Kwik Sew 3740

Well I have been suffering a little sewing block. I have a ton of WIP’s and I have enough fabric to clothe me for a year but nothing
is grabbing me. I have cut out several patterns and made muslins but when it comes to my fancy fabric I just loose all motivation. Its not that I am scared to mess up expensive fabric, I have destroyed $98 a meter silk accidentally and just moved on, its just a feeling of blah.

Last night I thought if I sewed something easy that I would again find my spark. So I sewed Kwik Sew3740, this pattern comes
with a basic shell top and with a cowl neck version. I just did the basic shell, you can never have enough basics. I had done the cowl
version previously and had made some adjustments based on that. So here is my review





KWIK SEW 3740

Pattern Description: Close fitting pull-over tops have scoop neckline. View A has cowl
collar and full length sleeves. View B is sleeveless and neckline and armholes
finished with self fabric bindings.

Pattern Sizing: XS-S-M-L-XL - I made a M, View B.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were
done sewing with it? Yes completely, although I found the binding on the
arm and neck to be really thin compared with the illustration

Were the instructions easy to follow? Didn’t really look at the instructions, didn’t need them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked that the shirt was cut a little higher on the chest, I don’t like to show to much cleavage. I disliked the bindings, next time I will add an extra half inch to the width of the binding to make it easier to work with. Other than that I loved the pattern and plan on making a few more for the summer.

Fabric Used: Cotton jersey, it’s a little thicker but not as thick as Ponte.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I had made the cowl before and made several changes to a size large. This time I graded from a large in the hip to a medium everywhere else. It fits almost perfectly, next time I think I will add a full bust adjustment, I find that it
pulls a tiny bit across the bust, but at least I am not swimming in it everywhere else like I was in the large.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Definitely I have made this one several times already with the cowl but now that summer is gearing up I will make view B again. I already have fabric pulled out for it.

Conclusion: This is a great basic pattern that can be worn both to work and on casual weekends.

Fluff: I wanted to make this shirt a little fancier to wear to work so I made a flower from the scraps. I don’t have a brooch backing on it yet but I wanted to wear it so I attached it with an just a sewing pin.

I dont know if my mojo is back but tonight is another night that I will plop down at my machine, whether something is created or not is another matter entirely.

Hugs

Megs

Simplicity 2724

Project Details

Pattern: Simplicity 2724

Fabric: Silk, not sure the exact type, but I know that it is a designer print, I believe its Vera Wang or Donna Karen but I bought it so long ago that I can’t remember.

Lining: No lining

Notions: 14" invisible zipper

General Jazz:
I guess I got a late start on my review considering I made this dress last year; yikes I need to get better at posting things. I loved this dress the moment I saw Erica’s (Erica B DIY style), I knew I needed it.  The first time that I made this dress I found it really large. I followed the measurements on the pattern and cut a 16 but I ended up taking in about 1.5in all around the whole dress so for the second attempt I made a straight 14.

Alterations:
I didn’t do a lot of alterations, but I omitted the facings and just used bias tape for the arms and neckline. I also lowered the front neckline by 1 inch.

Conclusions:
Love this dress so much that I have made it several times. This was the first dress that I actually felt like it was made well enough to go outside in. I made it in February 2011 and even though it is light weight silk I started wearing it in March 2011, at the time we still had several inches of snow on the ground and I probably should have waited but I couldn’t not wear it anymore. I do love this dress and made a few more versions last year.  I don’t think that I will make this one again because there are so many other designs out there that I want to try but it’s a great dress to start with.

Hugs

Megs

Super Pretty Lace Dress-I need to make

This is so pretty. I feel like it may be inspiration for something new

If you want to buy it, it is available at Queens Wardrobe for $84

Publish Post

http://www.queenswardrobe.com/goods_detail.php?goodsIdx=1047

Wordle Love it

Look at what I found they are called word clouds and are created by
http://www.wordle.net/.
They are a fun way to show things that are on your mind. Go play seriously its cool to see the different styles.

What I use to inspire me

Hello All,
I realize that I have not shown you any of my work but I believe in linear progressions so that you understand me, my style and my work flow.

Lets start with things that inspire me.
1.) Dunny Dolls
I love these little dolls, whenever I am feeling designers block I will go to my urban outfitters, buy a little mystery box, open it up and nine times out of ten I get immediately inspired. These little gems are a Kidrobot creation, and are designed by many different designers from around the world. You get a variety of styles ranging from Japanese cute to grunge to bohemian style and everything in between. They are sold in a blind box so you don't know what your getting until you open it, which can give you multiples, but I trade them with my mum who has also become addicted to them. On a side note there is a blank version called a munny doll, but if your looking for something to get inspiration from a blank doll wont do it. They come out with new versions a couple of times a year. Really I love these a lot, my husband thinks I am strange collecting dolls when I am in my twenties.

2.) Classic Movies
I love old movies, particularly the dancing ones. When I need something that is classy and full of movement I always turn on Turner Classic Movies. I have stayed up all night watching Fred and Ginger sliding across the floor effortlessly. I have also been amazed at the detail in costumes, sets, acting and direction that many modern pictures seem to lack. Now I am not saying that modern movies don't grab me, but when you look at the birth and adolescence of the film industry you have to look at it with pride. One of my absolute favorites is Fritz Lang's "Metropolis", I cant even describe it, you just should try to find it and watch it.




3.) Sci-Fi Movies
Whether it is oldies or modern films anything Sci Fi is worth watching. While many creative directors go a little too far with the sci fi aspect of the film, you as a designer can tone it down and make it work. For example silver lame fabric is commonly used for costumes and usually in a tacky way, but a silver lame Grecian style dress with a light weight chiffon layered over top creates a stunning use of a "modern spacey style". My personal belief is that a lot of designers watch sci fi flicks because there are no restraints, anything can happen in space so why not. Just remember that older folks tend to shy away from the sci fi aesthetic, it just doesn't speak to them.




4.) Flowers... All kinds
I love flowers, maybe its because I live in the cold most of the year, maybe its because my grandpa insisted that I play in the garden during the summer or maybe its just because I am girly at heart. Flowers are natures graphic design, they range in color, shape, lifespan, growth and death cycle, they offer inspiration from when they are tiny buds to when they are dead and dried. For color schemes why compete with nature, it has already perfected it. I buy many different varieties of flowers, Gerbera, roses, calla lilies, orchids, daisies, sunflowers, I could go on and on. Also what is better than a flower on your desk or a plant in your window box.

These are just a few examples of my inspirational items, but I also get inspiration from my friends, family, work mates, local festivals, music, my pets, you know anything. I never know what will inspire my designs so I usually carry a camera with me. If I see something that grabs me I take a picture of it and make a note in my sketch book(which I also carry all the time). Inspiration is a personal thing and what inspires me may not do it for you so just keep your eyes open.