Shirt and Hat

Poke-a-dots are in, so I ordered some fabric from Gorgeous Fabrics. It is a wonderful soft jersey.

 I have been reading on several blogs that sewers like StyleArc patterns because they fit so well. This is my first try at their patterns. This is Eva Knit Top.  I ordered the wrong size, so I had to enlarge it, but now I know which one to order. The directions are adequate, but simple. I did have trouble with the neckband figuring out what they meant in sewing together at the bust line. I sewed it together by hand after sewing the neck band  was on. There is no way that the hand stitching doesn't show. Next time I will be sure to sew the bottom half of the neck band together before I sew the neck band onto the shirt. I do like the pattern and will make it again.

 Then I made this hat. The pattern shows it for a man, but it is the style that women are wearing too.

 I had some brocade and used horsehair interfacing and then lined it with some scarps of rayon fabric. I think it turned out very well. I had to make it twice as the crown of the hat was too high for me. It doesn't take much material, so now it will be easy to make another one from scraps left over from a project.

Style

I haven't worn this hat for a long time. I made it quite some time ago. The necklace I bought in Turkey. The outfit I purchased at a estate sale. The print reminds me of a abstract camouflage.

Fashion

This is my latest attempt at trying to wear something new. I found some shorts, short skirts, tights and jewelry at a recent estate sale.

Replacing Sleeves

 I have two favorite shirts that the sleeves were too short.

 I cut the sleeves off.

 Used the sleeve as a pattern.

This is the other shirt that I replaced the sleeves on. It kind of adds a new look to the shirt, too.

Jacket

 This is another one of Lyla's patterns.

 I like the jacket a great deal and will plan to make another one in a different fabric. The pattern was drawn for a 5'7" person and I am 5"3", so I shorten the sleeves one inch. They are still too long, so the next time I will shorten more.

I ran out of fabric, so added in the front of the sleeves and the collar. That actually made a nice addition. I used a self made poly brocade fabric bias trim. I top stitched in a decorative stitch like she shows in her book. It went on very easy with the using her stay tape first. It think the fabric I chose was a little heavy and it feels like a blanket, but maybe when it gets cold and I use it, I will appreciate it.

Fajita Skirt

 I attended a workshop with Lyla Messinger and bought this pattern. I am usually not a knit person other then t-shirts, but this pattern is really nice.

 I made it up first in this knit to test out the pattern and found it to be so easy. The skirt hangs well. I shorten it three inches and it seems to be right for my height.

 This is a piece of knit that I bought from Lyla and it worked very well for this skirt pattern. The jacket is a cashmere that I got at a estate sale and this is the first time I wore it. The color of it really makes it pop.

I am amazed at how clever Lyla is in drawing this pattern. The pattern pieces seem like they won't go together, but they do indeed.

New Sweater

 I really like this pattern. I had to work with the stripes a little, but soon realized that it was too hard and had to let them land where they would. It still came out well.

 I think it is a slenderizing pattern with the stripes. I think I will make it in a different fabric and I suspect it will have a whole different look to it.

The fabric I used was a loose woven cotton knit. It is light weight, but will serve to take off the chill when I need it. I got the fabric in one of the stores on my trip up to San Francisco.