Haute Couture Club of Chicago, Fashion Show

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Gorgeous Things

I spent last weekend I spent in Chicago, visiting friends and attending the Haute Couture Club of Chicago’s annual fashion show. What a wonderful time! A group of us converged on the city for fabric, fashion fun and frolic. Patti F. was our hostess, and we all had such fun! You saw some of the activities in my last post, and if you saw Carolyn’s, or Mardel’s blogs, you’ve gotten to see some of the goings-on.

Sunday was the actual show. The theme was “Tour de France”, and it took you on a fashionable whirlwind, from getting on the plane to Paris, to a sojourn to Deauville, skiing in the French Alps, and other fantastic flights of fashionable fancy. There were over one-hundred garments, though the show proceeded at a brisk clip, so it held our attention. It was a great fun time! Here are some pictures. You’ll notice a trend – I took a lot of pictures of my girlfriends and not so many of the show in general. Oh well! Here you go…

L-R: Nancy of SewWest, me, MaryBeth of The Stitchery

Of course, we had to examine each other's handiwork!

Linda, Liana and Mardel

Nancy and Mary Beth

Carolyn (right) and her lovely Mom, Carrie, who when snoop shopping with us!

Cennetta had a bunch of (gorgeous) outfits in the show. Here are a couple:

Travel wardrobe

Her fabulous faux shearling coat

Her award-winning stripes challenge jacket

There were other folks in the show too!

Such great variety from a single striped fabric!

Rhonda Buss knitted this aMAYzing jacket!

I love these matching outfits, and the girls were adorable!

Liana wore the most gorgeous long gown!

It was such a great time. It was wonderful to see old friends, meet new friends and view such inspiring work. The Haute Couture Club of Chicago hosts the fashion show every spring. If you are in the Chicago area, this is a great group. I wish we had one here in Boston!

Happy sewing!

Posted in Sewing, Travel | 10 Comments

Weekend in Chicago!

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Gorgeous Things

This weekend was the annual show for the Haute Couture Club of Chicago. A bunch of us met in Chicago for this event. This is the second year we’ve done it, hosted by the wonderful Patti F. On Friday, I got to show off my McCalls 6556. McCalls bills it as a dress, but I wore it over skinny jeans with heels, and it looked great and age-appropriate. I have to tell you, this could easily become one of my favorite pieces. I have heard a lot of folks going all “meh” about it. But this is SO comfortable, and my compadres were all planning their versions once they saw it on me. Here’s me trying to imitate the model’s pose:

I'm a lousy model. I can't take myself seriously enough to give good face.

Anyway, a bunch of us got together for a wine and cheese party. Alas, because of weather (man, they get storms in the Midwest that aren’t like ANYTHING we get here!) several folks weren’t able to make it in time, but we all caught up for dinner later. Here three of the lovely ladies from our group: Linda, Liana and Mardel

What a gorgeous trio!

And check out the art in the room. It looks pretty vanilla from here, right?

Generic Hotel Wall Art

Well, look a little closer…

Wait a second...

There are sewing patterns in it! How cool is that?

We had a wonderful time, and later on I’ll upload the pictures from the fashion show. I have to get to work right now, but here’s a little pretty for your day.

If only I had a spare $8000 lying around...

Nancy and I went snoop shopping with Carolyn’s mother. Patti recommended that we visit Neiman Marcus to see the Chado Ralph Rucci department. Oh man, talk about spectacular fashion and amazing workmanship. This dress is made of trapunto quilted silk, trimmed with horsehair braid and bias, piped silk cording in a different fabric. Beyond gorgeous!

More later. In the meantime…

Happy sewing!

Posted in Sewing | 15 Comments

And a Little Something Extra – a Tank Top!

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Gorgeous Things

I had some extra rayon jersey left over from my McCalls Top/Dress, so I decided to make myself a tank top. I have some tanks that I love from Loft, so I traced off one and sewed it up. It was super easy. I did raise the neckline just a bit. The original tanks aren’t low, but they just clear my high-cut bras, and I wanted to make sure I have enough coverage. I bound the neck and armhole edges and hemmed it with a narrow zigzag. It turned out great!

Front

And Back

Closeup of neckline/armhole binding

Looks good, huh? Now, can you see what I did wrong? Anyone?
.
.
.

I forgot to add seam allowances. Damn! You can see this is snug on Shelley. I’m neither as skinny nor as firm as she is any more. Sigh… Fortunately I have enough fabric left for another go. So I’ll try to make one before I head out for the Haute Couture Club of Chicago’s fashion show this week.

I hate it when I do stupid things like that.
Happy sewing!

Posted in Sewing | 6 Comments

Pattern Review – McCalls 6556 Fashion Star Dress

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Gorgeous Things


Pattern Description: Pullover dresses have narrow hems. A: loose-fitting, tucked front and back extend into armhole drape. B: very close-fitting, bias self bindings (armhole extends into shoulder straps). I made view A.

Sizing: 4-20. I made a 14

Fabric Used: Rayon Striped Jersey – Olive Gray from Gorgeous Fabrics (of course!)

Needle/Notions Used: Stretch 75/11 Needle, Gutterman thread.

Tips Used during Construction: Tips and Tricks for Sewing with Knits

Did it look like the photo or drawing when you got through? Yes

How were the instructions? Good. This is a very easy dress to make. What I like is that the instructions give ideas for styling it differently.

Construction Notes: None, really. I made this straight out of the envelope. I was going to do a FBA (which would have proved interesting) until I realized that the front and back are not sewn together at the tucks, so I decided to forgo the FBA.

Likes/Dislikes: I like the lines and the ease of this pattern. I’m going on vacation with my family this summer(may be the last one before DS the elder heads off to college), and I think this will make a great hang-around dress or beach cover up. It’s a little on the short side, so if you want to make this to wear by itself in a day-to-day setting, you may want to add a couple of inches of length.

I also like the fact that they show you how you can shorten it to a top or tunic length to give yourself styling options. They recommend knits for this, but I could easily see it made up in a soft silk as a top to put over skinny pants or a long dress for evening. I could readily see it made into a top with a sequinned fabric like This Knit:

Mini Sequinned Rayon Knit Novelty - Pinot Noir

Or even in a silk chiffon – you can easily make this in a light, drapey woven fabric. As I say, the tucks are not attached to each other, so you don’t need the stretchiness of a knit to wear it.

Would you do it again? Would you recommend it? Yes and yes! This is a very easy, very fun look. I’m really grooving on the idea of a top. Maybe I’ll make one to wear to the Haute Couture Club of Chicago next week! I may make a top and make the tank dress to wear underneath it. Hmmmm….

Here are a couple of pictures. It got very chilly today or I would have modeled it. New England weather, you know? But here it is on Shelley.

Front

Detail of the left "sleeve" and tucks

Conclusion: A great fun dress! I definitely recommend it.

Happy sewing!

Posted in McCalls, Patterns, Reviews | 9 Comments

Having Nothing To Do With Sewing

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Gorgeous Things

But I thought I would share these with you. Last week during filming, I discovered two fantastic mascaras. I had been using Blinc’s Kiss Me Mascara for years, but I’ve been less than thrilled with it. It’s great for not leaving raccoon eyes, but it just didn’t do much for my lashes. So, on my sister’s advice, I tried MAC’s False Eyelash. WOW! Love it! It really makes my eyelashes pop.

Image: MacCosmetics.com

Then Dorothea, the makeup artist I worked with, suggested using a different mascara the second day of filming, so she introduced me to Benefit’s They’re Real Mascara.

Image: BenefitCosmetics.com

Double WOW! If I hadn’t just bought the MAC, I would run right out and buy this. Both these products are fantastic. They made my eyelashes look really thick and long. My lashes are pretty long to begin with, but they really did an amazing job. I highly recommend both of them, if you’re in the market for a new mascara. NAYY, just a happy customer.

Happy… cosmeticizing!

Posted in Miscellaneous | 8 Comments

How Much to Buy/Stash?

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Gorgeous Things

Cissie asked me this question today:

“When you just have to have a certain piece of fabric but have no idea of what you might want to do with it, how much do you recommend buying? I used to buy 2 yards but can’t tell you how often the perfect pattern comes along and requires a bit more. So now I’m thinking that 3 yards might be best. Any advice?”

My rule of thumb is, if it’s a fabric that I’d use for a dress, jacket, skirt or pants, I buy 3 yards of 60 inch wide fabric, 4 yards if it is 45 inches wide. That way I have enough for a long sleeved dress or a jacket/skirt or jacket/pants combination. If it’s a shirt or top weight fabric, I buy 2 yards. That gives me enough for a long sleeved top.

Thanks for that question, Cissie!

HTH, and Happy Sewing!

Posted in Tips | 9 Comments

Oy, What a Week!

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Gorgeous Things

Have you ever had one of those weeks that, at the end, you just physically collapsed? Yeah, that’s the type of week I had. I’m not complaining. I just started running on Monday, got through to Wednesday, then had to spend Thursday and today catching up. And the, shall we say, “events” of the week got me thinking about SABLE (Stash Accumulation Beyond Life Expectancy)

So today I spent a lot of time  going through fabrics that have been neglected, and waiting for good homes. The result? A treasure trove of amazing fabrics at super-amazing prices. Example – Calamo silk that sold for $15 per yard wholesale, selling for $10/yard? Some are fabrics that we cut by mistake and never shipped. Some are fabrics that we got in small quantities, like a cotton black and white print that was used for a dress that retails for $400, selling for $20 for 3 1/2 yards. Come on, really – who could pass this up??? Plus, lambskins for $20 each that normally sell for $40 and up. You don’t need to be on some reality TV show, you can have your own runway project! These are first quality and current season fabrics that just haven’t made it to our front page. But you can get them for a song.

Check out the Yard Sale treasures!

Have fun, enjoy these Gorgeous Fabrics, and of course,
Happy Sewing!

Posted in Sewing | Leave a comment

Sneak Peek!

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Gorgeous Things

Note the Godiva Easter Bunny. Chocolate is critical at these things.

Here's a helpful hint - you can wear comfy shoes (or Uggs)

Posted in Fabrics | 17 Comments

The What and Why of Waist Stays

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Gorgeous Things

Substitute Assistant Professor Ann is in the house! And class is in session!!! So, listen up! (double claps) Eyes forward. Put your electronic devices away, unless you’re reading this post on one (oh, wait…) and give me your undivided attention! We’re about to talk about waist stays.

What is a waist stay? Anyone? Anyone? I’ll tell you. It’s a cool little device used to make sure that your garment “stays” (get it?) in the proper place. Show of hands here. Who has been to a prom, semi-formal, gala, wedding or other occasion and seen women on the dance floor waving their hands over their heads and then reaching down and hoisting their bodices up? Maybe it would be easier if I asked who hasn’t seen that.

Well, I can guarantee – them that spend the night hoisting? Their dresses do not have waist stays. A waist stay is a very simple thing to add to any garment, whether said dress is a custom made beauty or a store bought stunner. A waist stay is a piece of fabric that is cut to fit the waist (with no ease), and attached to the garment.

The best waist stays are made from petersham. Petersham is a type of ribbon. It looks like grosgrain ribbon, which you can find in most craft stores for making belts. The big difference, and this is important, is that petersham does not have the bound edge that grosgrain does. This lack of binding allows it to curve around you and hug your waistline comfortably. Also, petersham is made from rayon, which shrinks and stretches, making it ideal for shaping.

So how do you make a waist stay? Easy! Measure your waist, and cut a piece of petersham that is the length of your waist measurement plus 2 inches. Fold over each end 1 inch (double it to finish it nicely). Sew a waistband hook and eye to the ends. Tack the stay to your garment lining at the openings, and vertical seam lines, so it floats a wee bit away from the lining. Here’s a picture of a waist stay for a bustier:

Note that it's tacked at the side seams and the openings, and otherwise hangs free.

And here’s a waist stay in a gown:

It's an easy add-on to any garment.

Now, you’ll notice that it isn’t actually sewn into the waistline seam. Think about it, there’s wearing ease in the garment at the waist. There isn’t any in the stay. In fact, there’s slightly negative ease in the stay. You don’t want the stay to be the same measurement as the garment. You want to let the garment have its ease, giving the garment and the wearer freedom of movement, while anchoring the garment to the wearer’s body. And there is the key. That anchor eliminates the need to constantly pull up the bodice. It keeps the waistline in place, and it gives the wearer a smooth, comfortable experience. It’s a critical addition to a strapless garment, but you can also use it to anchor garments with shoulders. It’s a regular feature in couture dresses and gowns. So try adding one to your next project, or even to a favorite dress when you plan to do the pogo at your friend’s wedding. You’ll be glad you did.

Happy sewing!

Posted in Couture, Sewing, Tips | 17 Comments

Fashion Star Patterns from McCalls

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Gorgeous Things

I was drinking my coffee this morning and I saw these patterns posted on McCalls’ Facebook. These are the new patterns from the “Fashion Star” TV show. I hate to admit that I haven’t seen the show. I’m a little reality-TV’d out, and Project Runway All Stars put the nail in that coffin, unfortunately. But hey, these patterns have some possibilities.

McCall 6556

This one is a great option for a beach cover up. Of course, don’t wear it while cooking over an open flame, but wouldn’t it look fabulous for drinks on the lanai? I think I’m going to make it up in this rayon jersey:

Rayon Striped Jersey in Olive/Gray

This one is cute, too:

M6554

It’s enough like the dress I just finishedthat I may not make it right away. But it would look fabulous in this Super Hawt designer voile.

Hawt! NY Designer Voile - Multi Brights

I would style this one with a belt (purchased, not self)

M6553

And make it with a tropical weight wool like this one:

Wool "Twill" Novelty - Black/White

That would look fabulous with a white patent belt!

And the ever-popular Hostess gown:

M6552

Get your inner 70s Goddess on with this silk twill

Calling Carol Brady Silk Twill

Or go for the ease of this knit. Can you tell I’m into prints for this one?

Sunset Windows ITY Jersey - Red Tones/Black/Gold

I really like the first two. I think I’ll put the first one on the top of my to-do pile.

Happy sewing!

Posted in McCalls, Patterns | 7 Comments