Chanel Here, There, and Everywhere!

It is a snowy, snowy day in Chicago. Perfect weather to work on my Chanel jacket. I am solely working on my jacket. I will be posting on the Chanel Sew Along blog and will try to give tidbits on this space too. Check out the Chanel Sew Along icon to the left...and click for more!
I finished all the quilting...woo hoo! It took a bit of time...uh hum. Now I am beginning to baste together the jacket. It is coming together. Very exciting!

I pinned the silk out of the way for basting. I used silk pins. My seam allowances are two inches. It is a bit bulky to say the least. I hope, I can get an accurate fitting.

I am heading out of town for a few days. I will be back in the next week to show the basted jacket! Keep warm, or cool...depend on what side of the world you live, and have a wonderful weekend!

Side Tracked Again-- BWOF 2-2009-116

I was successful in completing half of the quilting on my Chanel, but honestly it is difficult with my three kids home. They just talk way too much to be able to concentrate! Yesterday I was home and had the perfect opportunity to sew, but I just couldn't work on the Chanel. I am too concerned that I am going to mess it up! So now that you heard my excuse...let me tell you what I worked on instead!

It is the BWOF 2-2009-116. It has been on my to-do list for awhile...11 months to be exact. I thought that I found a lace but after some thought, I realized, that i want a shine-free lace. I am looking for a dull, crochet-type lace. So I am still searching. In the meantime, I traced and made a muslin. It is an easy fit jacket. I made the size 44 with no alterations except shorten the sleeves. I don't like when the sleeves are the same length as a jacket. Too boxy for me. When I do find the right lace, I will probably make a smaller peter pan collar. It is rather large and bit too cutsie looking.

I had a successful day, but it continued into the evening...I got a bit creative with my stash! I decided to make up the jacket with some black/grey mohair wool in my stash--just for fun. I doubled it for a bit more body. I liked it, but it needed more structure so back to my stash. I pulled out a flannel plaid for the facings. I interfaced and sewed! Loved the results. So now I am making a interfaced lining with the flannel. It will be warm and cozy for this cold weather! We will see...sometimes my creativity works and sometimes not....I will be back to report!

Bring in the New Year with hopes of a Chanel

I am rather embarrassed that I began the Chanel Sew Along, yet I have not finished my jacket. What is up? With all the inspiration and help from the participants of the sew along, I am on my way. I began quilting the silk charmeuse to the boucle. I pinned the lines one inch apart and leaving more space at the hem. Also, I am using the walking foot which has been invaluable.

The step which takes the longest is tying by hand the darn threads the inside!

Happy New Year to everyone! Have a fun and safe holiday. I am on the way to the Shedd Aquarium with the kids and their friends for the day.

p.s. Do you like the look of my blog? I had fun playing around. My son asked if I was decorating my blog for Valentines' Day! It does look a bit festive...

Merry Christmas to you!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas. I'm signing off until 2010. Thank you for stopping by my little space. I truly appreciate your kind words and sewing support. It means the world to me! I'm looking forward to many more sewing adventures in the upcoming year. Blessings to every one of you!

Above is the last of my presents that I made this morning. I sewed silk pillows to showcase vintage brooches that I found at antique shops. One for my mother, and I have one for my sister too. I am so happy and proud that I added a handmade touch to my gifts this year. Hopefully the recipients will enjoy them!

My vintage jacket/cape is complete, and I will be wearing it on Christmas day. Full review to come.

And to all a good night!

Simplicity 2714

Lindsay T. asked to post our favorite sewn garment for 2009 on her blog. Well...It might be my daughters' Christmas dresses. My eldest daughter was on her way to her school's annual Christmas concert Monday night so I was able to get a shot of her in it! After I completed it, I realized that this dress would actually be a great Easter dress too! And maybe, it will....Now for the details.

Simplicity 2714 is a Project Runway pattern with a variety of styles for girls, size 7-14. It slips over the head without any closure. I didn't want it too loose so it is somewhat a tight squeeze getting it on. I would recommend adding a zipper if you are not going to use a knit fabric. Otherwise, this dress came together nicely, and I love the fit and construction details. The pattern instructions are very clear and helpful.

I used a 'purplish-pinkish,'silk/polyester fabric with a gorgeous sheen, and it is a very light,flowy fabric. With the bubble skirt, the fabric moves beautifully! The lining is a bit heavier. I used a light lavender silk dupioni. As you can see, I mixed the shell and lining fabric for the flowers on front. Since Monday, I re-sewed the floppy flower!

One of the hardest part of having two daughters...making the same dress twice!
Although, this dress was a pleasure and such gratification to see my girls in them. Highly recommend if anyone is looking for a dress for a little girl or two!

Mccalls 3830--Wool Tweed Skirt with Ruffle

I wore my wool tweed ruffle skirt with boots and black turtleneck sweater to a Christmas coffee today. The skirt is a great basic to have this winter. I love fabric! The blue, black, and winter white flecks has a 50-60's look to me. The wool is heavy so I catch-stitched the seams down. I lined with a black silk tweed. Instead of my usual invisible zipper, I sewed a lap zipper. My next garment I want to try to apply a hand-stitched zipper--it is on my 'need to learn' list.
For the ruffle construction, I took a 2 inch bias cut strip and ,since it is heavy fabric, I zig-zagged the sides before neatly edge stitching it for a rolled hem look. For the ruffle look, I used long stitches down the middle and pulled to gather . When the ruffle was sewn to the skirt, I pinned and machine sewed it. I wore it with a little vintage bling. I adore old brooches especially from the 50's era and try to pick them up wherever and whenever--garage sales, antique marts, flea markets... My adoration for these little delights came from my mother who still will wear a brooch practically everyday! I can guarantee her wreath brooch will be on her robe Christmas morning when we open presents. I love the little traditions during the holiday!

Crafting more gifts--Knit Hats

Day two of my crafty gifts. I promise, sewing tomorrow. I have always wanted to make gifts at the holidays but never gave myself enough time. I am enjoying the homemade Christmas process, and hopefully the recipients don't mind! I have been whipping up knit hats for my nieces and nephews. They are a quick, fun project especially in the infamous carpool line, and they don't take too much yarn. Another plus, they are a cinch to mail which most of them will be delivered by post!

Last year I made hats for my kids, but they would stretch out at the bottom band and look shapeless. To keep the fit at the ribbing, I hand sewing elastic thread through the first row of stitches. Hopefully this will work! Any knitters, have another tip that would work better?

Who else out there is making a few holiday gifts?