Pattern mash-up

I've been working on my entry for the RTW & Designer Knock-off Contest 2009 hosted by PR.

I have been working through a few patterns to pull together the features I need to create my patio dress.

Here are the patterns I've been working with:


Simplicity 3918






I made view C but left off the lace and kept the shoulder ties. I wanted to see how the point at the front bodice would come together and I wanted to see how the shoulders were constructed. I'm definitely incorporating the circled portion of the front bodice into my patio dress. Simplicity 3918 is unfortunately OOP.


Simplicity 3503






I am presently working on view E to get that upper front bodice worked out with an FBA. I also plan to remove some fullness from the front skirt where it attaches to the bodice but want to make it once as drafted. I am using a knit but don't want to gather out any of the focal design on my final dress. Simplicity 3503 is crazy popular on PR! I am sure it will become a top pattern this year.


BWOF 04/2005 #125 and #126






I have this bodice traced and altered and I L*O*V*E this style. The bodice is shared by these two dresses so I thought to give you a good look by including both dresses here. I am thinking of making #125 for the holidays but I kinda like it without the lace overlay as they did in #126. I wouldn't care for a full length tulle skirt.

For now, I have a bodice muslin all worked out and intend to use the back for my patio dress.


It is nice having some new garments in my wardrobe! I'll review them individually as I complete them and work through this entire process.

The hardest part of pulling out old patterns is running across styles I wanted to make back then but didn't tackle. I'm so glad I saved my old BWOF when I moved!!
There are several pieces in the BWOF that I went ahead and traced for later... like this cute outfit, the twist top and cute skirt #115. This will be up next!

Patio Dress

I'm excited to get to work on my entry for the RTW & Designer Knock-off Contest 2009 hosted by PR.

I have a piece of cotton knit in my stash that is just waiting for the right project. It will be perfect for my interpretation of this beautiful Patio dress.
Here are closeups to show the pick stitching and amazing cutouts:














I plan on self-drafting the bodice. I will use an BWOF pattern from the 2005 wedding dress spread for the back. I'm thinking of another BWOF maxi dress pattern for the skirt but I need to check my pattern stash this afternoon to pull together my game plan.
This should be a fun project!

Floral texture design fun

I have been watching the squash flower each morning and then drop the blooms without setting fruit.
Startling to be sure but a quick check with Google educated me on the roles of the male and female flowers and assured me everthing is fine. The male flower spends only one morning in full bloom and always falls off so no worries. One squash plant sends out both male and female flowers but the female flower needs the pollen from the male flower. Amazing bees! Still, I'm worried that I won't get any squash this year.

Once I snapped these pics I wondered why I had never noticed squash in bloom before. They are surprisingly beautiful.

An interesting point of departure for a new round of sewing! How about an outfit or two based on yellow, turquoise, green and white? A cute jacket with drawstring waist and white pants? Or a bright yellow jacket? A few green tops. Endless inspiration here.

I was also inspired to update the old blog design since I love the texture of the flower. It was time to freshen up the place... because every rose has it's thorns!

One pic of my lovely garden and then off to sew for a bit before the night gets away from me.

This is the Northeast corner of my garden. Here I have squash, zucchini, onion, carrots, buttercrunch lettuce and broccoli growing.

I love watching everything grow.