In sewing news today...

There has been no sewing, as I've been busy fighting a fierce cold. It is a really ugly fight. Let's just say that I've been wearing my pj's all weekend.

The pockets found on Simplicity 2289 are perfect for holding an ample supply of tissues, my Vicks inhaler and Ricola cough candies.

I think I might have to dig this pattern out of the file cabinet and make myself another version of this when I'm feeling better.

Despite my unproductive state at my sewing table, I have managed to read the newspapers today. This article just had me purring, then coughing, and then wanting to purr some more.

I don't know if I mentioned it before but my favourite eyeglass shape are cat-eyed frames. I've been on the hunt for an authentic vintage pair for some time now.  But I think others have caught on how fabulous they are and I'm still hunting.

It was nice to read that this fabulous style is making a come-back and maybe if I don't happen to pounce on a vintage pair, I'll have options to score a retro inspired pair of frames.

And on to more exciting news! There will be a Sewing Fundraiser held here in Winnipeg. The small announcement hidden in the back pages under Philanthropy Briefs jumped out of the page. It is a fundraising event for a sewing program at The West Central Women's Resource Centre. An evening of theatre and music to help a worthy program, love it! May 5 @ the West End Cultural Centre.

Well, that's all in sewing news. I'm off to make a cup of Miso soup and head back to bed.

Happy Sewing!



    

Oh Betsy!

Yesterday the Wall Street Journal's Market Watch reported that clothing and accessory design company Betsey Johnson LLC filed for bankruptcy protection. The Journal reports that this move will result in the closure of a majority of its stores.

And today the fashion and business sections of newspapers around the world are buzzing with the news.

This news follows the 2009 retirement rumours and Johnson's wish that "her brand live on forever".

Her brand may not live forever with this latest news but her imprint on the fashion scene will undoubtably have a lasting impact.

Johnson emerged as a fashion designer out of the 1960s Youthquake Cultural Movement out of New York. She hit the fashion, music and cultural scene with characters from Andy Warhol's Factory and the Velvet Underground. Edie Sedgwick was her house model and this beginning helped to establish her with a rock 'n roll image despite her love for bright colours, floral prints, and youthful energy.

With such a rich history in the fashion scene, this is certainly sad news indeed.

In Sewing News Today...

Did you catch the February/March 2012 issue of Vogue Patterns magazine?  They had an article on a "new" fabric, cork. It was an interesting article since cork hasn't really been on the scene for decades and all the sudden it is the new thing. The article included some fabulous photographs and included instructions for a wallet that could be made out of the fabric.

$159 at The Bay

There has been a bit of chatter about cork fabric on Pattern Review. It seems the price has kept many from sewing with the latest crowned "it" fabric.

I can't say I blame them, at $79 for a 20" x 54" sheet I'm on that side of the fence.

Besides, at that price and this economy I had my suspicion that it might be a fad fabric since no manufacturers were pumping out cork wallets and handbags.

And then check out the shoes I stumbled across at the store this afternoon. They are made from cork! Maybe it is not a fad fabric. It would be interesting to see where this fabric pops up next.

On to dresses...

The voting closed today at the Pattern Review Vintage Contest. My dress received eleven votes. Woohoo! Thank you to those that voted for my dress. I'm sew not worthy.

There were so many amazing entries in this contest. There is this beautiful blouse with neckline tucks that I thought was absolutely lovely. And check out the pockets on this skirt and this one too. And check out this cotton and silk afternoon dress, the fabric is beautiful and her sewing is flawless! I can go on and on in admiration of all the entries, I hope you'll check them out if you have the time.

I just have to agree with Karen's comment in her review, "[g]ood designs are timeless." Sew true!

Me-Made May '12 is around the corner. Can you believe it?

I've been prepping and pressing some of my spring/summer makes that have been in storage over the winter. I think I'm set, but I will tell you that I'm going to miss some of my RTW items in my closet. What was I thinking?

I believe I have nine skirts, eight tops, seven dresses, one coat dress and one jacket that qualify as "Me-made" items.  

One thing it did make me realize is that I haven't sewn a pair of pants in ages, decades actually. Hmm, even though I am more comfortable in dresses and skirts that might be a future challenge to consider, make a pair of well-fitting pants.      

Anyway, that's all in sewing news today.

Happy Sewing!

Happy Happy Day!

Have you heard? The new Vogue patterns were released and they are on sale RIGHT NOW!

Ohhh, and they are lovely! I can't wait until they get here.

Vogue 1297

Vogue 1306

Vogue 1309

Vintage Vogue 8811

Vogue 8813

Vogue 8821

My Bad!

I'll admit it, I walked into a fabric store without any will power. I know, I banned myself from adding to my fabric stash. Yes, this is the second time that I fell off the wagon. Okay, where is that Fabric Addicts Anonymous book:

I admitted that I am powerless over fabulously wonderful fabric--that my life has become unmanageable.

I can't go that far, I'm still in denial perhaps. Seriously, I didn't have any intention of going out to the fabric store.

It was Sunday afternoon and my plan were to catch the 1:00 showing of Breakfast at Tiffany's. It was showing at the theatre and can you believe I haven't seen it? Well, Mama R wanted to go out and well how can one say "no" to their Mom. Seriously, that's just cruel. So Mama R and I got in the car and well we just ended up at the fabric store. And then I saw this print. How could I resist this print?

I found this 100% cotton print in the quilting section of the fabric store reduced down to $5/metre. I thought it would be lovely for a dress. And a shirt. Yup, I bought six metres. My bad.

Copy Cat

I've been busy copying the Rachel Roy top that I picked up on the weekend. It is not a complicated design to copy. Basically the back and the front are the same size when laid out on the table.  I just have to re-draft the front piece. There is a seam down the centre front and one underlay piece.

The inside view, left side front underlay piece.  It is only attached to the side seam just below the armhole opening for one inch. The rest of the piece drapes off to the side close to the side seam

 The inside of the other front piece. Notice the armhole opening, simple.

The exposed seam finish around the hem, arm and neckline openings. It is pretty, I don't know if I'll be able to achieve the same effect with my Janome.

 The front overlay/drape.

I think I may make a slight change: raise that front neckline a bit.

Now to pick the fabric: graphic stripes or pokla-dots?

New Skirt!

This is my new skirt. 

It is Burda Style 7215 and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.  

I did play around with the pattern when I was cutting it out. I repositioned the front and back pattern pieces so that I eliminated the back slit and added some width to the hemline. It was based on my fear that it would be too fitted but my fear was silly. This pattern is wonderful!  

The pattern is for a semi-fitted skirt and I really did not need to tweak it. 

I really like how the gathers fall below the waist line on this high waisted skirt. The yoke is perfect to showcase a belt. The skirt pattern has pieces for belt loops and and tie belt which I didn't make.  

I made it in a light-weight striped denim and it is a perfect summer skirt.   

And I already have plans for the next one that I want to make.  I'm thinking about using a striped silk that I've been holding on for some time now.

I think I'll make the waistband a size smaller though.