Monday, September 15, 2014

Stuff I want to sew for fall (2014), Part 2

Can you stand another post of me daydreaming about patterns again? My post last week on the topic was getting to be so long that I decided to break it into another post.

Obviously, I get way too excited about patterns, especially new patterns. I stalk several of the indie designer websites/blogs when I suspect that they have a new release coming out soon. (I suspect that I'm not the only person who does this for StyleArc, at least, because they'll occasionally send out an email letting people know that the new release is being delayed for a day or two, so that we can stop hitting "refresh" on our browsers.) Not all of the patterns in this post are new, but they are new-to-me in the sense that I haven't sewn any of them yet. This post doesn't even mention the patterns that I've made before and want to make again for cooler weather. (I'm looking at you Colette Moneta and HotPatterns Daytona Hoodie.)

I'm sure that you'll recognize some of these patterns from other "stuff I want to sew" posts. Now let's ogle a few patterns!

Warning: image-intensive post ahead!

Jackets/toppers

Cooler fall weather means jackets and cardigans, right?

Deer and Doe Pavot Jacket

I received the Deer and Doe Pavot jacket pattern for free as a "thank you" for participating in the mini-wardrobe contest on Pattern Review back in July. I love the style of Deer & Doe, but have held off from making any of their patterns because their size range is pretty small. I don't mind grading up, say, a $3 New Look to fit me, but I had a personal issue with paying $15+ for a pattern and then having to grade it up. But...the Pavot was free and has lots of seaming, and I've had my eye on this pattern for a while. There's a jacket view (not shown), which is probably the more likely view that I'll sew.

If I like how this jacket turns out, it might encourage me to try some of the other Deer and Doe patterns that I've had my eye on. Luckily for me, some of the indie fabric stores in Seattle carry this line, so I might potentially be able to avoid the shipping charges and wait time from Europe.

Deer and Doe Pavot Jacket

HotPatterns Sakura Bomber Jacket

HP Sakura Bomber Jacket
I've been loving the floral or otherwise printed bomber jacket trend of the past year or so. I'd been looking for a while for a pattern for one that both came in my size (sorry Papercut Rigel) and had some sort of princess or panel seaming with in-seam pockets. This new-ish release from HotPatterns fits the bill. I've got a couple of neoprene scuba knits in my stash earmarked for both a wearable muslin, and then hopefully a "good" version of this jacket.

Muse Patterns Jenna Cardigan


The Muse Jenna cardigan is a new release from a new pattern company. I've started to see tester versions of this pop up around the blogosphere, and as basic as the pattern seems, it's looks like it's a basic that I'd get a ton of mileage out of. Finally, an option for all of those super-thin, lightweight merino wool jersey that I bought from FabricMart last winter.

Tops and Blouses

I'd like a few new blouses for fall, as well. Shockingly, 2 out of 3 of these patterns are wovens!

HotPatterns Pussycat Blouse

An easy-fitting blouse with gathers for full bust room and a cute pussy bow? There's also a tutorial video by Trudy showing how to clean-finish everything on your machine. Yes, please.  I mean, the illustrated fashion drawing even looks like a more slender version of me!

HotPatterns What's New, Pussycat? Blouse


HotPatterns Artemis Top

This top is HotPattern's latest release. I like the sleeves. I don't see the dress shape working on me, but the view for the top is really fun. I think this would work well in a Ponte.
HP Artemis top
Grainline Archer

Oh, Archer...how many times have I had you in my sewing plans? To be honest, I'm scared of button-down blouses. I was a little traumatized by my first experience with a darted, button-down blouse and haven't tried one since. Unfortunately, though, being an H-cup means that I simply cannot buy this style in RTW. The Archer seems like it works for everyone who tries it, though, and I *think* I'd just need a standard FBA (and I'd leave the bust dart in for shaping).

I really, really could use a button-down blouse/blouse pattern that fits, though and I really like the classic, easy-fitting look of the Archer. I'd love to have one in white, one in denim, and a couple of flannel versions for layering, to start.
Grainline Archer shirt

Dresses

Notice that while I was obsessed with summer dresses a few weeks ago, our weather has started to cool a bit (although we're still having random 2-3 day periods with temperatures in the low 80s). I still want to sew some dresses, but now I'm focusing on less summery, more autumny choices. Note that these all have views with sleeves.

Colette Hawthorn

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've wanted to sew the Hawthorn for, like, forever. Still haven't done it yet. I know that this will be a flattering style on me; I'm just procrastinating on tackling the fitting/multiple muslins. When I do make it, I'm going to use L's fantastic tutorial to turn the darts into shoulder princess seams.
Colette Hawthorn

Blue Ginger Doll Winifred

Ooh, it's a shirtdress style dress, but with no button closures! And no buttons means no gaping at the bust apex! Honestly, I never gave this pattern a second glance from the line drawing, but Blue Ginger Doll recently released this pattern in a larger size range (including mine) and I took a look around the blogosphere and saw how cute this dress makes up, especially on a curvy figure. I have read a bit online about the dress being tighter than expected in the bust, so it might take a little while to get the sizing/fit worked out for this one, but from the examples I've seen, it will be worth it. Plus, the dress looks like it should be super quick and easy to sew up once you get the pattern size/adjustments down.
Blue Ginger Doll Winifred

Blue Ginger Doll Odette

The Odette is the newest release from Blue Ginger Doll, having only come out last week. I love the neckline (and insert option) on this one and the gored skirt. I really like the two tester versions by GMarie and Mary of Idle Fancy, as well. I suspect that all of those darts won't be my friend, though, however, so this dress would be another candidate for changing the darts to shoulder princess seams.

Blue Ginger Doll Odette

Slim/Cigarette pants

The only pants that I currently have that fit me right now are a few pairs of jeans (from Old Navy), my HP Trackpant and a never-blogged StyleArc Linda pant. The latter two are two casual to wear to work (I feel). I like the straight-leg/cigarette leg profile on myself--it doesn't look dated like bootcut, but it's not outside of my comfort (or fitting) zone like skinny pants. None of these are new patterns, but I've been wanting to sew them all for a while and will hopefully give one or two of these patterns a shot soon.

HotPatterns Dolce Vita slim-cut pant

The Dolce Vita is just a nice, standard slim-cut pant. I know that the HotPattern crotch curve works fairly well for me, so I'm cautiously optimistic that these wouldn't require a ton of fitting.

HP Dolce Vita Slim-Cut Pant


StyleArc Barb Stretch Pant

The thing that I don't like about my StyleArc Linda pants is that the leg shape is a lot wider than I was expecting. I'm hoping that the Barb will remedy that because I like how my Linda's fit through the bum and the front. These would be super fast and easy to sew, too.

StyleArc Barb Stretch Pant

StyleArc Jasmine Pant

The Jasmine is another basic pant pattern. I like the pockets on these and am hoping that the leg profile isn't too wide.


Skirts

I never used to wear skirts much--I always felt that if I wanted to have to worry about exposure, I'd rather wear a dress. BUT I've been wearing skirts a lot more for the past year and could use a few more.

HotPatterns Deceptively Skinny Skirt

When I make this up, it will be jeans-style in a dark denim with an exposed zipper in back. I do not have a jeans skirt in my wardrobe, so this skirt will fill that hole. With straight skirts, I look a lot better in skirts with some seaming. This skirt fits the bill.
HotPatterns Deceptively Skinny Skirt

Ina Maxi Skirt

As much as it was a pain to make, I love my McCall's maxi-skirt and wear it all the time. I want another knit maxi-skirt. I love the stripes and godets on this skirt from Pattern Review, plus it's been really, really well-reviewed so far.

PatternReview Ina Maxi Skirt
Whew, did you make it through all of that? I promise that with my next post, it won't be me rambling about patterns, and I will actually have a newly finished garment to show you!

17 comments:

  1. Hahaha! You know I'm all for planning posts! It's fun to dream up possibilities.

    You've got lots of interesting options there. I am gaga over the pencil skirt. Can't wait to see you make that one!

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    1. I love planning posts on other people's blogs. I didn't know if it was just me being weird, though.

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  2. Michelle, maybe you are already aware of this...the StyleArc Barb pants are available as free download.,

    I loved reading up on your fall plans. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Planning posts are fun. I like to see what people have in their queues. I didn't know about a lot of these indie pattern companies. I can't wait to see some of your garments in action.

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    1. I think that's a big part of it--I love seeing planning posts on other people's blogs because I love to see what patterns others are thinking about making.

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    2. I might join you in sewing the Deer & Doe coat. You know I love me some coats!

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  4. Looks like some awesome plans in the making. The coat is super cute and that skirt in denim, yes, absolutely. I could do with a denim skirt myself. Hmmm :)

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    1. Thank you! I figure that both the jacket and denim skirt should be good for ~3 seasons of wear, too.

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  5. You make me want to try Hot Patterns with all those gorgeous pattern plans. I really really love the Pussycat Blouse. :)

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    1. If you do want to give them a try, HotPatterns has a bunch of freebie PDF download patterns available on fabric.com: https://www.fabric.com/creativity-headquarters-free-pattern-downloads.aspx Many of them are quite cute, and it would give you a chance to see how their drafting block works for you.

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  6. Nice sewing plans for Fall 2014. I want to make the bomber jacket and the cigarette pants too.

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  7. Great plans Michelle. Interested on your thoughts on the Barbs. I love mine. I chose 2 sizes down and graded up for the stomach to keep my pant legs slim.

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  8. OK, make the Hawthorne already. LOL ... just teasin'

    I was drawn to the Jenna cardi too but, alas, no extra funds right now for anything, let alone patterns and especially patterns I can easily recreate from something I already own. So, I've hacked (not even a hack, really, just shortening the length and adding a hem band) my TNT Jalie twinset pattern and cut it out from a stashed turquoise sweater knit a couple of weeks ago. Then the mojo left and it's been sitting. I'm hoping to force some mojo this weekend and get it finished. I have a new skirt from a pattern I tested that NEEDS this cardi before I can wear it, so that's motivation. One thing I prefer about the Jalie is that it's a V neck and the button band goes around the whole front/neck without a stop at a crew neck.

    I love ... and hate ... your planning posts. Love them because you make me look at patterns with a new eye. Hate them because I. WANT. ALL. THE. PATTERNS. :-)

    Also wanted to ask ... on your other planning post on wrap dresses ... do you think the Style Arc patterns are going to be especially boobalicious? I really like the one with the gathered side inset, but I'm thinking it may be a bit too cleavage-y?? There's only one review last time I looked, and I couldn't decide.

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    1. Thank you? ;)

      I wish that I had your patience and skill to hack patterns the way that you do. I've cut way down on my fabric purchases in the past two years, but I can't seem to cut down on my pattern purchases--especially with PDF patterns. It's just way, way too easy to click "Buy". But to be fair to myself, I don't have a basic cardigan pattern like that, although I could probably hack one from my SBCC Tonic Tee if I really wanted to.

      Re: the StyleArcs, I generally haven't had any issues with their necklines being too low--they're open, but not usually cleavage-flashing. The Slip-on Suzie has a bunch of reviews, and if I recall, several women did end up wearing a cami under that one. With the Trixi, I have no idea--I've only seen the one review that you've probably seen. I suspect that I'll be playing guinea pig with that one.

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  9. Necessity is the Mother of Invention. :-) Believe me, even though I *can* make most styles myself ... either hacking or just using pattern software ... I prefer not to. It's sooooo much easier to buy the pattern and jump in right away. My middle name is Instant Gratification Baby. lol

    Thanks for the info on the Style Arcs. One of these days I will be able to buy some of those patterns but that doesn't stop me from thinking about them and wondering. Can't wait to see where you decide to go with the wrap-along.

    And ... it was a compliment BTW. I really do love the planning posts. I have almost no patience for putting together a post like that (see "middle name" above) and really appreciate not only the information and inspiration, but the time it took to do too.

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