Fall / Winter 2019 - 2020 Fashion Trend: Updating Simplicity 8529

This season, one of the hottest fashion trends to hit the runways has been feathers. I've gotta tell ya, a gal can have some fun with this one.  Now that I'm older and wear comfortable shoes, I don't tend to follow the trends as closely as I used to but this one just makes me giddy with happiness. It also makes me think how I can work this into my plain old prairie gal lifestyle without ruffling too many feathers (sorry, couldn't resist).  

2019 - 2020 Fall / Winter Collection
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Okay, maybe not this much fun. Like I mentioned, I do live in the prairies and winter is coming. 

Valentino 2019 - 2020 Fall / Winter
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Even the Valentino feather covered coat might be a bit much for this part of the world. But I digress. I'm supposed to be having some fun with this one. And I do have some feather trim in my stash. I kid you not. It's a Toronto find which would mean that it has been in my stash for decades.  

Let's see, I made this sweater, Simplicity 8529, a couple of seasons ago and since then it has shrunk and it still fits. But it could use some attention. Feathers might just do the trick to bring it back to the forefront of my wardrobe choices.

Front view

I was being conservative with this one and just added it to the hem. I first thought to attach it to the inside of the hemline with snaps so that it could easily be removed. I nixed that thought and went with hand stitching it in place with some silk thread.  

Back view

Nothing as elaborate as the designer looks but I'm okay with that and feeling a little bit trendy.  

The Stats

Previously sewn:  Simplicity 8529 made in November 2017

Feather trim:  1.10 metres

Thread:  100% silk

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Hand-sewing needles, scissors.  

Happy Sewing!

Making Something With the Scraps

There was just under half a metre of that lovely waffle weave cotton fabric and well, I decided to make something with some left-over pieces. 

There was enough to squeak out two kitchen towels. 

The trim has been in my notion stash for a long time. It's the same trim used on this robe. One of the towels has two rows of ribbon just so I could use up the rest of it. Feels good to finally stash bust this trim. And it feels good to make something useful with the fabric scraps.     

The Stats:

Fabric:  0.4 metres 

Trim:  2.1 metres 

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Cutting table, pins, scissors, sewing machine, thread clippers, jean-a-ma-jig, serger, tweezers, threads, iron, ironing board, and a cup of tea.  

Happy Sewing!  

January in Review

RTW Fast

It is hard to believe that we're saying good-bye to January. This month I successfully participated in Sarah's RTW fast. Thirty-one days down, Three hundred thirty-four more days to go! The fast went well since for the most part I spent the month home on the mend. We'll have to wait and see if it gets more challenging as the year progresses.  

I'm happy to report that I did return three ready-to-wear items that I picked up late last year. One was a cardigan sweater. The plan is to replace it with a me-made version using McCalls 6844. I have read some wonderful reviews about this pattern. I also returned a double knit peplum top and a sleeveless turtleneck sweater. I don't know why I picked them up in the first place since I could easily have sewn them up on my own. This RTW fast is proving to be a real eye-opener so far.  

Sewing

I didn't have a great deal of energy to devote to sewing but the desire was certainly there. I did manage to give sewing while standing up a try. Oh my, I now see why some people swear by this method.  Not only was I able to keep my leg straight when I needed to, it was also easy on my back.  Of course, I wasn't sewing on a Singer Treadle. Thank goodness for modern sewing machines with on/off buttons.  

The sewing that I did manage to finish and blog about were simple projects, a flannel nightshirt and skirt. I didn't think I was going to have the time or energy to complete my Jungle January 2 garment but I did and I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. THANK YOU to Anne for pushing me out of my comfort zone.  

Mending & Alterations

If it weren't for mending and alterations and sitting by the sun-filled window I might have gone bananas this month. It was a great way to pass the time. Most of my time spent mending happened after I did my physio exercises and was icing my knee. It was a great distraction. And I managed to mend/alter a total of thirteen items. THIRTEEN!  

Stash busting

Not only did I not buy any RTW, I didn't even purchase any fabric. It is amazing what happens when you're not mobile and your car is sitting in the driveway buried under snow and you can't shovel it out. I did, however, do some damage when BMV had their online sale. In my defence, one of my goals is to make a pair of well-fitting knickers and Gertie's underthings pattern was on sale for $2.99--wouldn't you? I have no excuse for the other three patterns that I picked up.

Items	Stash-busted	Added to Stash
Fabric	7.2 metres	0
Interfacing	1 metre	0
Lining	0	0
Sewing Patterns	2	4
Spools of Thread	2	0
Sewing Needles	1	0
Pant Hooks	1	6
Zippers	1	0
Trim	0.40 metres	0
Elastic	0	0
Bias Tape	0	0
Snaps	0	0
Buttons	15	0
Ribbon	0	0
Hook and Eye or other Closures	1	0

Happy Sewing!

October in Review

I slowly eased back into sewing.

 

But I can't say the same for stash busting, I've did some serious damage to my stash busting record. Well, here is the year-to-date stash busting adding stats:  

• 74.06 metres of fabric, 
• 25 previously unused patterns, 
• 10.6 metres of trim, 
• 17.50 packages of seam binding,
• 11 zippers, 
• 17 spools of thread, 
• 5 sewing machine needles, 
• 18 snaps,
• 3 hook and eye
• 60 buttons and
• 3.8 metres of elastic.

And this this year I've added to my stash:

• 53.4 metres of new fabric, 
• 21 new patterns,
• 2 metre of trim,
• 15 packages of seam binding, 
• 8 spools of thread
• 2 sewing machine needles,
• 42 buttons
• 2 new sewing feet
• 4 metres of elastic.  

Happy Sewing!  

Leather Trimmed Denim Skirt

Stash Busting 2013:  Project #36

Fabric Used:     1 metre of dark denim

Pattern Used:   Burda Style 7025

Trim Used:       3 metres of leather trim

Zipper Used:    8" invisible zipper

*****

I have a body shape that is not meant for Burda patterns. It doesn't keep me from picking a Burda pattern up hoping that it will prove me wrong. This was not one of those patterns.  

I cut the skirt out in a size 16, the largest size in the pattern but I also made a mistake when cutting. Instead of placing the centre front on the fold I snipped away not realizing the errors of my way until it came to sit down and sew it.  

Despite my challenging body shape and absent minded cutting I managed to  pull off a wearable skirt that I like. It doesn't look anything like the pattern but I'm good with that.  

The fabric has been in my stash for at least a decade and the leather trim longer than that coming all the way from Toronto when I actually lived there. I think the trim can actually be considered vintage at this point.  

To make the pattern work I left off the back darts and the front pleat and took in the sides to give it some shape. The hip area I had to gradually narrow the side seam allowance so that the skirt wouldn't feel so snug in a bad way. The front and back seam allowances where sewn with a 5/8" seam allowance.

The trim I used on the centre front seam and both side seams and finished off the hem. I love how it looks.  

There is no waistband on this skirt. The pattern calls for a narrow facing and it is suppose to be a lined skirt. I opted out of lining the skirt and felt that it worked by folding and top stitching along the raised waist.  

The invisible zipper, next to the leather trim is my favourite part of this skirt. I tell ya, if it weren't for basting tape that invisible zipper wouldn't look this good.

Sew there you have it, it all worked out in the end. And I love my new denim skirt.

Have you ever made something from a pattern that didn't quite work out as planned? Did you like it?

Happy Sewing!

In Sewing News Today...

My Lenten Sewing Projects are coming along slowly but surely. I took a week off from the project to work on my nephew's vest. It was an easy switch to do since I have two machines set up and in working order. One machine right now is dedicated to the purificators and set up with 100% cotton thread.

Right now, I've finished off a few more and so far I've managed to sew thirty-eight. It is a slow process. I have another thirteen to finish off and then I'll have to cut the remainder of the left over linen. And I'm not done.

After that is all taken care of, there is a vestment to repair. The metallic bias tape that was fraying has to be replaced. I never noticed that the fabric store has metallic trims. I'm more of a simple gal who is not attracted to bling. There is a whole section of the fabric store that I didn't pay attention to until now. I lucked out this weekend when Fabricland had their 50% off sale and Mama R helped out and removed the frayed bias tape. It looks I'll be kept busy for the rest of the month.


But I'm feeling guilty, as the days are getting longer and the sun is rising earlier in the morning, thoughts are turning to spring sewing. Squirrel!

I'm really would like to start on the pants but it looks like it will be pushed back further on the list of projects to get to. Mama R is waiting for a new dress. And this dress project will push its way to the top of the list after the Lenten Sewing Projects.

For Mama R's dress I'm thinking a vintage pattern, McCall's 9424. The pattern has sleeves and a neckline that Mama likes. The only design feature that it is missing are pockets, an easy fix. She has given the pattern the go-ahead.

I have a pretty spring colour in mind for this dress, an egg shell blue.

Mama R is suggesting a navy fabric from her stash but navy just not doing it for me. Navy polyester doesn't feel spring appropriate. I might have to convince Mama R on the egg shell blue though. She does have her heart set on the navy. Somehow, I think I'll be sewing a navy dress.

Well, I better stop dreaming about spring sewing and get back to work. What about you, have you started on spring sewing projects?

Happy Sewing!

February in Review

February was a busy month. It was the month that I was busy breaking my sewing resolutions like nobody's business. I was tempted by the online Vogue pattern sale and by some fabrics. My bad. I also managed to get some sewing done before my Lenten Sewing project occupied my sewing calendar.

What did I sew?

Well, using Vogue 1038 I made one of the most comfortable skirts in my closet. It is a pattern that I hope to revisit for a summer version maybe in linen.  Then using a previously loved pattern, McCall's 9264, I have a new floral dress. I want to make another version in a wool and wear it as a jumper in the fall. I switched from my original plan to make a hat and came up with a super soft and cozy stole.  And I exposed myself as an undergarment-making-virgin, until I gave Brigitte's free downloadable pattern a try. My lenten sewing project is purificators, no pattern needed. Just a lot of pressing.

Sew far this year, I managed to stash-bust a total of:

• 20.36 metres of fabric, 
• 6 previously unused patterns, 
• 4.6 metres of trim, 
• 3 zippers, 
• 5 spools of thread, 
• 3 sewing machine needles, 
• 3 snaps,
• 9 buttons and
• 1.7 metres of elastic.

And this month I took a detour and added to my stash:

• 5 Vogue patterns
• 18 metres of new fabric (4 metres of Vintage Brushed Cotton, 4 metres of embroidered cotton plaid, 3 metres of lining, 4 metres of cotton/linen blend, 3 metres of beige stretch denim.)
• 2 metres of elastic

Happy Sewing!  

It's a Wrap!

Stash Busting 2013:  Project #9

Fabric Used:  0.7 metres of embroidered fun fur? I'm not sure what to call it. But oh my goodness, it is so soft! I picked this piece of fabric up maybe back in November. It is a fairly recent addition to my fabric stash. I picked it up with the thought of making a hat in this lovely softness but then it got brutally cold and I then thought that was an unpractical idea.

Trim Used:     1.5 metres of beaded trim which has been in my stash for years.

*****

Happy Sewing!  

On the Twelfth Day of Give aways...

On the twelfth day of Christmas give aways

This blog gave to Winner #3
1.12 ounces of black and white seed beads,

Eleven Vogue pattern separates,

Ten yards of ric rac trim,

and

nine(teen) fifty-two Retro patterns

On the Eleventh Day of Give aways...

On the eleventh day of Christmas Give aways

This blog gave to Winner # 3
Eleven Vogue pattern separates,

Ten yards of ric rac trim,

and

nine(teen) fifty-two Retro patterns

Vogue 2863: Shirt, top, dress, skirt and pants
Vogue 2279: Jacket, dress, top, skirt and pants

On the Tenth Day of Give aways...

On the tenth day of Christmas give aways

This blog gave to Winner #3
Ten yards of ric rac trim,
and
nine(teen) fifty-two Retro patterns