Where's the $419.05?

From Saks Fifth Avenue, Nannette Lepore's Harry's Bar Jacket for $430!


From me, some jacket for $10.95!


From a McCall's 5329 jacket $6.95 pattern and $2/yard fabric from Le Wal Marche



Pattern Description
Misses' lined jackets: Semi-fitted, lined jacket has collar and lapels, elbow length sleeve ruffle or cuff; jacket A has purchased trim; jacket B has applied band. I sewed view B (the ruffled jacket)

Size
6-8-10-12. I sewed a 12.

Features
* Instructions and illustrations were clear and easy to follow!
* Darted front and back.
* Collar and lapel are separate pieces
* Interfaced collar, lapel, and front
* Lined back, side fronts, and sleeves
* Markings (dots, triangles) matched up well.

Fabric used
Polka dotted cotton with a tad bit of stretch for $2/yard at Wal Mart. I used some leftover fabric from a previous project for the lining.

Likes
* The overall style
* Easy to sew

Dislikes
* Neckline came much lower on me than pictured. I would raise it next time. A person with a long torso probably would not need to make neckline adjustments.
* I wonder if there is a better way to finish the sleeve linings than slip stitching!

Modifications
* I eliminated the front side darts and decreased the seam allowances. This jacket did not appear to be semi-fitted for me. It was really "barely fitted" for me! I could have used a 14, but feared about the collar coming too low!

* I eliminated the side bands along with the back band. I did not want to break up the back darts which I found flattering.

* I used a really different fabric for the sleeve ruffle because I did not have enough of the original fabric. I think this is coming from being a Dancing with the Stars junkie and seeing the Mambo/Samba/carnivale theme popping up ever so often!


Conclusion
This is a well drafted jacket with endless options and could be easily adjusted for a more personalized fit! I plan to sew this jacket again with a slightly heavier fabric. Just adding trim and changing the buttons changes the mood of the jacket!

Softer light:

Think Pink!

Heather insisted on posing and smiling!


Visions in pink!


Finally finished Burda 7911's wrap blouse!


My cute photographer took these (her little arms were getting quite a workout from holding the camera (video) as still as she can)!


The cap sleeves gave me that "space-age" look! Just call me a "super-galactic" mom!

Lime Time and Merry Berry
Heather and I were having too much fun in front of the mirror, (technically behind the camera) after I made another shirt using leftover lime houndstooth fabric from a previous project.









Lime from the Lilly Pulitzer collection (Saks Fifth Avenue):


Berry from the Lafayette 148 collection, Nordstrom's:


All Charged Up

Girl Scout Tribute

From Simplicity 4417








Pattern Description
Misses' tops (sleeveless) in two lengths with bodice and trim variations. I sewed View C with the front band and tie above the bust.

Sizing
6-14. I used a size 12 and took in the seams a little because I was using a knit.

Fabric
Green is a poly knit and the brown is a more stretchy knit.

Features
*Has two front band and ties pieces. They are folded in half lengthwise, right sides together and sewn up to a marked circle (clipped later) and turned right side out, raw sides basted together and attached to the bodice front, where its basted between marked dots.

* Thin shoulder straps. I used a small safety pin to turn the straps right sides out.

* Self fabric lined bust/bodice area

* After its seams are sewn, the skirt attached attached below the bodice

Modifications
* I used two types of fabric, knits instead of wovens.
* For View C, I omitted the the front's second tier.
* I omitted the zipper
* I did not gather the bottom of the bust area.
* I sewed the skirt only to the bodice, right seams together, then I slip stitched the lining/facing (folded bottom edge) to the skirt, to cover up the inner seams.

Dislikes
* Bustline is lower than I expected.
* I did not find the style flattering to my figure. A very thin person would carry this much better than me!
* I think the woven version would not fit me at all!

Conclusion
A blouse that is very easy to put together. I would wear this top for the home to lounge around in or better yet, this style would make a great lingerie top!

Square the Circles

Update of Simplicity 4412 Jacket


Heather and I went to WalMart last week and she was silly to ask the names of the sales ladies at the fabric cutting table(she's not that shy!). I already made the New Look 6655 top with the purple and neon green/yellow seersucker fabric. I plan to make something fabulous (have not decided yet!) from the Disney Princess fleece for Heather. Now, from that wild op red/green/purple/white op art fabric:



I am not sure where and when I will wear this. But I know I will definitely wear it in the near future!

Updated version:
* Thought of making this jacket as an exercise in matching prints.

* Did not cut each bodice in double layers, instead cut out piece single layer and then turned the pattern piece over on a matching pattern and print of the fabric(which explains the extra fabric requirement to match plaids, stripes, prints, etc mentioned on many pattern envelopes). Made slight seam allowances for adjacent pieces.

* Back of jacket



* Used strips of fabric and bias trim to finish the raw edges of princess seams, side seams, bottom edge, and facings.





*Did not add buttons due to the print of the fabric (per recommendation of my daughter who did not want the pattern in the front "ruined" by the buttons and buttonholes). Anyway, I prefer wearing my jackets unbuttoned.

* I forgot that this jacket required a lot of interfacing (fronts and facings). I would recommend making a lining for sturdier fabrics.

Previous jacket from same pattern: