Pants: Simplicity 1696

It just seems like I've been seeing them everywhere and on everyone. Even the Queen Bee herself wore a beret during this past Grammy Weekend.

Pea Coat: Vogue 2873

And they make your favorite outerwear even more chic!

Berets are really simple to make. They're so simple that even a beginner can tackle this project.

Berets are traditionally made in wool felt. I found my wool felt at Jo-Ann's in the utility fabric section. They had a great selection of basic and also bold fun colors.

Dress: Vogue 1460

A bold colored wool felt beret can brighten up an otherwise subdued outfit.

And to take a beret to the next level, embellish it! 

I embellished my black wool felt beret with multi-sized faux pearls.

It is a great way to accessorize a plain black look.

This is my latest tutorial for BERNINA's WeAllSew Blog, check it out!

How to Sew a Wool Felt Beret Tutorial!

The newest LBD for my collection is New Look 6524. I picked this pattern because of the really cute sleeve options. This pattern is really reflective of what's currently in stores now. You can't walk into a Banana Republic or Ann Taylor without seeing this style.

Normally, my go-to dress style is a sheath. But every now and then, I'll slip on a shift. When it comes to a shift dress, I like mine darted at the bust, loose through the middle and skimming over the hips. And most importantly, a shorter hemline -- like this one. Not necessarily mini, but definitely above the knees. That's the only way this style of dress doesn't go matronly as in Memaw's house dress and "sackish" on me.

My fabric is a black and white windowpane plaid suiting with stretch. For the pattern, I cut view D in a size 14 and graded to a size 16 at the hip. I added an inch at the waist and 2 inches at the hem. This made the body of my dress 40".

The fabric is a poly/viscose/elastane blend, but it looks like a tropical wool suiting and it cuts, sews and presses beautifully.

This is a really easy dress to sew... the kind that would only take a movie to cut and sew. But complicated it by having to match plaid

The dress has an invisible back zip and a facing. 

I finished off my pressed open seams with my serger.

The dress also has a walking vent, which I rarely see in shift dresses. And I hemmed using a blindstitch.

The sleeve ties are held together with D-rings. The finished size is supposed to be one inch. But I only had 3/4" D-rings in my stash. So I lessened the width. And I actually think I like the narrow size better.

I accessorized with less conservative accessories so that the dress wouldn't look so corporate and conservative in this professional menswear fabric. It's such a cute style, that I could even see pairing this with a pair of Chuck's!

I'm starting to think along the lines of transitional garments, even though it's currently 24 degrees. I have another coat planned for this month, but as far as clothes go, I'm really focusing on things I can make and wear now and later. It seems like after January rolls around, my focus leans towards spring.

In Alabama, we're subject to a brutal period of winter days, that can easily transition into spring-like temps in a 72 hour period. So I have to be prepared for anything. That's why McCall's 7722 pattern with all of its great options is a winner.

My fabric is from Jo-Ann's. I found this beautiful fuchsia pointelle sweater knit while browsing the aisles. I love that the style of sweater knit looks like something you'd find in ready-to-wear. They have it in a couple of more colors and I hope when I go back they're still available.

I cut the size 14 and graded to the size 16 from the waist down and added 2 inches to the length. I did this because my fabric has no stretch, which means zero recovery. With the additional length, I didn't want to chance it stretching from sitting.

When I posted pics on Instagram, the number one question I was asked: Is the fabric difficult to work with? My answer: No, because I used my walking foot! I'm a walking foot advocate. And yes, the Bernina walking foot is super pricey, but some machines actually come with this foot in the box. So if you are fortunate enough to already have one, use it! 

It's the perfect all-purpose foot for sewing difficult fabrics that crawl or fabrics like this one that is subject to stretching. Or if you've been thinking of getting a walking foot and questioning whether it's worth the investment? I say, TREAT YOURSELF! I love mine and I rarely remove it.

I used the solid portion of the knit to create the neck binding.

I didn't want hem the ruffle, so I serged the edge to keep it from fraying. I tried a serged rolled hem, but it seemed to stretch and distort the fabric.

And speaking of the ruffle, the way it's sewn on the wrong side of the fabric is visible. You need to keep that in mind when buying a fabric for this top. 

I used my Bernina 1300 MDC to create a coverstitched hem.

I love this sweater. It completes the perfect "Sweater and Jeans" look. And I can't wait to style it different ways in the upcoming months.

Happy New Year! This is my last completed garment of 2017, McCall's 7547.

I haven't worn a pair of overalls in years! I remember having a fabulous pair of Guess overalls when I was in high school in the mid-80s. They were a real "it" item. And I think the next time I wore overalls, they were a pair of maternity ones, and that was over 20 years ago. I've talked before about how jumpsuits and anything one-piece was simply not an option prior to me sewing my own wardrobe.

My fabric is a Dark Brown Stretch Cotton Velveteen. The color is really odd. In warm light, it looks like a dark brown or dark pewter. But in cool white light, like what's in my studio, it's looks charcoal. And also, this velveteen is super stretchy... lots of crosswise give.

I cut the size 14 in the bodice and added an inch to the length. I could've added a little more because I ended up taking it apart and using only a scant 1/4" seam allowance. I also added 2 inches to the length of the straps. I found that they had no ease. At least with a pair of ready-to-wear overalls, you get adjustable straps.

I cut the pants in a size 16 and I added 4 inches to the length and still ended up only using a 5/8" hem.

The were too big in the waist so I took the darts in.

I lengthened the front pockets by an inch. 

The overalls are closed with a side laped zipper and a hook and eye.

My top is McCall's 7686, view C with the other sleeve added on. My fabric is a Pewter Jersey Knit Covered in Circle and Baby Sequins.

I can't promise that y'all won't see an evening gown or two this year, but for now I'm really enjoying making cute everyday clothes. I was so busy the past year with trips to the garden center and Home Depot, that I felt like I spent so much time in workout clothes. So I'm making a concerted effort to get dressed and start back looking like "me" again!