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Los Olivos, California, United States
You can reach me at fool4fabric (at) gmail (dot) com

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Catch Up!

I've been MIA on the blog, but busy as a bee in my studio. I made a surprise birthday shirt for Dave:
On my recent trip to Northern California, I went to StoneMountain Fabrics with
Shams and JillyBe and found this gorgeous Italian cotton in Dave's favorite color (sort of a gray-green-blue), and he had been wanting some new short-sleeved shirts, so I made it , using M2447 instead of my TNT M4079. What a mistake! The button spacing is wonky and I don't like the collar as well...memo
to self...TNT's are TNT's for a reason! However, Dave thinks it's PERFECT, so
I'll chalk it up to experience!
We have made plans to go to Sicily in September, so I get to plan a new travel wardrobe! This being my favorite kind of sewing/planning to do, I got right to work and made M5433, View D, in a beautiful Japanese cotton purchased on the
same No.Cal. trip at Piedmont Fabric, another one of Sham's favorite stores.

Both Shams and I fell in love with this fabric, and despite our combined many  years of experience, had the salesman cut our fabric before we asked the price...this is a BIG mistake, and you would think we'd know better...so I kind of felt like I was sewing with gold on this one.

Wanting to use this as a travel piece, I lined it and put my customary pockets in the lining. I'm not sure it'll make the wardrobe cut, but it's a fun addition to my closet.

This is a ghastly picture of ME, but it shows the pockets I added to the lining of the jacket; the one on my left is sized for a boarding pass, two others on the right side...
Then I made the first Style Arc pattern in a long time, the Abby Cardi in that beloved red/black ponte from EOS

I'm just getting started, so watch for more to come!
Posted by at 10:43 AM
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45 comments:

  1. shamsJuly 15, 2012 at 11:06 AM

    Very nice, Margy! I especially like the long jacket you made with our expensive Japanese print. It will definitely be hard to cut into that one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MargyJuly 15, 2012 at 1:06 PM

      I can't wait to see what you make with it!

      Delete
  2. AnnJuly 15, 2012 at 11:13 AM

    Forget the expense. That is one cool jacket! The red ponte wrap should be a very wearable travel piece.

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    Replies
    1. MargyJuly 15, 2012 at 1:07 PM

      Thanks, Ann...I've aready forgotten EXACTLY how expensive it was!

      Delete
  3. JillybejoyfulJuly 15, 2012 at 12:11 PM

    Love that Japanese fabric! - you deserve the luxury ;-)
    They all look like successes to me, and I agree that the red wrap should be a perfect travel piece.

    It's nice to see you blogging again...even though time in the studio takes preference ;-)

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    Replies
    1. MargyJuly 15, 2012 at 1:07 PM

      Thanks, Jilly...it's hard to balance it sometimes, isn't it?

      Delete
  4. vtmarthaJuly 15, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    Love the Japanese print jacket! I would have snapped up that fabric as well without asking about price. It's stunning!

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    Replies
    1. MargyJuly 15, 2012 at 1:08 PM

      Thanks, Martha...I knew there were some like-minded sewists out there...

      Delete
  5. Manitoulin ThreadsJuly 15, 2012 at 12:23 PM

    I know this may sound crazy, bu I want to BE YOU! Your flair, your zest for life, your fun with fashion , and that jacket in tht fabulous fabric. wow!!!

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  6. DillianderJuly 15, 2012 at 2:41 PM

    You made the most of that beautiful fabric, the whole outfit is great!

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  7. DixieJuly 15, 2012 at 6:22 PM

    Oh, that Japanese fabric is to die for! You did it justice with the shirt you made. What a great layering piece that will be! And the cardi is just luscious in that gorgeous red. Your true colors are showing again!

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  8. MarthaJuly 15, 2012 at 6:32 PM

    I agree with all. The perfect application of this divine Japanese cotton. And I'm sure you kept every scrap for little details in future projects!

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    Replies
    1. MargyJuly 15, 2012 at 6:42 PM

      You better believe that not ONE scrap went in the trash!

      Delete
  9. IreneJuly 15, 2012 at 7:38 PM

    The Japanese print is absolutely gorgeous! And what a brilliant idea to put pockets on the front!

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    Replies
    1. MargyJuly 15, 2012 at 7:45 PM

      Thanks, Irene...the more pockets the better, IMHO!

      Delete
  10. MaryJuly 15, 2012 at 8:18 PM

    Margy, Wonderful start to your travel wardrobe. I love the choices of fabric and pattern. The pockets are a good idea-and on the inside also? I am loving your style!

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  11. MargyJuly 15, 2012 at 8:27 PM

    Thanks, Mary! I love putting pockets on the inside of my jackets for specific things, like airline boarding passes and passports...

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  12. DebbieJuly 15, 2012 at 8:58 PM

    I can't imagine taking a trip without that beautiful Japanese print jacket. It is stunning and just your style. The idea of an inner pocket is wonderful and I would appreciate more info on adding that to patterns.

    Deb

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    Replies
    1. MargyJuly 15, 2012 at 9:06 PM

      Thanks, Debbie...I just added a picture to the post that shows the pockets...

      Delete
    2. Pam ErnyJuly 16, 2012 at 4:49 AM

      Margy...you never disappoint! You have a wonderful sense of style, and each of your creations has it's own special panache.

      Delete
    3. MargyJuly 16, 2012 at 7:24 AM

      Thank you, Pam...this is high praise, coming from you!

      Delete
  13. Re's Home on the RoadJuly 16, 2012 at 6:55 AM

    Margy - love the Japanese print - and I can imagine the $$. But it's beautiful and looks fabulous on you. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip to Sicily, just wish it were earlier or later and once again we will miss each other when I travel West. Planning to come for Artistry in Stitches which I know you always attend. Next time.

    ReplyDelete
  14. MargyJuly 16, 2012 at 7:23 AM

    Thanks, ReAnn...yes, I'm so sorry to be missing AIF and seeing you IRL. We'll get together one of these times!

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  15. Claire R.July 16, 2012 at 7:35 AM

    I'm on board with that Japanese grey and red fabric. The jacket is simply gorgeous and you look like a million bucks in it! So per wearing it's well worth it. I cannot BELIEVE there are no cool fabric stores in San Diego. . . sniff sniff sniff. I never have the opportunity to buy expensive fabric w/o asking the price!!!!

    Travel wardrobes are my favorite! Looking forward to seeing The Sicily Wardrobe shape up!

    All the best Margy!

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    Replies
    1. MargyJuly 16, 2012 at 6:12 PM

      Thank you, Claire...I have to travel to NoCal to find cool fabric, too!

      Delete
  16. pdiddlyJuly 16, 2012 at 12:31 PM

    Margy - welcome back, and ditto to all the comments everyone else has made,you are one stylish lady. I have the PP pattern too but haven't made it up yet - you have inspired me with your beautiful print. From one frequent traveller to another, I am sure your pockets will be very useful for the boarding passes and passport.

    The Abby cardi is so cute and I can imagine you getting a lot of wear out of that.

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    Replies
    1. MargyJuly 16, 2012 at 6:12 PM

      Thanks, Pauline...I am still trying to negotiate with DH re "payment" for shirts...:)

      Delete
    2. pdiddlyJuly 18, 2012 at 12:43 AM

      ha ha - I need to get my last two out of the way - that bag is calling my name lol

      Delete
  17. kbencoJuly 16, 2012 at 2:16 PM

    What lovely pieces. The man's shirt looks very smart. Your print shirt/jacket is gorgeous, and the travel specific pockets are so clever. It would make a terrific travel garment, as would the tie cardigan. I am looking forward to seeing the rest of the wardrobe.

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    Replies
    1. MargyJuly 16, 2012 at 6:13 PM

      Thanks, kbenco! I love to make traveling easier, if I can!

      Delete
  18. KARIMAJuly 16, 2012 at 4:06 PM

    I love the jacket! The pockets inside is such a good idea. And Dave's shirt is very nice. Don't see a thing wrong with it. By the way, husbands/male love ones tend to be very happy to receive anything from a sewist hands. We may think that its off, to small, to short, but they don't see the faults. At least mines doesn't. He is alway thankful for anything made for him. And come to think of it, I made him a quilted jacket years ago with some very expense Japanese cotton.

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    Replies
    1. MargyJuly 16, 2012 at 6:14 PM

      You're right, Karima...he's thankful for anything and everything!

      Delete
  19. GailJuly 18, 2012 at 3:55 AM

    I love the Japanese cotton jacket. I'm wearing a shirt from this pattern today, so may copy your idea.

    ReplyDelete
  20. NoileJuly 18, 2012 at 8:39 AM

    Beautiful work on your Japanese fabric jacket; your travel wardrobes are extremely inspirational!

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  21. AnonymousJuly 19, 2012 at 11:23 AM

    Ditto all above! I esp love those lovingly piped inside pockets.
    PS, I never travel internationally with anything very expensive (makes me feel like a target) - except great luggage, which I love looking beat up (and it never requires finding binding rope -no duct tape available - ask me why). Please don't mind if I copy your great ideas. Thanks so much for your posts.

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  22. BarbaraJuly 20, 2012 at 5:16 PM

    Love, love, love both garments and I need a shirt with those pocket too. Such a nice inspiration and you look fantastic.

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  23. VickiJuly 28, 2012 at 2:32 AM

    Well, i think the fabric was worth it! It looks wonderful made up in that simple pattern. Really flattering. Great idea for the pockets.

    ReplyDelete
  24. UnknownJuly 30, 2012 at 9:53 PM

    What is TNT? I just bought the M2447 pattern, but haven't opened it. If there's something better, I'd like to get it. So damned hard to find patterns for men's shirts. I'll end up modding it anyway for my frame, but, would rather start with something better if possible.

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    Replies
    1. MargyJuly 30, 2012 at 10:13 PM

      TNT means "tried and true"...a pattern you have used at least a few times, and worked the kinks out of ...a pattern you can rely on. My TNT for men's shirts is M4079, as I've made it for DH 3 or 4 times and I know it fits. I should have stuck with it. However, everyones' experiences are different, as are bodies, so this may not be true for you.

      Delete

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