Patterns and Shoes
I went on a fabric fast for Lent. I managed to break it the first week when Fabric Mart got some Dry Flex in stock, but I have been steadfast since then. I even skipped Fashion Sewing Club at G Street Fabrics in April so as not to be tempted. I don't have an end date in mind, though I really need to come up with one--without a specific date or event to look forward to, I am more likely to slip up. However, my big victory for the month was going to the May Fashion Sewing Club and buying only ribbon and zippers--no fabric!
However, my fast does not extend to patterns. I picked up a bunch during the BMV online sale, and then got a few more at Joann. I need Joann to have a Simplicity sale on one of the random dates I am there.
Woven dresses. I've resisted Vogue 8631 in the upper left for a while now. It's a great shape, but the oversize fit is a bit of a non-sequitor with the style and I don't like the super wide armscye. However, no other patterns have come out that refine those features to my liking so I'll have to size down and hope it works.
Knit dresses. The Suzi Chin on the left bears a strong resemblance to the lovely Issa London dress spotted by The Selfish Seamstress in a shop window. I am wondering if the McCall dress on the right can be made in a woven. It says it's for knits, but as a wrap dress it only needs to go up a size to work for wovens, right? I'd want a lot more underlap on the skirt, though, regardless of whether it's in woven or knit.
Tops. I really like that Palmer/Pletsch wrap top on the lower left. The shoulder pleats are a nice detail, and the wrap looks like it's a bit higher and secure. I see it more for cool weather than warm as it seems a lot of fabric. I'm hoping a lot of people on Pattern Review make this so I can get some ideas!
Fancy dresses. I had somehow never noticed the vintage dress on the left. I like the simple shape in front with the surprises in the back. I am also thinking the volume in the back will make it comfortable for biking. I had thought to use one of my African fabrics for it, but now I'm thinking maybe navy blue with white for the back neckline, sort of a reverse sailor look? Hmmmm.
Only two of the patterns have firm ideas on what they'll be made into. For the Issa knockoff, this watercolor print knit. I'll have the stripes going vertical for the bodice and skirt and horizontal for the midriff.
For the Vogue colorblocked dress, these coordinating fabrics from Africa. They are the same fabric, but the left one was block printed. My friend who brought me these from when she lived in Liberia said the coordinates are very popular for tiered ruffles.
However, I can't decide if the print should be the main body as in the pattern envelope, or the fauxlero. I'm leaning toward having the print as the fauxlero and the solid as the main body. Thoughts?
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Thanks to all who have pointed out Hot Patterns' new pattern that bears a suspicious resemblance to the DVF Grandie top I tried to knock off. Alas, Hot Patterns is just not drafted for a body shape that remotely resembles mine. It is easier for me to start from scratch than try to use one of their patterns. Though I am curious about the shapes of their pattern pieces. I may return to the Grandie top someday, but it won't be for a while, LOL.
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Samina asked about the shoes I was wearing with the Grandie blouse. I get compliments every time I wear them for photos and in real life. But here's the secret: I got them for $15 at Ross. I wear dress shoes for work so infrequently (and in real life never) that I decided to start buying cheap shoes instead of nice ones. I was only getting a few wears before the heels went hopelessly out of style so the cost-per-wear was too high to justify a nice pair. I have to say, I made an auspicious switch in these shoes!
The brand is Sam & Libby. I got them maybe up to a year ago, but when I stopped by Ross a couple of weeks ago I spotted another pair in my size. I'm not going to lie to you: I bought them. Now I have a pair for work and a pair for home. I don't know how regional Ross's offerings are, but it may be worth a quick run-through of your local store to see if they have them. Despite the low price, they are surprisingly comfortable.
However, my fast does not extend to patterns. I picked up a bunch during the BMV online sale, and then got a few more at Joann. I need Joann to have a Simplicity sale on one of the random dates I am there.
Woven dresses. I've resisted Vogue 8631 in the upper left for a while now. It's a great shape, but the oversize fit is a bit of a non-sequitor with the style and I don't like the super wide armscye. However, no other patterns have come out that refine those features to my liking so I'll have to size down and hope it works.
Knit dresses. The Suzi Chin on the left bears a strong resemblance to the lovely Issa London dress spotted by The Selfish Seamstress in a shop window. I am wondering if the McCall dress on the right can be made in a woven. It says it's for knits, but as a wrap dress it only needs to go up a size to work for wovens, right? I'd want a lot more underlap on the skirt, though, regardless of whether it's in woven or knit.
Tops. I really like that Palmer/Pletsch wrap top on the lower left. The shoulder pleats are a nice detail, and the wrap looks like it's a bit higher and secure. I see it more for cool weather than warm as it seems a lot of fabric. I'm hoping a lot of people on Pattern Review make this so I can get some ideas!
Fancy dresses. I had somehow never noticed the vintage dress on the left. I like the simple shape in front with the surprises in the back. I am also thinking the volume in the back will make it comfortable for biking. I had thought to use one of my African fabrics for it, but now I'm thinking maybe navy blue with white for the back neckline, sort of a reverse sailor look? Hmmmm.
Only two of the patterns have firm ideas on what they'll be made into. For the Issa knockoff, this watercolor print knit. I'll have the stripes going vertical for the bodice and skirt and horizontal for the midriff.
For the Vogue colorblocked dress, these coordinating fabrics from Africa. They are the same fabric, but the left one was block printed. My friend who brought me these from when she lived in Liberia said the coordinates are very popular for tiered ruffles.
However, I can't decide if the print should be the main body as in the pattern envelope, or the fauxlero. I'm leaning toward having the print as the fauxlero and the solid as the main body. Thoughts?
============
Thanks to all who have pointed out Hot Patterns' new pattern that bears a suspicious resemblance to the DVF Grandie top I tried to knock off. Alas, Hot Patterns is just not drafted for a body shape that remotely resembles mine. It is easier for me to start from scratch than try to use one of their patterns. Though I am curious about the shapes of their pattern pieces. I may return to the Grandie top someday, but it won't be for a while, LOL.
=============
Samina asked about the shoes I was wearing with the Grandie blouse. I get compliments every time I wear them for photos and in real life. But here's the secret: I got them for $15 at Ross. I wear dress shoes for work so infrequently (and in real life never) that I decided to start buying cheap shoes instead of nice ones. I was only getting a few wears before the heels went hopelessly out of style so the cost-per-wear was too high to justify a nice pair. I have to say, I made an auspicious switch in these shoes!
The brand is Sam & Libby. I got them maybe up to a year ago, but when I stopped by Ross a couple of weeks ago I spotted another pair in my size. I'm not going to lie to you: I bought them. Now I have a pair for work and a pair for home. I don't know how regional Ross's offerings are, but it may be worth a quick run-through of your local store to see if they have them. Despite the low price, they are surprisingly comfortable.
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