Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Fabric store closing

One of the toughest sewing challenges in NW Iowa is finding fashion fabric.  We have a great assortment of lovely cottons for quilting or fleece for blankets but wool, silk and wool/crepe blends are hard to find.

My work involves enough travel to bring me to many communities within a tri-state area and a few rare fabric stores.  Traveling last week I made time to stop at my favorite fabric store.  A lovely store that has been focused on fashion for over 75 years.  You can't imagine my sadness when I arrived and saw the STORE CLOSING sign in the window.  I made some great purchases and plan to return again before the doors lock for good.

Wool, velvet, crepe, velvet embossed chiffon and tencel.  This is what I am talking about.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Burda Style Wrap Top

Burda style wrap top


http://assets.burdastyle.com/pattern_images/assets/000/015/259/115_0414_B_large.jpg


I love this top.  The fabric is a very soft, polyester and very comfortable.  With the split front I defiinitely need to wear a tank top  underneath.  

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

McCalls 7095

I loved this pattern!  I chose 3 different fabrics, all black.   A lovely, embossed,  cotton for the bottom, a swiss dot for my sleeves and top, and a rayon, lining.


Using a tutorial from Grain line studios.
 I sewed the sleeves to the bodice using french seams.  A little tricky but it adds a nice finish.

I love the way it turned out, on my dress form, but not a flattering style on me.  

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Yep, I made a jumpsuit!

I can't believe it, but I did it! I made a jumpsuit! 

The pattern I used was McCalls M7099, and the fabric was a lovely, black, Under Armour, that I purchased at the local Fabric  & Textile Warehouse.

The pattetn has a tapered leg and crossover bodice, which I really like.  My inspiration piece has a wide leg, which I really like too. 



The pattern went together easy with no modifications.



Plaid My Way

My niece told me plaid was cool this season and I wanted  to "be cool".  I had a couple of "ripped pages" with a few ideas, blue flannel in my fabric stash and a Cynthia Rowley pattern, #1366.

I wasn't' sure if I liked the dropped shoulder seams but I noticed the inspiration piece had them as well.


My inspiration pages were ripped from the August 2014 issue of InStyle.
The shirt is very comfy and I was able to dress it up for work with  a black pencil skirt.