Jamie Dress for a friend

This was the first time I made a garment for someone else. A very good friend from Germany visited me for three weeks in the summer and for her birthday I made her this dress. It was quite easy, since she fit exactly in my size :)

We went to JoAnn's and she picked this poly-satin. The only changes I made was to lengthen the bodice by 1 inch.

The construction was very forward. Which totally reminds me that I haven't blogged yet about my Jamie dress. Well, I guess it will be done in another post.

Right now I like to listen to this song. It helps me getting my awesome back.

Current project: Quilting

My latest project is a quilt which I am quilting myself. I pieced five quilts so far, but never quilted them. I always gave them away to a local long-arm quilter. 

 

Here is a little sneak peak at the current quilt. I am quilting circles.

 These are the five quilts I pieced, gave away for quilting, and put the binding on myself. 

This first one is Sanctuary in Oasis Quilt by Patricia Bravo. I kept this one for myself.

Unfortunately I only have pictures of these two quilts of the finished top. Before the quilting was done. 

Gypsy Caravan Window to the soul quilt by Amy Butler

This was a wedding present for a good friend in Germany.

Organic soul blossoms window to the soul quilt by Amy Butler

Again a wedding gift for a good friend in Germany

The other two quilts are Baby Quilts, also presents. The firs one I blogged about here.

A gift for my youngest nephew Ben.

And a gift for the baby of a friend in Germany.

The Cordova Jacket

Long time no blogging. But I finally finished something and got around taking some pictures. Here is my Cordova Jacket by Sewaholic Patterns.

I didn't jump on the bandwagon when the pattern came out, because I wasn't sure if it would be a style for me. But after seeing so many versions I was sold. I still don't like Version A with the double peplum, but Version B is just my style. 

I wanted a simple jacket for fall when it gets chilly enough to wear a light jacket, but not cold enough yet for my coat. And I wanted it in a dark brown suede. I found just the right fabric on Fabric.com and it was on sale too.

And my stash provided me with just the right shade of Rayon Bemberg! I changed the pleats in the lining for gathering. It made it easier working with the rayon and I don't mind that it looks different than the outside, nobody is going to see it anyway. 

I wouldn't mind some pockets. There seems to be this trend where dresses and skirts have pockets, but jackets and coats don't. I don't understand it!

 And you might have noticed that I have a new dressform. It was a lucky find on eBay. It is a PGM Professional Dressform in size 4. I still have to pad it to my exact measurements. It doesn't have the stand with it, but it was only $89 so who am I to complain.

Pattern Description: (from Sewaholic website)

A feminine fitted jacket that creates an instant hourglass figure! This great-fitting modern jacket is perfect for work, weekend or a special night out.

Princess seams and peplum seaming form a flattering silhouette. Choose from a flirty double peplum, or keep things simple with flat peplum seaming instead. The collarless neckline allows you to wear your favourite scarves easily! Jacket is fully lined, with pleated sleeve cap detail and zip front closure.

Pattern Sizing:
0 - 16
I made a size 6. With a measurement of 34" a size 8 would be 1/2 inch too big. I decided to go down a size and it fits perfect.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Just as the other Sewaholic patterns, this jacket has short, but easy to understand instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I am not a fan of Version A with the double peplum. This is was kept me away from the jacket for too long. But this has nothing to do with the quality of the pattern, it's just a personal preference.

Version B is just up my alley. I love the simple style of the jacket. No collar, simple lines at hems and zipper. I wouldn't mind pockets.

Fabric Used:
Outside: Vintage Suede (Microsuede) in Espresso from Fabric.com
Lining: Rayon Bemberg

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: 

I didn't pleat the lining sleeves, but set them in gathered.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I would sew it again, and absolutely recommend it!

Conclusion: 
I love my stylish suede jacket. I get a lot of compliments for it, and that feels good!

Alabama Chanin

I remember seeing the Alabama Chanin books at Barnes & Noble and looking at them briefly. Afterwards I went on their website and was enchanted by the style. But it wasn't until about three weeks ago that I finally ordered my first book, Alabama Studio Sewing + Design. Now my mind is set on one day making one of the gorgeous dresses myself. 

But first I have to practice on some smaller projects. I bought a second book and the basic needed tools and started with a little project from Alabama Stitch Book.

I ordered the two scissors at Amazon.com (it was a bit cheaper), the thread and needles are from the Alabama Chanin website. I really like that she doesn't keep it a secret how to copy her wonderful designs. And even more, offering on her website the exact same high quality tools she is using to create these wonderful garments. 

My first project were these gloves. It was a nice way to try out the stitching technique. I used some cotton jersey from my stash. I want to practice a bit before I buy the fabric from the website.

Here a close up of the embroidery stitches on the gloves. I used to do some cross-stitch embroidery when I was younger and have quite a bit leftover embroidery thread. 

The first two panels from the next project, the Reverse-Applique Corset. The outer layer is the same cotton jersey as the gloves. The underlayer is also from my stash. I didn't think these two colors would work that well together, but I really like the effect.

Here a closeup of the Reverse Applique. I am still practicing :-)

I don't have a paintbrush gun or any fabric paint (yet?), so my stenciling technique was a Sharpie marker. 

Colette Chantilly Dress

Voila! The Colette Chantilly Dress

The fabric is some polyester georgette, I think. Or maybe polyester chiffon. Either way it was a pain to work with. But the result was worth it.

I lined it with black polyester something. Since both fabrics are part of the lot I bought on sale at Denver Fabrics in Denver I have no idea what kind it is. Sorry!

The dress was a bit time consuming, due to the full lining. And I had some trouble with gathering the front bodice correctly because of the thin fabric. It stretched quite a bit while handling. But it couldn't hold me back from starting a second one :-)

Pattern Description:
This fully lined dress is designed to be made in a soft fabric. A neckline yoke and flattering curved midriff provide shape, while gathers at the bust and six gore skirt give soft fullness. Closes with an invisible side zipper.

Pattern Sizing:
0 - 18, I made a size 2

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
As usual, very easy to follow instructions

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like how the neckline is designed. And the gathered bust area. And that it is suitable for more lightweight fabrics.

Fabric Used:
I think it is a polyester chiffon

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I didn't make any alterations or design changes

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I started already a second one. I absolutely recommend it!

Conclusion: 
I love this light summer dress.