Friday, June 06, 2014

So I've been thinking...

...about what to sew next.  I have the fabric from Smugglers Daughter out on the cutting table with a pattern and it's just not doing it for me...



It's not the fabric but the fabric/pattern combo...and then it hit me.  As much as I want to sew a blouse, I ain't a blouse wearing woman.  Seriously when have you ever seen me in a blouse.  I think I've sewn a shirt or two on the blog.  Maybe if I had a different lifestyle but this current one...mmmmpphhh not so much. However, I really want to use my "gifted fabric" next.

So I went back to my first love - a dress.  I sketched something that I got reasonably excited about and then I realized I had to have a pattern that looked like my sketch...and sure enough I did...Vogue 8972.



This dress is so me...probably why I bought it at the same time that I bought the Vogue 8995 pattern...and look how well that turned out!  So as I thought about it...worked out a few things in my mind...I've come up with a plan. Here's what I'm working with...


My colors aren't looking too true but it's the Smugglers Daughter fabric on top
a gray medium wt linen for the center band
and a medium wt black linen for the straight skirt

I've made a few notes on design and construction ideas in my handy sewing journal...and I'm pretty excited.  See this is the thing...I own a lot of clothes because I sew a lot. The challenge of making Vogue 8995 thrilled me.  Since I own so much clothing, I should be indulging that "challenge" thrill more often because it's not like I "need" anything.  Therefore, my next couple of makes are going to take a minute because they are going to be quite involved...and sewn in regular time not over a three day weekend!

Also, I've decided to try and use a current pattern when I dream up a new idea.  I buy them...I really should use them.  So even though I'm pulling fabric from the collection...if you see a pattern that I've made up that you like...at least you can sew your own version.

I'll be working on pattern alterations this weekend.  Hopefully I can get the fabric cut out too!

...as always more later!




16 comments:

  1. Had to go check out the tech drawing for 8972, but oh yessss. I think you have a winner with those fabrics blocked like that. That fabric just needed some complimentary pals with it. I will sew and wear a shell, a tank, a long sleeved shirt that functions as a light jacket, but just a blouse? Not anymore. A dress just puts itself on and doesn't need to find a skirt that goes with it.

    If you went back and told 20 yr old me I'd be a dress gal at 55, I would probably choke to death laughing.

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  2. No question, this is going to look fantastic. And knowing you, you may just whip the entire dress out this weekend. It looks like a project you may not be able to put down! Creative Hormone Rush

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  3. It's great to know what you really want to wear and be able to sew it up! Your choice of fabrics look like a winning combination, looking forward to see your dress. You sew so fast :)

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  4. Exciting! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with for this pattern -- I've been eyeing it, but haven't been inspired to buy it yet.

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  5. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out :)

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  6. I love seeing you stretch to more complex garments. It will be exciting to watch and see the results. Pretty fabric.

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  7. I love that fabric and that pattern! This is going to be a knock-out! can't wait to see it come together!

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  8. This look great. The fabrics are lovely together. Can't wait to see what you do with them. x

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  9. I also like to see you doing more complex garments. Like we discussed.. having a TNT that you can just change details on is so nice, but sometimes it is interesting and mentally challenging/refreshing to do something new. I'm at work, and on this monitor the colors look like browns and taupes (still nice) but I like black/grey better. Looking forward to seeing it! Take your time and enjoy the process. :) K

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    1. Karen - it's a thing trying to balance the complicated and satisfying as long as it works with the guilty pleasure of the quick sew. Right now I'm wallowing in the complicated. Thanks for the encouragement!

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  10. Way to be true to you!! This is going to look fab (as always), but I wholeheartedly agree with you that making a blouse is sort of pointless if you aren't a blouse wearer. I'm having to have some of these serious heart-to-hearts with myself about being realistic with my style in what I make, especially when you we're talking about something that is more or less a wardrobe staple (like a blouse). I can't wait to see your dress!

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  11. I always enjoy your blog. I hurry home from the office each day to see what you have posted. You have inspired me to sew for myself again. At age 56, I had lost interest in trying to fit my now plump frame. But you have shown that style is not a size, but an attitude. So thank you for helping me to find my attitude again! I'm headed to my sewing cave!!!

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    1. I'm so thrilled that my sewing has inspired you to start sewing again. Best thing I've heard all day!!!

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  12. I haven't been following your blog for that long, but as soon as I saw that blouse pattern in the first image, I immediately thought, "huh....Carolyn is going to sew a blouse??" Ha! So yes, that dress seems much more up your alley :)

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  13. I'm new here to commenting, but you always do such nice work!

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  14. I love the combination of fabrics you've chosen! That's really going to be beautiful. Good luck with the pattern alterations. I always have to make a lot of alterations too, and it can be a slog sometimes. Hang in there!

    ~Carolyn

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