My Designin’ December me-made Copy!

My Designin’ December me-made Copy is finished! I decided long ago to copy this Designer Original … an Oscar de la Renta, Fall 2018.

I did notice that it had these strange looking tied-on sleeves and decided those would be a work place hazard for me! I did like the length of the sleeves and the slits in them though.

I’ve used this pattern, McCall’s M6606, before and didn’t have to make many changes – a slight change to the collar and the hem line and the sleeves – those I narrowed a bit, left the traditional cuff off and made a new cuff with a slit.

I definitely had fun with the “appliqués” on this tunic top! I love this embroidered fabric!

I cut off a section of the embroidered fabric with a couple of birds and flowers on it and pressed a light interfacing to the back of it, with a cloth over top of course. Then I carefully cut out the birds and flowers.

I was again lucky to find the correct colours in my thread stash! After I decided where I wanted to place everything, I basted the embroidered pieces to my fabric with Wonder Tape.

I used the appliqué stitch on my sewing machine.

I am very happy with the result!

I’ve really enjoyed making this one and think it will fit into my life style just wonderfully!

If you would like to know more about the Challenge, click on – Designin’ December! Thank you to our sponsors!

Happy Sewing!

Andrie Designs – PDF pattern bundle of 3 bag patterns
Emmaline Bags – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Fibers to Fabric – gift certificate worth USD $25, along with goods worth USD $25 chosen by Fibers to Fabric
Funky Monkey Fabrics – gift certificate worth CAN $25
Helen’s Closet – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Itch to Stitch – two PDF patterns of the winner’s choice
JCV Art Studio – pack of 10 art cards with envelopes
Sewing Patterns by Mrs. H – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Named Patterns – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!! – a mystery sewing grab bag
Pauline Alice Sewing Patterns – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Skinny Bitch Curvy Chick Patterns – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Sense & Sensibiliity – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice and one Vintage ebook
Vintage Pattern Lending Library (Etsy) – gift certificate worth USD $25
Spool & Spindle – gift certificate worth CAN $25
Style ARC – donating a gift voucher worth AUS $50
Teach Me Fashion – One PDF pattern of the winner’s choice

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Thank you for being such kind supportive Readers! I hope you have a lovely holiday season with your family and friends. I’ll be back in a few days posting my Designin’ December me-made Copy. I look forward to seeing your’s!

Designin’ December Questions and my progress with my DD me-made Copy …

I had a couple of Questions about Designin’ December.

Do I have to copy a “high-end” Designer? Nope! If your taste leans towards something like these Nordstrom jeans – from Veronica Beard RTW at a cost of CAD $418.42 – make them!

I say … “Why buy when you can make it yourself – better and for less money?” Just show us your Designer Original photo and your Designer me-made Copy!

Another question – Do I have to sew it and post it in December? Nope! Inspiration strikes us all year round! Anytime during the year you might find your Designer Original and make your Designer me-made copy – make it, post it, let me know! I’ll save it for the fashion show in Designin’ December!

Don’t be shy now. If you have questions, ask away!

Now it’s time to update you on my Designin’ December me-made Copy. I decided long ago to copy this Designer Original … an Oscar de la Renta, Fall 2018.

I ran into a bit of a snag because I couldn’t believe that the pants were so PLAIN, but Sue of Fadanista came to the rescue and found a close up of the pants for me. I love the slits in the back of the pant legs!

I originally was going to use a Simplicity pattern from 1999 that I have used before, # 8740, but I thought I would pull out my self-drafted pants pattern that I drew up a while ago, after many fittings of my muslin, and give it a try instead!

I compared my self-drafted pants pattern with the Simplicity pattern pieces. There wasn’t much difference so I cut the pieces out using my self-drafted pattern pieces. It felt safe enough! We shall see how it turns out with this 100% cotton fabric.

Look at that, I even have matching thread in my stash!

Zipper attached, inner and side seams basted.

Approximately 100 fittings later – which meant trying them on, taking photos from all angles, examining the photos, picking the seams out, sewing them up again, and doing it all over and over again —

— I ended up really liking the fit on the RIGHT FRONT LEG and the LEFT BACK LEG!!! LOL I’m determined though … perhaps just one more fitting session is needed!

Of course, I had to pick apart my side seams along the top yet again to sew in the pockets! I cut the corners of my front leg pieces in the same shape as my pockets.

Pocket lining pieces attached.

The belt loops and waist band were attached.

The waist band inner facing was attached too. Then I picked it apart in a few spots so I could slip in the forgotten belt loops and sew it up again!

Last bit of machine sewing …

Next, the hand sewing is done.

Now for the slits in the back of the pant legs. I cut the 2″ hem off and an additional 5″ for the cuff.

I cut four pieces to make the two new 5″ cuffs.

They turned out nicely.

They were machine and hand sewed on.

Final photos? Nope! Not yet! Not until I can wear them with my Designer me-made Tunic Top!

How’s your Designin’ December me-made Copy coming along? Do tell! Any Questions? Just ask! If you would like to know more about the Challenge, click on – Designin’ December!

Thank you to our sponsors!

Happy Sewing!

Andrie Designs – PDF pattern bundle of 3 bag patterns
Emmaline Bags – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Fibers to Fabric – gift certificate worth USD $25, along with goods worth USD $25 chosen by Fibers to Fabric
Funky Monkey Fabrics – gift certificate worth CAN $25
Helen’s Closet – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Itch to Stitch – two PDF patterns of the winner’s choice
JCV Art Studio – pack of 10 art cards with envelopes
Sewing Patterns by Mrs. H – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Named Patterns – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!! – a mystery sewing grab bag
Pauline Alice Sewing Patterns – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Skinny Bitch Curvy Chick Patterns – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Sense & Sensibiliity – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice and one Vintage ebook
Vintage Pattern Lending Library (Etsy) – gift certificate worth USD $25
Spool & Spindle – gift certificate worth CAN $25
Style ARC – donating a gift voucher worth AUS $50
Teach Me Fashion – One PDF pattern of the winner’s choice

Our first Designin’ December 2018 Challenger …

is Sue Stoney of “Fadanista”! Sue has used a new pattern from “Pattern Union” to copy a Designer Original she saw at a Marimekko Exhibition.

Here’s her Designer Original …

and here’s her Designer me-made Copy!

I love her hand painting! If you’d like to know how she did it, pop on over to her blog “Fadanista” … she’s on Instagram too @suestoney!

Have you got a favourite designer?

and a pattern?

then you too can join. To learn all about it click … Designin’ December Challenge!

Of course, we cannot forget about our wonderful sponsors … Thank you!

Happy Sewing!

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Andrie Designs – PDF pattern bundle of 3 bag patterns
Emmaline Bags – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Fibers to Fabric – gift certificate worth USD $25, along with goods worth USD $25 chosen by Fibers to Fabric
Funky Monkey Fabrics – gift certificate worth CAN $25
Helen’s Closet – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Itch to Stitch – two PDF patterns of the winner’s choice
JCV Art Studio – pack of 10 art cards with envelopes
Sewing Patterns by Mrs. H – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Named Patterns – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!! – a mystery sewing grab bag
Pauline Alice Sewing Patterns – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Skinny Bitch Curvy Chick Patterns – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice
Sense & Sensibiliity – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice and one Vintage ebook
Vintage Pattern Lending Library (Etsy) – gift certificate worth USD $25
Spool & Spindle – gift certificate worth CAN $25
Style ARC – donating a gift voucher worth AUS $50
Teach Me Fashion – One PDF pattern of the winner’s choice

“Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!” … for Designin’ December 2018!

I know. I completely stole the image and the quote. Thank you White Rabbit for helping me illustrate my panic! LOL (illustration by Sir John Tenniel and written by Lewis Carroll)

NO, NO it isn’t too late! Chill! It’s not too late to start … keep working on it … and finish! I am myself just finishing off on my pants (photos this weekend?) and I plan to do more cutting and sewing this weekend on my tunic top of my Designer me-made Copy of this Designer Original – an Oscar de la Renta, Fall 2018.

Keep in mind though, I do NOT wear pink, so I am using this green for my pants. What would you call it “Emerald”? “Shamrock”? No matter, I love it and I don’t have anything like it in my closet!

Now that I am at the hem-up-my-pants stage, I wonder … Should a person who is 5’5″ on a good day wear “shorter” pants, like this model? Also, I can’t tell from this Designer Original photo, but are there “slits” in the sides of these pant leg bottoms? What do you think? Let me know in the comments, please!

Oh! I have news! We have another DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER 2018 Sponsor!

Continue reading →

Designin’ December 2018 UPDATE – ANOTHER Prize Sponsor!!!

Gotta love those early morning emails! This morning I got word that another prize sponsor was joining us! I hope you are all planning, digging into that fabric, cutting or sewing because now you have a chance to win one of 17 Prizes in DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER 2018!

Today I welcome … (as usual, click on the names to head to their shops)

Spool & Spindle

Spool & Spindle – gift certificate worth CAN $25

Spool & Spindle joins our other generous PRIZE SPONSORS …

Style Arc

Style ARC – gift voucher worth AUS $50

Andrea Designs

Andrie Designs – PDF pattern bundle of 3 bag patterns

Emmaline Bags

Emmaline Bags – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice

@FiberstoFabric (Instagram)

https://www.instagram.com/fiberstofabric/

Fibers to Fabric – gift certificate worth USD $25, along with goods worth USD $25 chosen by Fibers to Fabric

Funky Monkey Fabrics

Funky Monkey Fabrics – gift certificate worth CAN $25

Helen’s Closet

Helen’s Closet – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice

Itch to Stitch

Itch to Stitch – two PDF patterns for two winners to choose

JCVArtStudio (Instagram)

JCV Art Studio – pack of 10 art cards with envelopes

Sewing Patterns by Mrs. H

Sewing Patterns by Mrs. H – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice

Named Patterns

Named Patterns – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice

Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!

Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!! – a mystery sewing grab bag

Pauline Alice Sewing Patterns

https://www.paulinealice.com/my-sewing-patterns/

Pauline Alice Sewing Patterns – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice

SBCC Patterns

Skinny Bitch Curvy Chick Patterns – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice

Sense & Sensibility

https://sensibility.com/blog/category/patterns/

Sense & Sensibiliity – one PDF pattern of the winner’s choice and one Vintage ebook

Vintage Pattern Lending Library (Etsy)

https://www.etsy.com/shop/VintagePatternGirl

Vintage Pattern Lending Library (Etsy) – gift certificate worth USD $25

Now, just in case this is the last post you read before you start your Designer me-made Copy, let me go over the details just one more time!

WHAT IS THE DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER CHALLENGE?

We have all seen something we LOVE either in the stores, online or on the runways, but don’t actually want to buy for some reason. So I propose that we sew that garment that we see/want. Now if you are lucky and you already have an exact pattern, either an indie pattern, your own self-drafted, or a “Big 4” pattern, that you can use – then go for it! If you have to alter a pattern that you already have, or draft your own pattern, you can do that too. Whatever works for you. Let’s make what we see and want! (Remember Vintage Designer fashion is allowed too!) Good luck in your search! 😁👍

Show us your Designer Original photo and how you put together your Designer me-made COPY.

“Why buy when you can make it yourself – better and for less money?”

Looking for more ideas? Check out my “DESIGNER FASHION” Pinterest board here, OR on Facebook, join the DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER Group (closed group). (Find it through my Facebook page.). Where will you find your inspiration?

How to participate in DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER:

On your blog post a photo of your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY, mentioning DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER in your post with a link back to here, so other’s can join in.
OR on IG post a photo of your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY, tagging it #DESIGNINDECEMBER and follow/tag @nicedressthanksimadeit. Don’t forget to follow/tag our wonderful PRIZE SPONSORS!
OR on Twitter post a photo of your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY, tagging it #DESIGNINDECEMBER and follow/tag @LindaMNicedress.
OR send your email address to me at imadeit362436 (at) gmail (dot) com and I’ll send you an invite to join the “DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER” Pinterest board here so you can add your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY to the board.
OR on Facebook, join the DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER Group (closed group). You will be able to post your questions, comments, progress, and your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY. We post inspiration too!
Don’t forget to leave a comment here on my blog and I’ll post your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY for you on my blog in DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER, with a link back to you – whether you have made it already, are in the process of making it, or plan on making it… let me know!
Don’t forget to share a comment or two with your other DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER Challengers. Everyone loves comments!

Download this year’s LOGO now and then upload it onto your social media.

How to be eligible for prizes in DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER:

If you would like a chance to win FAB prizes from our generous sponsors, you’ll need to SHARE your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY with us like this:

On my blog: Follow “Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!” and leave a comment that you are joining in and I’ll post your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY for you on my blog in DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER, with a link back to you.
Then on your blog: post a photo of your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY, mentioning DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER in your post with a link back to here so other’s can join in.
There’s another chance to win on Instagram: share a photo of your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY tagging them #DESIGNINDECEMBER and follow/tag @nicedressthanksimadeit. Don’t forget to follow/tag our wonderful PRIZE SPONSORS!
After DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER, there will be a vote for the blog entries and a vote for the Instagram entries. Two possible chances to win, one prize per winner.

Only entries using the above two methods (blog and/or Instagram) will be entered into the competition. Closing date for entries is 31st December 2018 Midnight GMT.

Happy Sewing!

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What was that you said … another Designin’ December 2018 Prize Sponsor?

Yes, it’s true! In the early hours of this morning, my first email received, I heard from another generous DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER 2018 PRIZE SPONSOR! (As usual, click on their names for a “bee-line” to their shops!)

Style Arc

Style ARC – donating a gift voucher worth AUS $50

Style ARC joins our other generous PRIZE SPONSORS … Continue reading →

Designin’ December 2018 Prize Sponsors!

This is going to be a LOOONG post! This year, I’m so pleased at the number, and the variety, of prize donations that have been offered up by our DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER 2018 PRIZE SPONSORS! I must admit this is my favourite post of the year – these PRIZE SPONSORS just brighten up my blog!

No more delay – our DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER 2018 PRIZE SPONSORS in alphabetical order. (Check out their websites too – click on their names – browse around, pick out the prize you want to win!) Continue reading →

Or, perhaps maybe I am …

Of course, the only reason Canadians have Thanksgiving is to “celebrate the harvest and other blessings of the last year”. I don’t have a harvest, but every Thanksgiving our family says “Thank you” for what we have. This weekend is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada and my list to “Be Thankful” for is very long – but then I am always one to add more to my Be Thankful list than my “What a Bummer” list …

One thing on my Be Thankful list is the number of wonderful sewists, bloggers, Instgrammers, Fabric companies and Pattern makers out there that make my hobby so much more interesting.

Now on that topic, you might have seen a flurry of weird activity on my part on you blog today. It seems for about a month or two I haven’t been getting my usual email notifications that you have posted something new (on my Bummer list!) I wasn’t sure if it was an iPad problem, as I always use my iPad and only occasionally use my laptop. I also only occasionally look at the WordPress Reader to find out what you have been working on. More often than not, I sit on the bus to work and back (now 1.5 hours each way – on my Bummer list!), reading emails with copies of your new posts that are sent to me. I haven’t been getting those emails and have been wondering if anyone else out there is actually blogging anymore! Continue reading →

My Mom and Canada Day — by Susan on the Soapbox

My sister has always been better with words than me. (I’m better with a needle and thread!)

I am sharing her post here and taking a couple of weeks off social media to spend with my family.

I’ve always had a tough time remembering my mom’s birthday. Mom was born a couple of days after Canada Day and I was usually off in La La Land celebrating the end of school, moving, or doing lord knows what before I remembered that her birthday was just around the corner. All that changed this […]

Continued on My Mom and Canada Day — Susan on the Soapbox