Chanel inspiration

I kind of love the proportions of these Chanel outfits.  The short boxy tops over the sleeker dresses and skirts.  It seems harder and harder to find a unique idea that isn't butt-ugly, so a pat on the back for Karl Lagerfeld.  (I'm sure he needs my pats for his ego.)  I'm thinking of ways to create something similar.  I'd leave off the couture fanny pack and knee pads, though...

Chanel Spring 2014, all photos from style.com

Cotton Gauze Blouse

Here is a peak at my current project, a pretty blouse made from this cotton gauze.  I am using the same pattern as my recent plaid shirt but made many modifications.

I started out by making a bunch of little pleats for the yoke before cutting out the yoke pieces.

I made quite a bit of progress the past few evenings.  It's hard to see with the busy print, but tonight, I stitched up the placket and band collar and added the buttons and buttonholes.

Blue Plaid Button Down

You know, I haven't posted anything in over 2 months.  I can now finally accept that I will never be an awesome blogging superstar.  I don't have the stamina or energy or something to keep up with it for a length of time.  No matter how many resolutions I make to do better, I just don't.  So be it.  I'll keep posting when I feel like it.  :-)

Here is my most recent project, a button down shirt with contrast floral facings for a little fun.

I used McCalls 6167 as a starting point, but the final shirt looks very little like the pattern.  I added a separate button band and modified the shape to be a standard shirt.  Basically, I had this pattern on hand and didn't want to buy a new one, so I worked with what I had. :-)

It's nice and versatile, looking nice with a sweater and jeans or with rolled-up sleeves and shorts.  Forgive me for the shorts picture - we had a beautiful Saturday here in Florida.  :-)

I am very pleased with how this turned out.  I used a super lightweight fusible interfacing for the button bands and collar, and it gives just enough crispness to the collar for it to stand up.


The fabrics are both from Sawyer Brook - Blueberry Plaid and Maddie.

Mixed Prints Tee

This top was inspired by one I saw at Anthropologie that was black and white stripe mixed with a geometric print.  I found these two color coordinating prints at Sawyer Brook and decided to give it a go.  The challenge was that the stripe is a lightweight sweater knit and the print is a cotton gauze.  The gauze had just enough stretch to be forgiving, and I cut those pieces a bit big to make sure they would fit. 

 I used my usual tee shirt pattern, OOP Butterick 3344 and cut it up to get these pieces.  Again, I just cut the yoke pieces about an inch wider than the pattern to make them roomy enough.  After I put the main pieces together, I wanted a little more of the floral fabric, so I added a vent hem with it.  I'm not totally sold on it.  It looks a little loincloth-y to me, so we'll see if I hack it off in a couple of weeks.

 I like how this is a bit different from your plain old tee shirt, but it's not too crazy.  :-)

t shirt blouse

Here is my swirly paisley poly charmeuse top.  I bought this fabric from Sawyer Brook because I fell head over heels for the print.  I wasn't sure about the fabric, though - poly charmeuse.  I decided on a tee-shirt style blouse, and I am very happy with the result.

 I wore it to church last weekend with a simple black pencil skirt and felt very chic and fun.  :-)

 There are only four pieces - front, back, and sleeves.  There are two bust darts for shaping and that is it.

 Here it is untucked, with some shorts I made recently from Vanilla Pique at Sawyer Brook.  I am finessing the fit of the shorts.  I wear these, but the fit isn't perfect.  A little bunchy on the bum.

I was a little nervous to hem the charmeuse, but it turned out to be no problem.  Sometimes, simplicity is best!

Oliver + S Ice Cream Dress

I have something fun to share today.  I made the Ice Cream Dress from Oliver + S for my niece, Sarah.

Sarah is 18 months old and, um, healthy, so I made her a size 3.  The only thing I was worried about with the sizing for her was the sleeve circumference, but it ended up being just fine.  I think this dress will be able to fit her for a while as she grows taller.  I also gave her a long-sleeved tee and tights to wear under it in the winter.

 For some reason, it was easier to get shots of the back of this dress than the front.  I forgot that chasing after a toddler is hard!  The only thing I changed with the pattern was to add some purchased piping in the seams.  I added the patch pockets from the pattern, which you can't really see in any of the pics, but they are super cute, and she thought they were pretty cool. 

The fabric is from JoAnns, from the kids' section, I think.  I wanted to make myself a coordinating skirt but ran out of fabric!  The price of this pattern is more than I usually pay, but this is so cute and well-fitting that it was worth it.  I've already made it again for another niece (forgot to take a photo before gifting) and have plans for a third for yet another niece.

On an adult sewing note, I just finished up this silky tee shirt-style top tonight, so I can't wait to take some modeled pics tomorrow.

Vogue 7975 Striped collarless jacket

I finished up my jacket today!  The pattern is Vogue 7975.  The jacket came together pretty quickly.  I love a collarless jacket for ease of sewing. 

I used large hooks and eyes for closure, but I think I prefer it open.  Maybe I would need more hooks and eyes to prevent gaping totally.  I used a rayon cream-colored lining.  Nothing exciting, but I didn't want to risk a color or pattern showing through the cream stripes. 

I was super careful about matching up stripes everywhere, and I think it shows.  I am SO proud of this jacket.  I think it looks super expensive.  I will probably mostly wear it with jeans this winter, but it would also be fantastic with a cream skirt for a formal look.

I think the camera angle is making the collar look a little uneven because I was super meticulous about getting that to line up perfectly (had to rip it out and restitch once).  The only thing I wish I'd done better is keeping the facing/lining from peeking out.  I understitched, so I'm not sure how to do this better without topstitching.  Any ideas?