Green - the color of life, growth, renewal, harmony, nature, and energy. I think the world could use a little more green and so could I. I embraced the Clover Green Cotton Eyelet from B & J Fabrics, and turned to Butterick 6669 for a full silhouette maxi, a departure from my everyday sheaths and shifts.I recently finished the top included with this pattern (blogged here) and found the neckline flattering and the straps substantial...
I confess to my growing fondness for creating posh napkins, and blame it all on the pandemic. If you follow my Instagram account, you know what I mean...
There's no doubt I work better under a deadline, otherwise it wouldn't have taken two years to make a top for this skirt. 'Why rush...
As crazy as it sounds, I'm trying to spiff up my summer stay-at-home wardrobe. I'm set for going-out clothes, but workout pants and t-shirts don't cut it anymore. This means I have one of those loaded closets with nothing to wear unless I want to be all dressed up with nowhere to go. I even turned to eBay for a few things, but Ready-to-Wear clothing no matter how expensive or cheap has its pitfalls. Everything needed an alteration of some sort, and it didn't take long to hop back on the sewing train. I simply LOVE sewing with stripes! Instant embellishment and...
I finished my last French Jacket in March just before our schools and businesses closed. Inspired by the cute bias halter tops Julie made from her French Jacket linings, (see page 117, A Stylish Guide to Classic Sewing) I ordered extra lining fabric from B&J Fabrics to make one to wear with my jacket. The plan was to photograph the halter in front of the blue waters of Aruba in April. Greetings from my back yard. The pattern is Kwik Sew 3308. Long since out of print, Julie was nice enough to make a copy for me. The beauty of the top lie in...
Mimi is my daughter not my grandmother. For me, life was humming along until the coronavirus brought everything to a screeching halt. I had just finished my French Jacket from the Palm Beach workshop and was preparing to sew for a trip to Aruba this month. Like so many of you I made masks for whoever needed them...
My mission: to make a versatile French Jacket, one I could dress up or wear with jeans. Mission Accomplished 😊. Helen Haughey and Mary Funt offered a superb six day French Jacket class, that challenged me both technically and creatively. I needed it and I loved it. MY FABRIC My original plan was to use the multicolored tweed on top. Mary and Helen knew I had made two previous jackets, and that my goal was to improve my skills. They told me I'd learn much more (such as ironwork shaping) using a different fabric such as one with a grid. I ordered the blue and white...
I was in the right place for the entire week, processing new information for six days straight. While working on Shanel No.2, my desire to learn more was insatiable. I was very pleased with the black and white jacket, but I wanted to learn more about fit, technique, trim, style, fabrics…… Mary Funt and Helen Haughey bring a fresh perspective to French Jacket Sewing. As documented in my last post our first day was dedicated to fitting, and at the request of readers, I begin this post with a quick follow up to the armscye. ___________________________________ After comparing the armscyes of multiple jacket patterns our...
Greetings from Palm Beach, an ideal location to "winter" 😊 I'm thrilled to be one of twelve students participating in Helen Haughey and Mary Funt's debut French Jacket Class. Both Helen and Mary are experienced couture teachers, but this is the first class they have offered together. While working on my second French Jacket in January, I became smitten with the project, but knew I had much to learn, so here I am, and am I fortunate. In Day 1 of this very cordial and relaxed atmosphere, our objective was fitting. I know the importance of a good fit and it's one of the...
Effortless, minimal, chic dressing...