Monthly Archives: January 2011

Just in case you have been living under a rock for the last few months you should know by now that Kate Middleton is going to be marrying Prince William. I like many, if not most, of the girls my age cried out in sadness that it was not us. However, that does not make me dislike Miss Middleton. She kinda has fantastic style! Their upcoming wedding is on April 29th, a Friday. My cohorts are having a “tea” party so we may all watch said nuptials. This can only mean one thing when we get together…I must have the most fantastical ensemble ever, including an amazing hat! In prepping for this occasion I have been doing a little bit of research on Kate’s style.

Hats…hats…hats!! I must have something that would be worn to the Kentucky Derby. I have wanted a derby hat for years now but really had no justifiable reason for creating one until now! I envision something big with feathers. The tan one to the right is probably my favorite!

These two above are also up there. Same for the black one below. It feels very Jackie-O, and you can’t go wrong with that.

The thing I love about her style is that she looks so freaking chic! Look at that white coat! If I could pull off wearing a white coat without spilling anything on it I would make myself one in a heartbeat. But I am sure to spill something like red spaghetti sauce or chocolate all over it the first time I try!

I think I am going to try to do a sheath dress with some great detailing. Right now my front runner is McCall’s 5972 in a incandescent lilac purple and blue shantung with lilac purple chiffon ruffles. I also thought about doing a retro dress with lots of volume because it is a royal wedding so bigger is better. In the end I think the sheath dress is the way to go as it seems to fit Kate’s style better.

For last night’s sew-in I think I got quite a bit done. I only sewed for a few hours but in that time I completed 1 UFO and started another. I cut out all the pieces for both of these garments out in August or September and was sidetracked by making costumes and Christmas PJ’s. I was over joyed, to say the least, that I finally got to work on them. I used 2 yards of a black and white plaid wool That has strands of jewel tone blue, purple, yellow and green. From a distance it looks almost solid gray but in the pictures below some how it came out looking brown and tan. The fabric didn’t photo very well. First is my new skirt. I used Butterick 4613 in view E. I love the ruffle detail around the bottom. I am going to put a full review of the skirt on PR here shortly, but for now here are a few details. I used just over a yard for the skirt. I also added a lining to it. This is the second time I have used this pattern and I added a lining the first time as well. Most skirts and dresses I make now I add one if it does not call for one to begin with. Linings just add that finishing touch that makes it feel more professional and RTW.

If you do not already have the B4613 pattern, get it now. It is OOP, but still on the McCall’s site. There are 6 different variations of the skirt that make it a very versatile pattern. It is definitely a TNT for me.

The second piece that I worked on is Simplicity 3690 D. It is a simple vest that will have one button on the front. For the vest I used about a yard of the fabric and the same for the lining. I got the front side seams, center back and shoulder seams sewn on both the outer shell and the lining. I am going to try to get the lining and shell sewn together sometime this weekend. I also want to add some sort of embellishment to one of the shoulders to bring out the subtle colors in the fabric. I wish I could get a better picture of the up close detail so you all can see the colors. I cannot decide it I want to do something with grosgrain ribbon and make a bow or make some yo-yo’s to put on it. Right now I am leaning towards the yo-yo’s as a broach so they can be removed. We’ll see once I get is all done.

S3690 is also a must have pattern! I have made 2 pairs of the shorts from it and the shirt. Although the shirt was technically from a S3786, it is still exactly the same.

Today is my birthday. I am celebrating my 2nd 27th birthday. Twenty-seven was good the first time around and I figured it would be just as good again so that is where I am stopping. I am celebrating by spending my evening participating in the Friday Night Sew-In. Tune in tomorrow to see what skirt I have been working on.

Take a minute or two out of your busy day to think about what he has done for our Nation!

Ahhh…awards season is upon us. With that means some fabulous Red Carpet gown as well as some not so fabulous ones. Here are my top 5 best and worst dressed.

Best:

1. Eva Longoria wore Zac Posen. Va-va-voom! She knows how to work what she’s got. I love it!

2. Sandra Bullock wore Jenny Peckham. I had prior to tonight never heard of the designer but this dress is gorgeous and she looks fantastic in it. I am going to have to research this designer some. I also love the edgy haircut.

3. Amy Adams wore a teal Marchesa. The gown fits her like a glove. She looks classic, and do you notice how she does not have any major jewelry on? The gown does all the talking for her.

4. Julie Bowen. I do not know who did her dress, I’ve heard Max Azaria Atelier and Tadashi Shoji. Does anyone know for sure who did? I think the color looks great on her. I love the detailing of the dress. Again she is not wearing much attention grabbing jewelry either. Maybe we are just saving all that for the Oscars.

5. Anne Hathaway wore Giorgio Armani Prive. Much to my own surprise, I really like this one. It is a definite Rachel Zoe styling moment. Normally, I do not go for the puffy shoulders but it works for her. I also love the open back. She has come a long ways from The Princess Diaries.

Worst:

1. Helena Bonham Carter wore Vivienne Westwood. Now I am typically a fan of this designer but what the crap is this? Also who styled her? Sunglasses, really? Two different color shoes, double really?

2. Emma Stone in Calvin Klein. BORING! It’s a peach shift backless dress. From the full body picture you cannot really tell she has a dress on.

3. Halle Berry in Nina Ricci. Now I am torn on this dress. Is it lingerie or a bathing suit and cover up? Maybe it’s both, lingerie with a chiffon cover up.

4. Christina Hendricks in Romona Keveza. I don’t think I have any major problems with the dress itself. I just have a problem with her stylist. Whoever styled her made an unfortunate color choice. With her being a redhead she should not be wearing red that close to her hair. The two shades are just to contrasting. If the dress was in a navy or emerald green it would be a different story. Also maybe put her in an up-do so that her face is not so crowded by hair and fabric.

5. Heidi Klum in Marc Jacobs. Heidi, Heidi, Heidi. I know that you are surrounded by Project Runway fashions but did you need to wear something that looks like it could have been from one of the challenges where the designer made 7 things prior to the runway then ran our of time so they wrapped some fabric around the model and called it a dress?

Every year at this time I start to make several different types of to do lists. One of them is a sewing to do list. I thought I would share some of the things I want to sew this year. This is not to be confused with my goal list. These are things that I want to incorporate into my style and wardrobe.

1. Embellished tops. I love embellishment but I really do not add it to any of the garments I make. I have a couple of projects in mind to include this.

2. Day Dresses. Dresses are so effortlessly chic to put on in the morning. I want that!! Especially in the spring and summertime!

3. Cocktail Dress. HOT TAMALES! I love the pink dress with the ruffles! I cannot put my finger on what exactly draws me to wanting a dresses with asymmetrical ruffles across on shoulder, but whatever it is, it’s amazing!

4. More Classic American Sportswear. I want to channel Michael Kors! While I can now (and regularly do) wear jeans to work, I want a more professional dress. During our peak part of the season my seasonal promotion required this type of dress.

5. Retro Pieces. I really have absolutely no where to wear a dress like these, but I want the option anyways. I think if I do make one I will have to through a Mad Men-esque dinner party or maybe a holiday party.

6. Classic Pieces. I want all the basic pieces every woman should have in her wardrobe. A LBD, a crisp white button up, a pair of great fitting jeans, a trench coat, a great fitting blazer, a pair of great fitting dress pants. Tim Gunn has given his 10 fashion essentials and I realized I don’t have many of them. I need some go to pieces.

7. Coats of all varieties. In keeping with the spirit of #6, I want a trench coat! I have been wanting to make one for quite sometime now. I also want a coat for when the Indiana weather is transitioning from summer to fall. Something lightweight for chilly evenings.

But first up is Simplicity 2724. I want to do this in black with a pleated trim along the neckline. I had recently done some sneaky shopping and tried on the dress below. I has some of the same detailing with the neckline. I was surprised at how much I liked it after I tried it on. I looks great! I must have it.