Back to the arctic...

Or at least it feels like it anyways. My son and I went to Orlando then on to Tampa this week. So now it's time to play catch up with laundry, sewing, cleaning, etc...

Biker Jacket Progress

I was happy with the muslin so I started on the jacket last weekend. For the alterations I did an FBA, narrowed the shoulders 1/2 inch and raised the armcyce 1/2 inch. These have become my standard pattern adjustments. After looking at the muslin, I also did a 1/2 inch forward sloping should adjustment for the first time. I think that one will be added to the list. I also changed the back pleats to darts. I like them better this way.

So far, I am ecstatic about this jacket. I'm happy the the fit, the pattern, the fabric and can see myself wearing the heck out of this jacket both to work and for casual with jeans.

I attached one of the sleeves tonight and it looks like I may rotate the sleeve back 1/2 inch. In the FFRP, they suggest to offset the sleeve. This will leave the seams offset underarm. As they say in the book, who's going to look under your arm. I'm going to try this with the other sleeve and see how it works. I need to go look at my book.

I still need to put the facings on, the other sleeve, and do the lining. That I'm a bit worried about but I'll just take it a step at a time.

SWAP - Winter 2010

I joined the SWAP on Stitcher's Guild. I had so much fun with the Wardrobe Contest on PR that I decided to do the SWAP. In the fall it really helped motivate me and give me some goals. So, here's the "idea" board. That's as far as I'll go at the moment, because it's just a rough idea with some some inspiration pieces. I have started the muslin on the biker jacket and it's looking pretty good so far. I'll post an update later once I get the muslin done.

And...I'm going to try and do it all from stash, both patterns and fabric!

Robert Rodriguez - Spring 2010 and a Biker Jacket

I'm loving all the "harder edged" clothes these days. The biker look, black leather, studs, etc. but done in a feminine way. I just got am email with a peek at the Robert Rodriguez Spring 2010 trunk show. I love it and see several things that I would love to have. I'll have to settle for attempting to recreate the looks in a less expensive way. Robert Rodriguez Spring 2010

Here are a couple of my favorites:






For the shirtdress I've been looking at this - BWOF 6-2009-117. I already have some nice black poplin from fabric.com I bought last year with the intention of doing a shirtdress.


For the skirt, this is in the Feb. 2010 issue of Burdastyle (BWOF) Skirt #124A. I have some stretch twill that I got by accident in a shipment from fabric.com.



Maybe this Simplicity for the grey dress. I'm trying to use patterns I already have. I have more of a pattern addiction than I do fabric addiction ;-)



I made a shirt out of this fabric from Gorgeous Fabrics "Smoky Plums" and it is so soft. I wished I had more. I may have to order some.


As far as the last dress goes, well, I doubt I'd make it. I love it, but would have no place to wear it.

Biker Jacket

But first, before all these other inspirations grab me, my next project is a Biker Jacket. BWOF 9-2008-123 (or 121). Thanks to suggestions on PR this is what I decided to make. The fabric is a black wool, almost a tweed, but it has silver threads in it. The wrong side is more silver than the right side and I'm wondering if I'd be breaking any unwritten sewing rules if I used the wrong side. I plan on doing the 123 version without the ribbing but in the wool.

Wish me luck! This will be my first fitted jacket. I figured if I was going to try a jacket it better be one that I will love and wear to spend the time doing it. I'll be tracing it out tonight hopefully and maybe cutting out a muslin tomorrow night.