Not-So-Haute Couture

Here's another interesting print: "Vogue Fabrics By Mail" Coordinated Fashion Fabrics Swatch Club - Transition 2004 - VF044-04 Lavender Abstract - VF044-04

Print fabrics are hard for me. I'm afraid they look busy and accenuate curves that are plenty accentuated without any extra help. But since my wardrobe plan calls for a print I've been looking around and I found this one at Vogue Fabrics . It has black, gray, charcoal, pink and purple. I could sure work with it. It's priced right, too--56" wide @ $6.99/yd.

Must remember to check out Timmel Fabrics for wardrobe fabric. She uses the Pantone color system I've been hearing about. I want to look into this color system more & maybe get their textile color fan --what a great tool that would be! She had some nice stretch shirtings and some pants/suiting fabric that is washable. Washable is key here. If my wardrobe is going to work for me it will not require dry cleaning.

Great wardrobe planning discussion on PR: Sew Alongs >> Approaching Wardrobe Planning - in theory

Using the Timmel Fabrics article as wardrobe plan inspiration, here is the start of my wardrobe plan. Stage one - Make 11 garments: 2 pairs of pants (Unique slacks pattern) 2 skirts, one in a solid color, one in a print or check (Not sure which pattern) 2 simple tops, one solid, one in the above print (Butterick/Unique v-neck t-shirt) 4 tops, in colors which coordinate with the solids (Butterick/Unique B4609) 1 simple cardigan jacket in a solid color (Unique princess-seam jacket) According to this article, which describes a plan shown in Australian Stitches magazine, one would start by choosing 2 basic colors, then add a third complementary color, and make sure the print has the two basic colors in it. I think I will make the cardigan jacket in one of the basic (neutral) colors and make a 12th basic garment: 1 basic jacket in the 2nd solid color (McCalls/Unique M4930) Wow! I didn't realize 'til I wrote it down, but I have almost all the patterns I need. As to colors, one of my...

Thanks to Manolo and the Divas , I do know that we are in the throes of fashion week. However, until I nail down the 'well-fitting' part of my mission statement (see title, above), the 'stylish' (i.e., fashionable) part has to take a back seat. I am enjoying reading about fashion week and I share the Divas' taste in clothing, but I must say that the disturbing concentration-camp-victim skinniness of the models is the first thing I always notice on the runway. How do those poor women manage without their comfortable, feminine curves? To address the 'well-fitting' aspect of my goal, I'm working on two of the McCalls blouses, one in pink striped stretch shirting, the other in blue. I'm still going to ask Unique for a re-draft of this pattern, but I made a few adjustments to the custom pattern and went ahead, mainly for the practice. This is a great basic blouse pattern and I want to get very familiar with making it. I've made the most progress with...

So inspiring: Timmel Fabrics' sewing with a plan

2 shirts from Butterick/Unique B4609 are started: I made up a toile of the custom pattern. It fits great from the bust down (I didn't have to do an FBA! Yay!), but there are issues: The armholes are too low The upper back is too long The shoulders aren't wide enough The shoulder seam is wayyyy back on my shoulder I altered the Unique pattern to correct (I hope) the above issues, but they are basic fitting concerns and I will be sending Unique an email with pictures and I expect that they'll re-draft. I can compare the re-draft with my altered pattern. I went ahead and did the alterations for practice in altering and for sewing practice. I need to make a toile for McCalls/Unique M4930 to see if it has the same issues.

Off the Cuff has highly recommended Islander Sewing Systems for men's shirts. They have a nice-looking men's classic dress shirt .

To sew my own stylish, everyday clothing that looks like well made ready-to-wear but fits much better. I saw the above blurb in Threads magazine and it is exactly what I strive to do. So I made it my sewing mission statement. It sure sounds good but I'm not there yet. I've had to figure out my personal style, which is a fun thing to do. I've read, enjoyed and learned from a ton of wardrobe planning and image books like these: They all suggest that you find your personal style. Mine is a sort of casual/classic. Out of the above recommendations,, Ready to Wear and 40 Over 40 were the most helpful for everyday wardrobe planning-probably because they are the most recently published.

Kai is clearly telling me here how much he adores his new toy. Sonia Rose is checking hers out:

Aren't they cute!

Have some fun with this. ! Thanks again, Going Jesus !

This is mildly disturbing:

See all of our stockings! We added some purchased red and white fuzzy stockings because we're expecting visitors this Christmas and we want to make sure Santa has a place to put their presents!

Quit trying to look like a magazine cover or a movie star! They are not real ! (Thanks, Neefer ). And thank you, Jamie Lee for this photo .

In the middle of Christmas preparation, where the only sewing project I have going is hand-stitching arms, mouths and tails to sock monkeys, my order from Unique Patterns arrived. This jacket will be a nice addition to my wardrobe: I got this blouse for a basic, semi-fitted shirt: After the holidays I will make a toile of each of these new patterns to check the fit--as soon I've sewn up the 2 pair of pants and sweater-knit shirt that are cut out and ready! For now.....back to sock monkeys!

Angelic kitsch....from hell (thank you, Going Jesus )

Completed: 2 Christmas stockings for our 2 newest family members: Son-in-law Ray and Grandson Kai Got my Durango shoe boots, too--I love 'em!

I've begun my boot wardrobe with these shoe boots by Durango: Durango shoe boot (black) I just ordered them today, so I don't know if they'll fit. If I keep them, they should last a nice long time. I had a pair similar to this that I loved, but they weren't nearly the quality; in the first place, they were previously owned, and in the second place, I'm pretty sure they came from Payless Shoe Source. Even so, they were the most comfortable pant shoes I have ever worn. I have high hopes for my new shoe boots. And they come in brown & red, too! These are my next purchase. La Dolce Divas approve of these and that's enough for me. I'm a bit worried that they'd be too small for my ankles but they have a gore and they're made with stretch 'leather' so maybe they'd work. How cute would these be with longer skirts?: Naturalizer Ramon (black) These are what I'll get when I've saved enough. I tried these on at a local store and my feet...