Friday, April 27, 2012

Two Ruffled Tops for Tamara

I've had a bit of time to sew in the almost three weeks I've been in Ottawa.

Tamara and I visited Fabricland and found some pretty ruffled polyesters . We bought two pieces and I made these for her.













The blue one is a self- drafted tank top and the pink one ,destined to go to Las Vegas with DD next month is McCall    6562 .




Because of the nature of this fabric, you need to do a lot of pinning to be sure the layers or ruffles match up.

 I can also say that you need a lot of patience when it comes to facing the neckline and armholes.because the layers want to separate at these cut lines

. For the facings, I simply cut strips of the layers crosswise and used  these rather narrow strips .I sewed, under stitched and hand sewed to the wrong side or for the blue one I top stitched at 1/4".



  Sorry no step by step photos for these projects.

For the hem ,I machine stitched the under layer of the bottom ruffle to the under layer of the one above it making sure to hold the ruffle out of the way.



Tamara has the stomach flu today so no photos of her with the tops on as I hoped.

Going home Sunday.My husband has arrived and we are staying at a hotel for a couple of days. Leaving you with a shot of Riley and her Daddy at the hotel pool.I will miss my little sweetie so much ( and of course her daddy and her auntie too)



Don't they look alike?


More later from









Sunday, April 22, 2012

Two Sporty Pieces.

Hello again from Ottawa. Still here helping with my little pet Riley.Here she is wearing her daddy's hat. You have to call her Jeff when she has this on.



Before I came to Ottawa, I made a couple of things that I'm really liking a lot and which are perfect for this time of year.

I loved this pattern as soon as I saw it on the Vogue website and had the perfect cotton knit bought in Montreal on Rue St. Hubert last fall.


V8792

It turned out just like the photo on the pattern envelope and I love it.Here it is with a stretch denim skirt I made to go with it.Don't you love the funky wavy stripes?




For the .contrast pieces at both the lower  front and back , I used a black polka dot knit.As well, I used the polka dots for the neckband which I sewed in the usual manner and not with the raw edges to the outside  as per pattern instruction.I cut the sleeves on the diagonal just because.







This pattern was true to size. I made size 12 and didn't need any extra at the side seams. The fit skims over and doesn't cling to the body. It is definitely tunic length. I love it!

The skirt is an OOP New Look pattern.


 I used the bottom right skirt but made it much shorter because of lack of yardage .



I top stitched to either side of the seams in both front and back.and I like the effect. I wanted pockets but didn't have enough fabric  and since this fabric is very stretchy, I didn;t want to attempt welt pockets.

I really like both these pieces. I've worn the top several times since I've been in Ottawa. I think it's really me and suits my lifestyle.

Sorry, no pic of me wearing it.

I hope you had time to sew this week.More later!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

A Little Eye Candy

I just had to share these treasures with you!

.First is  a video of Spring 2012 Dior Haute Couture Collection.I think it's one of the best Fashion

Shows I've ever seen. It will be be especially appreciated by you Retro lovers I think. So enjoy!

.



Next is this collection of photos showing Originals by Coco Chanel herself.I found these photos on a

 website some time ago but I don't remember where.Oh My! They are so gorgeous!







This one is my very favorite.

This is my second favorite.




                                                                           I love this one too

.

                                                                        Aren't these blouses yummy?

        
                                 

  I just know that someone out there will enjoy these as much as I did.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Vogue 8605 #5

Am I obssessed or what! Yes I've made it yet again!


I'm really late posting this. I made this jacket during breaks from Tamara's jacket/skirts project and finished it too late to wear it this year but it will be nice to have it to wear  in the fall.

                                               Here is my new version of Vogue 8605.



I don't know why this pattern has been such an inspiration for me but I know I could make it a sixth time and still find a new take on it.

For this version, I used the longer view and I  got a little help from this OOP Simplicity pattern from which I used the collar and facing pieces.



                                                                             
The fabric is a boiled wool/polyester blend and moderate in weight. The border yarn trim caught my eye  but at  $42.99 ,it was expensive . When my sister gave me a gift certificate to Fabricville for my birthday, I decided to go for it.


I lengthened the sleeves and as you see,I used the border on the cuffs and the bottom of the coat.

This is what I did with the pockets,


        the buttonholes,( I don't love them)                                                          and buttons.


I used machine padstitching on the under collar and lapel to add more shaping.( I'm writing this from

 Ottawa. When I get home I'll do a tutorial on Diana's Sewing Lessons on this step )


Here's look at the bagged lining.

                                                                             
                                                                       and at the back.


So sorry, but I didn't get a photo of me in the coat before leaving for Ottawa.

In any case,I hope you have found time to sew this week.

               Oh. I  can't resist showing you what Riley looks like now at two and a half.
                   

 More later from Diana

(I lost my signature and don't know where to find it)