My All Season Dress V8825

Sorry for the long absence........

The first part of the year was a month long visit to Philadelphia with a close friend for a stem cell transplant due to Multiple Myeloma. Am happy to say she is in remission!

Once I got back I was immediately offered a simple part time job, which took me awhile to get it, and the rest of my life into a rhythm.

Mostly though I haven't had my mojo to sew,

'EH'

That was the sound that would come out my mouth when I passed my sewing machine.

Then one day while browsing Fabric.com I came across this lovely peace of fabric:

2way stretch ITY knit

Now this is what am talking about, this had to be turned into a dress, but not just any dress an All Season Dress!  Then it hit me V8825:

The model looks like she doesn't like the dress

But I do:

Yep!

I do

If you take a closer look you will see I've made adjustments to the sleeves, oh where are my manners let me show you:

Right here

I would say the belt is another favorite detail of the dress:

There that's better

I even bought jewellery for it:

Accessories add just the right touch

Sometimes when you get into a sewing funk, the best thing you can do is find a piece of fabric for inspiration. And now that I have, am happy to say.....

I am back!

As always, take each day one stitch at a time!

Pea Coat Sew-A-Long Anne Klien V1467

At long last I have finished my version:

Inside view:

Off the shoulder:

Up close collar view:

Inside collar view:

I decided to make several design changes to my coat.....



The Fabric:

Sport bottom weight fabric from Joann's

With this weight fabric, the coat becomes a jacket, making it more inline with a Trench or Transition Coat, perfect for Spring/Fall days.

Lined shell:


For extra warmth. I decided to place an extra layer between the fashion fabric and coat lining. I did this by cutting out the back pieces from both the fashion fabric and muslin.


Placing them together, I sewed around the edges with a overlock stitch:

Back piece joined with muslin

Note the finished seams once all of the pieces were sewn together:

lined back pieces

And .....

Finished back view

The Lining:

I choose to make a full lining for my jacket. However, I did not cut out each individual back piece from the lining material, but instead choose to use the entire back to make the coat lining one large piece:

This helped me to avoid having to sew the V in the shell design again :-)

To make sure that the lining gave me plenty of room for comfort, I made sure to add an extra 1|2 inch to the side seams:

Taking the back lining piece, I sewed it together at the shoulder seams to the other lined pieces and fabric facing:

Once I sewed the side seams and added the lining sleeves, I placed the right sides of the fashion fabric shell and lining together sewing around the outer edge, stopping at self made circles were the collar was to be placed:

Final lining 

Next I tackled the collar and shoulder pads:

Can you see my goof?!

This is what happens when you keep going once you are tired, I sewed the shoulder pad in upside down (first pic :-)

Thrift Store Buttons:

  

After buying fabric, lining, and muslin, my funds were tight, and I didnt have money to spend on new buttons. Instead I went to the thrift store to see what I could find:

New uses....

It just so happen I found a old worn coat for only $5.00, and noticed the buttons would be perfect foe my jacket. Just think, the buttons (I needed 10 in all) came out to just. 50¢ a piece :-)

The Buttonholes!:

This is the part of the coat I was not looking forward too, the button holes. The reason being is it would be the first time using the feature on my new sewing machine. However, much to my delight it does excellent work:

So that's it, I must say that I enjoyed making to coat (jacket). The only draw back I would say are the sleeves, they seem to bind the the arm although I made my normal adjustments. Not quite sure what the causes is perhaps the lower arm pattern piece is 'off' (too short perhaps). Aside from that I would recommended.

Fall Planning and Humble Pie

A few weeks back McCalls posted a blog about designer sewing, they also posted excellent work by Amanda did on Donna Karan V1440 Tunic.

In the comments I mentioned that it is hard for me to find designer patterns that flatter my plus size shape. This is true, especially with the Summer patterns, however I must make a retraction.


I have found several Fall patterns that are potentially flattering:

Anne Klien V1467;  Tom and Linda Pratt V1435

Ralph Rucci V1239; Designer joi M7245

I have material ready to go for Tom and Linda V1435 and Deigner Joi M7245, however I decide to cut out B6256

As you can see I have decided to use basic black, I have also decided to use a nice floral print for the lining, which I'll share with you once I complete the suit.

Then there is this cute number:

It was a gift from Sew Plus on a thrift store run :-) I have fabric for this too, however with the rapid weather change, am going to save it for Spring.


Well thats the update for now, and remember one stitch ar a time.

Vogue, Butterick, and McCall Fall Picks of 2015

Greetings, nice to chat with you again, as you can tell this post is all about upcoming patterns for this fall. So with no further adieu lets get started.


Vogue


I have choosen three patterns for each collection that truly made me want to sit at the machine:

V 9123

The aspect of the dress that caught my eye were the sleeves, the classic silhouette is an also plus. My fabric choice, like the drawing, would be a nice floral print.

V9132

I've been wanting to join the 'color block' club for some time, however until now, nothing really caught my eye until this skirt. Would you be surprise to know I have never made a skirt?! Seriously, even though I have made several average to advance patterns, go figure.....

The Star

Anne Klein V1467

This pea coat is my 'Star Pick' out of the Vogue collection. The only hurdle in my way, is finding the perfect fabric, preferably a rustic orange........

Butterick

B6248

This tunic would be nice paired with jeans (as shown) but also a nice skirt like the V9123 pictured above. I see this in a vibrant green or blue, then again why not one in each color?

Lisette Coat B6244

This to me is a perfect coat for fall, toss it on and out the door, simple style on the go. Now to find the right fabric, a classic crayola brown, the camel color pictured, or maybe a cool print?

The star:

B6256

Although my Godmother tends to be the queen of suits, I fluctuate on them. However, this two piece started my engine running the moment I saw the picture. I Am not sure if it is the on/off the shoulder combination or the exposed zipper. Either way, I am anxious to add it to my collection.

McCall's

M7249

This top is a nice choice if simple blouse or sweater doesn't suit your needs. I can see this easily being used in a laid back or business casual setting.

M7243

This sweater dress is a fall/winter winner for me. It screams comfort without sacrificing style, especially on those occasion when only a dress will do.

The Star:

Designer Joi M7245

I need to make a correction!! When I first saw this pattern what caught my attention was the bodice. It my excitment I did not notice that it was actually a dress!!. This is even more exciting, seeing that dresses are my most favortie items to sew.

Well those are my fall picks, what are your favorites?

And as always, one stitch at a time.