Pattern Sale March 2007

So what have the recent patterns sales ushered into my stash?

Butterick 4976


I think it was all the green that caught my eye. I hope it looks half as good in turquoise and peacock













McCalls 5329

This will be a great summer jacket/over jacket for the office. Easy to wear, easy to throw together.










McCall's 4972

Chanel option 1.














Simplicity 3775

Summer, family coming to visit, lounging around outside shooting the breeze ... easy dress time. We are talking Texas coast in April here. Even if that cold front threw us off for a time. :)













Simplicity 3789

Woven, Princess seams, Faux wrap. Need I say more?
















Vogue 7975

Chanel Option 2











Vogue 8406

Who doesn't need a new purse pattern?











After the Threads article, I figured I might be willing to attempt one of the Chanel jackets.

Off topic ... my ulnar nerve has been flaring up badly the last week. Typing is this side of agonizingly irritating. So I've ordered some dictation software. Let it work, let it work, let it work.

Hot Patterns in March

In some of my down time during spring break, one of my favorite pattern co-ops began running a Hot Patterns sale. I was so excited, I signed up for 10 patterns. It's not so much that I won't pay full-price for a HP ... it's just that there were several patterns that I like that whisper rather than scream at me.

The screamer's are purchased soon after release. The whisperer's are not.

But as my luck runs, HP has decided to cancel all on-line sales (not their own) and the co-op was deleted.



So I'm left with a decision ... which HPs do I REALLY, REALLY want???

As turns out, there were 4. I started out with 13, went to 6, and finally 4.





They are ...

HotPatterns Artful Dodger Bustle Back Skirts




I think this can be a good work piece.















Classix Nouveau Indispensable Dress




I've tried a McCall's pattern and was disgusted by my drafting troubles. Another good work basic for when my mood wants to be in a dress.













Classix Nouveau Sportive Skirt Suit


A casual Friday suit. In slightly more casual fabrics than during the week, but still something that says, "I'm the boss, I'm in charge."















Wong-Singh-Jones Mandarin Wrap Blouse


















Honestly, I have no idea why the last pattern appeals to me. It looks a bit sloppy, and I tend to wear my clothes neat (shoes are a different matter).


Maybe I need a weekend blouse?

Grad School Interference

Well, heading back to grad school really squashed a lot of my sewing plans. I've barely touched Herself ... I have figured out the tension, but it is so easy to adjust that I can't claim much in the way of progress.

However, I plan to begin work on a handbag this weekend. In addition to 1 "Scholarly" paper, 1 research paper, and 1 experiment/research based paper ... and so on and so on.

Starting with ... Vogue 8274



View C/D 14.5" W × 12.5" L, with 3 (!!!) main compartments

I've got a wide-wale med. cranberry corduroy I purchased from Ressy's Co-op many, many moons ago. It's a color that you look back on and think ... "Why in the world did I buy this?"

It is absolutely lovely, which is why it hasn't found it's way to the Goodwill pile yet, but I never wear red. Which means it will be perfect for a bag. (It will even match my glasses).

I will never again worry that my pants (shoes, belt, jacket, nails, eye-liner, coat) clash with my purse. No problem. And considering color theory ... since I wear greens, browns, and the ocassional blue, red is either complementary or triadic with each of my typical wardrobe colors. (So is purple for that matter, but purple is a little too strong for me.)


Back to the bag in question, I sat down and thought about all the additions I will need to make: which comes out to one loop for keys and 8 pockets - flashlight, makeup, pda, phone, wallet, check-book, writing utensils, and business cards. I've gotten so sick of looking into the bottomless pit that is my purse, I've decided I need to make something that will work for me (rather than against me).

The closest I've ever come to a good purse is Overland Equipment's Donner



But all of the useful stuff is in the front pocket section ... which gets bulky fast.

So, I will design my pockets around my everyday items and while the danged purse won't be any lighter, it will be much more useful (and attractive, might I add).