Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Inspiration....

This week's inspiration is all about shirt dresses. 


This is a very relaxed version of the shirtdress.  This Eileen Fisher dress is made from a linen/viscos/spandex fabric, with a spread collar, button-front, 3/4 length sleeves with split cuffs, and patch pockets.  Price tag: $338.00.  For a closer view, go to neimanmarcus.com and search for "Linen Viscose Stretch Shirtdress, Gingerpink".


This version of the shirtdress is also from Eileen Fisher.  It has a spread collar with a hidden snap front, long sleeves with barrel cuffs, and in-seam welt pockets.  The material is a tencel/cotton.  Price tag: $218.00.  If you want a closer look, go to neimanmarcus.com and search for "Denim Long-Sleeve Dress with Pockets".

Here's the line drawing of a pattern that is similar to the above shirtdresses:

This is Vogue 8903.  View C is a likely candidate with the length from View B. 

Here's another option:




This is Simplicity 2246.  This pattern has the hemlines from both of the inspiration dresses.  View A easily duplicates the pink stretch shirtdress.  View A with the hemline from View B could work as the denim shirtdress.   The detail I couldn't find anywhere was the princess seaming on the denim shirtdress.  However, I do think it is doable to recreate using a French curve.  Don't forget to add your seams.

Happy Stitching!

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Inspiration....

All shades of white are on-trend for spring.  Here's a skirt to think about:


This cute little skirt is by Adam Lippes.  This is a A-Line skirt with snaps.  This skirt has a high-waisted, welt pockets, and snap closure.  It is made from a wool/acetate/viscose material with a cotton lining.  Price tag:  $850.00.  To see this skirt, got to neimanmarcus.com and search for "A-line skirt with snaps".  Looks like a very nice wearable skirt.  Wouldn't it look nice in a light weight denim?

Here are a couple of pattern options for the skirt:


The Beignet Skirt pattern has the high waist and the button front.  The shaping is a little bit different than the inspiration skirt but would certainly work.  How about the welt pockets?  Here's an easy tutorial on making welt pockets at Silhouette Patterns.  You'll need to determine placement.


The Ginger Skirt pattern is a high-waisted, A-line skirt.  It has the correct shape for the inspiration but needs the button-front and welt pockets. You can use the same tutorial for the welt pockets that is in the first skirt.  Adding the button front is a fairly easy.  Here's a tutorial on moving the zipper opening in the back of a dress to a button opening in the front - Button Front.

So as you can see, with a little work, you can make a fantastic skirt for far less than the designer version.

Happy Stitching!