my sewing plans

My recent hiccup concerning my health dampened my sewing mojo but, I did used the time to settle on the projects to sew for this year. Since I bought a set of 10 cloth labels, I have to make 10 garments so here it goes:

Tops:

I know Peplum tops was in the trend many moons ago so, why make it now? Exactly. This (1) Cyd Top  has interesting seam lines which is makes it more unique.  Second is the (2) Tuxedo Blouse from Burda Magazine January, 2008 issue. I've been searching high and low for this blouse and I am lucky enough to get a copy of the magazine. Both tops are versatile, both I could wear to work, I could wear the peplum top casually to meet friends, see the movie or if I have to go somewhere that calls for semi-formal attire, I could simply put on the tuxedo blouse, cigarette pants, statement necklace, wear a red lipstick and I'm off!


Dresses:

Left to right: This (3) Vogue 8872 reminds me of Black Halo Dress which definitely has to be in my wardrobe. Summer is coming so I need a pull over knit dress that is comfortable and chic and this (4) Cameron Dress fits the bill. Wedding season is also coming hence I need an (6) evening dress, I am planning to modify this New Look 6013 dress: lengthen the hem, add train, and add bead work at sleeves just like this one. I am also planning to use the same pattern to make a (7) cocktail dress; I'm thinking lace. I made a Burdastyle Princess Sheath Dress earlier; I liked it so much that I have to make another.

Outerwear:

I enjoyed making jacket last year hence I'll make another but this time using (8) Simplicity 2446. My wardrobe is desperately in need of long coat though it hardly gets cold here in Muscat but when it does, I usually wear my ever trusted and reliable long sweater. I hope this year I'll be looking a bit more polished with a (9) coat and I chose Lisette 6244: a fuss-free coat, no lining, no facing.


Bottom:

When I Komaried my wardrobe, I realized I have tons of skirts but no trousers so I decided to make Sew Over it (10) Ultimate Trousers. I've been living all these years without a trouser in my wardrobe but I have to learn something new besides, I need a pair of cigarette pants remember?

This is my plan: 10 labels for 10 garments. What's your sewing strategy for this year?

***Disclaimer: all images seen in this post are copyright to their respective owners***

aiming for the stars

From the moment I saw this dress, I knew I have to make it. However, the pattern calls for stretch double knit jersey, something I haven't seen here so is the walking foot and stretch needles that are required for sewing knits.

 Aim for the stars, right?

Luckily, it is reachable. Around 6 weeks ago, I went to my favorite fabric shop and I found 4 or 5 rolls of textured stretch knit in yummy and beautiful colors. I chose fushia, of course. I ordered a walking foot and stretch needles online as soon as I got home.

Once it came, I printed the pattern and grade down the bodice by 2 sizes and the skirt to a size. I also shortened the bodice by an inch and half. I read somewhere that, Burda makes knit patterns too small so, I added an inch for side and back seam allowance for good measure. It was a good call: knit is knit - it hugs to your body too damn well it would require me to wear multi-layers of shapeware.

Honestly, I struggled a bit when I was sewing the neck facing - with those seam allowances, it simply became too thick. Perseverance had prevailed.

I took these pictures in my dining room - it wasn't too messy and has a good light though, pardon me for all the serveware in the background :D

Pretty godets!

I initially thought, I would be using invisible zip but I wasn't able to find a zip of the same color. There was zipper I found of the same color however, it was an old fashioned one. But a lap or center zipper looked odd to me so,  I dug deeper into my stash and found this metal zipper. It worked.

I handpicked a 5/8" grossgrain ribbon as zipper guard. Here's a closer look:

By the way, I used an inch wide woven fusible interlining - just to prevent the knit from stretching as I sew the zipper.

Off to a dinner party:

The dress is too pretty so I didn't want to wear so much accessories. I think I should have shortened the skirt by 1 1/2 to 2 inches - - maybe next time.

I like this pic; its blurry though :(


Thank you so much for reading...!

Wishing my Muslim readers a Ramadan Kareem...!

Happy sewing, everyone..!

inspired

As you may recall, I did some fabric shopping last month. But what I didn't show you was this trim I found:

I was also shopping for some *inspiration* I could use to make a dress for a wedding my sister and I have to attend. This trim simply caught my eye and reminded me of the Bollywood-themed engagement party I have attended early this year. As soon as I reached home, I tried it on Izzie (my dressform - I named after my maternal grandmother's first name: Isidra):

I thought of a column dress having the bodice covered with the trim, but my family gave a very cold response to it. Second option was, since I have a little *ehem* endowment, I was confident I could wear a very deep V-neckline dress. When my family saw this, they made faces as if they were watching a scene from horror film. Hence, both options were thrown out. Then this:

This made them smile - proved that this is the most appealing. So I went ahead, use my go to pattern for the bodice, bought meters of silk crepe and silk, and some notions needed.  After some hours of cutting, sewing and pressing later, the shell or base of my gown was made (I maybe sewing for some years but I still don't talk sewing fluently so I *sincerely* hope you get what I mean) and looks more like a long sheath dress. Eventually it will, after A LOT of patience and hand stitching:

The bodice has a cotton lawn or batiste (I really have no idea how to tell one from the other) underlining, the seams were pressed open, sewn with herringbone stitch. The padding was sewn together with a zigzag stitch and hand-sewn to the bodice with herringbone stitch.

The gown has a silk overlay to the skirt - so I did that first, before the trim was pinned and sewn onto the bodice with tiny fell stitches. If you notice the top bodice has an inch of seam allowance - this is folded and serve as facing. I used an old-fashion zipper for this since the bodice is quite thick for an invisible zipper - and is also hand-picked.

I sew some rigilene boning to the lining. I have made a couple of big projects  not knowing that this type of boning can or should be sewn directly to the fabric - lesson learnt! The lining is sewn with fell stitches and finished the neckline with pickstitches (around a quarter of an inch from the edge). I finished the hem both silk and silk crepe, and added a waist stay. 

Off to the wedding...!

 Thank you so much for reading!

Until then, 

xox