Sewing Meetup in San Francisco and a Ready to Wear Challenge

Thank you so much to every one who left such wonderful comments on my vintage pattern dress.  Commentor Jeanettec said she was off to find that very pattern.  I highly recommend it and want to remake soon with a modern twist. 

Right now I am working on a few other projects and getting ready for some intensive sewing fun.  I am going to have a sewing student, Karen of Did you make that?  She is traveling to California for a vacation and before she heads off on her journey through the Golden West she will be spending a week, as she puts it “under my tutelage”.  That sounds a bit formal, doesn’t it? Yes, we will get to details of collar construction and organza interfacing, but the thought of hours of sewing talk with a fellow enthusiast is quite exciting.  I have not inquired but I hope she is a Downton Abbey fan so I can hear all about it from the British point of view. I am looking forward to having a student who is miles past beginner level so we can delve into lots of fun yet tricky details.

We will need a break from all that concentration so how about joining us for a drink and a chat in San Francisco on the evening of Wednesday May 9?  Probably around 6 pm and if you have a suggestion of a good spot let me know.  Please leave a comment or e-mail me if you are interested and I will let you know the final details. 

The recent Pattern Review challenges have given me a creative kick lately. I finished the Vintage challenge and jumped right in to the next one, the Ready-To-Wear challenge.  I actually don’t pay that much attention to ready-to-wear, in terms of sewing things for myself as I prefer to find a fabric and then decide what to make in that order. Lately I have been crazy for the clothing line, Milly. Lots of great color, interesting fabric combos and nice details, and perfect for recreation at a tiny fraction of their prices (around $ 400).  And in particular this dress.

So here is my version, in rayon ponte knit.  My dress has multiple darts to give it waist shaping, I think theirs probably has just single darts, but I used an old pattern that I have been wanting to revive which worked very well for a fitted silhouette.  This is definitely a dress that looks better as worn than on the dress form so I will try to get some photos today.

I did take some photos during construction so if you are interested in how I created the color block pattern pieces I will show that in my next post. 

Edit for 4/30/12:  here it is on me,  without belt, which I think looks better in this knit fabric.

Today we have lovely sunshine so it is time for a bit of work outside, those oranges don't pick themselves!

Happy weekend sewing, Beth