Fall Wardrobe Essentials: Apple Green Suit, New Look 6481 and 6080

I only own one suit.  I have had it for a very long time.  It is black of course and I haven't worn it in about 10 years. It was basically my funeral suit sad to say.  I have retired it to the back of the closet but not ready to be rid of it as of yet.  

So I need to add some color to my life.  What fall wardrobe doesn't have a cute suit?  Yes, mine and I wanted to rectify that and bring some more color to my life.  I am a Ponte Roma crack addict and I bought 5 yards of this luscious Ponte Roma Knit from  Fine Fabrics in Atlanta last February.  I loved how smooth it was, my crappy camera does not do the color justice.  It is actually a really off apple green color, but again, me and my crappy Iphone camera.

I used New Look 6481 for the Jacket.  After seeing Sew Craft Chemists version of the Jacket and how cute it looked on her, I decided to use this pattern for the jacket.  I liked that it was no fuss and I didn't have to button.  The design aesthetic was perfect and exactly what I was looking for.  For the pants I used New Look 6080 which is a TNT for me.  If I need a quick pair of zip side pants I opt for this pattern as I know exactly how it is going to fit.  It sits on my hips exactly where I need it too and the crotch is perfect.  I also love how the pant leg just falls.  

 

Happy Sewing!

Fall Wardrobe Essential: Neckline Love - McCalls 7126

A sassy neckline and peplum, I was smitten the minute I saw this pattern and knew I had to make it. I had visions of every color in the rainbow in my closet . I just love everything about it, the Princess Seams and the weight of the fabric I chose was just awesome. The fabric is a medium weight textured knit, but oh my goodness its one of the softest knits I have every felt.  It has almost a sponge like texture, like a Techno Knit, but not as spongy.  It is a 4 way knit too.  

In this picture you can see the texture and how buttery it is:

The true color is in the picture above.  But below you can see how I paired it with a pair of black pebble crepe wide leg pants and pumps.  The fit was right on.  I love the neckline and the squared peplum.  

Quick Review:  McCalls 7126:

Was it Easy:  Very

Modifications:   None

Sizing:   True to size (I went down a size because of the stretchy of the fabric).

Would I Make Again:  Definitely

Do I recommend:  Highly

Notes:  I lined mine with a coordinating tissue knit, it worked well. 

Happy Sewing!

Fall Wardrobe Essential - McCalls 6886

I had this fabric in my stash for over a year.  I found it on sale at FabricMart.com, and I initially purchased it to make a blazer.  Of course as usual I never got around to it, and so I packed it away with my winter fabrics.  Its a double knit, so I could have used it for something like a pencil skirt  but since it was spring/summer sewing it got packed away.  

Working on my fall wardrobe and making sure it is filled with easy transitional essentials I pulled the fabric out and immediately ran to my quickie go too McCalls 6886.  I needed a dress to wear to church.   I woke up a few hours early and quickly put it together, and was out the door and on time for church.  Yay me.  Because it was already cut out, and used so many times, it was put together in about an hour, hemmed, serged and all.

  

As you can see I paired it with a cute little sleeveless knit vest and belt.  I also can wear it without a belt and love that look as well.  I think McCalls M6886 is used a lot in sewing blogging land, so not much to say about it other than its a quick and easily modified pattern that is supper versatile. 

Happy sewing.  

Fall/Winter Wardrobe Essentials - Burda 6838 and MccCalls 6514

Living in Florida definitely has its Plus' and minuses.  The biggest plus for me is the year round sunny weather.  Though I love the fall and the changing of the season, I really don't care for the mess of snow.  

For the most part, my wardrobe sucks for the cooler months.  Though we only get a day here or there of cool weather, maybe the lowest being in the 30's.  I am really not equipped for it.  I have a few sweaters, sweats, and a Denim jacket, but I don't really have a fall wardrobe.  So I decided to focus on a few items to beef my fall closet. Not many as I really won't get an opportunity to use them. 

This a set I made in my favorite fall color right now.  

 

I am so hearting anything, Maroon, Burgandy,  Merlot, Mahogany, and Plum.    After wearing them together, I felt like I was drowning and decided to pair them with other wardrobe essentials. 

 

The pants are amazing, and I love the way they flow when I walk.  I used McCalls 6514 for the bottom and I can several more of these yummies in my closet. I'm thinking a heather grey as shown on the pattern cover would be cute.  The top is Burda 6838, which I have made several times.  

There were no modifications in either pattern, and they came together well.   Happy Sewing!

FABRICISTA CHALLENGE: I AM NO LONGER A CONTESTANT

I was eliminated after the second round.   It was explained that I had the lowest scores on my Trench Coat submission. I love my trench coat and I thought I did a marvelous job based on my personality and my style.  It was an honor and privilege to have been chosen and able to participate. 

The other contestants did an amazing job, and I was in awe at how much work and detail they put into their coats within such a short amount of time.   The winner of the 2nd Challenge made a very nice coat.  Go over to the blog and check them out if you haven't.  I a rooting for them all to go on to win.  

Now its is back to my regularly scheduled sewing.  I have so many great projects in the works.  Hope you guys stay tuned.   Happy Sewing!.

FABRICISTA CHALLENGE, WEEK 2 SUBMISSION: Not Sew Traditional Trench Coat.

When I received the email for the email for the 2^nd Challenge I was perplexed for a moment.  I have made several summer/spring coats, but never have had a need for a full coat living in Central Florida.  In late December early January through mid-February the temperature can go as low as 30 degrees, but those days are far and few between.   The last couple of Christmas’ have been in the mid 70’s to 80’s and we here in sunny Florida are still wearing shorts, straight through the winter months.

After reading the email I immediately went on line to read up on the history of the Trench Coat and too look for inspiration.   I knew I didn’t want the traditional Trench Coat as I am top heavy and all those buttons on the traditional Trench freaked me out.   I also knew I wanted something in darker denim, something I could wear on a cool winter’s night to the movies, or to work on a casual Friday.  So I found these three designs that I absolutely loved:

So armed with my inspiration pictures, I hunted for a pattern that had at least a few of the details in my inspiration pictures.  I chose McCalls 6442 which had the basic design features I was going for.  I really liked that it had darts both front and back to bring in the silhouette a little.   View C had a full Label and the perfect length which was a requirement for this challenge.

My Trench is fully lined and inset pockets with some beautiful whimsical cotton fabric I found at Walmart.  I purchased the whole bolt.  The fabric has a really cute French City Part theme.  I thought it was a perfect contrast to the darker denim I used for the Coat. Also fully serged all seams on the inside of my coat. I omitted lining the Sleeves to prevent bulk in the arms.  I also added ties at the wrist to give it a Trench feel.  The bottom half of the Trench has a lot of fullness which I love because it hides a lot of my imperfections in the lower half of my body.    

I am extremely excited about Week 3’s project and hopefully I make it to the next round.  Happy Sewing! 

FABRICISTA FASHION CHALLENGE WEEK 2: TRENCH COAT

First I'd like to congratulate the winners of the first challenge, they did a marvelous job.  To see who Week 1's winner were, check out the Fabric Mart Blog Post: Challenge 1 Winners

A little history about this weeks challenge:

The trench coat was invented by Burberry and Aquascutum back in the 1850s. Later it was used as a raincoat by the British and French soldiers in WWI. The name "trench coat" came to be because it was used by Army officers in the trenches. During this time, the design was modified to include details such as shoulder straps and D-rings, all added for specific reasons. The wrist buckles, for example, were added to keep the rain out when using binoculars. A classic trench coat was usually made of a waterproof fabric such as a heavy gabardine, leather or poplin. It could have a removable lining, raglan sleeves and ranges in length. It is double-breasted with 10 front buttons, wide lapels, a storm flap, belt and pockets with button closure.

While we probably don't use trench coats for these reasons today, we still see a lot of these features on trendy coats of this time.

This week's challenge is to sew a trench coat to fit your personality. It can be a classic trench or a more trendy one. You can use classic fabrics or live on the edge with a unique fabric. It can be lined or unlined. The only thing that is a requirement is that it goes past your bottom so that it resembles a trench coat in some way. There should also be some type of lapel, whether it be classic and tailored or loose and floppy like trends you see today. There were some interesting takes on a trench coat at Stylecaster.com. Be sure to tell us a little about your personality, too!

If you are interested in learning more about the Trench Coat, see Wikipedia

Remember you can sew along and submit your entries as well and win 3 yards of this beautiful fabric for yourself. Makes sure you use #FabricistaFabricMart on Facebook and Instagram and all submissions are due by Friday, September 23, 2016.  For more information:  FabricMart.