Chanel Summer Dress

Well, this is not me. A friend of mine asked if I could make her a dress for a big familly party. I was to choose the fabric (a Chanellike tweed fabric combining coral red and bone cotton) and the design.

The pattern was from Patrones magazine. In the first fitting I was happy to see that no changes were necessary. My friend has a perfectly balanced body that filled the dress to perfection.

I finished its hems with the lining, avoiding same-material facings that would have made it too thick. Thus, I stiched the lining right sides together at the neckline, trimmed the allowances and turned it inwards. I finished the armsythes by handsewing them to the fusible interfacing, and then completed sewing the lining to them also by hand, 3 mm form the rolled hem. I also saw the lining to the zipper in the back.

I followed all my new tricks learned from Shaeffer's couture techniques book, and I can easily see the good results they are giving. The final result was this masterpiece:

Blue Checked Cotton Shirt

I got this double sized blue tartan fabric in telas. It is 100% cotton and so sweet to my skin. The pattern is from my favourite pattern magazine of all time:

(I don't even know how many pieces I have got out of this single magazine)

...and fits me like a glove. I didn't have to touch it an inch.

I still got some fabric left, which I keep for a short-sleeved blouse, also out of the same magazine!

Curtain

I've done a new curtain for my sewing nest.

I was quite lost trying to choose the pattern, or the material I wanted whatsoever . So it was K who took the decision: striped. I think it was a good choice, it is lively (rather than elegant and boring). Here:

Green Wool Skirt

I bought this fabulous green wool (100%) in a beautiful fabric store in my hometown, Lleida.

I was doing several tests regarding the inferior part, gathering it and pleating in many different ways. Finally I realized the fabric was so thick that nothing like that was becoming, so I simply cut it in widening lateral lines. The skirt is quite nice comined with black, and really very warm.

My sewing is clearly benefiting from C. B. Shaeffer's book, in many aspects, interfacing, lining, properly applying hooks, finishing the seams and hems... I am really happy with my learning.

For this skirt, I made the pattern all by myself (also proud:-).

Animal Print Jersey Dress

And yet another example of my "universal T-shirt" pattern, this time made longer to become a dress. The special thing her is the print of the fabric, and also the comfortable and becoming pattern, which I used so many times I suspect it has become a basic.

Jersey Jersey

This is another example of my wonderful "universal t-shirt" pattern. Notice the sleeves seams, crossing from armpits to neck. In this project, I simply cut the pieces a little bit wider, and added a big neck, folded and secured in the wrong side, and then folded again outwards when wearing it.

I found this grey jersey in a retail store, really cheap. I do not even know the composition, but it is soft and allows my skin to breath, so it has some nature in its fibers, I guess.

I am really happy with the result, I already receive compliments on it!

FlowerPower

Well, sometimes I am very proud of my works, this is not the case. The fabric is lovely (overpriced though), but it keeps electrifying itself.

The dress pattern I had to vary because the fabric I had was so scarce, so the sleeves are short (I will roll them up so that I can move my arms on the table when I work), and the body is weird. I removed the buttons in front and improvised a neckline. Not bad, but I also have not found the perfect belt.

As much as I like this idea of a very feminine dress, with two pieces attached in the waist and a full skirt, I have not found the good pattern that fits me and it is confortable.

I think this is a challenge.

Or maybe my body shape is not fit for it?