Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Kwik Sew 2927: Slit Front and Sides Tunic

I had higher hopes for this pattern when I first saw it.  But once I put it on, I wasn't very thrilled.  I don't think this pattern is for someone with a large bust, at least for my large bust. I am hopeful I may be able to pull it off, but I am not necessarily excited about it.  

Slit Front and Sides Tunic! Details on the blog, blog address in profile #Itsmelaniedarling #seamstress #sewing #sewist #sewcialist #sewingblogger #asewinglife #imakemyownclothes #imadethis #diy #diyer #diystyle #diyfashion #dressmaker #customsewing #fash



It was really easy to put together, and I think it only took me about two hours from start to finish.  I love the fabric though, but maybe I could have put it to use on another pattern, I don't know.  Just not really feeling this tunic.  


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Happy Sewing!







Monday, January 26, 2015

Rabbit Fur Jacket Transformation to Rabbit Fur Vest

When my friend and client ask if would convert her Rabbit Fur Jacket to a vest after an unfortunate accident, her dog chewed a huge hole in it, I said I would try with no guarantee.  

I was not feeling this project at all.  I had not worked with fur alterations before so I was a little hesitant.  I spent a great amount of time staring at the inside of the jacket trying to figure out how I was going to come up the look I wanted and my client would be happy with.  

Before:

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And after:

Transformation:  Rabbit Fur Jacket to Vest! Details on the blog, blog address in profile #Itsmelaniedarling #seamstress #sewing #sewist #sewcialist #sewingblogger #asewinglife #imakemyownclothes #imadethis #diy #diyer #diystyle #diyfashion #dressmaker #cu


Hear is my lovely friend wearing her Rabbit Fur Vest: 

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Happy Sewing!

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Vogue Patterns: Spring 2015 Roll Out!

Vogue has rolled out its 2015 Spring patterns, and here is their Look Book.  

I am extremely happy with a few and it seems a few still kind of got me guessing where they were going.  The color pallet on the Look Book cover is intriguing.  The color Orange, Rust, or Pumpkin is my favorite color of all times.  I have always loved Orange and has integrated into my wardrobe in every way possible.   




V1435 has very lovely design aesthetics.  The detailing is is gorgeous.  Not feeling V9096 at all.  Something is amiss for me.  V1437 is nice, but again, for me I am not understanding where Ralph Rucci was going but without the Jacket it appeals to me more: 



One of my favorite looks, and will probably be my first purchase of the Spring Collection is V1440 by Donna Karan Collection:



The top and the Jacket are really speaking to me, and the back detail is awesome.  The coat is all kinds of lovely. 

  
Here are snippets of the Vogue's 2014 Patterns, I see a few must haves:





So tell me what you think of Vogues Spring Line 2015.  Happy Sewing!


Luxe Sweat Suit: Styled by Me

Here is how I styled my Lux Jogger/Sweat Suit from my earliest post here:  Luxe Sweat Suit.  I kept it really simple, just added my new Nikes my son got me for Christmas as my relax/fund look, and a little cute and sexy toe action heeled sandal, leather clutch, and wallah.  Two separate looks.  Hope you liked.


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Happy Sewing!

Monday, January 19, 2015

Adventures in Thrifting: Goodwill Hunting!

At one time in my life I was an avid Thrifter.  It was in between one of my sewing hiatuses.  I have always been a very careful my money and looked for great bargains.  I have expensive taste I am told but I will not, I REPEAT will not throw away money.  I like what I like, but I spend my money according to my situation and very wisely.  I am not a fan of broke, though I am almost all the time, I try to always keep a little milk money as my Grandmother would say.  

This weekend I decided to get out and about my fine city and surrounding areas.  I had not been out and about to my local thrift stores in sometime, and I wanted to see what I had been missing. Goodwill is always my go too, and I have two within ten blocks of where I live, so of course I decided to go there first.  I was happy with what I found there.  I also visited a Goodwill Boutique, yes I said "Boutique".  In one of your more affluent areas there is a Goodwill that sells mostly high end merchandise at a fairly good price.  Here is what I left with:

A pair of BCBG heels and a Saks 5th Avenue wrap dress, brand new both with tags still on them.   I was also on the hunt for a jean or chambray button down top and I found one at my local Goodwill!



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Happy Thrifting!

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Luxe Sweat Suit: Simplicity 2061 and New Look 6230


I am in love with the comfort right now.  Everything has to be comfortable.  I have started noticing that my 4" heels are slowly but steadily becoming like 2 1/2" to 3".  My tight fitting waist hugging tops are now becoming, loose fitting long tunics and Sheath dresses.

My newest love of fashion is the Luxe (what its called in the fashion world), jogger or sweat pants.  I absolutely love the fact that they can be dressed up or done.  Comfort is the key here, but I absolutely love this look, and thank it can fit so many of my life scenarios:



Though this a more dressier option, the complete look says to me "Lunch with the Girls".  I also like these looks, as well:

images credit:  Google


Here is my Luxe (I Guess) Jogger/Sweat Suit:

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My pictures as usual, doesn't do it any justice.  As soon as I can I will take pictures in it.   

For the Joggers, I used Simplicity 20161,  I wish I would have added pockets to the pants, but next time and I do plan to make them again, I will add them. Fort he Top, I used New Look 6203 for the top.  I used a Stretch (very little though), cotton knit for the joggers, and body of the Top and a very stretchy cotton knit for the raglan sleeves and pant cuffs.  

Happy Sewing:

  

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Butterick 5803: Raglan Sleeve Cowl Neck Tunic

I wanted to use up so me of the pretty nice sized scrap pieces that I had in my fabric stash.  This pattern gave me the perfect opportunity to do this.  I had this these two pieces that were not enough by themselves to make a much but I loved the combination together.  I bought this pattern off of Ebay after seeing a Facebook Post on one of the sewing groups I am a member of.  The post was of this pattern in a very bright chevron printed fabric.  I loved it, but more I loved the pattern details. 



Friday, January 2, 2015

Happy New Year! 2015 is here, and so are the NOT Resolutions!

Happy New Year!  I hope that the New Year will grant each and every person whom reads this a healthy and prosperous year to come.  I an really excited and look forward to changes, additions, and subtractions to my life in 2015.  I have nothing at all to complain about, my life is GREAT!  God has blessed me and mine abundantly, and I could not ask for another thing without feeling selfish.   

I stopped declaring New Year Resolutions in 2010.  I had and still to some extent have no will power, so all I did by declaring what I will do, was put needles pressure on myself to accomplish things that I ultimately never do.  I have good intentions, but horrible follow through.  So I decided, to just live, one day to the next.  To only focus on things that mattered in the moment (not really working for me at all), but I do try.  

I am still a very compulsive person, and I don't think that will change anytime soon.  I think I will be forever a worrier, a procrastinator, an avoider (I made this up), etc.  I'm happy with that, I'm happy with me. 


So here's to another year of no Resolutions, and how I feel about them:


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Now off to the gym I go. 


Happy Sewing!
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