I'm already planning the first one I'll be sewing and found the perfect fabric at Hancock. It's a beautiful deep brown (which looked almost black under the fluorescent lighting) and tan silk charmeuse. It feels like heaven and I can't wait to get started on it this weekend. And BTW, Hancock has silk fabrics on sale for 30% off which made it extra sweet!

I decided to do one of the Rachel Comey patterns because she's a designer that I didn't know a lot about. I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that the patterns used are from her Fall 2009 Collection.

Vogue 1169 - Rebecca Taylor -- How cute is this suit? Despite the model's lack of curves, this suit would look wonderful on those of us with some!

Vogue 1157 - Tracy Reese -- At first glance, I thought this was also a suit. But this is a dress! I love the the peplum! One of the best 80's trends around! I was almost deterred by the dreadful chartreuse color that always makes me look ill. But then I remembered: I SEW AND PICK MY OWN FABRIC! LOL

Vogue 1159 - Donna Karan -- You really have to look at the technical drawing to really appreciate the draping of this dress. Even though I fought like hell to make the Donna Karan winter white dress and vowed to never make it again... well, this is an entirely different pattern and I'm definitely going to make this one!

Vogue 1161 - Rachel Comey -- This dress? Very sexy... love it! This is another one that you have to look at the technical drawing to really appreciate it.

Vogue 1153 - Anna Sui -- This dress is so cool and breezy looking. I can see it now with a pair of strappy flat gladiator sandals.

Vogue 1158 - Tracy Reese -- Another great dress by fab designer Tracy Reese. I think I like this one much better than the one I made last year! Look at the back!

Vogue 1160 - DKNY -- I absolutely love this dress! I think it's fabulous that it comes with a slip also! I know already that I'll be cursing the day I ever thought this pattern was great when I start handling the silk chiffon that it MUST be made in!

Tracy Reese - Spring 2008

Description: Semi-fitted, lined skirt, 1" below waistline with waistband and front band with buckles, front and back seam details, back inset and invisible zipper closing.

Pattern Sizing: 4 - 18, I cut the 16.


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? With the exception that my stripes were closer in width, yes it did!

Fabric: Black wool blend with chalk line pinstripes

Were the instructions easy to follow? For this to be an "ADVANCED" pattern, it was quite simple to construct. Once you piece together the skirt front, it sews together like any other pencil skirt. That is if you over look the matching of the stripes which I think I did a pretty good job with.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love all things Tracy Reese (and I can't wait to get the new patterns from her)! I only made the skirt because I knew I would get more wear out of it than both pieces. The only thing I didn't like about the skirts were the buckles at the waistband. I omitted those. I like having the option of wearing different belts and those buckles would have just been in the way. I also thought that the godet at the back vent and the french tacks at the side seams were nice details.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I lengthened the hemline by 3 inches.

Would you recommend it to others? Sure, why not! I do recommend that if you make this skirt, use a vertically striped fabric. A solid just wouldn't do it justice.

The latest addition to my sewing library is "Making Trousers for Men and Women" by David Page Coffin.

I was so pleased with the author's other book -- "Shirtmaking: Developing Skills for Fine Sewing" , I knew I needed this one in my collection as well.

1. My Acer Aspire One Netbook - This little thing is hardly ever out of my hands. It's so small that I take it EVERYWHERE! It fits perfectly on the kitchen counter and most importantly, next to my sewing machine!

2. My T-Mobile G1 Android Phone - I can't always be on my netbook. But the internet junkie that I am had to have it on the go. I take my email, internet browser, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube on the road!

3. My Nikon D40 - As you may remember, this was my birthday gift and I've fallen head over heels in love with it. I've taken an entry-level photography class, bought a great book (Nikon D40/D40X Field Guide), bought another lens and a couple of filters.

4. My Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote - If you've ever had to wait until someone was available to take a picture of you so that you can blog about the fabulous garment you've just sewn, you understand why this would make my list. This little doohickey plus my tripod is a timesaver. Now I can take my OWN photos when I want to!

5. Nars Highlighting/Bronzing Blush Duo - I've been addicted to this for months! You can get that "fresh from the beach" glow. The colors I use are Or.ga.sm Blush and Laguna Bronzer.

6. Relastin Skin Revitalizer - Well, I'm not getting any younger and it's time to start preventive measures. This is an excellent product that really does what it says. I've notice fine lines have disappear since I began using.

7. Frederic Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Cream - One of the best hair products I've ever used. I am completely addicted to it!

8. OPI - Black Cherry Chutney - Since the beginning of Fall, this has been my favorite nail color. Everytime I visit my manicurist, this is the one I grab!

9. An Argentinian Malbec - My guilty pleasure!

10. My Sewing Room - My personal sanctuary!

While shopping in Jo-Anns, I browsed the new Spring catalogs from Simplicity and McCall's. Neither is on their websites, so I thought I'd give you a preview. Not much blew me over, but these are the ones that caught my eye.

Simplicity 2443 - Cynthia Rowley

I'll be making the dress AND the jacket! That's very cute and very me!

Simplicity 2446 - Amazing Fit Jacket

Simplicity 2439

Simplicity 2440

These dresses are great contenders for prom season. I've seen some really pretty lace prom dresses too! I think Amber really likes Simplicity 2440.

I really like this dress! It's weird that I have the ability to remember a dress I saw in a magazine and on tv months ago. I noticed that the pattern is very similar to a couple of dresses from the Michael Kors Spring 2009 RTW Collection.


You can't go wrong with a great shirt pattern or...

Even though I abhor sewing "basic tees", I thought these were really cute and grabbed this pattern also. Hey, it was only a ninety-nine cents!