Inspiration - Donna Karan's fall Hobo

I found this Donna Karan Modern Hobo today in the fall trunk show. This bag is leather with white stitching for added detail and sells for $1995. The size is 15 3/4" high x 15 1/4" wide x 4 3/4" deep. It is a large bag. The strap detail is really what caught my eye. I love the knots on the straps. How easy would that be to add to a bag that you were making? I have seen books on knot making but I was never that interested in making any type of knots. Now, I am. I hope that I can find a book on how to make various knots to see if I can duplicate the look. Anyone know any titles?

Happy Sewing!

Shop Talk - Go Green!

It seems the trend this year is to eliminate the use of paper and plastic shopping bags. There are many different sizes and shapes of shopping bags available. I guess the different sizes all depend on what you are purchasing. Come check out the different shopping bags at The Pattern Loft:

The Florence tote pattern by Indygo Junction. This tote comes in two sizes: 11” x 15” and 10” x 14”.

Eco Market Tote pattern by Favorite Things. This tote is 15” x 18” x 4.5”.

Tukaway Tote pattern by Mckenna Linn. This tote is 20” x 22” and can be folded into it’s own little pocket.

Betty Shopper pattern by Amy Butler. This bag pattern comes in two sizes: Large - 15" across top and 28" across bottom (width) x 14 1/2" tall x 3 1/2" deep. Small - 12 1/2" wide across the top and 25" across bottom(width) x 14 1/2" tall x 3 1/2" deep.

Bring Your Own Bag pattern by Quilts Illustrated. The bag is 16” x 16” x 5.5”.

Easy Market Bag pattern by Calico Printworks. This bag is 13” x 19” x 6”.

Also, coming soon to The Pattern Loft is the ReUse-a-Bag pattern from Studio Kat. This bag comes in three sizes: 12” x 10.5” x 4.75”, 15” x 14” x 5.5”, 18.5” x 17” x 6.5”. Each bag also folds up into a clutch.

Any of these bags would be fun to make. They would also make great gifts, easily personalized for each person.

Happy Sewing!

Fall Wardrobe

I've decided to create a sewing plan for fall. I don't know how far I will get with it but I own hundreds of patterns. I also own more fabric than I care to admit to having. However, I have done a fair job stopping the fabric buying for now.

Since I'm not working in the corporate world anymore, I want to have a simpler wardrobe but I want to look nice. I was looking at the Eileen Fisher website. This designer is know for a simpler design and beautiful fabrics. What a great place for ideas. Right now, there is a short video showing transitioning to fall. Some of the outfits have given me some ideas using existing patterns in my stash. I guess now I will need to figure out if I have the fabric already stashed away.

I do intend to do a storyboard. It may start out very small - like top, pants, jacket, and maybe a skirt. This maybe a good time to pull out the Loes Hinse patterns. I do own several of these patterns. I also have several pieces of nice rayons that were purchased via coops and webstores.

Ok, off to sew a little bit. I have two items currently cut out. I should finish those items before starting something else.

Happy Sewing!

Christmas is 170 days away! Gift Ideas, & Shop Talk

I just got an email from Fabric.com stating that Christmas is 170 days away. Although Christmas is 5 1/2 months away, I know that time will fly. This year I'm going to attempt to make a few of the gifts. I know that I will be making some shoe bags. I use the Shoe Bags pattern from Diane Bossom. It makes up well and it's quick. Look around while you are there. There are several serger projects available. If you don't have a serger, don't worry, just modify the instructions for the sewing machine.

Shop talk - Here's a gift idea from The Pattern Loft - How about a little bag for the cell phone, ipod, or any other small electronic item that people carry around? Pocket Book Pals is a great little example of a bag pattern that can be customized to fit the electronic item. Look around there are several other Little bags that are perfect for this type of gift.

Happy Sewing!

Inspiration with Dior's fall collection

I love tweed and this example from Neiman Marcus is beautiful. The jacket description is a draped Peter Pan collar, button front, darted waist, and welt pockets - $1940. The skirt description is A-lined with raised seams - $1030. Both pieces are made from wool. I'm including a link so that you can zoom in the collar. It is very interesting detail. Dior Tweed Suit


To me, the collar looks like there are some pleats with the collar edge sewn into a neckline dart with some additional pleating in the center front. I love all the topstitching (is that what the raised seams are?). The skirt says it's a-lined but it must be very slight. It looks more straight to me. I think it's also a little bit short. There are lots of suit patterns that would give a similar look but I'm not sure about reproducing the collar. That would probably be a little bit harder. Any ideas on reproducing?


Enjoy!

Sew News articles

I have finished reading through the article on the "Working Girl" wardrobe in the August / September issue. It is a reasonable good article and could be applied to the WAHM or SAHM using the concept of 7 pieces - 1 jacket, 2 tops, 3 bottoms, and a dress. This is a little bit smaller version of the Sewing with a Plan from Australian Stitches which is 11 pieces - 2 pants, 2 skirts, 6 tops, and a cardigan or jacket. The Stitches article is really for the person who wants to create their entire wardrobe. Whereas the Sew News article is more about making the more expensive pieces and supplementing with purchased basics.

The article on Knits with an Edge is also interesting. The pictures of the various Sewing Workshop patterns with the different edges are inspiring. I want to make try the edge technique of adding a coordinating knit to the edge. The article does mention the problem of tunneling when using a twin needle. It is suggested to use paper or tear-away stabilizer when stitching. My preferred method is to lower the tension until you get a good zig-zag going with the bobbin thread without it being pulled to the front. I also don't like the idea of having to remove the paper/stabilizer from the hem.

On to the next set of articles.....

Happy Sewing!

Sewng Magazines - Threads, Sew News

In the past week, I received two different sewing magazines - Threads and Sew News. I have had found time to read through one article in Threads - No-Nonsense Flexible Waist Finishes by Connie Long. This is a really good article for anyone who is interested in a faced waistband that has a little bit of give. I will be attempting this on the next skirt or pants that I make probably in the fall. I have skimmed the Sew News and the Knits with an Edge by Linda Lee looks interesting along with the Working Girl by Julianne Hazelhurst. The Working Girl article more or less an endless options for the working wardrobe. Now, I wish there was an article for the "At Home Girl". The WAHM or the SAHM need style too!

Ok, off to read a couple more articles.

Happy Sewing!