Phone photos? No skill!

OK--I thought I'd add a couple of quick phone photos to document my recent colorblock tee shirt. My hats off to bloggers who are able to take good photos using iPhone and a mirror. I don't belong to that crew.

Here are my feeble attempts. Whole outfit is a Loes Hinse tee, LH long sweater, and Style Arc Willow pants. At least here is proof I love the items and wear them. LOL

Color Block Perfect Tee a la Loes Hinse

How easy could this be? I used my TNT tee shirt pattern--Loes Hinse's Perfect Tee. I used her directions in the most recent edition of The Look (see the casual elegance website), and how easy! I even cheated and cut the bottom part of the shirt--the black part--from a previously-made shirt that I just didn't wear. It had a cowl neckline that just didn't work for me.

So, here is my version made with scraps and repurposing of another shirt. I love it!

TNT Sewing

No photo this time, but I just finished two pairs of Style Arc Willow pants from JoAnns bengaline.  One pair of basic black and one of medium brown. Not too exciting, but such a welcome wardrobe addition. I have worn and laundered the black pair several times.  These pants are not leggings, but they are slim and such a nice pairing with tunics.

My next projects are some TNT based t shirts, but with some new twists.  I am going to use my
Loes Hinse Perfect T as the basis for a color block tee per Loes's examples in her newest "The Look" newsletter.   I think I will start with a simple black and white combo.  I like the idea of white top and sleeves with black bottom half.  Nice partner for a black skirt or some black pants.

I'm also looking forward to Louise Cuttings new pants pattern.  Always something new to challenge my sewing skills!

Working

Foolish me...one more sub assignment. I've been the principal at a nice elementary school for the past few weeks and will be there for another two weeks. I just don't seem to have much energy at the end of the day, so no sewing.

I'll be back!

Sewing Workshop Liberty Shirt

This is my first attempt at making the Liberty. Not sure this pattern is for me. I had a great time sewing it--love the detailed directions and the fact that it is completely finished when the sleeves go in. The pattern is very well drafted and quite unique. I made a small which fits OK. The shoulders are not good, causing strange wrinkles. This is not a common problem for me, so I'm not sure it is worth a lot of pattern alterations for this one garment. I signed up for a Crafty class using this pattern but have yet to watch it. Maybe solutions are suggested in the class? I'll see! Ignore the mess in sewing studio--still at work ;-).

Odds and Ends

I finished a few little things yesterday, the final day of 2012.  One pair of Christine Jonson leggings--I love this pattern from the Basewear collection.  I traced either an 8 or a 10 and then shortened the pattern in two places:  on the L/S line by about 2 inches and at the hem by 3 inches.  The fold up of the pattern at the hem solved two issues--they needed to be shorter than the L/S fold allowed for and they needed to be wider for me through the calf area.  Yippee!  Love these for wearing under long tunics or skirts with boots.  I got the fabric from Anne at Needlenook.  Fabulous service!

The second photo shows three quick projects--the finished Perfect Tee from black JCrew coop fabric.  So easy and so comfortable to wear.  I finished it with the cover stitch function of my Evolve serger.  What a shame that it took me so long to take the plunge and learn to use this feature.  Fabulous!  The two scarves are made from Casual Elegance fabrics--the ivory one was purchased as a "scarf kit" which really means it was cut to aprox. 18" x 72".  I used a combo of rolled hem and narrow 3 thread hem on my Imagine.  I prefered the 3 thread narrow hem to the rolled hem for this fabric.  The black and white is a remnant sweater knit from a shirt I made at the fall seminar.  Easy but so useful!  I know these four little projects will be used all winter.

Off to my 2013 sewing--the first project will be a Liberty shirt from the Sewing Workshop pattern.

Ottobre Christmas Sewing

I made three dresses, two tops, and a pair of leggings for my younger DGD for Christmas.  Due to some lost days just before Christmas, I finished the sewing yesterday!  I am finally feeling pretty good and enjoyed some time in the sewing studio.  First is a dress, top, and leggings from Ottobre design magazine.  All items are from stash--some well aged, some more recent!  I wanted her to model at least one outfit so I could be sure of the sizing and fit.  This is a size 140 but shortened about 6 inches.  A turtle neck top also made to match the leggings.  Her dad did not put out the top, so of course she only put on what she was given!

 The next two dresses are from Ottobre as well--Issue 5/2006. All items made are size 140 with a few alterations for length.  I made the dresses but purchased the leggings.  She will need to wear the black top with either of the dresses.  Fun projects--both are fully lined and should be comfortable for her to wear.  The turtle neck is from the same Ottobre issue as the dress above--of course I can't find it!  The top has a split collar turtle neck in the magazine, but for this one I just made a regular fold over collar.  I think she will get a lot of wear from the pieces. 

I made myself a long sleeved perfect tee--Loes Hinse--from the remaining black fabric. Easy sewing and a great addition to the wardrobe.  I think this is some JCrew fabric purchased from a coop.  Love the look and feel!  Now on to some more sewing for me--a couple of Style Arc projects are waiting in the wings!