Sunday, October 31, 2010

2010 Loes Hinse Seminar garments











First and easiest is my one sample of the cap sleeved top. Loes made this much more form fitting than mine and hers was more flattering! It is lovely made from stretch lace for an under layer with a jacket. Can also be made longer as a sheath. Loes made several from woven fabrics for the boutique--added a gusset under arm for ease of getting into the dress. I need to take out 1/2 inch on each side through the midriff area before I make another.

These two jackets are both versions of the Biarritz tweak/zipper jacket or cardigan as described in a recent newsletter from Casual Elegance. I made the black and white one as a wearable muslin and then the brown tweed one as a keeper. I still need to finish the hand work with another snap and then sew on a couple of accent buttons on the outside of the right front. The latter fabric I bought from B Black in LA last summer. It is on a chair in the sewing area at the seminar, so not the best photo. The pants with the tweed are Europeans made from some nice rayon/poly/lycra I bought at Michael Levine's in LA. I love the buttons, and they came from the local Hancock's!

Next is the new Princess Jacket based on the Bergman blouse pattern. I made this from some black puckered fabric--really like it! The jacket is very light weight and can be worn as a blouse with cami as well. I made Oxford pants from some silk blend and will use this as a holiday outfit with a lace cami or tee shirt. Pretty casual in this part of the world :>)

This jacket is sort of listing on the hanger, but it is my favorite! It's the same Biarritz tweak made from a sweater knit. Loes had it on a hanger in her boutique with the tee shirt under and I really liked the look--even the scarf. So I copied the whole shebang. It will go well with my current items and I can wear it year round with local AC in the summer! Kind of peeking out from behind is a green tee shirt--perfect tee. I made four of these while in Carmel. Easy peasy, instant gratification.

That's it for now--I cut out an ascot tweak jacket and will try to get it together in the next week or so.

Happy sewing!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Loes Seminar--Photos to come!

I had a fabulous time! Got home last night and still have laundry to do and grand kids to hug, so it will be a few days before I get organized to post what I made and how much fun I had! We had a wonderful group of women who all had a successful time making garments from Loes's patterns. Lots of laughter as well as hard work getting jackets to fit, pants "scooped", and fabrics chosen.

I made 3 jackets, 3 pairs of pants, and 4-5 tops. Others made more! On my list to finish at home are a sweater coat and one more of the Biarritz tweak/zipper tweak cardigan jackets. I'm also going to work on a new take on the Hepburn pants in a more drapey fabric. Lots to contemplate!

We are busy with the kids and a business venture, so I will see how quickly I can get my photos downloaded and organized :>)

I hope everyone is sewing!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Thinking about Sewing, Again...Loes Seminar Prep

I am going to the Loes Hinse seminar again at the end of the month and won't get any sewing done until I go--DH and I are in New England enjoying the fall color and will be gone till mid month. Home for a week, then we'll go to Carmel for the seminar. I am mentally planning what I'd like to make--and maybe do a little cutting the week we are home. For sure, I will cut out a few perfect T shirts with long sleeves for the winter. I can make these up very quickly and it is a good activity for "filler" while waiting for Loes to help others or if I get up early and want to accomplish something to get my sewing juices going!

I love the innovative designs Loes comes up with to "tweak" her basic patterns, so maybe I should just wait until I get there to cut and sew!

We are enjoying the cooler weather here and that has me thinking of jackets too. When we left Las Vegas a few days ago it was still in the 100's for the daytime high. Just not an incentive to think about winter items. Now I'm in the mood to pull out some darker colored fabrics with a little more heft to the fabric.

This morning I took a long walk and enjoyed the scenery, but also did some day dreaming about what I'd like to sew next. I "tweaked" my European pants pattern with a cruise pant--really just retraced the front of the cruise to include the European zipper front. I did taper the waist at the side seam a bit too--a closer waistline possible with the zip front. I plan to make a pair or two of this frankenpattern. Both pants fit me well and I expect this version to be an easy sew as well. I have traced the new cardigan pattern from Loes's most recent newsletter--had the pieces/parts already at home. What fabric to use to try this out....what to order from Sharon?

Time to shower and meet DH for lunch!

More to sew mentally...