Friday, May 16, 2014

Marfy 3393 - Not everything works out perfectly.

It is such a cute thought.  The cinched waist, the curved seams and the angled neckline.

It should be so perfect with a white organza lace overlay on top of white linen.

I wore it to Austin.
OK, I finished it on the way to Austin.
Without much time under the critical eye.

Everyone thought it was cute and told me how much they liked the fabric.

"Bless your heart"
*that's southern for "you silly fool"*

Something is just off.
OK, I was in a hurry and didn't use any interfacing.  First mistake!

But, the proportion is just wrong.

I love the fabric.  I love the idea.
I think I need to add an inch above the waist and 2" below the waist.  at least.
The interfacing will help.  Fortunately this lace organza overlay is about 10 years old and I have a couple of yards left over.  Yes, I said a couple left over.

So will the diet.  I have finally finished my last work deadline until August and I am pledging to lose 20 pounds by then.

No more 10 hour days.
No more working weekends.
No more excuses!



New Marfy creations *Austin style* 3512

Marfy 3512 in charmeuse
New silk charmeuse pattern LOVE!

Did I mention in my PR weekend post that all my garments in process were so 'Houston' and not so 'Austin'?

To clarify, Houston is really more Urban.  Its more Lafayette 148, tweed and pinstripe.  Austin is more Tory Burch, sandals and walking shoes.
May lightening strike me, but I'm posting a link to Teen Vogue about Austin City Limits Street Style.  OK, its a little teenage but it gives you an idea.

Marfy 3512 pattern
So, I packed some colored jeans, denim shorts and whipped up some Austin worthy tops.
Austin worthy also means that it can be sweated in, so natural fibers, prints and all things breathable!

Marfy 3512 front pattern pieces
I really like this pattern.  I was going to omit the center front seam, but then I laid the pattern pieces together and there is some of that soft, magical Marfy shaping there that slims and flatters.  I included the seam and it does seem to help it lay smooth and straight.

I cut it out of bias cut silk charmeuse from High's in Midtown Houston.  I love wearing bias cut charmeuse so I do often take the extra time to cut carefully.  This pattern is perfect for this because there is a full front instead of half front to be cut on the fold.  Yeah, no pattern tracing!  The pattern is designed for knits so there is only 2" of ease at the waist which makes for a 32 1/2" pattern so I added an extra inch to each side.  This was still a bit snug on me so I added a black band down each side.  There is a center back seam, so I left the seam open and put a button on the top band.
design element, *shhh*


I prefer a nice, rounded shirt tail hem, so I added 3" to the center length and curved the hem.  Not only are they more flattering, but they offer more coverage in the back and help avoid any possible wardrobe malfunctions.

The shoulders are fused with this divine Pro-Sheer Elegance which adds structure without changing the drape or the hand.  I love this stuff, when I made that last leather jacket I block fused the entire charmeuse lining and it wears perfectly while feeling so soft against the skin.

I used french seams everywhere except the center front seam, which I serged to 3/8".  The fabric curved so wonderfully, the seam presses perfectly flat.

I'm not sure that this will replace the free pattern 0692 but I like it.


Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Top 10 Reasons I love PatternReview weekend

1)  65 of my closest friends that I had never met.
PR Weekend group photo
Andrea and I in dual emerald

You will have to admit, sewing can be a very solitary hobby if you let it. Even though I've only been to 2 pattern review weekends, both times I have met wonderful people from my own neighborhood.

 Including my new twinkie Andrea.
2) Like minds meeting…
Hers is a Silhouette pattern, she muslined and still had a heck of a time with the sleeve cap.
Mine, Marfy 2286, no muslin… see the smile on my face!
Looks and colors from AFW
I love having good neighbors, she sews, she fits, she dress forms.  This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship!
Betty, myself and Kyle at AFW

3) Fashion Show for Austin Fashion week.  PR weekend coincided with Austin Fashion Week so we had a wonderful opportunity to watch the runway and be super catty.  We posed for photos on the red carpet and cheer for the PR Weekend keynote speaker Daniel Esquival.  I may have been biased by his rousing morning keynote speech and charming presence, but I really liked his look. He had such interesting tidbits and stories from his time on Project Runway season 11.  It was fun to hear him talk about his background of practical experience and how it gave him an advantage on the show.

PATTERN SWAP!
4) Pattern Swap.  I unloaded 2 file boxes of patterns and only picked up 3.  Really, PR Weekend isn't all about stashing, you get to unload to.  I scored with a OOP Vogue Rachel Comey pattern 1170 seen here that is $30 through the website.


Liberty of London silk satin
5)  OK, I did stash some too.  Vendors like Common Thread and Form&Fabric totally rocked with store discounts.  My biggest score, Liberty of London silk satin!  *squeee* I saw, and touched it and bought the rest of the bolt!  Silk Satin from Liberty of London, how often do you see that on sale.  What to do, what to do?? I can pick two things for 3 1/2 yards.  Maybe a cowl neck top and maybe one of my free patterns, that Rachel Comey pattern picked up in the pattern swap.  I also grabbed a 1 1/2 yd 3 ply silk crepe in a perfect cobalt and a matching fuchsia.  That's it, 3 pieces and each one is adorable.  Thank goodness I didn't over shop or anything.

6) The SWAG bag.  I got a ton of free patterns.  StyleArc sent almost a hundred free patterns for grab bags, door prizes and give always.  I also scored a Deer and Doe, a wallet pattern, Jalie Tshirt and free Bernina coffee mug.  If you are watching, Marfy, you could have really built some good PR.  The Style Arc Ziggy jacket is just destined to be floral.

7)  The food!  Seriously yummy!

Embroidery queen Leslie at Stitch Lab
8)  The classes.  I have never done hand embroidery before, I still need practice!  This doesn't fit in to my wardrobe in very many places, I just want to hand embroider my topstitching on my jeans like the cool designer ones!
I also attended a sewing machine maintenance class. According to Stitch Lab machine maintenance expert, the best machine for reliability and maintenance is the Bernina 830, go figure!

9)  The only place you can actually touch the clothes from those reviews!  It was common to see new friends to introduce themselves by pattern number and fabric.


10)  My sewing mojo!  I found it.  Maybe it was in the bottom of that martini glass, or during the organization presentation when I realized that my stash really isn't that bad.  Either way, I found it.  I'm back to my Marfy blouses and dresses.  It also gave me perfect
Here's to sewing friends!
deadlines to hit for some Austin sewing.  Austin has a completely different culture than Houston, so all of those super professional 'Houston' clothes were put on the back burner for Austin clothes.  I will post pick later in the week (scouts honor).

More details (and some of the pictures that I stole) can be found on the PR website.  I had a wonderful time and I can't wait to see everyone again next year!



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