Gertie's Portrait Blouse (in Jersey Knit!) Review

Dear readers,

I've loved wonderful bloggers' Katie's version of the Portrait Blouse, and Rachel's version from My Messings reviews of the Portrait Blouse of Gretchen's book:   Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing.

I've constructed my own rendition, a jersey knit, above, after my silk(ish) woven toile failed.

Gertie's book is intriguing!  This pattern is only two pieces with facings for the collar.  The armholes are very small seams.  I should be able to draft a nice silk - but alas, I cannot.

Why?  I tried to rotate the darts on my princess-seamed sloper to then alter Gertie's pattern from the book - which I sketched out.  But for some reason, my rotation is not correct.  Gertie's pattern calls for side darts - and this is where my trouble lies.  Rather than construct another toile - I decided to go with two jersey knit fabrics from Mood, bought recently, with alterations based on the first toile.

The second blouse is under construction, while I speak (a wonderful Betsey Johnson jersey knit!).   This blouse took me less than two hours to construct once cut.  I WILL DEFINITELY make this again - it looks great under suits!

Another quick portrait blouse to follow!

Tank Top!

Dear reader,

I fell in love with a slightly small, but long length wise sale tank top from Anthropologie.  So, I did what every good seamstress would have done - copied it immediately.

 The original is on the left and the one I made (now I realize in the execution stage what I could have done better) - is the red one on the right!  I merely traced the design and added a ribbing.  I also used my serger to put the knit jersey together and my sewing machine (with a stretch needle) for the ribbing.

Photo-bombed again, but here is it made with my self-sewn Jennifer Stern jeans, an Anthropologie coat and hat.  It's a bit tight - but I like to think of my tanks as SHAPEWEAR:)

More knits to follow - this tank top kicked off a knit kick with two more tops.

Another (fun) Self-Drafted A-Line Skirt

Dear readers,

I've made another skirt from my skirt sloper - this time I made an A-line skirt using the adjustments I've learned from two sources. . .

 The fabric is from G-Street Fabrics - $6.00 on their "skirt ends" table.

 A back view above, showing the A-line shape.

 I keep getting photo-bombed by my Kerry, Pixie.

 I inserted a quick lining from the stash - albeit a bit uneven.  It peeks out when I sit - but at this point - I'm ok to live with that:)

 This methodology is what I merely used.  Adding a bit of flare at the side of the skirt.  This reference is from a used book:  "How to Design your own clothes and make your own Patterns" by Claudia Ein.  I do like some of the ideas.

 And, adding to the flare is an option, slash and spread method by Helen Joseph Armstrong, "Patternmaking for Fashion Design."  I didn't use the slash and spread method as the skirt materials didn't drape as well, and it is suiting material.  Although I do plan to use this method sometime in the future.

 Photobombed again!

Finally!  Still photo-bombed but you can see the shoes.  Fidji - my heels broke consecutively in DC, and then in Bremerton/Poulsbo - so I WAS FORCED to run out and buy some new shoes in both locations.   At first, I thought these might be a bit "elfish" but they have turned out to be super comfy 1.5 - 2 inch red heel, and really, my "go to" heel for jeans and even while teaching.   They are the result of a great recommendation from a travel (and sewing) buddy.

More sew-cation work to follow!

Oh Canada! Pendrell Fall Blouse finished!

Dear readers,

I've finally adjusted the Pendrell blouse for my sloper corrections (which was fairly easy because both were princess seams).  The blouse was pictured below, with my version of Jennifer Stern's jeans (Jean Posts Here).

No, I'm not celebrating Canada (perhaps I should).  This maple leaf is my ode to Fall (we are having a heatwave here, however).  Although here in Ventura the summer is just now starting with the Santa Anas, and warm temps.    I bought the fabric from Mood recently on a trip.

I used Tasia's Blog on Sew-Alongs (scroll down for the Pendrell links);  the pattern directions were easy and I love princess seam blouses. But, the ideas for putting the blouse together with the sleeves were easier using the author's directions online.  It was a unique way of puttting together the blouse.  I will definitely make it again and have noted some hints for a better fit (I cut this a bit large).

Here is the pattern view (I sewed View A).  Although this pattern was drafted allegedly for pear-shaped girls - I made it anyway (I am a reverse triangle, or an apple, depending), and it worked brilliantly.  It's a bit blousy - but that was my fault - next time I'll cut down on the SA.

I am working on the pattern review.

So, dear readers, I am just starting my sew-cation - but have finished the above, not to mention two more knit blouses and a tank top!

Onto the pants now!!

Dirty Dancing Dress (DDD)

Dear readers,

Guess what?

Remember this?

Two weeks ago I was watching our hilariously funny local LA newscast - Good Day LA; the show featured Jennifer Grey - who was promoting her 25th Anniversary of Dirty Dancing - and announced tickets were available for the screening at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.  Apparently Skinny Cow sponsored the event and tickets were free.  I logged on and got tickets!!  Hurray!

Skinny cow set up a pink carpet (here I was entering - very late from work and LA traffic):

 A picture from inside the theatre:

Jennifer Grey was in attendance - as was the rest of the full theatre (95% of the audience consisted of a very raucous crowd of women) - it was ridiculously fun.  It reminded me of my college girlfriends watching this coming of age film at our campus theatre in Auburn.

See the dancers on the stage for the credits?

I didn't really stay at the afterparty (a typical promotional type of fare) - but on the way to see it - the dirty dancing costumes were featured.  Hilary Rosenfeld was the costume designer (I didn't see any information about her but wished they had more costumes) but they did have the pink dress (from the finale), a white shirt from the private dance scene with Baby and Johnny, and a pair of keds.  I took pictures of the dress below, and above:

The dress was simple, with a side zip.  The lace covers the seaming from bodice to skirt with a triangle in the back.  The front had side and front darts.  It seemingly was made of a lightish cotton blend.   I wish I took a picture from the back!  Darn it!  I do think would be relatively simple to reproduce.  The costumes from the movie are fantastic - I do wish they had more of them to display.

Some pictures from the actual movie showing the movement of the dress:

What a last minute treat!

I hate to admit it - but homedec revived my sew-jo!

Dear readers,

It's true.  I dislike home dec very much.  Seriously.  Interior design is not my forte.  But sewing a few pillow on our new sectional from Crate and Barrel (the lounge series - we just keep buying the same couches) revived my sewing mojo.

I sewed the pillows with invisible zippers (I have no idea why - the material is dry clean only and we have dogs).  I am recovering the round cube ottomans/tables in the living room as well in these colors.

And for the rest of the project  -  in the linen color below - we plan to put up curtains to protect the couch from the sun - and give us a respite from below.  We have a fantastic view to the ocean but hopefully the curtains won't interfere.  My other concern with the curtains - our window is 112" W X 64" H - that's a lot of fabric.

This weekend I sewed a lined A-line skirt, and two Anthropologie style tank tops, not to mention straps for a strapless dress.  So, more posts to come!

Good luck for those of you in Hurricane Isaac's path - my thoughts are with you!

Steampunk for Halloween?

Dear readers,

Where has the summer gone?  We've been super busy at work, and new people have joined our team - seriously reducing the workload for all!  More time for sewing, cycling, and other pursuits here at the Ps house.  Back in the sewing studio, I opened the new Simplicity patterns page and found some new costumes for Halloween, steampunk style:

I actually dressed as a vampire last year - but everyone at work thought I was steampunk:)  Crazy.  Here's a picture of me before J. and I went to the West Hollywood Halloween Festival.  I guess if I am going this route I better start watching the Downey movie version of Sherlock Holmes, stat. (which, while fun,  simply don't equate with the wonderful Sir Arthur Conan Doyle novels).

Audra has great steampunk style and has these lovely leather harnesses at Etsy I'd love to have for everyday wear!

And, Gertie  has me excited about making a corset as well.

Finally, I've been coveting the new vintage lingerie patterns at Mrs. Depew Vintage.

Have you begun thinking of Halloween?  I'd love to hear everyone's ideas.  


P.