Simplicity 0565--- Animal Print Jumpsuit & BurdaStyle Pants Fitting Class

I was super excited when I grabbed this Simplicity jumpsuit pattern a short while back. But then I was faced with the challenge of finding the right fabric for it. I dug around in my fabric stash (you know I have my own in-home fabric store) and found several contenders and finally settled on this burgundy, black, gray and off white animal print peachskin polyester. I think it was perfect for the job. It was just the right color and print size. I'm delighted this turned out so well.

Before the review, a quick announcement.....

 I will be teaching my 5th  BurdaStyle webinar on Pants Fitting webinar entitled "Learning Backwards: Dispelling old practices and Perfecting the art of Pants Fitting the Easy Way! " on August 18th . The title says it all.  I KNOW what it's like to struggle fitting pants. I think I learned and tried every method out there until I learned how to simplify the whole process. If you would like to learn my methods, tips and strategies on fitting pants please sign up for the class. If you can't attend the live event you can still pay for it and watch it at your leisure. Hope you will consider taking it. You WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED! Sign up info & link coming soon.....


Ok, on with the review......

(Simplicity 0565--- I can't find this on the Simplicity website. I bought the pattern at Jo-Ann's in a special display on the pattern cabinets.

Time to Sew:

About 6 hours

Sewing Ease (scale 1 easy to 10 difficult):

About a 4

Pattern Description:

Jumpsuit with bodice variations

 (back view)

 (just the right amount of leg fullness)

Pattern Sizing:

I cut the size Small. The size medium had way too much ease & would have been too baggy.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes, pretty much.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I loved the ease of style. I'm not a fan of the pleats on the strap (I can never seem to get them to lay just right) but I can live them. I loved the overall design. I realized once I started that there are no zippers or other closures. You can only get into the jumpsuit based on how much ease you have in the bodice and waistline---hence the elastic. So I wanted this to be a little more fitted but I didn't want to restrict entry.

Fabric Used:

Peachskin polyester in burgundy, black, gray and off white animal print

(closer view of the print)

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I did my usual one's----I shortened the mid back 1" and tapered to the sides. I reduced the rise of the pants by 1" in the front and lengthened my crotch length by 1.5" in the back. I ommitted the pockets since I ran out of fabric. I also added a small piece of velcro to the back bodice to serve as a closure since it draped open and exposed my bra.

What would you do differently next time?:

Nothing really. It fit fairly well.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I think so! It turned out really cute!

Wardrobe Versatility:

It can be worn casually with flip flops or dressed up with heels and a jacket.

Conclusion:

Cute jumpsuit and fairly easy to sew up!

I'm in LOVE with Armani Prive'!!!

I ran across this Armani Prive' 2013 collection on Style.com and I think I drooled through the entire slideshow. And no wonder with looks as stunning as these! This collection had some Middle Eastern culture nods! It was incredible. You can find the link to the slideshow HERE and collection details HERE. The photos are courtesy of the Style.com site. You don't have to thank me. Just enjoy (wink)!

Sewing Jots and Tittles 7.20.14

It's another one of these posts. Here's a glimpse into my world. Look at your own caution. Don't say I didn't warn you. LOL!!!

Sewing, Fashions and Such.....

I made another peplum top. It's turning into a sickness quickly. I can't help it I LOVE these things!!!

Quick selfie in my newest peplum

 I met the lovely Tracey when we both attended Mr. Jim's Pants Fitting and Construction Class. She may look familiar to many of you because she's been on other folks blogs. She's such a sweetheart!!!!

 I met a fellow local designer. Her design line is called Jaseeo! She's quite the talent!

 Was looking at old Project Runway episodes. Here's one of those memorable moments from season 2 when Zulema and Kara had a group challenge.  You know that famous insensitive line Zulema said to a distressed Kara---"If you're gonna cry, cut". So basically don't stop working because you're stressed. Strangely I always recall that line when I'm stressing over my own sewing. It's usually just the kick in butt I need. LOL!

 I just finished this jumper (doing my happy dance) and it turned out really cute. Will post soon. I'll have to make another one!!!

Non-Sewing

 Someone FINALLY loss that tooth! Geesh, thought we were going to have to call in a wrecking crew! LOL! It took forever. Luckily it just popped out while she was eating a sandwich one day! LOL!

 My Hubby's at it again. He and the rest of our church's drama department just wrapped up the production "My Wonderful Coma" where he played the part Wallace. They did a wonderful job!!!

Talking about major nostalgia! I LOVED these markers growing up. Looks like they're making a comeback. This commercial is pretty hilarious.

 I love to get notes on my computer from my little darling. I consider this my new screensaver LOL

I've never seen this man more SEXIER then when he's holding a cleaning appliance! LOL! A man helping out around the house is just plain sexy. I know you agree! I tried to sneak and take a pick while he was cleaning out the vacuum. He rolled his eyes at me when he heard the camera snap. LOL!

 The Lego movie---HILARIOUS!

Please tell me why again should I be concerned with JLo's body? I can't believe this stuff makes magazine covers or magazines period.

I watched this movie years ago and loved it. I discovered I loved some of the soundtrack even more. I LOVE this the "Song for Bob". It's so hauntingly sad yet beautiful! It really captures the tragic character.

Soccer camp! They took a cool action shot of my little girl. Glad we at least got one because I'm certain she spent most of the time talking on the sidelines. Shes such a socialite! LOL!

I ordered this all the way from Australia for $6. I saw this movie when I was a kid (TV edited version of course) and it was hilarious. It's so campy it's ridiculous. I can't believe I used to have a crush on George Hamilton. LOL!!!

Speaking of TV crushes why did I just see the movie Sixteen Candles for the first time a few weeks ago????  I'm so LATE!!! Why didn't anyone ever tell me about Jake Ryan??? He's so dreamy!!! LOLLLLL! I'm a sucker for the sensitive/masculine type. I married one (wink)!

I'm a voracious reader!!! Between the library and buying used books my queue stays full---too full. Here's some of my recommended reads......

 An Amazing book!!!----I've got my word for the year and look forward to reading it annually for a new word!!!

 Another good one.....

I LOVE Philip Yancey--hands down. A very profound author!!! His writing is so thought provoking.

I'm a HUGE Napoleon Hill Fan and am even part of a mastermind group which meets weekly. This book is a TREASURE!!! I'm so glad I ran across it!!!

Guess who scored this book for only $8 and in excellent condition. I LOVE buying used books. I ALWAYS hunt down the best bargains. Paying retail is against my religion! LOL!  It's not the newest version but I'm happy just the same. It's great. I love industry methods!

I LOVE this song! Heard it at church a few weeks ago. It's my theme song for this year!!!! Well that and this one.....

What Does 150 yards of Fabric Look Like???

Well I recently decided to clean out a good bit of my fabric stash. Yes I admit I have my own little fabric store in my house. I've always loved that idea! I can't tell you how many times I've need fabric and didn't have to look any further then my very own fabric closet. But alas it dawned on me that I'll likely never make clothes out of all the fabric. The older I get the more of a minimalist I'm becoming. So when I was presented with the opportunity to sell my fabric on consignment at a local fabric store I hopped on it.

Well in about 2 hours I managed to round up about 50-60 pieces that fit in 2 plastic bins. I had everything ranging from knits, to chiffons, stretch cotton and so on and so forth.  Majority at which I bought at tremendously low prices. I dropped them all off at one of our newest local fabric stores--- 34 X 37 Fabrics (check it out here on FB https://www.facebook.com/34x37Fabrics). Nichele, the store owner is a wonderful woman and like myself  has quite the "eye" for fabrics. Her specialty is home decor fabrics but she's expanding her inventory to include fashion fabrics as well. Well she was gracious enough to help me measure and bundle the fabrics. When it was all said and done I calculated about 150 yards of fabric. I think my jaw almost dropped. I had no idea. I actually felt very impressed. And truth be told that was only 1/3 of my fabric stash. Pretty amazing. Here's some of the fabric pile pics....

 (table 1)

 (table 2)

(extended view of both tables loaded with fabric)

I hope my fabrics find good homes. I'm more than glad to share my fabric with others and recycle the profits into my sewing business. I don't buy fabric nearly as frequently as I used to. I have more than enough and only buy when I see something really unique or unusual.

And while I was at 34 X 37 Fabric thought I'd take some pics to share with you as well. Again it's such a delightful store. It's super spacious and houses some gorgeous fabrics If you're ever in the neighborhood definitely stop by and peruse the fabrics and tell Nichele I sent you:)

See what I mean? So very lovely!!!! So I have a question for you guys. Have you done a fabric purge before. What was the most you got rid of and how did it make you feel???

I've Got to Have a Better Reason than FEAR.....

So it came to me. I don't know if it was the 2 days of lying motionless riddled with exhaustion, barely able to move, and nonexistent appetite. It was a very unfamiliar feeling for me and from what I was hearing there was a weird virus going around. Somehow I got it. But in the midst of my physical handicap it came to me. It really came to me! As I sat in my sewing room with my head laid on my sewing desk, unable to do anything my daughter was sweet enough to bring me a pillow. I looked around and my eyes locked on my dressform with a draped top on it I was waiting to convert into a pattern and ultimately make into a cute top for me to wear.

(Using old plaid knit fabric I draped this top. It's a halter style fitted bodice top with underbust gathers and has a flared midriff which I intend to further flare)

 So I want to focus on that draping project for a second. It seems like it's been a symbol of sorts. I danced around the idea of finishing it, critiquing it, and claiming it wasn't finished but in reality it was. My reluctance clearly spelled out my problem but I already knew my problem and have been working/struggling to dispel it. It's been FEAR. That's right, I said and I admitted it. And it's not been the first time I've been frozen by it. Well in my case I haven't been entirely frozen but let's just say I have been moving very slowly because of it. Doubting my skills, stretching out the completion of projects, being entirely too hard on myself when I was indeed doing very good work. These were all the sabotaging works of fear. But over the last few weeks thanks to some great advice, insight, wonderful mentors and divine intervention I've been digging myself out of that hole. And being in a physically incapacitated state only confirmed that FEAR is a lousy excuse for not rising to a challenge or fulfilling your dreams. In the midst of being sick I so wanted to really get up and sew but didn't have the strength to. It's funny how for once my body actually mimicked what my mind oftentimes did to me. It was my fearful thoughts that have been keeping me incapacitated for so long. It's really crazy how you can build your own mental prison. Again, it's amazing how much clarity you have when you're at a low point. It's probably one of the best results.  It's because of this moment that I NOW stake my claim that  if I'm not going to reach my goals "I've got to have a better reason than fear". Fear seems so trivial and powerless at this point. It's lost it's intimidation factor.  Temporary sickness stopped me in my tracks and thankfully gave me much insight!

 I'm all better now (thank GOD--I'm well 99.9% of the time and can't take being sick)---- but I have a new mindset!  I've turned over a new leaf and am thankful for it.I'm READY to complete my draped top and will! Realistically, I realize that fear NEVER goes away entirely. If fear has been a nuisance to you and the pursuit of your dreams, goals and passions I hope you have the courage to "kick it to the curb" too! May the COURAGE you exude overshadow all your fears! I wish you the very best. And now I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes---it's a little crude but WONDERFULLY TRUE!!!

NewLook 6286- Blue, White & Black Paisley Top

A dear friend of mine bought this beautiful blue and white paisley fabric at Hancock Fabrics and I KNEW I just have to have some. I wanted it for a jumpsuit but unfortunately there was only 2 yards left of it at the store. So instead I decided to make it into a cute top. I LOVE how this turned out. And I LOVE the low hem in the back. Very cute! It's just my style---a mesh of gorgeous fabric with a cute and effortless style.

NewLook 6286

Time to Sew:

About 4 hours or so

Sewing Ease (scale 1 easy to 10 difficult):

A 3, very easy to sew

Pattern Description: Top with asymmetrical hem

Pattern Sizing: I cut the size 12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? YES!

Were the instructions easy to follow? YES!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Loved everything

Fabric Used:

This multicolor paisley jacquard

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I took out my usual 1" center back (short waist alteration)

What would you do differently next time?: Nothing

 (side view)

(back view)

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? YES and YES

Wardrobe Versatility: It's a great top that can be worn with a skirt, pants, shorts, etc.

Conclusion: GREAT top!

Client Work: Replication Complete!!!

I finished a re-make of these pants for a friend/client earlier this week and am pretty pleased with the results---and most importantly so is he! My client was awesome to work with and I'm so glad he presented me with this task because I really enjoyed the experience and challenge. I'm a bit shocked. Just goes to show you never know what you can really do until you give it a try! This was my first men's pants project. He plans to wear them at DragonCon (a cosplay convention of sorts), in Atlanta in a few short months. More details and a pic of the finished pants later.....

(Here are the pants---and he's going as either Spock or Kirk)

(The pants have these really cool knee details that I was able to replicate. Made me a little nervous at first but I figured it out and it looks great!)