Brown & Salmon Sencha Blouse

I made this blouse using Colette Pattern's Sencha pattern and some polyester charmeuse. I chose Version 3 with the keyhole neckline and tie. This was a fun project because it involved a lot of hand sewing along the hems and facings.

My machine absolutely refused to make buttonholes in this slippery fabric so I cheated by sewing the non-functional buttons on top of the functional snaps down the back.

This is another machine washable blouse that is in constant rotation in my work & weekend wardrobes. It looks as great tucked into my brown pencil skirt as it does with jeans and a cardigan!  I will definitely be making more blouses from this pattern for spring.

Gray Beignet Skirt

This skirt was made using Colette Patterns' Beignet skirt pattern.  I used gray cotton twill from Jo-Ann's and pewter buttons that look like they should be on a Norwegian sweater.

I love the style of this skirt! I should have made it one size smaller--I had to fudge the fit by increasing the overlap of the skirt front. The next time I make it I will also choose a fabric that doesn't wrinkle so easily.

My new (purse) obsession

My guy got me this amazing L.L. Bean Signature Mariner Leather Purse for Christmas. It is so simply beautiful! You will probably catch me just staring at it.

 It has a very unique rope strap and the vegetable tanned leather scuffs and scratches easily. I can't wait to see the character it develops as it ages!

 My cat Bella thinks that she should be in all of my photos!

Crazy Green Blouse

I fell in love with this "vibrant" fabric! It is very high quality cotton that comes out of the dryer wrinkle-free! I used this BurdaStyle pattern because I thought the simple lines would show off the print. It came out much roomier than I anticipated (it fits like a smock) but I still love it!

The cool square turquoise buttons kind of get lost in the crazy print...

 

Lobster Shirt!

This is yet another project inspired by crazy fabric (100% cotton knit with lobsters all over it!).

I used Butterick 5327, View C. I wore it when I attended a science student poster presentation. While I was looking around I noticed that students were snickering. It turned out that a nearby project was on lobster neurology and those students, who had been working for months with crustaceans, thought my shirt was hilarious. We all had a good laugh! 

Paisley & Pink Dress

This was the Christmas gift for Sister #3.  I used paisley polyester chiffon and solid satin charmeuses from Denver Fabrics and BurdaStyle's Azalea pattern.  The dress is machine wash & dry (essential for a busy college student) and the pattern was simple to follow.  I used my serger to roll hem the chiffon.

 

Monet Tank

I made this for Sister #2 for Christmas using View D of Simplicity 2892 and polyester charmeuse from Jo-Ann's that reminded me of an impressionist painting. The sides seams are French but I did use my serger to finish the hem before hemming narrowly.

This fabric is easy care machine wash & dry but it looks and feels special. I experimented using Sullivan's Spray Stabilizer with this slippery fabric and I couldn't be happier with the results! After I treated the fabric with the spray it had the feel of crisp taffeta instead of slippery satin charmeuse so it was much easier to handle and work with. Once I washed the finished garment it returned to its original softness.

Blue Balloon Blouse

Try saying that 5 times fast!  I made this balloon-sleeved blouse using Simplicity 2892, View B, and inexpensive royal blue polyester "silkessence" from Jo-Ann's.  The fabric is delicate and frayed so I used French seams rather than my serger.  So far it has stood up to numerous machine washings and doesn't need to be ironed!   

Happy New Deer Blouse

I made this blouse on the last day of 2010 and wore it to a New Year's Eve party.

I used View C of Simplicity 2892 , a wool blend challis from Denver Fabrics, and black plastic buttons from my stash. I fell in love with the retro-looking deer print even though the color is not something I have ever worn. 

My current favorite dress

I made this dress using Butterick 5382 and animal print ponte from Jo-Ann's. Here it is modeled by my dress form, Delphine: 

 The pattern was very clear and easy to follow. I omitted the back zipper because my fabric was stretchy enough.  One of my sisters liked the dress so much that she asked for one as a Christmas gift.  Her dress is in the same fabric but has long sleeves. I stitched the hems of the sleeves and skirt with a twin needle to allow them to stretch.