Faster than you can say Sew,Stash,Sew 3 times, they were in my basket and paid for!  Here’s what I ordered:

Donna Karan V1282

 

DKNY V1287

 

Elizabeth Gillet V8796

The whole collection is very nice, continuing with many dresses as was the case last year.  I think with my Burdas, some New Looks and the Simplicities I nabbed last sale I have some planning to do!

Way to go Simplicity/New Look!

Also, here is a VERY COOL Technical tip, especially if you’re having a hard time grabbing images.  This works on a PC, not sure if there is a MAC equivalent.

Go to All Programs, Accessories, then find the Snip Tool.  This tool helps you grab screen images.  You can save them as jpegs (as I did for the pattern images above), or other formats or e-mail them to yourself or others. I love importing the pic into a Word file at work then adding text & graphics.    This way you can take just the images that you want without having to do a screen capture with all the header bars.

Try it! You’ll love it!

Sewing Update: I finished a version of Vogue 1250 today, which I shortened to top length.  I’ll post a bit later when I can get my pics off my camera!

McCalls 7454

Cool vintage jumsuit.  Pattern is used and cut.  Check out all the detail!  Size 12, bust 34.

Price $5 Paypal

Shipping: $3 postage to Canada and USA; $5 internationally OR I combine shipping see todays other posts for rates

Prices are $3 each pattern

Shipping (in US dollars):

To Canada: $3 for 1 or 2; 3 or more $5

TO USA: $3 for 1 or 2, 3 or more $7

International: $7 for 1 or 2, 3 or more $14

Prices are $2 each pattern

Shipping (in US dollars):

To Canada: $3 for 1 or 2; 3 or more $5

TO USA: $3 for 1 or 2, 3 or more $7

International: $7 for 1 or 2, 3 or more $14

Here’s a peek at the vintage jumpsuit cutie:

Personally I think on some other lists we will see a continuation of coloured pants, colourblocking, neon (see the shoe/handbag above), some allover geometric animal prints in a small scale and native as a trend.  My faves from the above list are the peplum, statement shades, 1920′s influence – in particular those brogues! & the bright accessories.  Head to toe print – ugh!  and I like the pailette dress and leather but probably can’t incorporate that in my wardrobe other than some leather look laminated knit I have in my stash.  Oh and orange is the new black.

Another cool website I just found with lots of fashion inspiration is DailyBuzz – the style section.

I will put links to the Vogue Website and Wear section of DailyBuzz Style on my blog!

What’s your fashion inspiration?

1. When you try out a vintage machine, and it works, and you are given a recent receipt proving it was serviced in the past month or so, and you accept the machine and pay for it, say thank you then take it home, it’s yours.
2. If you take it home and use it and think maybe there might be something wrong with it; even though you’ve never owned a sewing machine before let alone a vintage machine and you contact the seller who offers to remedy the problem it is common courtesy to let the seller actually speak to the repair shop before demanding a refund and threatening.
3. If waiting for the holiday to be over so the repair shop is actually open is really too demanding on your precious time even though the problem may not exisit, have you considered that spending 8 long e-mails about the subject might be a waste of your precious time too?
4. If you threaten to get a lawyer involved; man up and do it don’t threaten and then back down.
5. Ask yourself, is threatening the seller really the best way to get your problem solved?  Well if that doesn’t work you can always resort to:
6. Personal attacks; they are much more helpful in any situation, don’tcha think?.

A word to Craigslist sellers: make sure your ad say NO REFUNDS.

And yes, this is a true story.  It is taking every ounce of my willpower not to publish the buyers name.

Thanks for listening to my rant!

KS 3064

This is one of two suits for my Mom.  The awesome ladies at patternreview helped me immensely with the interior construction; my mom wanted foam cups, additionally I fully lined the suit to try and add to the durability of the suit.  The original pattern does not have cups and has only a partial lining.

Kwik Sew 3064

As you can see from the details, I created a separate top lining for each bra cup from fashion fabric.  The cups were sewn in separately, then attached to the suit.  The plush elastic under the bra cups was then attached to the cups, joining them together.  Then I added the bottom of the lining to the bra top.  So the bra cups ‘float’ a bit at the top, but the bottom lining holds everything in place and the fabric on the front covers everything up perfectly when it’s on.

Bra Cups

Bra Cup Detail

The second suit will be the same design but in a pink/brown hibiscus print with brown back/panty.  The only thing I’ll change is to maybe cut the bra cups so they don’t have a straight edge – but that’s more for esthetics; it’s very comfortable on.  Isn’t the fabric pretty?  The fabric, elastic, cups and lining are from Ann’s Fabrics in Hamilton; the plush underbra elastic is from Bra Makers Supply in Hamilton.

McCalls 6404

I’ll do a review when I’m wearing them and can get a decent pic; but these knit pants look similar to leggings on the envelope, but I’d classify them more as a slim pull on pant.  This is view B, which I made from a black ponte knit with python-print knit inserts.  The print is a shiny black-on-black print.

McCalls 6404

If you want more of a legging look, try a muslin first.  As my ponte doesn’t have a lot of recovery I think a pant-style will work better so I don’t stress the seams.  I plan to wear these ankle-length pants with short boots.

The only change I made was to widen the waistband to wrap around 2″ elastic – I prefer a flat, wide waistband so I borrowed this change from a Kwik-Sew yoga pant pattern:

Cut elastic casing 1/2″ larger than your elastic.   Sew the seam & overlap and sew your elastic so it’s a circle. Wrap the waist casing around the elastic then baste across the bottom to hold the elastic in place stretch elastic if needed to do this step. Mark quarters on both the casing/elastic & pants, sewing in on in the round.  Stretch elastic as necessary.  As you can see from the pic, the casing will lay nice and flat if you use that technique.

Fabric was in my stash, from Fabricland – I think the python print was from last year.

I also made a sparkly knit top to wear to acouple of Christmas parties – the same top shown on the model on the pattern above.  No pics of that yet.  Super simple to make!!

Faux Fur Vest

Faux Fur Vest

I used an OOP princess seam jacket pattern for this.  The fabric is a super soft faux sheared lambswool with tricot backing; I didn’t line it, just bound the neckline in a very stable knit-back faux distressed leather; the attached belt is from the same leather; it’s sewn into the princess seam.

I also made a last-minute Christmas present of PJ’s for DS #2 from an OOP pj pattern.

Next Projects :

I have to do a project for my Mom’s friend, (splitting a king comforter into 2 twins and add a border from fabric recovered from the bedskirt) .  Then the second bathing suit for my Mom.

I’d like to do some spring wardrobe planning; also in consideration for future projects:

• Some quick knit tops: V1250 cut to a top length in a few colours for layering under sweaters
• Simplicity 1961 draped cardigan and matching top for a twin set
• White shirt, perhaps with ruffled – pattern to be determined
• Coloured slim jeans from Jalie 2908
• Knit tops for hubby

Whats on your wish list for 2012??