My New Year Resolution-Creating a new collection!

I have been busy this last week, on top of working a highly demanding day job, creating a new collection. I love challenges and see this as one of my most ambitious ones.

I am a dressy girl. I could wear dresses all the time! My inspiration usually comes from seeing fabric and then imagining what I could do with it. Lately, I have been perusing old styles from the 70’s. I loved that era. It was a time when women were coming into their own. They were making a statement about working, equal pay, being beautiful as well as being strong. All those qualities resinate with me. I want all those things, and I think the majority of women still feel that way.

I also admire Diana Von Fersenberg. She is the mother of the iconic wrap dress during the 70’s. She also symbolizes beauty and strength. Often times women are not portrayed in media as beautiful and smart. Women can be both. And, I think beauty can come in many different forms.

My debut collection then is for the strong yet beautiful woman. She exudes as casual elegance, and a one of a kind look!

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Happy New Year and Merci,

Timi

Looking Beachy Chic in a couture silk tweed suit!

This collection of Vogue Wardrobe patterns are for the working ladies ( and those who want to look CHIC!). It includes a jacket, skirt, lacy blouse and skirt, and dress pattern. I have made the jacket and skirt in tweed, and lacy blouse so far. I plan to sew up the lacy skirt and get some black silk tweed for the dress. I really wanted to have a few pieces to to mix and match for work. This pattern gave me a few options. The pattern number is V8916 and can be found at most pattern stores or online.

I am petite so, I altered the patterns for every piece I have made. I am more petite than the patterns (length wise not width wise-well, maybe the waist!) so, I shortened the pattern pieces by a 1/2 inch or so. I also shortened the skirt pattern by at least three inches so that the hem fell right at my knees. My waist is an inch larger than last year-time to start running again! I made the waist band longer than the pattern called for too.

I followed the directions from the pattern for the skirt and blouse, but I altered the jacket. I decided to do that Chanel style and followed Claire Shaeffer’s directions to make a the jacket. Each piece for the jacket was interlined, and then lined with silk. Even with the changes, the garments all look like the pattern pictures. Yay!

Don’t fear the directions because the directions were super easy to follow. I want to make another jacket because I omitted the cute pockets in the original design when doing the Chanel style jacket. One can never have enough pockets!

There isn’t anything I dislike about this pattern so far. In fact, I plan to use the jacket and skirt fabric for the fold over piece on the bodice of the dress pattern. I am really looking forward to doing the rest of the pieces. It is really nice when you find a pattern that goes together easily and looks fabulous too.

I would definitely sew this entire pattern ensemble again in another fabric maybe next spring. I think these wardrobe pieces are classic designs that won’t go out of style any time soon. I particularly like the long waisted skirt pattern. I recommend this wardrobe collection to anyone who is looking for some solid pieces for their wardrobe. I can picture wearing the skirt with other things in my closet like a hot pink sweater and boots! I like getting more milage out of the things I make!

I enjoyed sewing this collection. Everything went together easily. The fabric I picked is bright but not too bright. It is a youthful, current look with the lace. I even was able to get some real Chanel trim to go on the jacket which makes it kind of special!
Happy sewing Chic-y girls!