Susan Khalje Boatneck Top Pattern

What a joy it is to once again be able to do the things I enjoy doing. Breaking both the bones in my right arm at the wrist took so much out of me. But, I am back, and it feels so very good! 

I love to make quick, simple, fun things as much as anyone, maybe even more :) But, I also love to put more effort into a garment. I have had the cotton boucle that you see below for quite some time. It's just the perfect weight for summer.    

I have decided to use the Susan Khalje Boatneck top pattern, but extend it into a dress. 

I'll be doing the version with the little cap sleeve. I especially love the darts, perfect for fitting. I've ordered silk organza to underline the dress. The fabric will need some quilting in order for it to hold its shape. I think I will most likely quilt along the black lines of the plaid, and in both directions. I've also ordered a beautiful piece of white silk charmeuse to line the dress. What a dream this will be to wear!!! 

Susan Khalje has a wonderful subscription group on Facebook, the Susan Khalje Couture Sewing Club. It's a fabulous opportunity to work virtually with Susan. The subscription includes all the videos that Susan has done for the Couture Skirt, the Boatneck Top, and now a brand new course, the Parisian Jacket. You can find all of Susan's pattern's HERE. 

On Susan's website, you will find classes for the French Jacket, Cocktail Dress, and the Couture Skirt, but you will only find the video instruction for her Boatneck Top, and her new Parisian Jacket in the Sewing Club. I think that the videos alone that are included in the subscription of the sewing club make the price of membership truly a bargain! And then too, the club gives you the opportunity to ask Susan herself for advice. Score!!!

I'm off today to get muslin to begin the process of my dress. I'm so excited as I will have the opportunity to see the Dior exhibit in Dallas around the middle of August. Dallas will be so hot, and I'm sure the museum will be freezing cold, so this little dress should be perfect as I will be able to add a...well, I was going to say a shawl, but wouldn't it be great if I could get a coordinating Parisian Jacket finished for the occasion? 

Stay tuned!!!

Rhonda

A New Year of Learning and Improving!

Creativity is good for the soul :) 
And, it has been a very creative week for me! I began a pottery class on Thursday night. I felt like I was 5 years old again, playing with clay, feeling the squishy mud in my hands. This is my first experience with doing pottery, so it's a brand new world for me. I told the teacher that I just want to learn the basics, and then we'll see where it goes.

I spent the day yesterday, and will again today, taking a class on doing a fabulous travel bag. While I could have done it on my own, I so love being in a class where I get told what to do, and all I have to do is do what I'm told ;) I can't wait to share my bag with you! It has been a lot of work as it involves a huge amount of quilting. I say quilting, it's really just sewing straight lines, but it's still a lot of work. 

While quickly putting something together that you can throw on is lots of fun, and I think, good for the soul, it's also good to slow down, and use more refined skills. I signed up for the Susan Khalje Sewing Club on Facebook. Initially, I was curious, and then, I was quite pleased to see how Susan has formatted the group. The first project was the couture skirt.

The pattern is a basic pencil skirt, but it offers 3 options for the waistband. This is a fabulous option because...we aren't all created the same :) There's a traditional waistband, a contoured waistband, and finally, no waistband.

In the Facebook group, Susan has posted step by step videos on how to create a true couture skirt. Once you begin your project, you are then invited to share your fitting issues. Susan will comment on the fit, and what she feels you need to do to obtain a perfect fit. I have been very impressed with the before and after photos of those who have completed their skirts. Just amazing!  

The second pattern is this beautiful Boatneck Top. I prefer to call it a ballerina top, as that is what I think of when I see this neckline. It is such a lovely neckline for women.

Take note of how the pattern was developed. There are 2 darts radiating from the side seam, and a dart at the top of the sleeve. The sleeve options are many. You may choose the little cap sleeve, or the various lengths of a straight sleeve, short, 3/4, or long. You may also cut the sleeve on the bias. 

I am so very excited about getting started on both projects!!! And you'll be able to share in my progress :) So stay tuned :)

If you think you might be interested in the Susan Khalje Sewing Club, there are a few options. If you think you would just like a taste, there is a 3 month membership. For those who think they might want to jump in a little deeper, there is a 6 month membership. And finally, a year long membership for full immersion. You can find all of the options HERE.

Here's a little video from Susan, explaining what the sewing club is all about.

A friend of mine was recently out skiing, fell and broke his arm in 2 places requiring surgery. Another friend commented that when he was younger, he would set goals for each year, hoping to get a little better with each passing season. He said that all he hopes for now is to stay out of the clinic :/

I think that many of us have had sewing related accidents. I have sewn through a finger more times than I would like. But one thing about sewing, most likely, our accidents will not land us in the clinic!!! And as long as we see, we can improve. Here's to a fabulous year of learning and improving :)
 Rhonda

Take A Peek/A Vintage Garment That Is Beautifully Made

A number of years ago, I found a wonderful vintage evening suit that transcends time. 

The dress is simple in design, but made of the most beautiful fabric. It includes a jacket, perfect for chilly evenings. And even better, it has hidden pockets.

For those of us who sew, the interior of the dress and jacket are just as interesting as the outside, if not more, so I thought you might like to take a look inside.



If you have any questions, be sure to ask, Or if I can take a close up picture of something, just let me know.

Sewbussted's Material Witness/Fishman's Fabrics, Chicago's Premier Fabric Store

Today is National Drink Tea Day! How perfect, grab a cup of tea, and enjoy a brand new episode of Sewbussted Material Witness! If you prefer coffee, that's okay too ;)

I found this interview to be especially interesting and inspiring. So many of us watch as fabric store after fabric store closes, and of course we fear the worse...where will we be able to find fabric? Many have turned to the internet, but it's just not the same as being able to go into a store and become intoxicated by everything we see. 

Fishman's has been a resource for couture fabrics for over 100 years. Here you will find 80 shades of Bemberg lining, always at $10.00 per yard. 

They also carry 38 shades of silk charmuese, a must lining in any couture garment.

A little over one half of the store is devoted to clothing fabrics,

With an entire wall of woolens for bespoke men's wear. 

In the video, you'll learn that they even offer more, a free swatch service, unique fabrics from Italian manufacturers, and re-orderable fabrics. 



As you enter the store, there is a wall devoted to the history of Fishman's, featuring the impact that the store has had on Chicago as well as the life of so many who have entered through the front door.

And finally, a tribute to Gregg's father, Jerry Fishman, a wonderful man who made everyone who entered the store feel as though they were the most important person in the world. In the video you'll learn why he is pictured in an airplane. 

I hope you've enjoyed this episode of Sewbussted Material Witness :)

Rhonda 

Sewbussted's Material Witness

The first episode of Sewbussted's Material Witness is up!!!

As I said in the preliminary video, it's not perfect, far from it, but rather than wait until everything is perfect, I decided to just start :) I love podcasts, and the podcasts that I enjoy the most have an attached video. It's fun to actually see a person. The videos will be kept to approximately 30 minutes, not too long, and not too short. 

I'm very happy to introduce you to my friend, a wonderfully gifted designer, Bryan K. Osburn.  You can see more of his work HERE. If you would like to contact Bryan, he works exclusively through Facebook. Just put his name in the search box and send him a message.

Enjoy!

The Susan Khalje Couture Cocktail Dress/Gown

A few weeks ago, I told you about the Susan Khalje cocktail dress pattern and video that I would be making. 

At the moment, I am under the gun t o get this dress finished, so a much more detailed post will follow.

This is the fabric that I am using for the dress. You may remember that I am not making a cocktail dress, but a gown. My ideas have gone through a number of tweaks as I didn't have as much fabric as I thought. 

The process is fairly labor intensive. A muslin is traced from the pattern. The pattern does not include seam allowances. The pattern is traced and then all the seams are stitched. The stitching allows for the seams to be visible on both sides and also helps to keep the muslin from stretching. This is my center back panel. You can see that at this point I have done my fitting and made changes, not many though.

My fashion fabric has been cut as well as the underlining. The gown is underlined in silk. It seems extravagant, but it will make a huge difference in how the dress hangs and wears. Besides that, I got it on sale for an incredible price, so I just couldn't resist!!! The underlining is marked with seam allowances and then basted to the fashion fabric.

 The dress is then basted together and another fitting will be done.

 Seam allowances are quite generous in the couture world, 1".

My gown is much further along than what I'm showing you now, but at least it is a sneak peek!
I will finish it today, fingers crossed :) So off I go to work.
I hope you and I both have a wonderfully productive day!!!!!
Rhonda