Marcy's V9272

 I really like this pattern. Often times I have trouble with Marcy's and Katherine's patterns being too small in the upper arms. This one came out good.

 The fabric I fell in love with. It is some that Katherine designed and had printed up. It is some of her drawings from Paris. I did have trouble with the neck band to lay down. Next time I will put the traditional crew neck on it. I like the turn up cuff on the sleeves.

Odette&Ivy Tops The Sewing Workshop

 I did the Ivy top with Birch Organic Cotton Fabric. I realized once I got started that I would have to match up the birds on the fabric, so I had to order more fabric to be able to line up the birds. I am 5'3" and I did a large and it seems to fit well. Flare of the skirt maybe could be a little less. I like how one sleeve has piece of another fabric and then a small trim on the other. I haven't done a lot of The Sewing Workshop patterns, but each one needs to be measured as the size you may of used in another one is not right on the one you are working on. On others I have used small and x small. I like the way the sleeves are some wider then the 4 big pattern company, so I don't have to redraw the sleeves.

I also did another pair of pants from the Picasso Top & Pants pattern. I did them in linen that Linda Lee sells on her website. I really like the fabric and I love the style of these pants. They are very comfortable.

Sandra Betzina V1363

 I like this t-shirt because it has a bust dart. It fits better.

 Then I used the Cutting line designs pattern Artist in Motion to make a light weight voile vest that can be put over it to give it another look.

Marcy's V9332

 Really like the way this one turned out. I made it in cut velvet and the collar and cuffs are a stretch knit. The next time I make it I would make the collar narrower. The pocket setup is nice. I think I will like to try the shirt without the collar too.

 Like the way the back is tucked in with a short piece of elastic. I will be leaving shortly on a trip to Iceland and think this one will work well for the trip.

Picasso Top & Pants

 I hand dyed this raw silk and made these pants and really like them. I am going to try another pair and put long pockets on the side of the legs.

 The shirt is designed to be big. Next time I make it I will add a inch at the end of the sleeve. It isn't roomy enough for me to pull the sleeve up where I would like it to set on my bicep.

 I will add a inch on each side of the neck curve as it is too big for me. You can see the bra straps sometimes.

I decided to handle the neck curve with the binding done by hand with the back and front separate. Other wise the end of the curve at the shoulder stick up and won't lay down properly. I used a 1 1/4 inch binding. Really like this top and will make another one.

I made the shirt out of organic cotton and it is so soft. The fabric is from Birch Fabrics and you can get it on line.

Marcy's V9322

 Made up Marcy's new vest pattern out of one of her knits.

 It has outside pockets. I found the corners the most challenging. I didn't take the time I should of to get them just right.

Sewing Workshop

 I used this pattern to hand sew. Wanted to see how it would work on a regular pattern. I found it quite easy to convert this pattern over to 1/4" seam allowance and hand sew.

 I used Birch organic cotton fabric. Sure like the feel of organic cotton.

 You can see in these close up pictures some of the hand sewing detail.

Project Completed

 I am happy to say after about five weeks of a great deal of hand sewing, my AC sweater tunic is done. I wore it today with great pride even though most people do not know what goes into a garment like this.

 I found it very time consuming, but challenging. I have a jacket and a skirt yet to go. I think I will need a break before I start on another one of these projects.

You do definitely feel accomplished after you are done.

Alabama Chanin

 The business has grown so fast. From a personal house to a huge ware house in a industrial park. She has a opened a cafe that offers events to the locals.

 I spend a week at Alabama Chanin's School of Making last week. It was very inspiring.

 This was the breakfast that was served each day. There was a healthy lunch as well. Toward the back of the picture is a retail store where she sells some hand sewn, but mostly sewing machine organic cotton knits. She has started in the last year a line of wedding dresses as well. She has gourmet kitchen tools and dishes and cook books. She serves some of her family recipes like Grandma's buttermilk biscuits and gravy.

 This is the first shelve of the tunic that I am making. It has a top layer of natural organic knit cotton and the under layer is pewter knit. The stencil was sprayed on with pearl paint. You can't tell from the picture but pewter, a grey has a lavender cast to it. Everything is done by hand. Even the sewing of the seams. Those of us that like detail, it is a perfect match. Perfection comes in handy too.

 These are a couple of samples of hand stitching that caught my eye.

 This one I decided to make a swing skirt in the natural color knit and cotton ribbon embroidered. This will layer very well with my tunic.

This was a shirt sample that shows the use of several of the embroidery stitches that can be hand sewn on garments.

Sandra Betzina's Harlem like Pants

 Really like these pants. I made them twice out of knit jersey.

Marcy's Pants

 I have made two pair of these pants and love the way they turned out. One is black and another grey.

 The black pair.

 Tried to show you the design lines, but I don't think they show up that well. You can see the design lines in the line drawing on the pattern back.