Showing posts with label brainstorming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label brainstorming. Show all posts

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Kasia Skirt

Kick-started with the last project, my sewing life is revived. A couple of small adjustment, not really worth blogging separately about, yet, those make me very happy as finally, some of old ideas are coming to life, like adding a lining to my 2011 Up In The Air Coat. And more inspiration to tackle the mountain of fabrics waiting to be used. I could have been doing just that, but it looks I am not the only one with some creative energies flowing- my darling husband decided to re-paint the house today, so with the front door and the windows ( one in my workshop) wide open on a cool spring day, maybe sewing is not the best idea- easy to catch a cold, constantly changing and trying things on.


So I tuned to my good old friend- Internet- instead. Last week I was looking through my burdastyle account and saw a few free patterns that I saved, particularly funny was to realise their Kasia skirt was saved the whole 4 times! "If this is not a sign...." I thought and hit the print button.

But before making it, as causal, I love seeing the ready made versions, and gladly over 150 projects were available for scrutiny for me on the same site. So this is exactly what I am up to while my hubby is painting away (totally new colour, by the way, I am soooo excited, only took him 10 years :)

Here is my big problem with Kasia project on Burdastyle: the model they used looks like a streak of misery (sorry, chicken, you are gorgeous, but few of us have that lanky shape) So looking at this picture, realistically, you can be sure it will suit you if you have no curves and very very skinny.

Unfortunately, while looking at the finished projects, this is far from the reality. Burdastyle girls are mostly real shaped, quite often pear-shaped and apple-shaped and in general curvy enough, to be considered while modeling the patterns.

I am a true pear- much narrower shoulders width in comparison to the hips and larger than I would have hoped to have thighs. And don't judge by the pictures- my bones are tiny, but it does not mean that I could pull off wearing a tayto sack- the shape makes some styles look horrendous.

Ladies, do not ever listen to encouraging comment from your so called friends. If you feel something is wrong- probably it is. Seek highly trained stylist advice (Which can be available to you free in a good boutique. Those stylists know intuitively what works for your shape, especially with experience. I am currently marketing a Mother of the Bride Boutique where I see the girl working in the shop giving fantastic advice to women. Remember, in general these customers are older ladies, way past their perfect shapes. And no purchase necessary. Just make an excuse that you want to think about it, take all on board and run back to your sewing corner to make something fabulous!)

So Back to Burdastyle. Most of Kasia versions I found unflattering. This pattern, I think requires a quite narrow high waist, and  a couple of certain tricks to make it a top class stylish number!

Here are my suggestions:
  1. Reduce the gathering on the side panels, in fact maybe eliminate the gathering from the back parts altogether. 
  2. Use contrasting fabric, but not drastic, more tone-on-tone solution, with side panes in a darker shade. 
  3. Definitely extend the different colour all the way to the top! 
  4. Bright piping can work very very well, again bring it to the very top- it will make you look slimmer.
  5. I think it looks best as a mini , or add a bit of flare and bring it to just below the knee ( a great wool version on the top right shot of the collage. To wear with knee-high skinny boots or socks and pumps like this brave seamstress 

Well, after all this, I better made a stunning skirt. Well, I hope so. The fabric will play a crucial part- I think it must be quite soft. So I need to dig into my storage and see if there is anything suitable. Will keep you posted! Chiao!

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Sunday, December 29, 2013

New Year's CLEARANCE- some great bargains



What? First post since April and it is a sale???? Well. folks, yes! Been very busy working and literally no free time to spend with the family, let alone myself and my sewing workshop. Until now, and again clearance must pave the way to inspiration.

7 issues of Patrones Sewing Magazine


 7 issues, I personally bought during my travels to Spain, including one for children. Never used, each includes up to 30 multisized sewing patterns (That's the total of whooping over 200 fashion sewing patterns.)  Excellent magazine and stunning fashions. Cannot be bought in Ireland. Don't get me wrong- I love Patrones and have many more issues as downloadable pdf's, but some how these never got a chance, even though thee are very tempting patterns inside, that will be hard to let go, but as they haven't been used by now, I think it is time for them to make someone else happy.

€70 for 7 issues €7.50 extra to post to Ireland, €10.75 to UK/Europe and €17 everywhere else. 

№ 317 Especial Vacaciones
№ 297 Fiesta
№ 308 Prendas Elegantes
№ 293 Especial Vacaciones
№ 303 Avance Verano
№ 295 Avance Otoño
№ 288 Niños

AutoCad For Apparel Industry by P.B. Miller 




Phyllis Bell Miller is an assistant professor at Mississippi State University. She has twenty-eight years of experience in teaching courses including computer-aided design,visual design in dress, store layout and display, product quality analysis and apparel design and pattern making. Miller developed ApparelCAD, a totally integrated apparel design package for AutoCAD software, including custom menus, built-in patterns and new commands, and Display Shop, a 3D store layout and design applications package for AutoCAD.

A must have bible for Cad-assisted pattern drafting. All from software tools to pattern drafting techniques. Used- good condition, but looks a bit old from lying on the shelf for a while.

The asking price is €15 and as it is quite heavy, will cost €7.50 extra to post to Ireland, €10.75 to UK/Europe and €17 everywhere else.




If any of this is of interest, why not email me and we could arrange the sale?


  I am also selling some fabrics, check out the listings on Adverts.ie (However, if you wish to get any of those email me using the link in this blog to see if it is available and what is the postage fee)

I really hope this clearance will get me started, I have a couple of things in mind and, hopefully, will be back on track one day. Still just wanted to say hello to everyone, and also thank those who migrated to following me on bloglovin also. It is nice to look at your blog after a few month absence and see 5 people in the live report reading through the past posts. And by the way, did you see the Burda 1/14 cover????? Best  Burda style trend to date in my opinion in a good few years. Just when they stopped stocking it in my local bookstore! Isn't it ironic????

Monday, October 1, 2012

Autumn 2012 wardrobe essentials (sewing Burda)


October is here and the fact that the Autumn is here is as solid as it gets. There is no illusions, they were all taken away by this pandemic flu all of us suffering from over here in the South of Ireland. So it is time to look over the wardrobe and make sure it has all the autumn essentials.  

So, voila, here is my guide to a handful of must have items for this autumn and some Burda patterns suggestions too.

1. Turtleneck ( in white or black)




2. Fitted Jacket
Burda 9/2012

3. Little Black Dress
Burda 9/2012

4. Pencil Skirt

Burda 01/2011
5. White Shirt
Burda 05/2012

6. Coat
Burda 9/2012


The other non-sew items must include:
  • a cosy cashemere pullover 

  • Knitted Cardigan (give it a go yourself)



  • High heel leather boots



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Friday, August 17, 2012

Breaking the Ice

I am a worrier.

I mean, I worry a lot and very easily, in spite projecting an image of a rather confident individual, according to some of my readers. So lately I have been worrying a lot about totally neglecting my blog. It is a very upsetting issue for me- first I felt no inspiration at all for weeks, and I wrote about it (by the way, thank you all so much for the support!) and when the inspiration came back, so did my recent promotion in work- I have been so busy, there is simply no time to enter the den…

So I am checking in to say, I am trying very hard to get back on sewing track. I took Oonabaloona's advice how to approach my sewing apathy and cut the prettiest fabric I had for a while, and was terrified to get working with (mostly,  I was afraid to make a wrong choice of pattern). So I did it and my choice fell on a peplum top from the cover of August Burda magazine:

It is done: the fabric is cut, and both the sewing machine and the overlock are threaded and tuned. Now it is up to me to find some free time (thank God, the football season starts soon, so I will get much more time to do my stuff)!!!!

Stay tuned, I hope the finish project coming up soon!

I have also found a very beautiful dress, that I would like to try and replicate sometimes- a grey wool blend 'Bizia Milano' dress from JOSEPH featuring a round neck, no sleeves, a front waterfall ruffle detail, a concealed zip fastening at the back and a short ruffle hem. I am not sure if I have any suitable fabrics in my stash for it, but I think it is absolutely adorable!




And lastly, my eye was caught by this Lena Hoshek Donna skirt:


It has a very interesting construction- basically, it is a full skirt with a ruffled hem, that is draped to the back and secured in place with the help of loops in side seams and a button below the centre back zipper. Very rockabilly, and it is taking Russian sewing world by storm, here is a version from Julia, from Sewing Galaxy, she has a detailed post on her blog too, but it is in German (she is a Russian living in Germany), so use Google Translator if you are interested!

I like the skirt, but the fabric choice must be very seriously thought through, as it might end up massive at the back. Loving Julia's version though!!!



©2012 copyright Sewing And Style.
All rights reserved.
All images and copied text must have a link back or reference to Sewing and Style Den

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Urgent Appeal - inspiration needed!

First day of the new month and I am determined to start fighting a complete lack of inspiration and creativity ever since I came back from Spain. A friend asked me to shorten a pair of slacks and I couldn't even force myself to do THAT- a mere 3 minutes job. How BAD is that! DISASTER, as far as I am concerned.

And it is not because my wardrobe is complete- there are a few gaps need to be filled there, not because there are no fabrics- I have stacks and stacks waiting for their turn to be used. I just cannot even find the way to start approaching this creative block.

While in Spain I bought the current issue of Patrones, and today I got myself the August Burda issue too (this is the first one in a long long time, that in spite of publishing the preview, I actually bought!), I also received my sample subscription issues of Diana Moden (Simplicity edition that means it includes 30 Simplicity models) and Russian magazine ШиК which publishes La Mia Boutique models. Speaking of which, my cousin posted me June's La Mia Boutique which included the March issue as a bonus too! Wow! Not exactly "nothing to choose from" - and this is only the recent aquisitions. So really there is no excuse for my condition. Yet it is there and the inspiration is not…

I think I would love to hear from you, my lovely readers. I would love to know if you go through these kind of stages in your sewing life and how do you cope or deal with them? It there a magic potion that you take and the next morning you are filled with creativity? I guess not, but I would love to read your stories! I guess, I really need you right now!

With Love

Juliette



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All rights reserved.
All images and copied text must have a link back or reference to Sewing and Style Den

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Holiday Wardrobe Ideas and a horrible discovery...


50 days to Mallorca is it long enough?


Long enough to get a nice set of outfits together. I am taking a five minutes break from heavy studying and madness in work to just sit back ( it is way past midnight and I am wide awake- just a perfect moment to jot down some ideas). So first, I should say that there is a couple of things I am very pleased from my last holiday, that I am definitely taking this time:
Calvin Cline linen ampire waist dress ( worn here dining out with my family last year)

Here is me with my mom wearing my khaki maxi- Dunnes Stores €5 

Another dress from Dunnes- A-line shape, very sixties

These lovely threesome are definite winners and I love them to bits.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Gwyneth Skirt- My RTW Project, part 2

Remember a week ago I joined the RTW Contest  on patterreview.com , but I couldn't enter the Willow skirt I have made before, as the project must be completed during the contest period? 


Well, I have been doing a lot of soul searching one of the day, when a Glee episode, featuring Gwyneth Paltrow came up on TV. I looked up from my laptops screen just before she stunningly performed Cee-Lo’s “Forget You" and there it was- the inspiration MY RTW CONTEST entry!



The stunning grey mini skirt BOY  by  BAND OF OUTSIDERS has instantly brought the solution to my dilemma- not only I would have something for my contest, I would absolutely love to have a skirt like that! LOVE IT!!!!! Originally made from flannel, zip closure, two front pockets, lined interior and leather applications. I had some double knit jersey, satin bias trim and a brass zip- a key combination to success. Well, I hope. And as it seems impossible to buy a real deal these days, it makes all sence to just sew your own.




I used the skirt pattern form Burda style magazine 12/2012



I've altered the pattern a bit,  closing the side darts, transferring them into pleats at waist. I also changed the from piece into a wrap skirt piece.


The first challenge was to finish all edges with a bias trimming. Unfortunately i couldn't get my hands on a leather trimming, largely due to my impatience- I just couldn't wait to start on this project. And the absence of large fabric/haberdashery stores around worked it's magic too , of course. Too bad….




I used a satin bias tape to finish all the edges. As it is essentially a wrap skirt, that meant I had to work around the corners with my bias tape. 

Here is a full tutorial on bias tape and mitered corners how-to !!!!


Oh, and don't forget to sign up for our APRIL GIVEAWAY

Friday, April 6, 2012

COLD, Patterns, Contests, and COLD

COLD is the word. Cold is how I feel every second of the last few days. Who could have imagined two weeks ago, when we were all baring ourselves to the sun at 20°C, that we would be able to see our breath outside at night a few days later??? Well that wasn't me- foolishly, I was sure that the "Irish summer" is here (it always is lovely, sunny and dry around Easter till end of May)! Foolishly, I packed away my winter coats and even more foolishly- in fact, unforgivably, I didn't top up the home heating oil, having decided we would not need it until later in the year!

A Rookie Mistake!!!!

Because it is COLD. Tuesday night it SNOWED. I am battling a very nasty flu and just cannot get warm in the cold house ( oh yes- and I did, in the spur of a moment, spend all the oil money booking a summer holiday). I suspected that my bedroom is very poorly isolated and now I really know how badly- it is like sleeping outside.


And here I am taking full advantage of my staffie Harry's (free of charge and with a bonus of some serious TLC) body heat, curled up under a furry throw on the couch, talking nonsense when I could be making my little sewing dreams come true! How typical! I think I am born to live in a warm climate- this is driving me nuts!!!!!!!!



Especially, because there are a lot of plans and ideas.
There has been a nice arrival in the post yesterday: Cynthia Rowley's patterns for Simplicity: dress 2497 and skirt 2512



 I am a sewing magazine's addict- I don't really purchase patterns very often, but I simply loved the skirt, especially featured in House of Piheiro's OWOP Challenge. So did my daughter, who I really want to get involved into dressmaking, and as my grandmother and my mother did in their time- I think it is THE TIME to pass the secrets of the trade to the next generation. I was looking for both a tulip and a wrap skirt for a while and this pattern seemed perfect. My daughter loved view D (just like the one on the left) and I would love the view A to suit me, when it is made!!! Please!!!!
Plus, I found a company online, based in the UK, that offered more than reasonable price for those patterns, so I added the 2497 dress in too. And here they are! Chantelle is tracing the D view as I freeze….. I mean, as I type )))


The dress looks lovely on the pattern cover, but since I got the actual envelope, I am having serious second thoughts about it. It seems to suit a rather skinny frame with wide shoulders and a tall height, so look well, otherwise it has a somewhat clown-ish look to it ( I am deeply sorry if any of my readers made this dress and love it) It is merely how I thought it looked on most of those real life pictures- unflattering. Do I want to join that Gallery? Will I look good in that? 


Well there is one more incentive to try: I just joined the 'Best of Patterns' contest on patternreview.com and this pattern is featured among the allowed patterns. Well, I am tempted, but who knows- the jury is still out on this one. 

Do you often pick a pattern that in hind sight is not flattering to your own shape, just because the model on the photo looks good. Unfortunately, I still do. And I really wish I didn't. 




Another pattern included in the contest is Vogue Donna Karan dress 1220 



Again, same reservations as Cynthia Rowley's dress: will it look good, or will it resemble a house robe, my granny used to own???



And there are also those simple tops' patterns like Burda Magazine 02-2009-108 "Knit Top with Bateau Neckline", making which for a best pattern contest simply puzzles me. This is just simply too basic. Or am I just arrogant? I am no Sewing Guru either, just wishing to be one day…
Anyway, I signed up for that contest in hope it will get me off the couch- but not while this cold spell is freezing my bones. Oh, I need the sun so much!!!!!

And not to forget the RTW Contest that I am in. I have an idea for it already, but this is a topic for another post.



Anyway, I hope you have Good Easter, everyone and I hope the warm weather  will come back and all those plans will turn flowing into finished projects.

And don't forget to enter our APRIL GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Got to get out of this cold house tonight- going to see the TITANIC in 3D ( pack of tissues- check!)

Saturday, March 31, 2012

PatternReview RTW Contest -part 1

Ready to Wear (RTW) Contest

Yes, i did. The idea is very simple: find a Ready To Wear item you adore and make one just like that yourself. I was delighted to see this contest as I have just such thing for it: The Willow Skirt!

You might remember it from last year, however the original blog post mysteriously disappeared (???) - don't know if it is actually for the best, as I didn't really like the photo shoot- it was all vampy and sexy-bothering-on-sideofaboullevar-ish!

Just to refresh the memory, I once saw an asymmetrical ruffled skirt by Australian designer  Willow on net-a-porter.com I loved the ruffles and the concealed by ribbon zipper. The skirt had no side seams, it just skimped over the curves and fastened in the front.

I drafted my own seamless pattern, using an old pencil skirt pattern, and also a ruffled patent leather trim instead of the petersham ribbon, simply as I couldn't get one soon enough- I just couldn't wait to make this skirt for myself! Although it really worked, I reckon. The fabric I had was a wet look black shiny jersey, kinda PVC looking, but quite thin. This fabric is tricky- as it does come with a certain industry hint and not really suitable for casual use (unless you casually wear it on the side of the street, looking for some "Pretty Woman" sort of work).

I only had 0.7meters (150cm wide) for this project, so I had to risk compromising the length. On the other hand, longer skirt of this kind would make me look very short, it is modeled on a very tall mannequin in all fairness, so I opted for a challenging MINI look.


Unfortunately, as I just found out this entry would have been no good, as it has to be made during the contest period ( 1/04/2012-30/04/2012), so I am left with a dilemma- what to make for it. I'd like it to be  something I will be wearing too- so off I go surfing the net, looking for inspiration. Hope I find it soon-wish me luck!



Wednesday, March 28, 2012

To Line or Not to Line- part 2

I have been exploring, discussing and researching it a lot lately and I think the findings are worth posting about. If you remember, my dilemma was to line a dress or to wear a slip. Slips sounded promising, and most of all easy! Get a couple ( black and nude) and the need for lining your garments is abolished. Or so I thought. However, after raising the big question in my last post and on some sewing forums, I definitely had a change of heart about linings, and I undoubtedly learned a lot about my options when it came to linings too. Yey!


To start with, I have had a major issue with some linings not behaving well when being stitched up with my sewing machine- the seams looked almost ripped by the needle, and that really was very discouraging.

Maybe even that is why I developed a very unpleasant relationships with the idea of lining in the first place. I just did not work out as perfectly as I hoped!

And here is number one tip I have just learnt from a few professional dressmakers to avoid my seam disaster. They all advised that if dealing with any fabric that consists of a blend of fibers  to lay and cut the pattern pieces across the grainline!  This way the seams will never fall apart, they said! What a tip! Priceless!

I have also found some fabrics, I have never even heard of, that is commonly used as a lining material:
  • Cupro - The European cousin of tencel , Cupro is also somewhat similar to rayon in that it is reprocessed cellulose. Cupro fabric breathes like cotton, drapes beautifully, and feels like silk on your skin. Its slinky, curve-hugging drape makes it great for elegant dresses and blouses.
  • Silk Pongee ( Habutae) -A soft, thin, plain-weave fabric of light to medium weight with both crossribbing and small slubs, generally made from silk, but also from rayon or polyester. 
I did know the habutae from before, it is only when somebody swore by pongee silk as an amazing lining i went online and discovered that habotae is just another name for the same type of silk! What a relief! Habotae silk is so much easier to find than some thing called pongee. Especially in width and yardage suitable for dressmaking. Usually pongee available in form of scarfs (for hand painting).

And Cupro was highly recommended by the professionals, it feels like silk, but has all attributes of viscose, so it is great in wear: breathable, doesn't collect the dampness and drapes amasingly. I may just be ordering lots of it now.

100% viscose lining was highly recommended too. And any other 100% same fiber lining fabrics. And now we know what to do with blends too.

The bottom line- To Line, To Line, To LINE!!!! Fully or partially is entirely up to the style and personal preference. I will anyway, just the smart way.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

To Line or Not to Line ?

Here is a thought. Why line a dress, if you think you will wear a slip under it? Or shaping underwear?

I have recently bought a couple of great shaping full slips- one black and one nude, and they seem not only to improve the figure slightly, but made the clothes I wore hang so much better.

There is a large choice of those kind of undergarments to buy out there, even in a local supermarket- and not at all they have to look outdated, some of them are quite sexy! Same goes for half slips. I am a petite girl and it is quite hard to get a slip or a shaper in size 6-8 UK (34-36 EUR), but with a bit of sewing magic if at all possible. and shapers are quite tight anyway even for the next larger size. I tried size 10 (38) and it worked just as well!

On the other hand, the lining does make the inside look so much better.

So here is me finishing my latest project and facing a dilemma: to line or not to line?

What do you think?

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Reflecting, reflecting!



To all my friends, who take their time following my blog- I am so sorry for doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in the last month, just couldn't get inspired. I re-aranged my sewing workshop, resulting in a pretty room and no action. All ideas I had just before somehow didn't feel right ( oh yes, I am talking about the 5/2011 dress)

After trying one with a fitted top and a full skirt in one of the shops I finally had to give up the idea. I am a small pear shaped woman, who's legs are shorter than I'd wish for, plus they are much heavier on the thighs not to worry about what you are wearing. As the problem only came to me in my thirties, it took an additional 5 years to admit, that I should stay away from the body hugging skirts and dresses. But a full skirt has it's cons as well- it just makes my bottom look massive.


In general, for a shape like mine the flare is necessary, but it must be controlled. Classy A-line, smart pleats, straight, but not tight shapes, plus building up at the shoulders. Liking the modeled version of a pattern is not enough- "dress for your shape" approach is paramount.


Yes, you must try things on and play with different ideas. One of them - boxy shaped garments, like my recent Burda 2/2012 dress, was a bitter experience. All this effort to hate the way it wears -all my remarks about the neckline being too wide and the front side parts giving a very unflattering shape to the bust, plus absolutely silly shape overall. I know there were a good few comments approving the dress on the photo, but in reality it just didn't work at all. So it is in a re-make pile, gladly the front and back pieces are quite large, and I have lots more of this fabric- so something better will be done with it eventually. But no more baggy styles for me.

Now I am dying to get back in action and there are a few ideas where to start. ( Now whether they will come to life is hard to foresee, considering that brainstorming is what I have been doing most recently without any actual making LOL)

I have found this lovely Simplicity 6067 dress. Nice loose skirt to hide the thighs and beautiful darts at the front to show off the waist and bust. Gorgeous. 
One small problem though- my last experience with simplicity patterns was a fiasco! Or I should add that Simplicity regularly publish their pattern in a Russian sewing magazine called "Diana Moden" and I had a downloadable version of that magazine. Scaling was a major issue- the printer's option not to scale still printed the pattern sheet out wrong. When I thought I finally scaled it to what it should be, I made a tunic, but it looked awful - nothing like the modeled version. The solutions for 6067 are

  1.  to make a muslin OR 
  2. Buy the original pattern here
  3. use a similar Burda magazine 11/2011 dress pattern  123 and play with it a little:
The Burda dress has a great skirt too, but the V cut is way too low- I like the Simplicity's version much more for practical reasons. For those who want to use New Look 6067- check out some PatternReview.com reviews:  also very helpful : Vacuuming The Lawn, and here is one from Beck and Lundy

As for me - I just bought the original printable pattern and will definitely start and , naturally, review it soon.

And here is another inspirational dress I found online:

It is so simple and elegant- love the sleeve panels on it and the wrap effect on the front of the bodice. There is a perfect pattern for it ( it will need alteration, but great to use as a base) : Burda Magazine 7/2011 - 110
(This pink version is made by Burdastyle.com member kokuryu )


Another dress I have in mind for the spring/summer season is a front twist dress from Burda 3/2012


Unfortunately, it is drafted for tall sizes. Fortunately, I just read a review  by the Selfish Seamstress and apparently it might be ok as is for a short girl like me)))) Yay! I will say no more- go and read her story. 
As for me, I just hope I will get to make it soon!

Some more inspirations for the future: Vogue 1154 Misses strapless dress:

More on a casual note: a pinafore dress 121 from Burda 9/2007. Made from a less stretchy fabric, it actually turns into a great cocktail dress.



Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Skirts and Sleeves

I admire the seamstresses who come up with one project after another, steady and without fail. Not me. I get bursts of creative energy and then long spells of apathy, and here is one now. So this post in a way is to pull my thoughts together and defeat "What's next!?!" dilemma.

The one idea that I seem to be fixated upon is a full skirt dress. I have some yellow-green polyester left from the curtains I made for my sis-in-law. (I hate the way it sounds, really- I always say when I hear about curtain to dress project: "Are we in the "Sounds of Music" or what?" But here I am blogging about some curtain fabric for the dress. Life is funny sometimes)

The colour of the fabric is very unusual, not something too many people would wear casually, so it is perfect for my colour blocking dress from 12 in 2012 list.


Anyway, the pattern for the dress is most likely to be from Burda Style 5/2011 I have already tried this pattern, but the fabric turned out to look weird. However, the shape looks good, nipping nicely around the waist, making the stomach area look super flat and quite flattering for my small bust. One adjustment though will be adding sleeves (if I have enough fabric that is).


A couple of years ago I came across a document online with a tutorial on modeling the sleeves (among other pattern manipulation techniques.) Unfortunately, I do not remember where I found it, but there are a few ideas on what you can do with the sleeves.


nice boxy sleeve

more adventurous futuristic sleeve (perfect for balancing heavier bottoms)

and one for Lady Gaga too
Ideally, due to the unusual shape of the skirt on that dress, the second sleeve cap could really work. it will require a mock version to practice on. But it could work! Plus it will cross off sleeve modeling off my 12 in 2012 list too!

Win-win!


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