Spring fabric shopping

Hello, there! I went fabric shopping on Saturday and wanted to share my haul with you.

I went to my favorite fabric store, which is a bit far from home, but sells pre-cut good quality fabric by the weight. It's pretty cheap, and always has a very big variety. Originally, I went looking for some wool for the Starlet Suit jacket, but I didn't find anything I really liked. So, instead of going away empty handed, I turned to lighter fabrics, since Spring is surprinsigly already here.

These pieces are georgette, satin (which I picked since it wasn't too shiny) and cotton.

Then, I saw the silk georgette section, and my heart skipped a beat.

I mean, polka dots and fawns? This print had my name written all over it. The funny thing is, I have a RTW dress (by Pimkie) from 2 years ago made in this same print, but the background is black and the fabric was viscose (rayon). WTF? Anyway, as mokosha pointed out, when silk calls you, you just take it home with you. I didn't know which colour to choose, so in the end I took them both... I'm terrible.

Now, if you have any suggestions on what I should make with these fabrics, please go ahead and write it in the comments. I already know I'll have a hard time finding the right use for them.

Oh, and what about the Starlet Suit jacket? I found some wool in my infamous cellar boxes that I really like. It's in a gorgeous powder pink and it feels like bouclé, which means I'm going to have the hardest time marking it. But, oh well! I seem to like to complicate things for myself anyway!

Craftsy classes

I guess you've probably already seen that Gertie's new class is available at Craftsy.

I was in front of my computer when I got the email announcing this new course and I enrolled instantly. The Bombshell Dress course (which is at half price, now) was so good that I was sure I was in for a treat and I was right. I watched all the lessons during the weekend (although I don't have Kath's fantastic setup) and I loved them.

First of all, it's a great way to learn about tailoring (something I knew almost nothing about, but was very curious to learn). Gertie is such a great techer, I find her extremely clear to understand and easy to follow (and she's funny, too!).

Furthermore, I noticed that after this course and the previous one, I'm SO excited to try all these new techniques and to start sewing something fabulous, taking my time and without cutting any corner.

A while ago, I also enrolled in The Couture Dress by Susan Khalje, and while this woman is clearly a guru in couture sewing, I was a bit underwhelmed by the classes. The first reason is because I had already seen many of the techniques she explains in the Bombshell dress course and the second reason is that some lessons are SO long and go in so much detail that they become really boring to watch.  Maybe that's just me, but I think they could have used some editing...

Did you take one of these courses? Do you have any other classes to recommend?

Red Front Tie Blouse

Last week's theme at the Sew Weekly was Red for Valentine's Day, and while I'm not a big fan of this holiday, I do love red. As you can read in my post, my plans for my creation crumbled and I found myself cutting and sewing this little blouse on Sunday morning.
For once, I was so focused and determinated that everything fell into place and the blouse came together perfectly in a few hours.

If you want to try this pattern (#118 B from Burda 2010/10), which I recommend for its semplicity, do bare in mind that the fit is very boxy. I like my tops to be form fitting and to cinch my waist, so I hate this blouse when it's not tucked in, but I find it works very well with high-waisted skirts.

Another thing I would modify is the front slit, which is very very low and needs to be well hidden by the tie if you don't want to flash your bra to everyone. You can make it at least 5 cm shorter.

A little trivia about the fabric I used: I couldn't find any red fabric in my stash, so I asked my mother if there was any around the house and she asked me: "Did you check the boxes in the cellar?". Apparently, our stash has become so big that there's not enough space for all of our fabrics in the house. 

La mia boutique 02-03/2012

I'm starting to be a big fan of this magazine, so I was a little sad when it was announced on Facebook that there was going to be one issue for February and March.

So, are you curious to see what's inside?

These cropped jacket and dress are on the cover and the designer patterns of the issue. I really love them! The double peter pan collar of the jacket is adorable and the dress looks so flattering. Definitely a double win.

These shorts are so cute! I love the front pockets and the curved seam at the back.

The t-shirt pattern, although very basic, is very nice as well.

The skirt is way too short for my taste but I really like the design. The tunic is once again quite basic, but it has some very nice details, like gathered shoulders, a button placket and a curved hem. Perfect for layering.

When I saw this photo, I started laughing so hard! The expression of the model and the general quality of the shot make some Burda photoshoots look like art. Anyway, I really liked the skirt pattern and how the bow is constructed. So cute!

The shirt is a pattern as well, but it's a body-suit (I hope I'm using the correct word for it: basically, it buttons at the crotch.)! EEEEW!!!

If you're curious to see the remaining patterns of the issue, you can find them, as usual, on my Flickr page.  

New Patterns available at Salme Patterns

Last week I visited Elisa's shop almost by chance and... what a nice surprise! Many new, beautiful patterns! They are all very coherent with Elisa's previous work: clean, simple lines with trendy details. I couldn't resist and purchased a couple... Which are your favorites?

Cut out shoulder dress - So very in trend!

Peplum skirt

Minna blouse

 

Colorblock t-shirt

Gathered top

Yoke blouse

Maija dress for children -
I SO wish this pattern was for adults too!

Burdastyle Magazine 03/2012

I don't know why, but the new issue will be out in a few days and the usual, complete preview is not online yet. So, in order to put this post together, I had to piece images here and there from the German and Russian Burda site. Becasue of this fragmention, I didn't really manage to form a good idea of this upcoming issue, but here are my highlights anyway.

These pants have enough details to make them interesting to me. Also they have elastic at the back, which is a big plus for me, since my derrière is quite difficult to fit.

I also like the lenght.

Cute shorts! I like the waistband, the welt pockets and I think they look really cute in this fabric.

I still haven't decidec if I like this dress or not. I think it might be right up my alley made in a soft floral fabric.

Love this! It almost seems like something out of Pattern Magic. I think the checkered fabric works perfectly.

This skirt is probably not for everyone (I mean, a knot right THERE might be a bit too much), but it has an interesting design.

I really like the button-ups of this issue, they have interesting details and, once again, I love the fabric they chose. I think they look really great in these very light, gauze-like cottons.

If you want to see the scans of previous issues, I updated the Flickr Set of 2012 Burdastyle Magazine.

Miz Mozelle dress

If I wasn't sure of it yet, this week I had the confirmation of how awesome and sweet the ladies at the Sew Weekly are.

This week's theme was UFOs, which was the perfect occasion for me to finish a dress I had started in November. I had actually finished my version of the Miz Mozelle dress pattern, but the hem needed to be shortened and I was so underwhelmed by it that I never came around to do it.

If the fact that I didn't like my creation all that much wasn't enough, I had a VERY hard time taking pictures. The weather here has taken a cold turn and I had to step out for pictures with -10° C, which resulted in some terrible faces (and horrible hair, since I didn't style it properly).

All of this resulted in a very disappointing post and yet, all the comments I received were so heartwarming! I am really speechless at all the kind words I read!

Thank you so much, everyone! For those of you who want to know more about the dress, you can read it here (although I must admit I didn't do a great job at documenting the construction, I forgot most of it since November...).

Pleated wristlets

What to do when outside everything is covered with snow, it's -10°C during the day and you feel like sewing, but have no inspiration at all for clothing, since you can only think about wearing a blanket?
For me, it's the perfect time to make accessories (and eventually put them for sale in my shop).
Last weekend, I decided to try the latest pattern by KeykaLou, the Pleated Wristlet pattern. I was inspired by spring colours and prints.

I really love this pattern and strongly recommend it (if you're into making accessories, of course). The pleated panels and corners, the strap and the inset zipper make it very interesting and the fact that the pattern is multisized makes it very adaptable.
You can buy the pattern here.

Inspiration: Sessùn SS 2012

Hello, everyone!

This week I passed my last exams at university, which means I'm very happy, but between studying before and resting later, I didn't sew or knit or create anything to show you.

So, I'll leave you some eye candy I've just discovered (thanks to Maria) in the form of this very colorful collection. I'm starting to look forward for spring, now that we have a lot of snow on the ground and temperatures are well below 0°C!