New Sandra Betzina top and skirt -Winners!

One thing about Sandra Betzina, my fav sewing guru, is that her designs are never dull.  Take for instance, her new top and skirt.

I used a lightweight linen for the top, from Apple Annie, I think.

The skirt is a crinkle knit from the vault.  Backed with tricot, so it's almost a sweater knit weight.

Haven't worn either yet, but hoping the skirt will stay up, as there is no elastic in that band.  Update:  both my photographer, Jane, and I think this skirt needs the assurance of elastic run in the top of the band, for sure.

Otherwise, I like both and might make them again, as they were fun pieces to make this time around.

Can you believe I had this matching Chicos sweater in my wardrobe for a coverup?

Mesh garments

I've found some great mesh fabric from time to time, but haven't really liked wearing the tee shirts I have in it.  They are synthetic and hot!  Course, you can't go running naked in the street just because summer is such a scorcher this year.

So, when I found this neat floral mesh at Apple Annie, I wanted to try something a little more ventilated.

Happened to have just ordered this Louise Cutting pattern for the vest view.  But, the suggested jacket fabrics included organza, so I decided mesh might work.

And, I love it.  Here's the back view.  Has a lower flange, she calls it, along the hem.

I kept said flange edge raw, as I was very challenged for fabric.  The rest of the edges I faced as instructed.  Works nicely with one of my linen knit dresses (see former post)

Speaking of which, I made my "final" linen knit dress of the summer in olive green.  I ordered this color because of a "vintage Chicos" silk shirt with which I wanted to have something to wear.

I love the pocket and lower edge embroidery on this shirt.  Reminds me of St. John.

These pictures were taken under my new can lighting over my sewing machine.  Love that light on dark, cloudy days.

Sandra Betzina's new pattern up next!

Japanese linen gauze

I purchased this "to die for" fabric from Marcy Tilton (who else) with a coverup for sundresses in mind.

Then, I decided to use the sleeveless version of this K. Breene pattern

Then, I read Pattern Review and found most people hated the "fit" of this basic rectangle with a collar pattern.

Perhaps, the Pattern Review read should have been the second step, hum?

Anyway, it motivated me to install clear elastic, which is very light weight, instead of cords and stops in the plackets on front and back plackets inserted for fitting.  Also put the plackets on the wrong side of garment, to save the continuity of the fabric design.

I think this garment belongs in the success category.  Your opinions please?

What motivates you to sew?

My friend, Jane, and I were just window shopping when these comfy Keens fell into my bag.

I had this Flax dress and the accompanying short sleeve linen shirt.

But, I'm a print or stripe woman, for sure.  So, when this stripe shirting appeared on Marcy Tilton's website, the selection was easy.

I'd made this pattern before in a bold blue check, 

So no pattern testing required.

I'll probably press it before I wear it, but at least it's done!

Now, on to some sort of stretch cotton pants from the same color family, thanks to Apple Annie's Fourth of July sale.

Another successful M. TIlton make

I liked the most recent Marcy Tilton pants and top pattern so well, I decided to go back and try some older patterns of hers.

This top and skirt is from this pattern

I used a crinkle batik gauze from Jo Anns web site for the skirt.  (Why does Jo Anns make you order 3 yards of fabric at a time?). I love the pocket detail and it was easy to make.

The top is one of those really oversized designs.  Can't remember where this really drapey knit came from, but this pattern seemed right for it.

Hope to wear this outfit soon, and will post a "real live me" photo when I do.

This and that

I finally got a sunny day with my husband off the golf course and me dressed to go in Vogue 9193.  Ignore my wet hair, the plight of a swimmer.  A reader wanted to see where the over shirt hit my pants.

NOTE: Flip over all the patterns pieces and your pocket is on the right side, perfect for your Kleenex!

Don't you just love this Italian linen from Marcy?  I splurged big time, but love it on these hot summer days.

This sweater knit jumped into my Mood fabrics basket.  Pattern is one I copied from a perfect fitting Chicos sweater long ago.

Had just enough for the front of a shell

So made the back in a plain white knit of similar weight and I think it looks good as a set

Lastly, I tried the stretch in this denim before cutting and it disappeared overnight.

So, I made a real fly front and zipper on those magic pull on Jalie jeans everyone is making to save the project and be able to get them on.  Loved the color of this stash denim and it goes well with the sweater.  

Happy sewing.

A nice way to say "hey, I copied that"

Was going to blog these two "copies" before I left for an early Father's Day celebration with my Dad, but couldn't think of how to start.  Then, I noticed one of my fav bloggers, Sara at Goodbye Valentino, makes no apologies for where she gets her inspiration, so. . . 

A new dress.  

An adaptation of Simplicity's pattern below:

It fit beautifully straight out of the envelope in the size(s) I normally use, except for the length.  I hacked off 8" to make it flattering on me.

I also skipped their facings and did a little French bias binding around the armhole and neckline (Marcy explains this technique in Vogue 9193, but I topstiching it down instead of hand stitching it)

The other modification was on the side piece.  I just continued the cutting line down (and out a bit) instead of belling it and using elastic at the hem.

Thank you, Jane, for the great idea.

WARNING:  this pattern consumed almost all of 4 yards of fabric (purchased from Craftsy and has beautiful drape). 

WARNING #2: the side piece gets cut 4 times!

A new shirt:

Copied straight off Marcy's envelope, but at least I ordered the heavy Japanese cotton from her.

Lorraine Torance showed a beautiful shirt from her pattern in this fabric recently to our Gayfeathers pattern group and used these buttons.

Couldn't resist using them for this shirt.  It goes over one of my linen knit dress copies in marine blue beautifully.  

Wondering if I should hand embellish this with some shasiko stiches, esp. In the back.  What do you think?