Saturday, June 28, 2008

Inspiration and Shoptalk

Here's some more inspiration with this casual look by Eileen Fisher. This is a crossover tunic made with wool crepe. this top sells for ~$200. You could get a similar look with V Neck Tunic pattern by Loes Hinse Design. The picture to the left is shown with narrow legged pants but for fall similar looks are being shown with straight legged pants.

Happy Sewing!


Inspiration and Shoptalk

Today, I found this lovely silk/elastane georgette front tie blouse from Diane von Furstenburg for $185. This top is looks very much like Sharon's Blouse View 2 in the Silhouettes patterns by Peggy Sagers. This pattern comes with 2 different sleeves lengths and 3 different front styles. Recommended fabrics are knits, woven fabrics, corduory, denim, cottons, wools, silks, or any garmet fabric.

Happy Sewing!

Friday, June 27, 2008

Inspiration and Shop Talk

I have found more inspiration on the Neiman Marcus site. The tee to the left is a raglan sleeved tee with a twist. It has a smocked yoke with puffed sleeves. It sells for $55. Really, really cute. It is by XCVI. It would be fairly easy to recreate using Loes Hinse Boatneck Top or Textile Studio Santa Monica top as a starting point. Another idea for all of the ladies (and men) who enjoy smocking. Check out this company's website. There are more ideas for shirring.



Here is a top by St John's Sport. Really simple idea for using ribbon to enhance a very simple top. This top sells for $495. Any basic tee could be used to make a similar look.







Check out this lovely silk skirt by Harari Mitsa. It appears to be a slim gore skirt that starts flaring just above the knees. This skirt sells for $395. You could recreate this look using the View B version or maybe View E of Gore Skirt by Loes Hinse.

Ok, that's it for today.

Happy Sewing!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Shop Talk - Inspiration for the Tank Dress Group

Here's another example of a dress that is similar to the Tank Dress Group by Loes Hinse Design. The dress to the left is from the fall collection of Eskandar, made of linen, and sells for $550. This looks very similar to the top of the View B dress with the bottom from the View A dress. The shawl would be easy to create with a length of fabric and fringing the ends. The dress only takes about 3 yards of fabric to create. Extra fabric would be required to two-toned effect, shawl, and cowl. Have fun!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Inspiration - Top with smocking

I do enjoy checking the website at Neiman Marcus. There are so many great details on the clothes. The example at left is by the company 3.1 Philip Lim and called "Diamond Smocked Blouse". The details are a jewel neckline with a smocked yoke and front button placket, bishop sleeves, and smocked cuffs. It is 100% silk and sells for $425.00. Personally, I don't know how to smock at this time but I wish that I did. However, for those that smock what a wonderful idea for an adult top. Oh, by the way, the pants are high-waisted with slant pockets and a front zip.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Vacation is over!

We have returned from Disney World. It was the first time that we have stayed on the Disney Properties and it was wonderful. I haven't looked at the pictures yet but we took a lot of them along with some videos.

Shop talk - All orders that were paid by 12pm June 23rd with the exception of one were mailed on the 23rd. All orders paid by 12 pm June 24th will be mailed on the 24th.

Well, I need to get back to sewing myself. I am participating in the 2 month long Stash Contest at Pattern Review and I haven't completed very much yet. I have two items cut out so I need to get them sewn so I can move on the next project(s).

Thank you and Happy Sewing!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Vacation Time!

Ok, school is out and we're off to Disney World for the next week. The ebay store is on vacation. You can still order but the items will not ship until we return from vacation which will be June 24th.

Happy Sewing!

Friday, June 13, 2008

Anyone seen shoes similar to these?

I'm already looking at fall shoes. I love the look of these Manolo Blahnik shoes. However, I don't love the $725.00 price tag. If you see a knock off of this shoe in a reasonable price range, please let me know. I'm not really interested in the patent leather but I do like the open sides and the design on the foot.

Thanks!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Shop talk - New Patterns

I uploaded three new Indygo Junction patterns and one L.A. Designs to the ebay store yesterday. All are very cute. Go check them out.

The first Indygo Junction pattern is the Gathering Jacket. The jacket has a couple of interesting details. First detail is the neckline which is gathered with elastic or you can use a tie and make a soft bow or add a petite ruffle. Second detail is the pocket which are shirred. This is a very popular detail for fall. See the pattern at this link: Gathering Jacket .

The other two Indygo Junctions patterns are handbags/purses. The L.A. Designs pattern is a Halloween oven mitts and pot holders. It is very cute for fall decorating. See them the patterns at these links: Parisian Purse , The Crestwood , and Halloween Oven Mitts & Potholders .

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Shop talk - Recreating the Armanti Collezioni Tee


Isn't the detail on this Armanti Collezioni Cashmere Tee interesting? It is described as as "Black with passementerie detail, a round neck, and short sleeves". It sells for about $1000.00. I'm not sure about finding a cashmere knit but a rayon knit may be able to handle the detail. Wouldn't it be easy to re-create this tee using The Perfect Tee by Loes Hinse Design or The Perfect T-Shirt by Pamela's Patterns. The links will take you to the patterns at The Pattern Loft.

Now for the trim, the dictionary definition of passementerie is the art of making elaborate trimmings or edgings (in French, passements) of applied braid, gold or silver cord, embroidery, colored silk, or beads for clothing or furnishings.

Any ideas on what could be used for the trim that would still be give the bottom edge enough give? Maybe make tiny tubes of rayon/lycra.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Pre-fall - Philip Lim dress




Look at this lovely dress by Phillip Lim. It was in the pre-fall collection at Neiman Marcus' online. I love the bias pleating at the waist/hip and at the neckline. The asymetrical top is interesting also. This dress is $650.00. Vogue Designer Bellville Sassoon has several patterns with similar details at the waist/hip area. Here's the link to this designer at Vogue Patterns: click here . Have fun figuring out the neckline!

Sunday, June 8, 2008

My Sewing Mistake


I made a really cute little padded sleeve for my laptop yesterday using Simplicity 3889 View B yesterday. The pattern went together well but in the end it was too small for my laptop. I was very disappointed.
This is a very easy pattern to alter and I had altered height of the pattern but the sizing indicated that the length of my laptop was ok. Pattern size states 10"h x 14"l. My laptop is 11"h x 14"l. I added 1 1/4" to the height but upon completion the sleeve was 13 1/2". I think it was the foam that I used but I can't be sure because I'm not going to make another one. However, I did end up with a very cute bag that my husband's laptop will fit in.
I'm off to purchase a bag of some sort to carry my laptop in.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Shop Talk - The Miranda Day Bag by Lazy Girl Designs

The Miranda Day Bag by Lazy Girl Designs - This is a nice sized bag (12" x 10" x 6") with loads of pockets (10) on the inside. In the picture, the bag handles are the Clover "U" shaped handles attached with the new Handy Tabs. Here's a link in the store for the Miranda Day Bag: click here .

Joan Hawley also suggests using the Leisure Arts Exclusively You handles: the 27" handles for a shoulder length strap, the 13" double handle, and the "Rings, Hooks, and Chains" assortment to attach the handles. See purse handles here: click here . Interested in a different color, let me know. I will special order.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Stash Contest is on it's way!

Well, I've finished the first item for the stash contest. I'm sewing. It was a quick and easy boy's boxer shorts (Simplicity 9958) made with a Hoffman 100% cotton print. Here's my version: Simplicity 9958 . My son said that they were perfect. Couldn't ask for more than that now, could I? Ok, off to the next project. The picture should show up under the "My Reviews" to the right. Off to work on the next item.