1 yard knit tops

My McCalls 6282 cowl t-shirt, the one I wanted to try out before my company arrived 2 weeks ago.... well last night I cut out the lining, and then my fabric was a little under what was required.  I'm beginning to think I'm not supposed to make this top.  I've uncovered 8 cuts of knit fabric that are 1 yard or under, so I think I'll focus on that until I can find a cut that is 1.5 yards.

Here is my selection of rayon knits, a simple t-shirt is really all I'm aspiring to at this point.
There's a navy and black light sweater knit, a black, white t-shirt knit, print knits, and a metallic knit.

The print knits were purchased to go with pieces already in my wardrobe.  I'm just happy they actually coordinated once they arrived.

I have a chartreuse linen skirt.

And a tropical wool grey heather pant.

All done Donna Karan Vogue 1220

Really comfortable and very cute, it even nips in at the waist, 

and it has pockets,

and I can never get enough of using my vintage buttonholer.

I left two buttons undone at the hem for this shot, now that I've worn it for a little while I can say that it needs a little something to keep it closed at the center front bust, otherwise it does open a bit.  This was a problem I didn't have on the other DK style (wrap blouse OOP pattern 1961) because it was cut on the bias, this pattern is not.  The dress on the envelope is made up in a dark charcoal, which I think is perfect for this style.  It's just the type of fabric I would walk right by because unless it's made up in a dress I would think it boring.

Here I've rolled the sleeves up a little more and used a contrast belt instead of the self fabric belt.

I'll be making this one again.

Fabric quality inspection and pattern layout

Well I hope there's enough of this fabric now that I've had a good look at it.  This was part of a mystery bundle it a stretch cotton from Fabricmart.  It's like nothing else I have in the stash, but as I was laying it out I noticed some irregularities.  Some black circles were darker than others on the back, so I flipped the fabric over and had a closer look.

The circles on the top pic, are on the back of the fabric.  The pic on the bottom are also on the back, notice that the ones below are darker, and it's the same design repeat.

I'll do my best to avoid the light band, where it looks as if they were changing threads out on the embroidery machine because around that same area on the face, there are loose thread ends.

The front piece on the pattern is very large, so it may be difficult to avoid this area.  If it can't be used, I'll pop this back into the stash, with my notes and look for something else.

Here's how I've marked it to avoid cutting into the areas.... painters tape:)  I've marked the areas with defects, then again at the selvage so I can leave these areas as space between the pattern pieces.

Guess what I got today?

Donna Karan Vogue 1220, Joann's is having their sale today and tomorrow, and here's the fabric.

One of the few stretch cottons I have in the stash. The pattern calls for stretch broadcloth, stretch linen, stretch crepe. It takes 2 7/8 yds of 60" fabric.

And of course I need a slip for it, because it's closer to a shirting fabric. So I'll be making the Folkwear pattern again.


And of course I'll have to wait to do my knit tops because I had to hide some things in the attic to make room for the guest I have, that is off for a few days and back on Saturday.

Ohhhh Jackets Spring 2011.....

Burberry Cotton Twill $2,195

Even incoming stories of snow are making me long for spring. Here are some of my favorite jacket styles. Burberry, really caught my eye, it's worth visiting their website (they have some ruched glove leather that is very unusual).  http://www.burberry.com/

 

Burberry Bonded Leather $3,995

 L'Agence Python stamped leather Jacket $890 

Rag and Bone Wool and leather jacket $1,045

Kimono Sleeve dresses

On the hunt for more simple dresses, the 80's really are back. These dresses are very easy to make, not much of a shape, really relying on drapey fabrics for movement.... can't find a pattern for it but all of these are current and expensive.

Duro Olowu $1,400.00 100% Silk

Pucci $695.00 Viscose Elastene

Diane Von Furstenburg $345.00 silk (it's a bargain by comparison)

Alexander McQueen $8,655.00 Embroidered silk gazar & chiffon

This one is not so simple but it does have the kimono sleeves and it has a waist for those of us who need it.

What looks more expensive... tank tops answered

To my eye, making these is all about finding the right fabric.
This is a bit of a challenge to do online because we can make a better judgement in person, one of the downfalls of online shopping, it's the same with shopping for fabric. It is also difficult to judge the construction aside for how it looks on the model.


Top to bottom.

5. Armani - Rose Plisse tucked silk $425 dry clean only Italy
Not even a knit, not really a fair comparison, as this one is woven and has princess seams.


7. McQueen - Modal $355 dry clean only Italy
It's pretty isn't it?


6. Behnaz Sarafpour - cotton jersey $345 dry clean only USA
Cotton jersey & lace



2. Ralph Lauren - 70% cashmere 30% silk blend $298 dry clean only Imported
I love the color of this tank



3. Gaultier - polyamide $275 dry clean only Italy
It might look better in person, but personally I thought this looked like a cheaper version.


8. Armani - Viscose Elastane $215 dry clean only Italy
The strap width threw me, it competes with the cheapest tanks but you'll notice it's shorter and the drape at the waist looks to have more body.


4. Ralph Lauren - pima cotton rib $68 Machine wash Imported


9. Splendid - Cotton 90% /spandex 10% $48 Machine wash USA


1. James Pearse - cotton jersey $45 hand wash USA

What looks more expensive?

I'll be having company this weekend, (doesn't it always happen everytime I'm on a roll), so I've been thinking about what makes a garment look expensive.  For your homework...... this one is easy, I've perused the web and have picked a garment that is easy to make.  So any of these take the same amount of effort to make, but which one looks more expensive??

Is it the cut of the neckline, the lack of wrinkles on the side seams, the fit, the color, the width of the strap, the angle of the straps, do the armholes appear the same, is it the length of the tank?
Tomorrow I will identify all of the t-shirts, try and pick the most expensive one:)


1.


2.

3.

4.

5.

6.


7.

8.

9.

1 - 1 3/8yd tops McCalls 6282

This should go quickly, and there are a few knits I need to move through.  These are the kind of pieces that I reach for, a t-shirt with a little flair.... and the best part, they take so little fabric, 1 yard for sizes 8 -12, 1 3/8 yards for sizes 18-22, they also call for lining on the pattern 3/4 yd of 60" tricot lining for all sizes.  I might try it without the lining to see what happens:).   The pattern also has dress variations.

I have two knits one a cotton spandex from fabricmart,


and the other a Missoni type textured polyester knit.




I also have a few more expensive knits in the stash, that I have very little yardage of, so if this works, I might be able to finally cut into the good stuff.

The night shirt is waiting for a 1/2 yard cut of fabric that is in the dreaded misc tubs.... as soon as I find it, I'll do that next.

All done!! Orange Nightgown

Finished, complete with stray thread....

Aside from a little buttonhole trouble, it's finally finished!!  I think I still need to add a little snap right under the tie to keep the overlap tidy.

This is why you don't get rid of your mismatched buttons.

Update:  Last night was my test run for comfort.  I learned an important thing, while this is a cute little garment, I found it to be uncomfortable to wear to bed.  It needs more ease built into the underbust seam.  The next version will have more width in the back, with the addition of elastic to keep the lines intact.

Aaack! more decisions....

Well this should be finished today, if I can just make my mind up what trim to use on the top edging. Right now the top is looking a little separate from the bottom, so I'm considering, the pink zig zag, or maybe some white bias, or bias and zig zag, Aack!!

I've just tried it on, and I think I'm going to enjoy wearing it, it is very cute.