Burda 6109 - Lyrical Fabrics

Recently I placed  a couple of orders with  Lyrical Fabrics and I am so happy with both orders

Burdo 6458 - Cotton Voile

I am still really enjoying the year of the sleeve!  This time a Burda pattern, which I don't sew very often but should look at them more often

Spring Colors for a Jacket and Top - Spring Canvas Blog Tour

Spring has sprung here in the Midwest and I couldn't pass up the photo opportunity in front of my Bradford Pear in full bloom.  Grass turning green, daffodils blooming and trees budding is like new life for me.  It excites and rejuvenates my soul, it is time to be outside and time to sew new clothes.  Specifically new clothes in bright fun colors. Michelle of Style Maker Fabrics asked me to be part of the Spring Canvas Blog Tour and jumped at the chance.  Michelle's fabrics are fabulous!

Butterick 6207 - Stripe Dress and Burda 7580 Long Cardigan

   Spring is in the air and a cute dress is a much needed item for me.  I wanted a dress that would be a good transition piece and fun to wear.  Enter Mood Fabrics' Navy/Ecru Saint James Ponte Knit, an amazing knit, probably one of the nicest knits I have ever sewn.  I am sorry to say it is sold out in the navy/ecru colorway but  no fear there are several other option: red/navy, ecru/gray, navy/kelly. or take a look at all the color choices

Burda 6904 - Skirt

Recently, Mike (the hubby) and I were heading to a casual event and I went to grab a summer skirt to wear.   It seemed like the perfect separate for  the weather and with a cute top, I would be neither over or under dressed.  Now you are probably guessing where this is going, yes, you are right.  I had no cute summer skirt.  This seems so not right, sewing skirts is a fun and quick project, right?

Burda 6838

All I can say about this one is, YUK, I don't like it at all. It was one of those projects I had high hopes for but didn't meet the expectations.  Plus it was one of those projects that had one mishap after another.  The fabric is from Mood and while it is a wonderful stripe and I do like a good stripe, it is quite thin.  

Burda 6848 Top

This is a Burda pattern, one of the young styles and at one of the Joann's Burda sales I picket it up.  This pattern and this fabric also from Joann's.

One thing for sure this young style is not suitable for this Nana/Mom!  

Burda 7447 and 6981 using Black and White Italian Cotton Woven

Yes, it is another pair of pants, I just can't help myself. I love this Burda pattern, well this time is is a combination of Burda 7447 and Burda 6981 (using the cut of the legs only).  Truthfully it isn't really the pattern, it is the great fabric at Mood Fabrics, I can find something wonderful all the time.  Take this Italian Cotton Woven

  
 Something about black and white, just draws me in, so classic in nature.
 

 

Navy Blouse with Gold Brocade Cropped Trousers

This outfit started with two different fabrics ordered 3 months apart, first I ordered this Mood Fabrics'

  Blue Gray Solid Suiting,  thinking it would be a jacket but the fabric is lightweight and it sat on the shelf while I contemplated what it would become. I washed this fabric on gentle and felt it would be a perfect blouse, dark navy with gold buttons. I wanted a dressier blouse pattern and fitted, so I went with a favorite, Butterick 5526

 


 I found this Mood Fabrics' Elegant Italian Brocade in my cart and soon on my doorstep.


 I knew what I wanted to make, after all, the description dared me, and I quote, "or dare to make a pair of cropped trousers. " So I did, using Burda Style 6981 The blouse went together beautifully, the trousers. had a few challenges.

 

Vintage Floral Luxe Sweatshirt

Thanks to Meg's Sew a Luxe Sweatshirt post. I knew this was going to be one of my future projects. I went with the top right fabric, Moods Fabrics' Red and Gray Silk-Cotton fabric
and per Meg's suggestion I went with an ivory ponte

 The pattern was my hardest choice, did I want raglan or did I want drop shoulders? After looking at Meg's post and a magazine page from In-Style magazine, I went with a dropped shoulder, using Burda Style 11/2012 #128 (which can be purchased and downloaded at the Burda Style website).

Luxe Sweatshirt using Burda Style 11/2012 #128

Luxe Sweatshirts seem to be everywhere and they look like a style I would enjoy wearing.  I hunted around for a pattern and went with Burda Style 11/2012 #128, which you can dowload from the Burda Style website.

I wanted to make a muslin for my first try at this, using a small leftover piece from Teal and Black Lacey Brocade shirt back in August.

I only had enough fabric for the front of the luxe sweatshirt and went with black interlock from Joann's for the rest.

Thakoon Scout Woven T-shirt with Khaki Burda Pants

Enter into my sewing room two fabulous Mood Fabrics' Thakoon prints.  First to arrive to was Navy Abstract Soft Cotton

My plan was a Butterick top but then I found this  Anthropologie shirt.  So forget Butterick and enter Grainline's Scout Wovern T-shirt.  I just had to go shop for another fabric at Mood to get this look.  I tell you that is a hard job (ha ha)  but I stepped right up and went to shopping.  It wasn't long and I found just what I wanted.  This Thakoon Delft Blue Floral Silk Crepe De Chine

Red Pants and Navy Ponte Top

You know when you see an outfit and think I HAVE to recreate this?  Well, that was my thought when I pinned this outfit.  After, Mood Fabrics contacted me to be part of the Mood Sewing Network, I knew this was the outfit I wanted to make for my debut outfit.

I have had red skinny jeans in my wardrobe for a year now but knew a wide leg trouser style would be a perfect addition.  I perfected the fit on Burda  7447 pants and widened the legs  from the knee down for more of a wide leg  look. This Burda pattern has all the elements of a great trouser, welt pockets, front pockets, wide waistband and belt loops, it seemed like a natural choice for my red pants.

Once you get past the welt pockets on the back of the trousers, these pants go together very quickly. I selected Lipstick Red Italian Cotton Suiting for the trousers.  This fabric is the perfect weight and drape for the pants.

 One fact that helped me with the welt pockets, was to baste the stitching lines of the welt pocket on both back pieces.  This helps to keep your stitching consistent on each back piece and your welt pockets look the same!

For the peplum top the natural choice was Vogue 8815, a very popular pattern in the blogosphere for the very trendy peplum top.  I did add 1" to the bodice of the top, it looked very short on the pattern envelope.  For the peplum top, I selected a ponte knit.  Mood had the perfect shade in the  Dark Navy Ponte to complete my inspiration picture.  I did want to add a little something extra  to the back of the peplum top and an exposed zipper seemed to be the perfect addition.

Here is a close-up of the exposed zipper

For a great video on exposed zippers check out Gertie's clip from It's Sew Easy

You know when you have on an outfit and it just makes you feel great?  Well, this outfit does that for me, in my mind I stand a little straighter, have a confidence in my stride and a smile on my face.  It is that perfect combination of the right fabric and pattern to achieve "the look".  My garments turned out just like the picture I found on the internet and the picture I had in my head, gotta love that.  These pieces look amazing together but will work independently as well.  Oh, happy days!

I think my  outfit looks great here on the farm:

and it looks really good attending a baby shower for my daughter:

Yes, I am one excited first-time "nana"!

Check out my first  post at Mood Sewing Network

Burda 7447

Here is the first pair and this blog post is my second pair.  I used my Burda 7447 for most of the pattern and Sewaholic Thurlow Trouser for the wide leg look.  I compared the Thurlow to Burda 7447 and decided the Burda was better for my body shape.   With this in mind and the fact I wanted a wide leg trouser, I used the wider leg of the Thurlow from the knee down.  This worked quite well.

Once again I am super-pleased with my pants and the fit.
Here is another picture, you can see the front better but I must be standing funny, as there is more wrinkles. 

Here is the back, not the greatest of pictures but you get a general idea

I did notice from the picture, the pants are not as long as I had hoped.  So heading down to let out the hem before I wash them.
Comparing the Thurlow and the Burda pattern.  Much of the design details are the same – welt pockets, front pockets, wide wasitband. The major difference is the shape.  The Burda seems to be for more of a slim cut, the Thurlow has curves.  My only suggestion on either one is pick which is best for your body shape.

Burda 7447

When I saw A Fashionable Stitch's  first pair of Burda 7447 pants and then she made a second pair , I knew I needed to make a pair of these.  I had the pattern, just needed some fabric to try them out.
Here are my pants

Here is the envelope

Pattern Description:  Semi-fitted Pants, probably more fitted than semi-fitted.
Pattern Sizing: Size 8 - 20. I made the 12 (38) which is what I make in most Burda patterns.
Instructions:  They were good, especially for Burda.  I even followed their welt pocket instructions, took a couple of read-throughs but I grasped the concept.  Plus, this is the first ever pant welt pockets, I have sewn.
Look they are even!

The instructions went in a nice order, easy to understand and follow.
Changes:  I made none this first time.  I think for the next time, I might make them shorter, like to wear with flats.  I did not add length and I need to wear heels with this pair.  I was getting funny wrinkles in the front, around bottom of the zipper.  I pulled out my fitting book, one thing they said was the hem was too long.  I folded up the hem and no more wrinkles.  Easiest fit  fix ever.
Also, I might use a size 10 for the back of the pants, they are a bit loose.  See if that helps the problem.
Fabric:  A stretch denim from Hobby Lobby, not crazy at all about the fabric or the look but it worked for a muslin, which turned out wearable.
Conclusion:  A classic style of pants. 

With a sweater, which looks okay.

But I like them best with a blouse

Two things after this picture taking session, I need to make more blouses and I am heading to cut out another pair.  This time crossing this pattern with Sewaholic's Thurlow Trouser and use real denim this time.

Best of 2012–for my Family

Let me start by saying I sewed many garments for my youngest 2 girls this year, the majority was maternity.
1,McCall's 5525 – Leopard trench and winner of the Best 2012 Pattern Contest at Pattern Review.  I heart this jacket, Meredith wore it just the other day and hubby was amazed that I made this.  I not sure where he was the entire time I was sewing it and Meredith modeled it


2.  Burda – 7318 – Maternity coat, I have seen this on Erin several times and it looks fantastic.  A perfect style for pregnancy
.
3. Simplicity 2226 – made twice and will be made again, a great pattern

and

4.  Simplicity 4281 – a knock-off of an Express jacket for Erin.

5. Megan Neilsen Ruched Maternity Shirt – made six times for Erin.

and

and

and

and

plus one more I didn’t get a picture of.
6.  Vogue 1224 for Erin

7.  Simplicity 2512 – made 3 times and have fabric for one more
 
8.  New Look 6648 – the fabric makes this top

9.  Simplicity 2362 – for Kaitlyn and it looks great on her

10.  Butterick 5497 – made twice for Erin, looks great on her.


11.  Ottobre 5/2008 – a pattern I wanted to make for along time and finally got to it.  Erin had this on one day and it is a perfect maternity style

12.  I HAVE to include one outfit for my grandson (due in March) link here

I went back and counted the number of maternity garments, it was 26, now I know where all my sewing time was spent!
Tomorrow, the top 12 of quilts and bags.