Friday, January 7, 2011

Candidates for next project (Jan. 2011)


I'm currently buried in the 30+ pieces of the HotPatterns Denim Diva Camden coat, but I wouldn't be me if I wasn't already flitting back and forth between various ideas for my next project.

The coat hasn't been difficult so far, but with so many pieces and so many steps, I think I'm going to need a "palate cleanser" type project as my next project. I'm thinking about going with either a knit top or a knit dress. I'm leaning more towards a knit dress--specifically a long-sleeved knit dress--because I haven't sewn one of those in a while, and it's a hole in my wardrobe. I did include one knit top in the candidates because I think it's a really cute pattern that I've been wanting to make for a while, but I keep bumping it from the top of my queue.

Here are the candidates in no particular order:

Vogue 8613

Somehow,Vogue 8613 has been in the pattern catalog for over a year and doesn't have a single review on Pattern Review. This amazes me given the popularity of Vogue knit dresses on PR. It's a shirtwaist pattern designed for doubleknits or beefy knits.


I'm planning to make this out of a Ponte doubleknit with a lovely drape from Fashionista Fabrics. It's got a little bit of a Mad Men vibe to it, but without being overly costumey.

HotPatterns 1057

HotPatterns 1057 - the "Indispensable dress" is another candidate. This is another shirtdress designed for knits. This one has princess seams, though, and has a completely different look than the Vogue. I must want to make a shirtdress of some kind fairly badly, I guess.

I'm thinking about making this one out of a different color of Ponte doubleknit from the same batch at Fashionista--this one in an "Ocean Blue".

Kwik Sew 3823 - View B

The only top candidate that I'm considering is Kwik Sew 3823, View B. This is a scarf-neckline style, and I think it's really cute. There was a similar KnipMode dress recently that a few people have made up, and it turned out lovely. I'm more inclined to try the top version first to see how I like it before committing to a dress.


I'd be making this one up in a red rayon jersey from my stash.

HotPatterns 1034

Finally, I'm considering going with the boho-vibed HotPatterns 1034 - Delicious Dress. I was convinced that this one wouldn't work for my body until I saw a few made up, and then became convinced that it could work with the right fabric.


For this version of this dress, I'd use the knee-length, long-sleeved view. I've got a lovely rayon printed jersey from Mood Fabrics picked out for this one.

So what does everyone think? Do any particular fabrics/patterns jump out at you?

13 comments:

  1. How quick can you sew that HP coat? Should I hold off on my order? Then again, 30+ pieces.... eek! I'm ordering the riviera boulevard cardigan jacket after seeing your fabulous version. My first HP.

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  2. Ooops. No idea why that happened, sorry. Was going to add, I like all your fabrics, especially the patterned at the bottom. Looking forward to seeing what you make.

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  3. @Keely, I'm about 1/3 of the way through the HP coat construction and am going to try to put in a couple of marathon sessions over the weekend. We're supposed to get some wet weather towards the end of the coming week, and I hope to have it finished by then. (I'm using raincoating fabric, so this will be my new foul-weather coat.)

    At the very latest, I want it finished by the time that I head up to the often-rainy Bay Area for work in a week and a half.

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  4. Also, thanks for the compliment about the HP jacket! I love mine, and I definitely want more of them. Don't be intimidated by the sparse instructions when you make yours--you can always email Trudy or ask on PR if a step has you scratching your head. ;)

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  5. Ooo ooo ... I vote the Delicious Dress!! That one's been on my wish list for a while now, and I think it would look great on you!

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  6. It's good to see you blogging again! You are officially on my 'to read' list. I can't wait to see your coat. I'm in drafting classes now, so I am not sewing any wovens. My serger decided to take a break, so no knits either! How spoiled am I? I can't think of sewing a knit on my sewing machine!

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  7. I love V8613 and have it on my to-do list. I can't wait to see yours!

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  8. Vote either Indispensible or Delicious...
    selfish motives, really- both are on my list as well (so is the vogue, but the waist seam concerns me).

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  9. I like the vogue 8163. I love the HP dress too though, which one will you get the most use in the immediate. I had never even seen V8163 before. How did we all miss it. Oooh, let's see some pictures of the coat. Hows it coming along???

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  10. I'm thisclose to finishing the HP coat. I just need to do the cuffs and the buttonholes/buttons. I only stopped today because my brain was fried. It's looking great--I'm really happy with it!

    I'll either finish it tomorrow or at least take some photos in the morning when we have good light.

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