Friday, March 8, 2013

Atlanta Sewing Expo and 3 jackets in 3 Days

We drove to Duluth GA for the first day of the Atlanta Sewing Expo yesterday.   I like to see friends there and both my favorite pattern designers, Louise Cutting AND Linda Lee were there with booths and trunk shows and FABRIC you can't find anywhere else.   It was so nice to see and speak to women I'd met in the years before, Carole M,  Martha Myers and Vivian who was wearing her Artist in Motion vest.   I met many other stylish women at their booths, and can't remember all their names.    It's refreshing to interact with genuine and dignified women as opposed to the bizarre and snooty behavior I've experienced from some who live in and around Asheville.  

I was sick off and on most of February after some IGNORANT woman coughed in my face when we went shopping one day in early February.    I don't like being on immune suppressants and avoid crowds,  high times for restaurants and especially sick people.   But when you walk to the restroom in a department store and some idiot walks out spewing infected sputum in a ten foot radius, all over your face - Well, what can I say?   And just like clock-work I got the crud and suffered.    I always feel better by sewing and creating when I'm able.

I was looking forward to the Sewing Expo but wasn't sure how well I would be.  By the time I decided it was OK to go, all the hotels were booked up.     It's only a 3 hour drive from Asheville, just down I26 and then I 85 so my husband and I decided to do a day trip.    We had snow and freezing temperatures the day and night before so we had to be sure the driveway and private road was passable before leaving.     I had been feeling depressed from being sick and said to myself that I was GOING TO SEW something beautiful to wear to the Expo.    Then I sewed not one,  but 3 jackets last weekend and Monday.   The hardest part was chosing the fabric.   

The Sewing Workshop Pearl Jacket



The first was this Pearl jacket from The Sewing Workshop Pearl and Opal jacket pattern.   I am on auto-ship and  liked the lines of these jacket.     I saw two Donna Karan signature jackets at Neiman Marcus Last Call in drapey silks yesterday that were sisters to this Pearl jacket that I made out of a microfiber raincoat fabric.    I used the same fabric for a TSW Carnellian coat that I lengthened and used for a raincoat.    I hadn't worn it in years and it was too oversized, so I just cut it up for this new pattern and used the fabric remnant I had saved for the rest.   I cut it out and sewed it up in an afternoon.   It was so easy to sew and looks fabulous over other pieces I already have.    Microfiber isn't the easiest to press and that was the most time consuming.   I didn't use the same grain on some pieces because I was recycling the fabric but it doesn't show.   My intent was to have a layering, windbreaker type jacket and this fits the bill.    It is also posted on the Sewing Workshop's gallery for this pattern.    

Note that these jackets are more fitted than older TSW patterns.  TSW is now publishing finished measurements on their patterns  -  THANK YOU!  So I cut both these jackets in size Medium vs the small I usually make in their patterns.    More details on the Flickr Set - link above.

The Sewing Workshop Opal Jacket



The next was the Opal jacket .  It is a semi-fitted, curvy jacket with seams and shaping in the back.   I used an Italian paisley stretch denim/twill fabric from Emmaonesock.  I bought this, and another piece of the same fabric in different colors a few years ago.    I didn't want a garment that screamed PAISLEY! so I needed to be careful of my choice of pattern and lines.   This pattern and fabric were made for each other.  The pattern instructions include great finishing techniques and all are easy to achieve.    I stabilized the front darts with cotton twill tape because of the stretch factor and used the tape as a design element.    I used petersham ribbon as my button/snap stabilizer vs the self fabric placket in the pattern.    This jacket has 3 large snaps instead of buttons and like the way it looks both open or closed.    I wore it while shopping in the Neiman Marcus across from the Gwinnet Center in Duluth yesterday and got lots of complements.      No photos of me wearing it but here it is on the manniquin.         

My Swing Set Jacket



Then last, but not least, I sewed my version of the My Swing Set jacket in the latest pattern by Louise Cutting.  After measuring and deciding how I wanted this jacket out of this fabric to fit,  I cut the XS in the top and sleeve and graded to the S at the sides.   I also had to shorten the XS sleeve length.    

This chunky knit Eileen Fisher fabric in a gray/purple that worked out so well.    Depending on the light it looks more gray or purple.  It's a very drapey, chunky knit with a lot of rayon in it.    I bought the rust/black Babette SF cardigan jacket pictured above this winter.  I like the cut-on front placket and the stand-up collar.   To get the same look from the MSS jacket pattern I eliminated the horizontal seam in the front and just folded back the front pattern pieces at where I wanted my fold line to  I interfaced a 2" strip down the front and used the selvedge at the edge.   I then used a partial front neckline facing and sewed the rest of the jacket and stand-up collar per the instructions.    I interfaced the front fold-over placket and collar/facing sections with a designer light-weight interfacing that gave the knit just the body and stability needed for the stand-up collar and front placket.    It worked out perfectly and is soft and cozy to wear.   I love the big snaps.   These are plastic, not metal so they are very light and don't drag the fabric down.

I wore this to the Expo yesterday over the gray Textile Studio gray stretch wool Soho pants and Monaco T top.    I don't look so great,  but that's the real me after dealing with a month of illness.   And you can see the snow on the ground and deck rail.   We always seem to get plenty of snow in March!







18 comments:

  1. Lookin' good and so glad you're feeling better! Linda is coming to Chi-town for our Expo next month - yeah! I should be up and able to move by then as having major surgery on Monday. Where did you get the great big snaps?

    ReAnn

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    1. ReAnn - I'll be thinking of you and hope your surgery goes well.

      Thank you for the complements. I'm sure enjoying the windbreaker one today. I got those snaps at Tuesday Morning! I was in there looking for something else and found a neat cutting mat at $29 vs $80 and those big snaps. It's an interesting store and I needed a cutting mat replacement bad.

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  2. Terri, these all are really lovely! I just purchased both of these patterns, so it's nice to see your versions and get a better idea of how they look in real life. The Opal Jacket is especially beautiful in that brocade you chose to use. I love the curvy design lines on the Opal and your matching of the pattern at the center back seam is masterful! It looks like the My Swing Set jacket could really be a workhorse pattern with so many ways to change it up with the choice of closures and where they are placed. Looking forward to working on these myself. Thank you for the inspiration!

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    1. Thank you Marcy. I'm looking forward to seeing your interpretations as well. I've got another Pearl jacket planned for a lightweight linen with an interesting woven plaid design.

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  3. Are you kidding? Of course you looked great and your clothes are amazing. I loved the jacket you had on and of course I swooned over the Opal jacket, I'm glad I got to see it before you wisked it away. It was good to see you, I'm happy you got to make the trip.

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    1. Aww Carole - thanks so much. I feel like I've aged about 20 years. I need to take some tips from you because you just sparkle and look so fit and fabulous.

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  4. Terri~
    As always, you sew a new project and make it beautiful! I love all the jackets and could not pick one over the other,but I will say that you offer many of us that sew a lot of truly wonderful inspiration and ideas! I plan to sew all of these this year,taking my time to enjoy each piece~ Thanks for the heads up on the measurements from Sewing Workshop, it really does help when the measurements are listed ( even tho, I still measure measure measure) * and* I tend to make up a muslin anyway to see where I can tweak best~
    I just purchased some great fabrics from Sewing Workshop and Michael's ( I managed to get some great pieces for next fall for a song!!) I am ready to go~ The colors I wanted for myself this spring seem to be spring green w/Navy and I added Grey in there (in a crocheted lace) to use as a layering piece~ I love the fact that you can get great fabrics from these designers, ,,and once again, a big thank you for the inspiration you offer others~ PBB PS, love what you did w/ lace also,,, you are one creative lady! I have learned something from my recently departed mother,,,,,,,get lost in your sewing, it seems to cure all ills!

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    1. Thank you Pam. Sounds like you've got some great coordinates planned. Spring is just around the corner but we need those layers for the chilly days in parts of the country.

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  5. Wow, you really got busy in the sewing studio! Such beautiful jackets. I especially like the MSS and the fun snaps. Glad you got to go to the Expo even if it was for just one day. Hopefully, you are passed the ugly bug issues and March will be good to you.

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    1. Thank you Linda and it sounds like that bug's relatives found you as well. I'm sure you're hardier than me right now but it is a bear to get over. Sewing is the best medicine when you can and planning what to sew when you can't!

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  6. Terri,
    It was such fun to see you, as well as your elegant garments in person. I do love your versions of these jackets. You are such an inspiration on so many levels. I am hoping your productivity and creativity rubbed off on me. Martha

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    1. Thank you Martha and I'm so glad our timing worked out. Loved Viv's vest and she is so cute. Hope you got some of that black wool double knit. It was really talking to me and I had to have a cut of it.

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  7. Terri
    These are gorgeous jackets. I'm glad to see your version of the MSS. I wouldn't have made it up from the pattern illustration, it looked too 60's for me. I lived the decade. Not going back. Oh yes I understand about the illness. We caught strep last fall on our one trip to Sioux Falls. Someone coughed on DH. DH got away as quickly as possible, but < shrug >. I really wonder about people sometimes. There are kids that show up at my door step who are obviously ill. They shouldn't be outside. Their caring mother sends them to visit an elderly couple? Come on!

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    1. Thank you Bev. I'm going to post more photos and how I changed the pattern. BTW I bought two neat vests at Neiman Marcus last call and will post photos. Like you I love how vests accessorize and give you a second layer at the same time.

      And I too wonder who is raising these people who have no manners or common sense. Just stay home if you're sick! How about all those people getting sick on the cruise ships? I have never been on one of those floating hotels crammed with people because I can't stand to be cooped up like that.

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  8. Great inspiration, Terri! I am quite envious of your experience of visiting Louise's booth and seeing (and buying) some of her fabulous fabrics. I so miss her store. Stay well..3 jackets in 3 days?????? You MUST be well! And meeting up with some sewing friends?? Such fun!
    Fran G

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    1. Thank you Fran. Yes I enjoyed the trip and enjoyed making those jackets. I have more in the works. I only bought one piece of fabric - control, control; a black wool double knit that Martha and I were both intrigued by. Photo is on Flickr.

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    2. So sorry you've been ill, Terri. It certainly didn't affect your creativity, tho! I love all your jackets, but I'm particularly fond of the paisley one. Stay well!

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  9. Great jackets--love the Opal especially!

    Lynda

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