Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Berry and Chocolate Coordinates

I've been spending the cold winter days when you can't, or don't want to go out, sewing coordinates, adding to those I sewed in the fall but didn't get around to documenting.   I plan and measure and compare and try on and measure again so I have few, if any failures, and who wants to read about those anyway?  I let my garments try on and "wear" fabrics that I think will work with them.   Here's a photo of how I do that on Flickr showing a knit and a colored stretch lace that I thought would work over these and other colors.   It's a good way to decide what to make out of the fabric instead of just folding it up and putting it on a shelf after you get it.    

   In addition to these coordinates, I restyled several garments, and made several skirts and coordinating tops using the CLD Relax a Little skirt pattern and other top patterns.    I'll do a separate blog post for those.  

Here are photos of what I'm calling Berry and Chocolate coordinates I sewed this fall/winter that will work through this spring.   These are good neutral colors for me.  The dotted Snap To It jacket from last summer works with this group as well as the tank tops and dress from Loes Hinse Tank dress pattern I made after moving to NC.  Typically the photos are taken while I'm getting ready to go somewhere, and when I remember to get a photo taken.   As Net-A-Porter says, if you want to wear spring (lighter weight) garments in cold weather, just add tights!   

Here is a sweater coat in brown and pinks using Loes Hinse Sweater Coat pattern (I always modify the collar size and length).    This time I used the selvedges along all hemmed edges - including pockets and sleeves.  It looks great over my pink/beige Liberty jacket and Plaza pants, and with the dark chocolate brown tapered pant I'm wearing from Cutting Line Design's My Swing Set pattern.   I sewed pale pink petersham along the front plackets to stabilize the large buttons and snaps underneath.

This top is Cutting Line Designs latest pattern, Simplify Your Life, worn over the MSS tapered pant.   I used a coordinating fabric for the facings.  I'll wear this in the spring.
This is The Sewing Workshop's Cortona Shirt in the same fabric as the top above, worn over one of the LH tanks and a skirt in a textured knit/stretch lace fabric.    I like the darts and shape, esp the peplum that is formed at the back. It's a great layering piece and works as a jacket or shirt.




I used the knit selvedge as a ruffle trim along the edge of this bias skirt that is my adaptation of an old Burda Style pattern.  I made a Eureka top out of the same fabric, cut the hems along the selvedge and used the back/stretch lace side for the contrast bindings.    Here it is over the Loes Hinse Tank dress.   I think I lengthened this top that looks great belted as well.


15 comments:

  1. Truly lovely. I enjoy reading about your process. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Super colors on you Terri! Happy New Year, too!

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    1. Thank you Betsy. Happy New Year to you! Everytime I see the weather report in MA I think of how you are doing.

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  3. Great inspirations. Thanks for posting and sharing. Re the cortona top - did you post anything on the SW thread? I've got one started and pushed it to the side - I'm not sure about the way the back fits me.
    Marcia

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    1. I did the same thing. The fit is what it is because I started this one last fall and went crazy trying to refine the fit. It's too difficult and unwieldy to modify the sizes and I ended up doing a lot of ripping and ended up with size small all over. Looks like I should/could have cut an XS - maybe next time. I didn't post anything there because when I do I get ignored. Most on that board just yak about buying patterns - or why they don't like them and ignore those who actually sew and change them like I do.

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  4. Thanks Terri - Now I don't feel so bad! I cut a med and shortened 1 in - the length comes just above my crotch - so you know where the back "waist" seam ended. I do agree it is too unwieldy to refine. On the sienna -the arm opening is a bit snug?? - then when I measured to accommodate my tush I didn't allow for the pleat in back. I will put buttons on and see if wearable, if not off to DDIL. Thanks for the info. I do appreciate it.
    Marcia

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    1. I want to add that I'm pretty sure that the finished measurements are way off too. But as a jacket/layering piece the size small works for me as you can see.

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  5. I love the sweater coat it looks so chic and I love the way it just coordinates with all your other clothes. Interesting about different approaches to patterns, I rarely can make up anything straight from the pattern so in order to get something to fit I have to work it. I am trying to get a Burda wrap to work - the sleeves are off and it has become a challenge to get the sleeve looking good. I thought it was me but recut pattern from book and still no joy - they must of pinned to get it to look so good in the photos.

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    1. Thank you Jacqui! I've made that LH pattern several times as you can see on the Flickr set. It's an easy sew esp when you have no hemming to do. The one that gave me fits was the one Marcia and I were discussing. I like it and may make it again now that I know how it's sized.

      Oh and I want to thank you for your tutorials and blog posts about your Babylock serger/coverstitich and the class and garments you sewed. After you posted I got out the DVD and watched it, repeated several chapters, used the chainstitch, which I love! and some others. Seeing how wonderful your garments and success was gave me confidence to just do it!

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  6. What a wonderful set of clothing. I especially love the sweater coat. ~Teri

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    1. Thank you asisewit! I do too. It's a great layering piece in this cold, hard to predict weather.

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  7. Just love all of your coordinates. Colors are wonderful and perfect for you! Great job, as always.
    Lakestitcher from SG

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  8. I love everything you make and am inspired to try harder to get my sewing to a higher level. I have most of the same patterns and you have given me different ideas to try. I can't wait to get started.

    I just wish I could subscribe to you blog by email...

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    1. Sandra, Always glad to inspire. Get those patterns out and be fearless! I look at RTW in stores and online to get ideas and then go for it. As for the e-mails, I'm not blog connectivity savvy, so if you could enlighten me, I will try to accomodate you!

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