Colette Patterns Fall Palette

I watched as many participated in the Spring Palette Challenge and I didn't really have any aspirations of participating this time either because I've already sewn most of my me-mades for Fall.  As I began packing for our month long stay in DC, I realized a palette had somewhat come to be all on it's own.  This palette really speaks of the colors I'm most attracted to right now, although I love just about any color.
I do have splashes of grenadine and citrus in the mix as well, but these are my main staples, at least for the next couple months.



And a hokey mood board:






I'll try to refer back to this as I begin posting my Self-Stitched September outfit pics.
Color by COLOURlovers

Update About a Need to Update

I've been sewing quite a bit lately and haven't really had the chance to take photos so I can do posts and pattern reviews.
I decided to try something a little different and started cutting out pattern pieces even if I'm not quite ready to sew that garment. That way, when I find the time, the drudgery of cutting is already done and I can move right into the fun sewing part.
With this new strategy, I have sewn two Izzy & Ivy Designs pieces, the Little Vicky dress and a tank from Polly's Playclothes and have used their free applique pattern called Henrietta the Hedgehog on a onesie for a baby shower gift. I am also about 3/4 finished with the Lola bag. I've made McCall's 6203 in navy knit and have a second cut out in a stripey knit. I made my youngest a dress based on one she already owns (it turned out too big, but big sis can wear it in the meantime). I have cut out and begun an Oliver + S Ice Cream Dress for my oldest daughter and have also cut out a second Jamie Dress and a second Socialite Dress for me.

In the immediate future I plan to:
finish the Ice Cream Dress
finish the Lola Bag (I have to buy some bias tape)
sew the stripey McCall's 6203
sew my Michael Miller brown Ta Dot knit into Simplicity 2364 (instead of a third McCall's 6203 as I'd planned)
sew my second Jamie Dress so I can wear it while it's still hot outside
sew a shower curtain valance
sew a crib sheet and pillowcase
applique two t-shirts, at least one with Henrietta

I really should do the valance, crib sheet and pillowcase first, but the things you SHOULD do are not always the most fun. sigh.

Dresses, Dresses, Dresses!

Why am I so dern attracted to Dresses!? I don't wear them except to church and out on dates or to parties. hahahahahahaha! That just made it sound like I go to parties. hahahahaha!
ok, I've recovered.
Seriously, I keep wanting more and more patterns for dresses because I see so many beautiful inspiration pieces on other people. Either I need to stop feeling too dressy when I wear them, or I need to STOP sewing them! The only other option I can think of is I need to find someone with my exact same measurements who is coveting every single dress I sew. Then, I can wear one for a couple of months, sell it to her and start another. Whoever you are, call me, please.

All this blabbering is, as you might have guessed, an introduction to a post about some dresses I admire and wish I could find a reason to sew.

Firstly, Vogue 8413

I've never seen this pattern before, but I thought a version like Tilly's would be awesome. A knit dress that looks dressy = awesome in my book.
I just discovered Tilly's blog. It's over there in my sewing blogroll. Tilly and the Buttons. I'm hooked.

Second dress I'd like to bring to the table is the Sewaholic Lonsdale. Here is a link to the sewalong that Tasia (the designer) is doing for her dress. That tie at the top is such a neat looking but simple-to-make detail. Here is her version of her own pattern that really sold me on wanting one of my own. Tasia's patterns receive such complimentary reviews that it makes me want at least ONE of her patterns in my stash, if only for the joy of sewing up a well-drafted pattern.

Another designer who gets great reviews for "joy of sewing a well-drafted pattern" is Sarai of Collette Patterns. I've had to warm up to these patterns, since the style is definitely vintage and I didn't used to think vintage was really my style. Now, I live in a 1950's home with some authentic 50's pieces gracing our living room. I have immersed myself in blog reading of many beautiful blogs where vintage sewing is quite the norm. And then there's the general trend in shops like h&m, Forever 21, Banana and J Crew towards mixing vintage styles with a clean modern piece or two. I have, slowly but surely, been made to appreciate the charm and versatility of vintage style.
The pattern I have been lusting after longest is the Macaron, mainly because of The Sew Convert's Festivity Macaron. This combo certainly wouldn't be for everyone, but it showed me this dress in a new light instead of having to be solid on the bottom and white on the top.


Ok, got that out of my system. Whenever that person comes along that wants to buy some of the dresses currently filling my closet, then I'll get to these.... after I sew the second Socialite Dress and second Jamie Dress I already have cut out.

Izzy & Ivy Designs

had the wonderful good fortune to get the opportunity to be a part of a sewing class with Jana and Shasta of Izzy & Ivy Designs right here in Jackson, MS. Bernina Sewing Etc. in Ridgeland hosted Jana and Shasta for the weekend. There was a fashion show on Friday night, which Eden and Arielle were asked to be models in and then the sewing class on Saturday from 10am to 3pm.

Here are my girls with the Izzy & Ivy gals before the fashion show.

I lived up to my own expectations and was able to completely finish the Stella Dress (view B) during the alloted class time on Saturday.  Look at the awesome goodies each participant got!  We all got two patterns, the sun hat and the pajamas, Sprinkles labels were included, as well as a handmade magnetic ring to keep our pins on before they make it back to the pin cushion.  (There was Dove chocolate too!)
I learned to use a rolled-hem foot, which I have for my machine at home and now will actually USE it.  I got to use a ruffler which is AHHHHmazing and has totally ruined me for ever doing it the "old fashioned" way again.

As soon as I got home, I put it on Eden and, it was already beautiful, but she just made it sparkle.  We went to a local festival that night, Bright Lights, Belhaven Nights, so she had a chance to really show it off while she had some fun.

She got to look on the inside of a pediatric ambulance.  There were free leis, beach balls, tattoos and balloon animals.

The line for the balloon clown was very, very long and she got a little droopy waiting in it.

She had to stand and stand.  So I took the opportunity to take a detail shot.  :)

Then we moved on to more exciting things.  Never too dressy to hold a reptile.  She was a brave one!

Eden and her dress got no less than 12 verbal compliments and many more admiring glances.  It was a pretty swell way to spend my weekend.

Eye on the Prize

It took me a few days, but I finally decided what to spend my gift certificate on at Above All Fabric.  I'm still participating in the Style Stitches sew along over at Jem Jam and each month, she gives away a gift certificate from Above All Fabric and another from Fat Quarter Shop to two lucky ducks.  I entered my Key Keeper Coin Purse and was randomly chosen as a winner for July!
Instead of just buying more fabric because I thought it was pretty (I reeeeeally wanted some of that Joel Dewberry Heirloom voile!!!), I thought I should evaluate what it is that I want to sew in the near future and see if I have the fabric I need for it.
Long story shortened, I chose Michael Miller's interlock knit in Brown TaDot to make a cozy fall shirt using McCall's 6203.
I've got plenty of cotton quilting fabric and even some rayon and some voile, but no knits to make these shirts and I NEED a couple for Self-Stitched September.

In other news, I've decided to take a break from my shop for a bit.  I haven't really been sewing for it a whole lot anyway, but I'm going to put my Molly Blossom patterns away, clear my sewing table of fabric I've designated for bag use and let go of the guilt I put on myself for not doing great at stocking my shop.  I need to feel totally free to sew for myself and my babies for a bit and I think putting Molly Blossom aside will help.  My Etsy shop will still stay open (I'm not going to turn away some PayPal!) and I might add something on a whim, but I'm just going to focus on "fun" sewing. for a while.

:)

Self-Stitched September

It's almost here!  Self-Stitched September.  When Me Made June ended, I thought September seemed so far away.  I started thinking about all the holes in my me made wardrobe... my very tiny me made wardrobe.  I made a flurry of things for summer, but I'm starting at square one again for cold weather.  I started doing some research and thinking about doing a lot of layering with pieces I already own.
Now, not only is September fast approaching and I have made not one fall item and to top it off, my family will be staying in DC for the second half of September!  What that means is, that I won't be able to fake it with my warm weather pieces, like I would be able to in Mississippi.
I have a coat pattern, a long-sleeved shirt pattern, a trouser pattern and plans to draft a knit cardigan, but I still feel like my wardrobe will be fairly lacking.
Nevertheless!  Here it goes.  My commitment:
'I, Sara Upshaw, sign up as a participant of Self-Stitched-Sept '11. I endeavour to wear one me-made or me-altered item of clothing each day for the duration of September 2011'


Just as before, I will make a Flickr album and will post to the group's album regularly.  I'm really looking forward to it and the new pieces it will spur me on to create!

Baby Bump

Just because I always seem to have babies on the brain and because I LOVE maternity clothes...
This is for someone out there:  Here is a pattern that is not meant for maternity, but would probably work fabulously in either version because of the side ruching on one and the blousy hem on the other.

McCall's 6356