, too!

I first became aware of WAWAK a few years ago after numerous comments and emails from fellow sewing enthusiasts - eventually I moseyed on over to their site.

From hook & eyes, thread, hair canvas, to dress forms, irons, and, of course, my favorite sewing notion, Hug Snug Seam Binding, WAWAK basically carries just about anything you could ever need for your sewing adventures.  And the prices are amazing!  I now have a drawer full of 24” zippers that I do not mind cutting down since they are ridiculously inexpensive.  Forget the 40% off coupons at the big chain stores – these prices are so much better.

I would highly recommend signing up for their monthly catalog because the website can be rather overwhelming unless you know exactly what you are looking for.  That being said, I am willing to page through a website or catalog if it means I can get fabulous deals.  And, to be honest, I am such a sewing nerd I actually like looking through pages of sewing notions and finding some new toy I suddenly cannot live without.

I have never encountered such fast service from any company, large or small.  Orders are usually delivered the day after an order is placed in my neck of the woods.

The best part is, for the month of August, you can get 10% off of an order of $40 or more with the code WLM815.

And for all of my fellow rayon seam binding fans outside of the United States, WAWAK ships internationally – just contact them for a shipping quote.

May your sewing room be filled with lots and lots of sewing goodies!

[Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post, but the opinions expressed herein are my own.]

The Dress Thief: A Book Review

One of my dreams is to sit in an haute couture workhouse in Paris for a day or two and watch the artists at work.  Oh, to be a fly on the wall and watch such dreams of silk and lace become a reality!  Reading The Dress Thief has renewed my longing to spend even a few hours in such an environment.

But it is not all delicious silk and sparkly sequins - although there is plenty of that to enjoy as well!  This novel by Natalie Meg Evans is a wonderful look into the heart and soul of a Parisian haute couture house in the late 1930s.  Working your fingers to the bone every day with needle and thread is hard work and not very glamorous, but being surrounded by such beauty might just make up for it.

The story involves the inner workings of design piracy and the lengths involved to get copies of couture garments to customers clamoring for them in New York and beyond.

There is a bit of intrigue, romance, a few secrets, a mysterious character or two to keep everyone guessing, and a gifted young ingénue to guide the reader through to the end.

I would absolutely recommend The Dress Thief as a delightful and entertaining read.  And if you happen to appreciate a well made vintage frock, well, this story is tailor-made for you!

[A review copy of The Dress Thief was sent to me, but the opinions expressed here are my own.]

A Diamond in the Rough

I needed a bit of a break from complicated sewing projects, so I pulled McCalls 7185 out along with some cotton yardage.

My initial reason for purchasing this pattern was the straight skirt version with the asymmetrical opening.  But I suspect that one will be rather difficult to wear without flashing a lot of leg.  So I went with the easy-to-wear full skirt option.

This is one of those multi-cup size patterns that everyone always raves about.  I chose to go with the C cup, and while that is my bra size, these patterns always end up slightly too large through the bust for me.  This time was no different, and so this is probably my last attempt using the FBA drafted by McCalls.

But I am still going to call this a success because I really love the dress! 

It’s so easy to wear, even if it is a bit more roomy than I am used to.

The design looks like a contemporary take on a vintage house dress to me, and makes me want to find an original Swirl Wrap Dress pattern to try.

Or I may have to make another version of this dress.

But for now, this is definitely going to be a great garment to have on hand in the summer heat.  Hooray for cotton!

Dress:  Made by me, McCalls 7185

Shoes:  Miss L Fire "Casablanca"

Earrings:  Made by me

New Butterick Patterns

The Fall Butterick Pattern Catalog is here.

Butterick 6266

I have actually made a version of Butterick 6266 - mine just happens to be a New Style mail order pattern.   This must have been an extremely  popular design, because I have seen multiple versions from different pattern companies.  Beccie has made a Simplicity version of the design, and clearly Butterick had their own.  There may be slight variations in sleeve and peplum, but the similarities are pretty uncanny!

Butterick 6266

To confuse things, this pattern has been tagged as a Making History design.  Now I am seriously perplexed.  I thought that category was reserved for historical silhouettes (i.e. 1800-1910).  Does that mean Butterick is working with original source material?  What is going on?!

Butterick 6266

There are also two new Retro designs.  Butterick 6242  is one of those.

Butterick 6242

And while the vintage illustrations are adorable (no big surprise there), the actual dress is BORING.  The dolman sleeve is slightly different than other Butterick reproductions, but not enough to make this dress anything special.

Butterick 6242

The latest Vintage Vogue release had me very excited to see what was next for other reproduction designs, but this is disappointing.

Butterick 6242

But all is not lost!  This suit pattern from 1960  is lovely.

Butterick 6259

It is not the most complex design I have ever seen, but I do like the double breasted style lines.

Butterick 6259

This one has definite possibilities.  But yikes, the styling is terrible (and I think the poor model knows it).  

Butterick 6259

I can take or leave the rest of the release, and that is fine with me.  I just started a new knitting project and am happily working away while watching old episodes of Downton Abbey this evening, so a little disappointment over the latest pattern release is not going to get me down!