Feeling so CapeAble

Throughout my web browsing/pinning, I've been seeing cute capes or cape-like jackets popping up.  I have a few on my wish list to make, including the Anthropologie belted, plaid cape. So drool worthy.

Anyways, I went on the hunt for a cape pattern and stumbled upon Simplicity 5359.  The pattern includes two cape options (one with a collar, one without) and a wiggle dress.  I love the dress too, so I've put that aside for a future project.  But I knew the cape would be perfect for a light, California fall day.

I decided to go with the collared cape as I didn't want it to look like a poncho, and I like that it then became almost coat like.

I used a brown wool for the outside and lined it in a light brown satin.  My poor, sensitive skin can't handle the chafing from the wool, so the delicate lining was a necessity.

I love how this turned out! It's so simple but adds a nice elegant touch to my Fall dresses.  I only received on 'you should be carrying as basket of apples' comment, and only in jest, but many compliments on my little cape.  

Fabric: Brown wool for exterior, tan satin for lining

Pattern: Vintage Simplicity 5359

Notions: Bias tape for a loop closure at the neck and a little hook and eye closure for extra security.

The pattern was so easy to put together and just a few pieces overall.  I had to do a bit of trimming at the collar area of the selvage as it was getting really thick with the wool, and then I under-stitched it to keep it in place.  I also did top-stitching around the edge of the cape, because I liked the look and it helped to minimize the bulk and the fabric shifting around.

I would love to make this again if another fabric 'called out' to me.  In the meantime, I'm on the hunt for a pattern similar to the Anthropologie jacket.  That can be my 'late Fall' project.

Vintage Roses Dress

I've been wanting to make the Colette Crepe dress again for some time now, but haven't had the five yards of fabric that just called out to me.  I picked up a Groupon for a fabric shop in San Francisco that specializes in vintage fabrics.  I waited until the last minute to use it, so of course, I ended up making a frantic trip to the city to check out the store, Urban Burp.

The store had a great selection of fabrics - most of which had been part of the owner's personal collection.  The prices ranged from moderate to pretty pricey, but with the Groupon, I felt a little better spending the money.  I ended up getting a little over five yards of a beautiful blue, cotton fabric, with a pink and yellow floral print.  I knew just what to make with it.

Fabric: Vintage, floral cotton
Pattern: Colette Crepe
Notions: Zip, zero, nada! Gotta love Crepe.

I love this version of Crepe! Second time is definitely a charm, especially because the first time I made the pattern, I was still pretty new to sewing garments.  But as usual with Colette patterns, the fit is great and it was easy to assemble.

Our heat wave is only going to last for so long, but I think it'll still work for the rest of the Fall season.

 

Parading around in polka dots

My latest Fall dress is all about the polka dots.  Since the fabric itself had a lot going on, I wanted a simple design to display the fabric.  I've had Vogue 8473 in my collection for a while and it looked like the dress was simple enough, with just a few darts in the front.

Imagine my surprise when I found that the dress itself only had five pattern pieces.  I think I actually let our a cheer.  The only problem was that the lining was basically repeating the pattern twice. Eh. But I'd rather do that then deal with facings, hand-basting, etc.

Fabric: Brown and white polka dot cotton. Internal lining is a plain brown cotton.
Pattern: Vogue 8473, just the dress for now
Notions: Just a zipper

I love that this pattern only had a few darts on the front bust pieces, and no gathering. So easy!  Assembly was really fast and the directions were very easy to follow.

I'll definitely make this pattern again and I can tell the dress will be one of my Fall staples.

MTL: Rally the Loops...

Minus the loops.

As usual, when I saw the Sew Weekly Make This Look feature a few months ago, I wanted to make the featured dress.  This time, it was the Rally the Loops Dress.

I ran out and picked up the pattern and fabric.  I wasn't really sure how I was going to do the pockets, but I was so eager to start on the dress that I really didn't even want to think about it.  By the time I got to the pockets, I decided to just do them as they were shown on the pattern.

Fabric: Tan and black synthetic blend

Pattern: Simplicity 2588

Notions: Zipper

The good thing about the design, was that I could just do the basic pattern with the smaller neckline.  I omitted the optional side tabs and went with the full skirt.  I just cut out some extra black fabric to make the black bow, that I then stitched to the front neckline.

This dress is the first of my Fall palette challenge.  I didn't put a little montage together like I did the Colette Spring challenge, but I picked out my fabrics and have pulled aside potential patterns.  Overall I hope to make:

- 3 dresses

- 1 skirt

- 1 blouse

- 1 jacket/capelet

Possibly: 1 pair of pants (Clover)

Oh, and this was Day 18 of Self-Stitched September.