Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Top and Dress from the new Simplify Your Life Pattern




Simplify Your Life is the latest pattern from Louise Cutting.  It includes two tops.   I made view A in this Hugo Boss cross dye shirting with a contrast facing.   Here the top is paired with dark brown My Swing Set pants in pant weight stretch rayon.   Considering the fit and shape of this top, I thought it would make a great dress. 



I had enough of this silk/lycra seersucker I bought from Michael's Fabrics in Baltimore that I had already used for this pair of Discover Something Novel pants and a Stars In Heaven tunic  to make a dress.   These 3 simple but elegant neutral pieces can be worn many ways.   I spoke to Michael last week about swatches.   He said he's got tons of new fabrics in and hasn't had time to put them on the website.   So call them directly if there's something you are looking for.    

Detail of fabrics and flap pockets
I added large pockets with flaps to give the dress a bit more personality.   Recent Diane Von Furstenberg dresses I've tried on at Neiman Marcus have this relaxed fit and I like dresses for the spring and summer.   I considered adding a casing with a drawstring but decided that it would not work with the pleat in the front.    I also auditioned some belts with it, but like it best unbelted.
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8 comments:

  1. Terri I am not sure which version I like the best! The dress version looks wonderful~! and I like the pairing of the top with the skirt you show on Stitchers Guild. Unfortunately I am unable to wear that type of pattern with the all in one sleeve - I am too short between arm and bust and just end up looking a sloppy mess as well as having trouble moving the arms. I have success copying the details such as the placket and curved hems for a similiar look. Enjoying seeing your spring sewing - I am onto winter now!

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    1. Thank you Jacquianne. All my best for your winter sewing (and some rain) !

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  2. Terri
    Dresses are a great suggestion for spring and summer. Thanks for bringing them to my attention

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    1. You're welcome Bev. Hope things are thawing out in SD! We're all looking forward to spring.

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  3. Your dress is great. I had also thought about the pleat and how to add a drawstring. I was thinking about continuing the open to the hem (getting rid of the pleat) and adding a drawstring that way, but your solution is perfect. I had been anticipating this project and was wondering what you would come up with.

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  4. Terri, I like all the pieces but really like how you turned this into a dress!

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    1. Thank you Carolyn! I so admire how you interpret designs and will tell my dress that the designer dress diva likes her.

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  5. I just purchased this pattern and although I love it, I am having a hard time connecting the directions to the illustrations regarding the placket. I have never done a placket before and wondering if you have any suggestions. I am just getting back into sewing and I just don't understand the directions. Can you give me a hint at understanding the pattern directions?

    Thanks so much.
    Pam
    6/20/20

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