Pattern Sighting

There’s a new independent pattern company in the place and it’s called Bluegingerdoll. I’ll keep my eye open for further patterns…

I don’t know if I mentioned the Ralph Pink patterns here as well but they’re worth checking out as well.

 

Vogue Patterns – Summer 2013

The snow has finally melted, spring is here and summer might be knocking at our door sooner than we think. Proof is: Vogue has released their summer sewing pattern collection. A bit underwhelming in my opinion, as there is really no pattern that I would qualify “striking” or call a must-have. My “nice to have maybe, eventually, we’ll see” picks:

Rachel Comey V1350, a shirtdress with nice details, that would be more visible in a solid:

I like the seaming of V8902:

V8907 reminds me of a more flattering, more summery version of Burda 08-2012-130:

See all the patterns here. What are your picks?

Sewing Obsessed…

…is when you look at this:

and think of this:

I think part of my brain has turned into a pattern library.

Lalimaya Origami Dress, the Second

DM’s dress for the wedding in May is done, this one in red:

The dress went together just as well as the first one. The button is also from the designer.

Book review: Couture Origami

The author of this book is the designer of the origami dress. I found out about the book release by sheer chance and ordered it based on the sole cover picture:

I don’t regret it one bit. The book includes 22 patterns in a size range 2T-12T. Just like for the origami dress, the designs in this book are rather basic patterns made special with origami details. Ideas can be gathered to embellish garments made from patterns of other sources. The sewing instructions are rather brief, but the tutorials are a bit more detailed. The way of depicting the construction order is identical to the way it’s done in Japanese sewing books. Similar to a mode magazine, the author indicates under “Coups de coeur” where the fabrics and accessories used for the photos in the book are from, with all addresses. Of course, this is most useful if you live in France but most of the shops also have websites worth visiting.

For each designs, the author suggests a variation. It might sound good but most of the time it’s a mere suggestion to revert to the basic pattern without the origami detail. Not really useful IMO: if you got this book, how can it be for anything else than the origami details?

Here are some of the designs included in the book:

As of right now, there are only 7 books left in Lalimaya’s shop so don’t hesitate too long if you’re considering getting it.

Celine Girardeau did not asked me to do this review nor did she offer any remuneration in counterpart.

Lalimaya Origami Dress

First pic was edited to better showcase the design

I don’t even recall what site/blog it was on. If you look at the archives of this blog, you’ll know that I have a feeble for origami details, even if doesn’t translate in my sewing projects, until this one. So it’s no wonder I fell in love with this dress as soon as I saw it for the first time.

The basic pattern is really simple. No lining, no sleeve, no zipper. The drafting is well done, the pattern goes together very well although the markings are minimal: the creases are not marked, nor is the buttonhole or the button placement. The instructions are brief but sufficient.

The instructions say to zigzag/overlock but I finished the side seams with French seams. The facings were finished by sewing the interfacing and facing right sides together before fusing the interfacing to the fabric, thereby enclosing the raw edges under the interfacing. I read about this technique a couple of years back and again, I don’t recall on what blog but it’s just genius. So much better than zigzag. The button is one of two send to me by the designer along with the pattern. Isn’t it cute? I think it’s one of the Liberty buttons she sells in her shop.

Lalimaya also sells a pattern for an adult version of this dress, as well as an origami coat for children and adults as well as several other patterns and books. I’ll be reviewing this one in a later post.

I have another one of this dress planned in red for DM. This is part of a wardrobe project for a wedding we’ll be attending in May.

2-in-1 Akris-style Turtleneck

I’m still alive. Sewing, and knitting too. In fact, this knitting project might be one the reason of less sewing happening around here. I always tell myself I’ll knit in the subway on my way to and from work and sew when I’m home but I find it hard to “neglect” an ongoing knitting project when I’m home. And so in the evening I find myself knitting on the couch while I had planned to be sewing. Does anyone have the same issue?

Anyway, this designer knockoff pattern was released online for free in 2007 by the german magazine Für Sie (For Her). Eventually, they redesigned their website, after which all knitting patterns disappeared, including those the Selfish Seamstress had linked to. Subsequently released knitting pattern are still available here though, but I would advise downloading and saving the instructions of those you’re interested in, just in case. For this particular pattern, I was lucky enough to have the instructions sent to me by a fellow Raveler. The garn I used is Mussante from GGH, a german company. It’s 37% wool, 30% rayon, 20% nylon (Polyamide), 8% angora, 5% cashmere, was a joy to knit with and is a joy to wear. I modified the pattern in that I made a separate cowl neck, much like this sweater by Tany. I also knit in the round instead of doing a front and back. All the notes to the project are on my Ravelry account.

The original design by Akris, Fall 2006 collection:

My version:

My wool is not as thick as the original but I like the end result nonetheless.