coat of many colors

Last weekend, I was at Jo-Ann fabric store using my coupons and getting some things that have been on my list for a while that happened to be on sale.  It was on that trip that I bought the sequin embellished knit for the project I shared last week.  While I was wondering the aisles, I came upon a fabric that I thought was simply stunning. It is a black knit with many colors of wool yarn tacked down and then felted through the fabric.  I tossed the bolt in my cart and continued on!

When at the cutting table though, I really was at a loss as to how much of this beautiful, colorful fabric to buy since I did not have any project in mind at all.  So, I just went for a yard and 1/2 since that would give me a few options without generating too much waste.

The fabric was not cheap.  It was $25 a yard, but luckily I had a 50% off coupon.  If you like this fabric, I discovered fabric.com carries different colors at a much better price than Jo-Ann (unless you have the coupon)

I happened to have a hair appointment last weekend too, so as I waited for my color to set, I flipped through a Style magazine looking for inspiration for my new fabric.  What I decided was that I wanted to have raglan sleeves and duplicate the silhouette I saw for many leather tops.  I just needed to find a pattern.

As luck would have it, my BurdaStyle magazine from November 2012 had a jacket that had a very similar silhouette.  It was meant to be a short sleeve fur jacket, but it worked perfect for this fabric.

ummm... my skirt does not look this short in real life

I planned on inserting leather strips as piping at the sleeve seams.  But the fabric was so bold, I decided I should not go crazy.

But in order to add some unique specialness, I used antler buttons.  I picked these up in downtown Anchorage during an artisan market this summer.  The vendor is Antlers & Ivory and they had beautifully carved antlers.  I could not afford the carvings, but I could pick up a couple of buttons.

wrong side of the fabric and my pocket

I think they a perfect with this jacket.  I placed them up top, so the jacket can swing open easily as I plan on using it as a layering piece.

brown twill lining

I also lined it with brown twill.  I was unsure how the felting would hold up when wearing, so I figured I should protect it.  And it does create a very finished look.  Since I was adding a lining, I also added a small square patch pocket on the inside.  That way I could toss my phone in there if needed.
Though it does have inseam pockets that are just the right size for me.

pocket contents

I wore it to church this weekend and by the afternoon, the pockets already contained socks, plastic stencils, and a lipstick.

How often do you pick up a fabric with no project in mind?

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Sparkles for Autumn

 After a full couple months of trying to round out the kids' school wardrobe, it was about time to sew for me!  And what better excuse than a sew-along?  The ladies behind Project Run and Play also run a grown-up sewing competition called Project Sewn.  It is just as much fun and they have designers with completely different and wonderful styles.

This is actually the final week of this season's competition and just like PR&P, the final week is themed: signature style.  This was just the excuse I needed to break out some fabric that was given to me. 

Last year, a friend gave me a big bag of fabric that her sister was getting rid of in order to just clean out the sewing room.  I was quite grateful and have been slowly making my way through it.  One of the items was a velvety textured bold print in Autumn colors.  Several times I have been accused of having a propensity to wear upholstery fabric on my lower half.  I actually have had a couple pair of pants with large floral prints or fun textures.  However, I have been avoiding them the last few years after reading that petite women should avoid large graphics.

But, since this fabric was free....

I decided to use a burda A-line skirt that has wonderful clean lines in order to allow my bold print take center stage.  I have been meaning to use this pattern for almost a year, so it was about time.  I made the version that had in-seam pockets which were both easy and convenient. I also lined it because I did not want that velvety fabric to stick to my tights.  Since I was lining it, I took advantage of the lining and slip stitched the hem on the inside thus having a clean look.

The size I used was 38, but after correcting a cutting mistake, it was more like a 36.  And it fit perfect.  YEA!  I am a bit confused by that because my measurements really dictated a 38, but either there is a lot of ease built into this skirt, or I miss-measured, or the sizing is totally goofy.

The top is also a burdastyle pattern from the same magazine.  I made it before, (HERE) but I changed things up a bit this time.  I made a knit band to finish both the neckline and around the hem.

The fabric is one I found on clearance.  I wanted a soft textured brown knit to go with this skirt.  But, my local Joanns had nothing close to that.  But, in the clearance aisle there was this creamy knit with little swirls of sequins.  It is quite a bit dressier than I wanted.  But it really does fit my signature style.  I am always over dressing for the occasion.  I am in the military, so I wear a uniform 5 days a week.  So, when I go out, I usually want to wear something feminine and fun... which usually translates as over-dressed.

But, I think this top will be great for holiday parties, so it should get some use over the next couple of months.

So, what is it about your style that is a bit quirky? 

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Having fun with fedoras

Today, over on Sew Cool for the Tween Scene, I am giving a review of Elegance and Elephant's Fedora Hat pattern.  But I thought I would share some of the E&E hats I have been making here too.  I love to make hats.  They are a fun accessory and the kids really enjoy them.

I have now sewn 3 of these guys and I really like the pattern but have struggled a bit to get the fit right.  My daughter's have such big heads.  (there is a joke in there somewhere)

The first one I made layering a sheer sparkly fabric over a pink satin.  It turned out great and was loved, but it did not fit the girls.  (And none of the pictures turned out great.  I don't know if it was my lighting or the sparkle)

The next one was the one I shared a couple weeks ago.  It fit Eli great and looks quite handsome on him.

So I tried to increase the size of the hat to fit my eldest.  It fits, but the shape is just not right.  I don't know if that is the cheep fabric I used or my grading.  Probably both.

But it is a cute option for her.
I might be done with hats for a bit though.  I have been marathon sewing for them to make up some gaps in their wardrobes and I really want a chance to make something for me.  No time to waste on silly hats.

How about you?  Do you dabble with hat making?

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Sometimes it takes practice: BurdaStyle #152

 Last week I showed you a flannel dressed shirt that I made by boy out of BurdaStyle Shirt With Bow Tie pattern #152.  I actually made 3 versions of this shirt.  It is not a simple pattern and each one was better than the other.

This was actually my first one.

Like the owl one, this is made of flannel fabric.  It has large silhouettes of attack helicopters.  I used metal snaps for the front and vintage military style buttons for the cuffs.  Eli is convinced that the buttons make his helicopters gunships.

I forgot to add the seam allowances though.  That is an important thing for BurdaStyle patterns.  You must add the seam allowances yourself.

However, it fit so well, I decided that the next time, I only would add the allowances to the collar, cuff placket pieces and the front placket.

That worked quite well.

He wore this shirt on the first day of school, so I knew it was a success.

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