New Fabric

Look what I scored, four yards of Marc by Marc Jacobs navy and light pink cotton voile. I bought it at Gorgeous Fabrics, she only had ten yards and is now sold out. I love finding designer fabrics and making my version of the dress for less.

This is the Marc By Marc Jacobs dress which was over $350, and would probably be a little too short on me. I think I can make a more flattering dress for way way less. Maybe another version of Chantilly? Any other suggestions?

Linen and Cotton

I've heard a lot about the book Bridal Couture by Susan Khalje, for it's couture sewing techniques with evening wear, I can't be beat.  Unfortunately it is out of print and if you can find a copy it is well over $100, a new copy on amazon is selling for $355! That's a little crazy, even for a person like me, obsessed with sewing. I really wanted to learn from this expert, and amazing teacher. I love here articles in Threads, and my favorite blogger, Gertie's camp couture posts.

As an alternative I bought this book : Linen and Cotton: Classic Sewing Techniques for Great Results by Susan Khalje, for only $3.60 on amazon. It has a million amazing tips, and I certainly sew more with cotton than I sew evening dresses. If only I had more evening things to do! I can't wait to do some of the decorative details from this book.

Blue Dress

As an avid follower of Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing, I have been in love with her yellow dress that she made ever since she made it last year.  Recently she posted that McCall's had a similar pattern out (M6350) I knew I had to make it!

Isn't it gorgeous!

I gathered my supplies, a cotton blue jacquard from my stash, cotton batiste for the lining and silk organza for bodice lining. It will also have boning, I bought the spiral steel boning, which is what Miss Gertie used. The McCalls pattern comes in cup sizing, but i still had to do some sizing up in the cups and make a few muslins. It's coming along, and hopefully I can wear it to my brother's college graduation next week!

Lots of fabric!

final muslin

Violet Blouse

When Colette Patterns announced a new blouse pattern last week, I knew I had to have it. The violet blouse is the perfect basic pattern.  I love the vintage styling of this pattern. I was a very easy patten, I did version 1 with the shorter sleeves. It all came together in only a day, I wore it out to dinner that night.

I used a cotton shirting with a geometric detail that was in my stash from mood. The fabric has a vintage, semi masculine vibe to it so it works well in contrast with the sweetness of the peter pan collar. I plan on making it again, in the long sleeve version. There are a lot of different details you could add to change it up!