Last week I made a lovely dress out of my Tower print fabric, here. I purchased enough for a dress and a top so I was determined to get a dress and a top out of it, even if I made an error cutting out the directional print on one of the skirt pieces last week!
This is one of my favourite patterns for piecing tops together. I also have had success with the “By Hand London – Polly Top” and the “Teach Me Fashion – Two Tone Singlet“.
Yes, I had a bit of a set back. As soon as I returned from my lazy holiday in Mexico my back went out. Walking is fine, standing is fine. That’s about it. So … no sitting in my sewing chair. 😦
I couldn’t help but dream, browse, and plan my future projects though … and I started seriously searching for my DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER outfit. I know DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER is far away yet, but I am not the type of person to leave anything to the last minute.
I started my search looking for designer fashion on Pinterest. I managed to “pin” quite a few favourite dresses and jackets to my DESIGNER FASHION board. Continue reading
My sister was lucky enough to win a trip to an all-inclusive resort in the Mayan Riviera for two and I was able to jump in and go when her husband was unable!
So begins the adventure. There was a lot of time spent eating at the resort’s various fabulous restaurants, walking the grounds and beaches, lying by the pool, watching the outdoor entertainment and movies, etc. I have been posting photos frequently on Instagram of our trip and our mascot “Jerry the Minion”.
My me-made swimsuit and cover-up blogged about previously were the most used garments in my suitcase. I was quite surprised the stitches and fabric of my me-made swimsuit didn’t fall apart while I did my laps in the pool!
Let me take you through the photos and commentary of our one excursion – to CHICHEN ITZA – a long, hot day trip that was more than worth it! Continue reading
I managed to get my FIRST Jungle January – #junglejanuary5 – finished prior to the deadline, but my second animal print just wanted to fight with me. It is a lovely fabric – a cream, black and brown 100% Rayon Challis. Just beautiful to the touch. But as I was discussing it with Curls n Skirls I realized that it would be a perfect weight for a top, but perhaps not a perfect weight for a dress. It might need a lining. But then if I was planning to wear it in the warmer months – would I want lining?
So I changed the plan … instead of making a dress, Vogue 9202, I would make a top, McCalls M6896. I’ve made the McCalls pattern before – it was my FIRST Jungle January – with good results. Of course the Vogue bodice pattern pieces were too short. They only reached to the pink line I drew on the McCalls bodice pattern pieces. So I would have to add an extension onto every Vogue bodice pattern piece.
It means it’s JUNGLE JANUARY 5! #junglejanuary5
Seriously, I never wore animal print until I “met” Pretty Grievances on WordPress. I always thought that animal prints were used for those lycra tops and pantsuits that Carol Burnett used to wear on her show! (Do you remember Mrs. Wiggins?)
I was wrong! So wrong! Pretty Grievances, and her JUNGLE JANUARY Challenge, has bought me out of my shell, or should I say skin. If you would like to meet Pretty Grievances too and find out all about JUNGLE JANUARY 5, head on over to her blog here. Continue reading
My sister suggested I use mistletoe as a prop in my next blog photo session. Sorry sis, I have no mistletoe, but I do have a Christmas tree and my finished DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER Copy!
I decided in the beginning of the year that I wanted to copy this Designer Original top.
Ellery Neu
and this Designer Original skirt.
Chloe
I have been sewing my DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER copies and now that I have finished my top, I thought it was time I checked in with you. You already know I want to make this Designer Original bell-sleeved top by Ellery Neu.
Ellery Neu
I’m using McCall’s M6896, view E. I adjusted the pattern a few weeks ago to make the sleeves bell-shaped. Now after finishing most of the sewing, I have decided, Yes, I do want the small slit in the front that is part of view E. Copying the Ellery Neu top exactly made me feel strangled by the high neckline.
I have started my DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER outfit. I want to COPY this top by Ellery Neu. I love the bell shaped sleeves. Quite popular this season, I think!
Ellery Neu
I browsed through a few patterns in my stash until I settled on view “E” of McCall’s M6896. Everything about this pattern is almost right. It definitely needs bell sleeves.
Perhaps you remember my denim skirt? I spent a couple of days trying to decide whether to sew on the back pockets, or not. Well, I have found a perfect place for them!
A while ago, I found the FREE pdf pattern from By Hand London, the Polly Top. I knew it would be perfect for the leftover fabric I end up with occasionally… and I certainly had some left when I finished my denim skirt.
Does anyone else piece together pdf patterns the same as me? I always seem to piece together one pattern piece at a time and then immediately cut it out. I guess I feel like I am accomplishing something that way? Here you can see my first piece taking shape – like putting a puzzle together.
Have you already completed your COPY of your Designer Original? Or perhaps, like me, you are just in the planning stages – whatever… there are still a few months left before DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER 2016!
Pull those ideas out of your head! Ever since DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER last year I’ve seen many dream garments in the stores, magazines, on social media … the Fashion Runway… so many beautiful garments! And still I say, “Why buy when you can make it yourself – better and for less money?”
I think I finally have my DESIGNER ORIGINAL picked out…
Ellery Neu
I have recently seen a lovely “bell” sleeved dress on Barbara Jane Made. I don’t have anything with bell sleeves – I want something with bell sleeves. Along comes this Ellery Neu. Continue reading
