Spring sewing - YouLookFab Forum

Alexandra

I sew and am doing the RTW fast this year as well. My current sewing plan includes seven dresses in solid colors. All sleeveless so they'll work well in the heat and I can wear a cardigan to stay comfortable in A/C. For now, I'm using Sophia double knit and looking for the right colors in four-ply silk for future versions. My pattern is a heavily modified M6355.

11 years ago

Anonymous

Hi elicia, well, I custom sew and alter/tailor clothes for a living so sewing for myself is done in bits and bobs in between orders. I do have fabrics for two white summer tops, a light grey blazer and some cream denim for jeans. I also need a couple of summer dresses for my holiday in Greece later in the Summer. One of the white fabric lengths is a beautiful jersey that I want to make into a drapey shirt. Not sure of specific styles yet for the other fabrics.

11 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

Alexandra and Diana have amazing construction skills! I, on the other hand, am recovering sewing skills that have been unused for a long time. I've got the itch again, and plan to make some simple dresses and skirts first, since I'm craving the longer length you simply don't find on the rack. I've been pinning like crazy, and am planning a trip to Vogue Fabrics, which is just about a 45 minute drive for me.

Here's my sewing pin board if you want some more pinspiration!

http://www.pinterest.com/singcrazy/sewing/

11 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

P.S. Check out Alexandra's blog and Diane's former YLF posts for lots of great tips and inspiration!

11 years ago

MovingFashionForward

Active Member

I sew too, and have plans for long summer dresses with long sleeves and quite possibly at least one with a hood to protect my skin from the sun when I'm in hot countries. They will also have all sorts of pockets because I hate carrying stuff. I have also just bought enough pale grey blue suede to make a light long jacket. If anyone can tell me what to use to stop the suede staining, I'd really appreciate the tip. I am scared that whatever I use will darken or otherwise spoil the colour, which is perfect as it is.

Elicia, I very much look forward to seeing photos of your creations. Judging from her WIW posts, Diane G is hugely talented, and both she and Alexandra sew things I am sure I don't have the patience to sew myself. (I love your green and black, Alexandra!)

I make my own patterns (that is putting it very grandly!) and/or drape -- since I made a dress form of my actual body (using fresh plaster of paris bandages to make the mould, which I filled with expanding hardening dense foam, as in 'My Dress Form' -- tried several less involved methods before that, including duct tape, brown paper tape, etc. and they all failed dismally) everything has become so much easier -- commercial patterns were never quite right and required fiddly changes way beyond my skill/patience level.

Oooh, Beth Ann -- love your pinterest board! So much inspiration for me there!

Sarah

11 years ago

MuseumGal

Veteran

I'm very much looking forward to doing some sewing this summer. My plan is to buy a bunch of vintage silk saris to make summer dresses.

11 years ago

glamourpuss

Active Member

MuseumGal, I adore the sound of sewing with vintage silk saris. Do you buy them on ebay, or...?

11 years ago

MuseumGal

Veteran

Yes, ebay and etsy. They can be difficult to work with, often very fragile, and of course slippery!

11 years ago

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

hooray, i love to read everybody's sewing plans! My main focus this summer is on sewing dresses in silk and linen, some cotton thrown in. i'll also need a couple of blouses (I'm thinking that In House's Belle Bow blouse will be so pretty in a silk crepe or even georgette over a cami), a skirt or two (i love Hot Pattern's Lantern Skirt, i want to make another in olive drab linen), and some type of little jacket for pockets and sun protection. I have a pretty sage linen for the jacket but am stumped for a pattern ( i want something utilitarian in feel, but not so hot on a moto or safari style).

BethAnn, what a fun board! i'm wanting to make V1402 by Lialia in a rayon ITY i have, i already made some of it up in leggings here. I snagged some of this blue vintage pattern linen to make up in to V8876, the dress i made of this pattern last year is a workhorse and huge crowd-pleaser (including younger men).

I've drafted a top/tunic/dress inspired by Hot Pattern's La Strada Tee and Marcy Tilton's Vintage French House Dress, i have a length of silk crepe in a blue stripe i'm thinking will be fun and easy in the heat. I'm also wanting to make something along the lines of Bridge and Burn's Rae popover shirtdress, maybe in a olive drab linen in the same shadow-stripe weave as this one which i have on hand. I tried on a chambray B & B shirtdress in the city a couple of days ago, really nice fit. My husband said i looked like a hip nurse in a military hospital, like on MASH on TV years ago!

We'll see how much of this gets done, i usually end up someplace else than how and where i've planned. But i find all the planning and thinking helps me end up someplace i really love, regardless of whether or not i 'stick to' the planning. Happy Sewing Everybody!! steph

11 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

Love the idea of sewing with saris, Museum Gal.

Had fun clicking through your ink, Steph -- you know the magic of fabric selection!

So, have you caught the spring sewing fever, Elicia! Don't forget to check Firecracker's posts. She hasn't posted for a while, but she does an amazing job of building a wardrobe with a mix of ready to wear and sewn items.

11 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Oh, this sounds like a lot of fun. I used to sew a lot of clothes when I was young, but lately I haven't done much. The main reason I quit (besides lack of time) is that it is difficult to come by good quality fabric in nice colors these days. If I find it at all locally, it is really expensive. Where do you buy fabrics and notions online?

11 years ago

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Beth Ann and MFF, thank you so much for your kind words. MG, vintage silk saris? Wow! I can't wait to see what you make with them.

Ingunn, I order fabrics from Banksville Fabrics mostly - they have an awesome swatching service and a wide variety of fabrics. http://www.banksvilledesignerfabrics.com Most of my purchases are in the $12-25/yd range. Michael's Fabrics is another wonderful source - their website sucks but they're wonderful over the phone and remember you forever. Michael is a jobber so lots of high-end fabrics but usually not reorderable. http://www.michaelsfabrics.com For cool and special fabrics, it's hard to beat Emma One Sock. http://www.emmaonesock.com
Hope that helps.

11 years ago

Laurinda

Veteran

I do more dreaming than sewing these days, but I like to dream about Gorgeous Fabrics. Owner Ann also suggests patterns for the different fabrics, and her Gorgeous Fabrics' Blog on sewing is a treat to read.

11 years ago

elicia

Active Member

I thank you all for your wonderful notes, and pattern links, suggestions,
and wonderful ideas ! What a group of chic, and stylish women!
I'm having a great time looking up each one !
Best Regards,
"Lise"

11 years ago

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