These are the Pantone Fall 2008 Colors and I'm loving them all. Especially the Caribbean Sea.

This is the fabric for the coat and lining for the first coat I'll be doing for "The Great Coat Sew-along".

The fabric is 100% wool turquoise coating (54" wide). The lining fabric is Black, Turquoise, Blue, Gray, White and Blue Pattern on Charmeuse Fabric - 100% polyester (59" wide). Even though it's synthetic, it feels wonderful!

As you know, I had a rocky start with this pattern until Trudy got me on the right path. Once I figured out the flap, the instructions were a breeze and the drafting was impeccable. There was nothing about this pattern that I disliked! As with any pants pattern, I altered the length. I added 4 1/8" to the length. I made my alteration 1" below the knee. I also took in the side seams right below the waistband to right above the hip, around 1/2" on each side. Here is a peek at the inside. Here is the back. I really love the corseted back. This is my favorite part.

On the notions list, it stated around 1/2 yd of cord or lacing. Well, when I was buying it, I looked at the length and it didn't look long enough. I bought a yard and I'm glad I did. Actually, I could have bought 2 yds if I really wanted some length. Trudy advised that I could use beads on the ends and I went with that. I found some really pretty filigree type spacers that I thought would look great and capture the essence of the buttons. Also, the instructions suggested around 8 eyelets. That didn't seem like enough to hold the back closed. Since there is no facing in the back, I decided to use 14 (like the Marc Jacobs pants). The pants are finished with a 2" topstitched hem.

All in all, I was very impressed with this pattern. It lacked all of the excessive design ease that the Big 4 is notorious for. The waistband fit perfectly and that's a part that I always seem to have to tweak for a decent fit. If this is a style that you would be interested, I highly recommend this pattern. I will probably sew this one over in a black wool crepe for Fall.

Deco Vibe Carrie-d Away Skirt Suit

What is Summer without a pair of crisp, classic white trousers?
Image from the NYPost

Description: Unlined pants have fly front, side seam pockets with topstitching detail, back darts, buttonhole welt pockets, contoured self-faced waistband with hook and eye closure. Pants sit 1" below waist.

Even though the pattern envelope seemed to focus more on the jacket (which is fabulous and I will probably make this Fall), I was still drawn to the line of the pants. I decided to use a cotton twill, because I wanted a fabric that could stand on it's own without a lining. I used cotton batiste for the pieces that required lining fabric.

The instructions were great and the pattern was well drafted. I made my usual lengthening alteration to produce a 36" inseam... on these it was around 5". These pants have a "real" front fly and inseam pockets. The also have back darts, single welt pockets and no carriers... so the waistband fit had to be *perfect*. When I made my muslin on these, the gappage at the CB was awful... even with a contoured waistband! The waistband is constructed in two pieces: The left side and the right side. I sewed the pants together without closing the back. I sewed the waistbands onto each side and basted the CB seam so that I could try them on and determine how large of a seam I needed to sew. I added the facing. I would normally use a seam binding, but since the waistband is so narrow, I just finished it by handstitching it down. I then made a 1 3/4" hem.

I love this style of trouser... this is the style that I would normally purchase in RTW. The only thing that I didn't like is the front pocket construction. I wish they had been constructed where the pockets extend to the CF. That is only a minor problem. If/when I make these again, I will just redraft the pockets to do that.

My top!

A girl just can't have too many embellished tanks in her life! LOL This is truly one of those "afternoon, turn a movie on and sew" type of projects. The side seams were done on the serger, and the yoke facing was sewn down while topstitching the yoke. Elastic is added across the back. I think that is a nice feature. I also added elastic to the bottom edge. Instead of sewing, I decided to glue on the embellishments. I can't get enough of these fun, easy tops. They are becoming a Summer staple in my closet!

They say...

HE...

hangs the stars, moon and the sun. I agree!

I have never, EVER been so frustrated with a pattern before in my life! I spent yesterday working on a muslin for
The problem I've been having is the front flap. Here are the instructions (click image to enlarge):
You see where the I placed the red arrow? The pattern marking looks like a dart. The instructions says to sew the edge of the "L" shaped piece to the outer stitch line. Okay... THIS is where confusion sets in. The instructions said that all pieces should be sewn right side to right side unless specified differently. This would cause the unfinished edge to show!

Has anyone else tried this pattern yet?

Sidenote: Just so you know I'm not losing it, Mimi is having the same problem. I think we need to certify this pattern a dud.

So... have you all seen "Sex and the City"? I thought it was wonderful. As with everyone else, I cried and I laughed. As much as I loved the fashion, this movie was more about friendship... true friendship that you rarely see. And, it focused on how fabulous women over 40 can be!

Since I loved the movie so much, my wonderful husband picked me up the movie book and the soundtrack! The book is full of behind the scenes tidbits and fabulous glossy movie stills!

and my personal favorite,
Miranda

As you see, I didn't make it in time for the Mini-Wardrobe Contest. I figured I wouldn't. This suit was just not an afternoon project.

Description: Fitted, partially interfaced lined jacket with welt pockets and flaps, princess seams, front inset button closing, two-piece sleeves with button vents. Semi-fitted pants with front fly closing, side front pockets and below waistline fit with button carriers.

This jacket is cut just like any basic princess seam jacket. I needed to make a 1" FBA on the jacket and facing pieces. That was the only alteration to the pattern I needed to make. Suprisingly, I didn't have to lengthen the sleeves.

All of the jacket pieces (except the sleeves) are interfaced. The jacket has welt pockets. I decided that mine would be "faux" pockets. I omitted the pocket bags because I can not recall a time I have ever used pockets on a suit jacket.

I decided I would use a print for my lining. Unfortunately on short notice, I couldn't find a silk type of fabric that I liked. I did however discover a rayon challis print that would really coordinate with my wardrobe colors. I used black china silk for the sleeves... for the slide factor. I used keyhole buttonholes on the faux vest inset and I think they turned out very nicely... a lot better than I see on some RTW. The jacket also has 2-piece sleeves with a three-button vent. The entire edge of jacket is topstitched 1/8" from the edge. The hem of the jacket and sleeves were both interfaced for stability.

The pants are a basic trouser. The only alteration I made to them was lengthening by six inches. If not, the original 30" inseam would have been a capri pant on me. These pants have side pockets with a tab closure. They have a real fly front! I love a real fly... just like on men's trousers. They have a plain darted back, and my favorite part are the tab carriers. I really love this suit. I have planned on doing a few suits between now and the end of the year, just to add to my wardrobe. This isn't just a plain suit... it has pizazz and it's a fantastic addition. It's too unique to have more than one, so this will be it for this pattern.

Claude Montana is known for his figure-hugging designs, and this is certainly one!

Yves Saint Laurent, the most influential designer in French couture in the last 50 years, died today in Paris at the age of 71. He rose to prominence in 1957, when he replace Christian Dior after his death. He soon began the YSL label after a brief stint in the French Military and dominated fashion in the 60's and 70's with "Le Smoking," an elegantly tailored feminine version of traditional men's tuxedo wear. He showed his last collection in January 2002, before being replaced by Tom Ford.

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