Monday Morning Inspiration/Casual Inspiration for at Home Wear

Over the weekend, I talked to a friend. It was great to reconnect. During the course of the conversation, she commented on my recipe posts, and asked if I will be getting back to them. I also received another note from someone who has followed the blog for quite sometime. She told me how much she enjoys the blog, and how much she has missed my "regular" posts. An apology is in order. I've been cooking, a LOT!!! And too, I still look for inspiration. It's just that I haven't been sharing. 

This past week, I thought of 2 of my favorite designers, and wondered if there would be a spring collection. Since the collections are typically done a year in advance, I hoped that there would be, and thankfully, there is a spring collection for both Carolina Herrera and Maria Pinto(a Chicago based designer).

As I looked through their collections, what inspired me the most were pieces that would translate into everyday wear. Things that I will enjoy whether I'm out and about...or not.

This palazzo pant from Carolina Herrera reminded me so much of the Winslow Culottes from Helen's Closet. 
   

This tiered evening skirt is not something most of us would wear at home, but it reminded me of the Phoebe Maxi from Pattern Union.     

This fabulous little dress screams spring, and works beautifully with flats or sandals. Love the appliqued flowers along the bottom. 

For something rather fresh, this mix of plaids is quite fun!

How could one not be happy with the mix of polka dots???

Maria Pinto has incorporated mesh into her collection, and I LOVE it!!! A mesh dress over a pair of tights and a tank, such fun!

Here she used the mesh on the back of a jacket. Would look super cute with a fun print tank underneath.

I'm really loving knee length shorts. The picture on the right shows how easy the outfit can be to wear in a more casual manner. 

This asymmetrical skirt is so flirty. The lantern sleeve turns what would be a rather boring t-shirt into something much more interesting. You can find my tutorial on the lantern sleeve HERE.

Nothing could be more simple to throw on than a lightweight denim dress with a center front zipper. The pockets make it all the better for keeping your cell phone handy. 

I hope that a few of the pieces have inspired you. I can't wait to get into the studio and pump out a few new pieces! 

If you know of patterns that closely resemble some of the pieces I've shared, let me know in the comments, and I will share them on the blog.

Wishing you a lovely week :)

Rhonda

Blessings In The Storm, and the Challenge Continues

Maybe it has something to do with life getting rather small, that our days, for now, aren't filled with all the typical must dos, but I've thought so much of my grandmother. She looms large in my life, from her love of cooking for others, her love of opening her home to guests, to how she dressed. Without fail, she got up every morning and dressed impeccably. She always wore a dress. I once asked her if she had ever worn a pair of pants. She said that during WWII, while working, she had, but was never really comfortable. So once she was able to resume her normal daily activities, she went back to wearing a dress...everyday of her life. 

Over the last few weeks of my little challenge, I've thought of how my grandmother would feel about the "effort" that I am making to get dressed each and everyday. On one hand, I think she would be quite proud, but then, she was always so proud of me :) On the other hand, I think she would ask me why it has become a challenge :/

Last Wednesday I wore my Ginger Jeans from Closet Case Patterns. After I made my first pair, I decided that I had purchased my last pair of jeans. I absolutely love this pattern. I paired the jeans with a self-drafted knit top. And of course, my best accessory, Mr. Berkley :)

I'm missing pictures from Thursday, April 16 through Sunday April 19th, but I will recreate them with the exception of Saturday. I spent most of the day in the bed with a sick headache. Oh well.

Skipping forward to Monday, I wore my cargo pants. Such a great pair of pants to wear when I have some shopping to do. I throw my phone and credit card into my pockets, and then I am completely hands free at the grocery store. You can see my original post about the pants HERE. I paired the pants with a t-shirt that I made from a repurposed thrift store find. I used the Molly Tee from Pattern Union.    

When I was a little girl, my goal in life was to be a cowgirl! My aunt would tell me that you can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the girl ;) I do love my boots, and I especially love wearing them with skirts. 

I really like the knit top I'm wearing. I used the Elliot Sweater Pattern from Helen's Closet. I lengthened the sleeves, lengthened the front, and eliminated the side slits. The fabric was a great find from Promenade Fabrics in New Orleans. 

I had just a remnant of the black stretch denim left, but it was enough for the Tessuti Fabrics free Libby Aline skirt pattern. I did flat-felled seams on the side seams, and topstitched the pockets, as well as the hem and the center back seam.  

Today, Wednesday, I'm wearing one of my all time favorite dresses. It's the Yuki Dress Pattern from Tessuti Fabrics. I love how the side seams aren't side seams, but angle toward the front. The dress has pockets, always a plus in my book. I also love the scrunchy collar. So easy to wear, just throw on and go. Well, if I had somewhere to go!!! BTW, if you are ever in Chicago, by all means, go by Fishman's fabrics. You would have to feel this fabric to believe it, so soft, just an amazing piece of lightweight wool. They have an incredible selection of remnants that are so well priced.     

Just a couple of notes on the pattern, As you can see from the above picture, the dress hits just above my knee. I didn't want it any shorter, so I finished the hem with a bias binding. 

One of the downsides of side seam pockets is that they can float around on the inside of your garment. A great way to prevent this is to take a piece of scrap ribbon and sew it to each pocket. The pockets will now beautifully stay in place. 

I hope that all of you who happen to drop by are doing well. It's easy to fall into a trap of feeling sorry for ourselves, or feeling deprived. I hope that some happy memories come to you like that of my grandmother for me. When I think of her, I can't help but feel so very blessed.
Rhonda   

Pepernoot Fashion Show

Since I shared my finished hoodless Pepernoot jacket with you, it has become my favorite go to piece. The weather has been rather cool in Chicago, so this version has been perfect. 

You may remember the sew along I did for Sew News. Whenever I wear this jacket, I get sooo many compliments. It really is cute, but the fabric pills, so I may get one more season out of it, but that's it. Really disappointed. But, it opens the door for something new, always a silver lining :) BTW, the fabric came from the home dec department at Joann Fabrics. It may still be available, so stay away! 

I really love the big, bold, flower power jacket. Also a home dec fabric, but it has worn beautifully. Not from Joann's. The hood was lined in velvet and it feels to good when pulled over my head.

The hoodless horseman ;)

So easy to wear. Over the weekend, I paired it with my Ginger jeans. The skirt is my planes, trains and boat fabric. Sadly, I didn't have enough of the lining fabric to make a blouse. But, I think I like a white top better anyway.

When I originally showed you the finished jacket, I mentioned that I did not put the zippers in the pockets. The pockets function well with the zippers and without. So another nice option :)

And my crazy, fun lining.

Be sure to visit the Waffle Patterns website. I think the world of Yuki, the designer. I have been so very pleased with all of her patterns that I have made, and she is super sweet on top of it all.

I have had a number of people ask about the shoes I am wearing. I have fallen in love with Jambu shoes. I purchased a pair of sandals last summer and wore them with just about everything. This was a new this year style and I thought they were so cute. I have gone between the pair I bought last year and this pair all summer long. You would think I only own 2 pairs of shoes!!! They are no longer available on the Jambu website, but you can find them in black leather or suede HERE, and other colors HERE on Amazon. 

Have a wonderful day!
Rhonda

New Winners and a New Jacket

Last Monday I announced the winners of the new Islander Fast and Fabulous Jacket Pattern. Sadly, Karen Roop was the only one of the 3 winners to respond :( So one's loss is another's gain!

The 2 new winners of the pattern are:

Kathy Shrank

Kim Caywood

Congratulations ladies!!! Be sure to email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com ASAP with your mailing info. 

I've decided to make 2 more jackets. After I made the first, I decided that I really would like one made in leather. But before I get to that one, I would like another that will be great for summer, especially in air condition. I get so cold sometimes.

I found a lovely piece of denim that actually has a little linen in the fiber content which softens the denim beautifully. I also purchased a light blue woven cotton to pipe the jacket and bind the seams.

The denim has the traditional twill weave, but like I said, softer with the addition of the linen.

The lighter blue cotton has a matching diamond of the blue denim in the weave. I love the first jacket I made, but I wanted to step up the construction a bit by binding the interior seams. Besides that, jackets look so lovely when you take them off and there's something interesting on the inside that catches the eye. 

Once I get started on the jacket, I'll show you a fun stretch cotton I purchased for pants. I think it will work well with the denim. 

Just a reminder that Janet has graciously offered a 20% discount to anyone who comes by the blog. Just use the promo code SEWBUSS at checkout. The discount is good until Saturday, July 22, 2017. You can find the paper pattern HERE, and the PDF pattern HERE.

Happy Sewing!
Rhonda 

A Cape With A Shape/Cape Super Express

It's 0 degrees in Chicago!!! Just in case you think that's an "O", it's not, it's zero :) Now, I really don't mind the cold, in fact I rather enjoy it. But as I drank my first cup of tea this morning and watched the morning news, I had to laugh a bit about the idea of zero degrees. Zero implies nothing, like a size 0, how can one be a size 0? Do they not exist? Does a temperature reading of zero mean that the thermometer has given up, there's no longer a temperature? Of course I'm not being serious, just laughing a little about the frigid weather :)

As I type out this post, I'm looking out at the river, steam rising off of the water. There are a few blocks where the water doesn't freeze due to the warm water from the filtration plant being pumped back into the river. So on cold days, the steam rising up off of the water makes for a rather beautiful sight, especially when it gets super cold and the ice crystals from the water begin to freeze in the trees. For me it's a reminder that there's always beauty if we just choose to look for it.  

Well, enough about the weather!

The new post for the Islander Sewing System Cape Super Express sew along is up on the Sew News blog, and you can find it HERE.

I decided to use a piece of denim for this cape. You can see the shape of the cape better in the denim than you can in the faux fur and velvet that I used for the other cape. It really is a pretty shape. Although it's a cape that's roomy and loose fitting, it does have shape. There are darts in the front that accent the bust, and there are darts in the back neckline that help to give the cape fit across the back. I think the pattern has been well designed. 

If you look closely at the hood below, you'll see quite a bit of  top stitching. I was determined to use the fabric that I had, but I was a little short. So the hood was cut into a number of pieces and then stitched back together. To tie it all together, I will be top stitching the cape as well. It's a little tricky, but doable. Below you also see the lining that I will be using for my cape. I always enjoy using something a little fun!

This post is basic construction. In our next post, I will show you the method I used to attach the lining to the cape at the arm slots. It's a different method than what is used in the pattern instructions, so you can see my method, and the method in the pattern, and then determine which you would like to use.

If you have not purchased a pattern, but would like to do so, you can find it HERE at Shop Sew It All.

Have a wonderful day, and if you are pretty much anywhere in the U.S. today, bundle up and stay warm!!!
Rhonda

Ginger Jeans/Pockets and The Front Fly

I'm an early riser. I love getting up to a dark and quiet house. When Little Bit was still with us, the moment she heard my feet hit the floor, she too would yawn, stretch, and make her way out from wherever she was sleeping at the moment. And of course, Gracie would follow. On cool mornings, I would go downstairs, make my tea, come back up stairs, and light the fire. Little Bit would snuggle into the chair beside me, while Gracie would go back to sleep in the adjoining room. With her heavy coat, she's not a big fan of being warm. Now that Little Bit is gone, Gracie sees no point in following me around during the early hours of the day. I get up, and she snuggles in a little closer to my husband, no longer concerned that Little Bit may get something that she would miss out on ;) So now the house is truly quiet when I rise. 

It's a cold and wet morning here in Chicago. A fabulous day for a fire and a cup of tea. I enjoy coming back upstairs, lighting the fire and opening my email. Not today, horror of horrors, the internet was out!!! As I went from my phone, to my laptop, to the desk top computer, I had to laugh as I thought about a commercial that makes me laugh each and every time I see it. It's a little creepy, sad...and funny, especially the last scene where he sets off a flare. I've shared it below. Maybe it will start your day off with a smile as well :)   



Now that we've had a morning laugh, or have been totally creeped out!!,  I wanted to let you know that my new post is up for the Ginger Jeans sew along on the Sew News blog. You can find it HERE. 

In this week's post, we install the front pockets

As well as the fly front zipper. Take note that at this point, the zipper will extend above the waistline. If you have never installed a fly front zipper, you are in for a treat. I think they are the easiest to install, and by far, my favorite! 

When installing the pockets, remember that there is a pocket stay, which I absolutely love as it not only holds the pocket in place, but acts as a tummy control panel as well. Both the pocket lining and the pocket stay should be made out of a 100% cotton fabric. I used quilting cotton for my pockets.

In this post, I also show you how to sew the pockets so that there is a beautifully finished seam. Not only does it look great, it's also a little more durable. 

Next week, I'll put up a Link Party so that if you are making the jeans, you can share your pictures.

If by chance you have not purchased a pattern, you can find the PDF version HERE at Shop Sew It All. Or you can find a printed paper pattern HERE at Closet Case Files. If you do opt for the PDFversion, there is a copy shop version, so no taping!!!

Have a wonderful day, and may a little laughter come your way :)
Rhonda

Ginger Jeans Sew Along Begins!

Just wanted to let you all know that my first post for the sew along is upon the Sew News blog and you can find it HERE.

This week we talk a little more about the jeans and some of the subtle details that make them so very special, like the curve of the back pockets.

We also talk about notions, like the proper zippers, needles and thread.

If you would prefer not to shop, Heather has put together a nice package of the notions that you will need. It includes a metal zipper, rivets, jean buttons, and denim needles. You can find the package HERE.

Heather has also put together a wonderful Ebook on sewing your own jeans. One chapter is devoted to fitting and pattern adjustments. The Ebook has some fun extras like;

Inserting ankle zippers

Turning your skinny jeans into flared jeans

You can find the Ebook HERE. I think it's a great addition for your jean sewing toolbox.  

So pop over to the Sew News blog, check out the post and by all means gather your supplies so we can get started on our jeans next week!

If by chance you have not purchased your pattern, you can find it HERE at Shop Sew It All.

Monday Morning Inspiration

Good Morning Everyone and welcome to Monday. It's incredibly cold here in Chicago. I feel like we're living a real life version of the movie Ground Hog Day. If you've never seen the movie, it's about a guy who wakes up everyday to find that it is once again Ground Hog Day. He can't escape it!! Well, it's officially the never ending Ground Hog Day here in Chicago. Each day we wake up to sub zero temperatures and more snow. So a Spring/Summer collection is right up my alley this morning!!

I received an email about a pin that I had posted on Pinterest being repinned. Typically, I just delete the email, but I took a look and a bag on that person's board caught my eye so I decided to take a look. There  I saw a pin from the Balmain Spring/Summer collection and I HAD to see more. The collection is very 80's inspired. Remember when we wore lots and lots of what they now call bling? Well, this is rather over the top, but there are design details that I think are especially nice. I have posted my favorites, but if you would like to take a look at more of the collection, here's a link,

http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/spring-summer-2014/ready-to-wear/balmain/full-length-photos/gallery/1051289

When I saw this top, I was in love. I absolutely love everything about this top and would love to make one. 

The nice thing about the link that I gave you is that they have up close pictures of the clothes. A sewists dream!! After all, it's the details that we want to see.

Each strip has been grommeted and then laced together with denim strips with a chain in between each strip. WOW, WOW, WOW!!!

Can you tell that I REALLY love this piece?!!!!!! It's a little reminiscent of armor, but I still love it.

Fun pocket idea.

Love the mix of see through weaving with the solid.

From the front.

And now the back. A little over done for my taste, but beautiful back detail. Love the quilted denim skirt.

Love the flippy little skirts.

Note the pockets. Cut on the bias, matched but not matched giving more interest to this subtle detail.

Again, the flippy skirt. Like wearing a petticoat.

Note the little zippers on the sleeves. Great detail.

The back pockets on the skirt. Very unexpected, but so cute.

Couture baseball fun!

Another oversized baseball jacket paired with matching skirt. Love the idea of a sweatshirt being turned into a skirt.

I've included a video of the fashion show. Watching the clothes move is quite a treat. It's a little less than 10 minutes long, and well worth the time spent.

If you've saved all your big, bold, gold jewelry from the 80's, well, it looks like you're in luck. Actually, just a touch goes a long way ;)
Have a lovely week.
Rhonda