Moving on to Fall Sewing

Many thanks to all for the nice comments on the posts about my warm weather dresses.   I particularly wanted to get the fit and length right for the cap sleeve dress from the Pure and Simple pattern so I can use this tonal silk fabric to make a dress and coat for fall from the same pattern.    I started sewing spring and summer when it was snowing and freezing last January so I would have it to wear when warm weather finally arrived.   The fall trunk shows are coming out on the store websites, in magazines and in the stores I look at the trunk shows and the collections to see what works with my style, fabrics I love, and the pattern lines I like to work with.

Two of my favorite contemporary lines for inspiration are Vince and Theory.   The Vince Fall Trunk Show and the Theory Fall Trunk show are up on Neiman Marcus' site, and I'm psyched by some of the pieces.    I'm into simple, easy and elegant and I found these pieces that fit all those criteria, not coincidentally the same criteria for the patterns and silhouettes I sew.   So here's a preview of my upcoming projects, the fabrics and patterns.

Here is a versatile pullover by Theory at Neiman Marcus in a dark expresso brown knit. The turtleneck and sort batwing sleeves are trimmed in ribbed knit.   They describe it as a loose, boxy fit with a mid-thigh length.   How easy will this be able to do using view B, the tabard in Louise Cutting's Of the Moment pattern, laying the pattern center front on the fold,  then using the neckline template and collar for the 2x4 pattern view with the standing collar.     I alaready have just the fabric -- a nice ribbed knit in the same color.

Theory pullover from Neiman Marcus

Ribbed knit from Casual Elegance Fabrics

Continuing with the Of the Moment pattern, how about another easy one from Vince?   Here is a single layer chunky knit coat with leather trim at the edges.      Wow,  here's some Italian charcoal wool knit boucle with a fleece hand and a quality faux leather that could pass for lambskin.    Add a loop and a button at the side seam.    How hard is this going to be!

Vince Leather Trim Coat Neiman Marcus

My fabrics

And another from the Vince, fall trunk show.  How about this simple and elegant hooded drape coat?

Vince Hooded Drape coat at Neiman Marcus

I can make a similar style in luxurious alpaca lengthening this Burda Style pattern from the November 2007 issue.    I used the same pattern to make this hooded jacket last March in yellow french terry to get the fit just right.

Burda Style 11-2007  #126

Fine alpaca boucle from Michael's Fabrics, Baltimore