Wednesday, July 31, 2013

SUMMER PROJECTS

Summer To Do List

I took the summer off work from court reporting to spend quality time with friends and family at our lake house.  I also had two projects on my "To Do" list.
         One,  make some fun summer clothes.
        Two,  use up as much of my fabric stash as possible.
Surprising enough, I have actually done a pretty good job of accomplishing both.
 
FLORAL GORED SKIRT AND DRAPED BLOUSE
 
 
 This is actually a gored skirt and a draped blouse that I made from a pattern I drafted in a draping class that I took with Susan Khalje and Julien Cristofoli.

 It's difficult to see the draping in a picture because of the fabric.  I have no idea why I ever purchased this cotton knit print, as I rarely wear prints, let along a flower garden!!  I know that I will wear each piece, but most likely not together.  I don't want to look like a walking greenhouse.
 
BATWING TOP
 
Side View showing the contrast on the sleeve.
 
I made this out of a piece of white cotton knit that I had in the stash, but when I cut it out, I didin't have as much as I thought, so I pieced it with a tan cotton knit on the front of the sleeves and embroidered an anchor in the same tan on the front.  I think it will look really nice with a pair of khaki jeans or cutoffs or even a skirt.
 
CHIFFON BLOUSE
This is a blouse pattern that I make quite often.  Which is quite unusual for me because I don't generally make the same pattern more than once.
 
 
It's just a very simple draped neckline with long sleeves.  Will be really nice under my navy suit that I hope to get made this fall.
 
OOPS
Don't know how this picture got in here again and don't know how to get it out.  Delete doesn't seem to work. 
 
A SANDRA BETZINI SKIRT
I love Sandra's patterns and her website Power Sewing.  Her video training is wonderful.
 
 I had some eyelet that I have had in my "stash" for many years, and decided that this skirt pattern would be perfect in the eyelet.  Once again, I didn't quite have enough fabric, so I took plain white cotton and used it on 1/2 of each of the panels along the hem, as well as putting it behind each of the slotted seams.  It turned out really nice.
 
I liked the pattern so well that I made it a second time.
 
LOOSE FITTING SUMMER TOP
 
 
This top goes really well with both skirts and with white cutoffs.
 
SUNDRESS
This is a simple panel of fabric from JoAnn's that has the top already shirred with elastic.  One seam down the back, a hem, add double ribbon straps and I was finished.  It took about 1/2 hour in total.
 
 
 
I had some fabric left over, because I am short, so I made a scarf to wear.  Doubt that I will really wear it with the sundress, but it is a nice scarf to wear with sweaters in the fall.
 
EBNERS LAKE HOUSE
 
 I don't do a lot of embroidery, but I do have a Designer I with all the capability of embroidering, and once in a great while I tackle a project.  Since I was having several court reporters and other girlfriends for a "Girls Retreat" at our lake house, I decided to make everyone a signature T-Shirt.
Three of the five that came for a few days to play on the lake with the boat, jetski and kayaks, and me.
 
I still have a few other things that I have made this summer, but I don't have the pictures.  When I get pictures, I will post them, but in the meantime, I have one more sundress cut out, and a jersey top to finish, then it will be time to start on fall things.  And I am happy to say that I have used up my summer fabric stash!  First time ever.