I Love My Waffle Patterns Pepernoot Coat!

We're in the 3rd week of the Waffle Patterns Pepernoot Coat Sew Along and I am in love with my coat. Talk about flower power!!!

The fabric I'm using for the lining is from Tessuti Fabrics in Australia. when I purchased the fabric, I had a skirt in mind. Maybe serendipity, maybe just dumb luck, but when I began working on the coat, I immediately realized that the fabric was perfect for a lining. The only problem is that I only purchased a meter of fabric, so not enough to line the entire coat. But, I had a beautiful piece of black silk that blended perfectly with the fabric, so rather than ditch the idea, the sleeves are lined in black. 

The lining prior to the sleeves being added.

If you would like to check out the 3rd week of the sew along, you can find it HERE on the Sew News blog. 

I can't wait to finish my coat. I'm hoping to wear it on Easter Sunday. In our final post, we'll work on the pockets, attach the 

hood, insert the center front zipper and hem the skirt and sleeves.

If by chance you are working on a Pepernoot Coat, I hope you are loving yours as much as I am loving mine!

Yuki, the designer of Waffle Patterns has 3 new patterns available,

1. The Tosti Utility Jacket

2. The Dropje Hooded Vest

3. The Yuzu Raglan Coat

I think that one of my next projects will be the vest. Love the dart detail around the neckline.

Happy Sewing.

Rhonda

Monday Morning Inspiration/Quilted Inspiration

Well, I'm stumped! The 2016 Thread's Challenge in conjunction with the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals is "The Quilted Garment." For some reason, the competition interested me, so I decided to enter the challenge. I have yet to be inspired :(
Here's the criteria of the competition,

“Quilting” is defined here as two or more textile layers joined by hand- or machine-stitching, and you must do the quilting yourself. Choose any fabrics that inspire you. Quilting cotton is not required, nor is traditional quilt batting. The garments don’t have to be pieced. The quilting itself should be the star. The stitching must meaningfully contribute to the structure, silhouette, and/or embellishment of the garment. 

Here's a little of what I've found in my searching for inspiration. The above coat is from the 2015 couture collection by Schiaparelli. I have no idea is the fabric is hand quilted, but I know I will not be doing anything similar to this.
I do like the use of textiles in the coat below. 

This is simple and yet a lot of work. I think it may be a Kantha quilt.

This coat is from Fendi and except for the pocket, I think it's lovely, but not very inspiring.

This coat is from Valentino and I think it is absolutely amazing. 

This piece I did find interesting. I love the mix of textiles.

In this close up picture, you can see how the red fabric is stitched so that it is actually raised off the bed of the jacket. 

Another piece from Valentino. Not so sure about the one shoulder aspect,but I do love the piecing. Dramatic and yet subtle.

This is not a quilted piece, but I do like the stitching idea. Quilting a piece with beads on a solid ground.

Here's a piece that is quilted and then the faces are stitched over the quilting.

I included this coat as I think it is a great use of color. It's from Bjork. Not quite sure why the yo-yos weren't taken into the armpit.

So here's how I'm feeling. The picture below makes me think of being tied into a straight jacket! I'm simply stuck.

But then, I could just grab an old quilt and make a dress!!!! This won't happen :)

So today, I'm asking for some help, maybe a little direction. The competition is based more on the actual quilting of the fabric rather than the piecing. Is there anything that inspires you? I'm up for any inspiration that will come my way.

Thanks so much :)

Rhonda

Sunday Night Reflections

Be the somebody

 who makes everyone

 feel like somebody.

Sunday's Soup/Roasted Cauliflower, Leek and Carrot Soup

We've all heard that carrots are good for our eyes. Well, it's not just a myth, they really are good for our eyes. Since I was diagnosed with moles on my retina, I've become all the more concerned with trying to get vitamins and nutrients in my diet that will nourish my eyes, so a recipe with carrots always pops off the page. 

I found a recipe from Flourishing Foodie that caught my attention, Roasted Cauliflower, Leek and Carrot Soup. You know how much I enjoy roasted cauliflower :) As the title says, this recipe combines carrots and leeks with roasted cauliflower, a sure fire winner in my book!

Begin by breaking up a head of cauliflower and mixing it with smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, garlic, olive oil and salt. Mix well and roast.

While the cauliflower is roasting, cook the carrots and leeks. Once the cauliflower is roasted, mix half with the carrot and leek mixture, add vegetable stock and cook for about 30 minutes. Once vegetables are tender, puree the mixture.

Add the remaining roasted cauliflower to the pureed soup. Add grated Parmesan cheese (I used grated Romano), and the juice of 1 lemon. Be sure to add the lemon as it really enhances the flavor.

To serve, drizzle a little olive oil over the soup and toss on some sliced green onions and brace yourself for a taste explosion in your mouth!

*One note, the recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. You may want to use a little less and increase once you've had a taste. *One more note, the recipe calls for 3 carrots, please be sure to use large carrots or your soup will be too thin. If you are using smaller carrots, double the amount and use 6. Below is a picture of the size carrot that I used.

I love how half of the roasted cauliflower was added to the pureed soup, it gives you a little something to chew :) 

This past week, I received an article from Dr. Josh Axe. He has a great website devoted to natural remedies and living a healthy lifestyle. The article is all about the vitamins that are great for your eyes. You can read the article HERE. His website is an all around great resource for healthy information.
Take care of your eyes and eat lots of carrots!!!
Rhonda

The New Issue of Sew News Is Out and I Have 3 To Give Away!

The brand new April/May issue of Sew News is out and I have 3 copies to give away!!! 

This is a great issue. If you don't already have a subscription, you don't want to miss this issue. So be sure to leave a message on this post for a chance to win a copy!

As always, there are free patterns. The fun Maritime Tote is one that I can't wait to make. You can download the free pattern HERE.

There's also a free pattern for this must have summer favorite, the Uptown Folk Peasant Blouse. You can download the free pattern HERE. The patterns are only free until May 31, 2016, so don't delay in getting them downloaded.

The peasant blouse article includes the templates for the embroidery along with all of the instructions. 

This issue also includes a great article from Joi Mahon on fit that I'm sure you will want to read. 

You'll also find my article on the next sew along. If you've never sewn a bias garment, then you are in for a real treat. The Magic Bias Dress from Fashions In Harmony is a beautiful pattern. So many feel that they can't wear a bias garment. You most certainly can! A bias garment falls beautifully over curves and just skims the body making the garment not only comfortable, but quite attractive. The trick to a well fitting bias garment is to cut it with the appropriate amount of ease. We'll talk more about this in future posts. 

What I especially love about this dress, and what makes it rather magical is that the pieces are all cut on the straight of grain. No cutting on the bias!!!! You can't go wrong. The pieces are cut on the straight of grain, but when sewn together, the pieces wrap around the body and hang on the bias. It really is a very ingenious design.

Below is a drawing of the dress from Fashions In Harmony.  

And below is the line drawing along with measurements, suggested fabrics and yardage.

 The neckline of the dress is finished with a French piping.

It really isn't piping at all. You actually take a piece of bias, sew it to the seam and then roll the bias strip over the seam edge and stitch it down.  

 The pattern includes 3 sleeve styles. I chose the tulip sleeve. So fluttery and pretty. A great sleeve for summer.

The hem of the dress is a simple rolled hem. 

Be sure to stay tuned as I will have a pattern to give away. I'll post the pattern give away next week. In the meantime, leave a message on this post if you would like a chance at winning 1 of the 3 magazines. 

This sew along will begin the week of April 4th, so it's coming right on the heels of the Pepernoot Coat sew along, but just in time for summer, at least on my side of the world :). I have 2 of these dresses made and I am really looking forward to making another. I'll probably live in them all summer!
I'll announce the winners of the magazines next Friday, March 25, 2016. So you have until Thursday March 24, 2016 at midnight to get your name in for the drawing.
Good Luck!!!

The Perfect Travel Dress Now Available On Video

So many of you enjoy tutorial videos. They can really be an added bonus to a written tutorial.
I received an email from Sew News announcing that the episode I did on the Perfect Travel Dress is now available as a download for only $1.99. The Perfect Travel Dress is the second most downloaded tutorial of all the Fabulous Free Pattern Friday pieces that I have done. Amazing! So with that in mind, I thought you might like the info on the video download. Just click HERE for all the info. From 3/17/2016 to 3/19/2016, use promo code 15GREEN and receive 15% off your purchase!

If you are one of the few who has not seen the tutorial for the Perfect Travel Dress, just click HERE.

Happy Traveling!

Rhonda

The Wednesday Showcase

It isn't official, the voting won't take place until May, but...I have agreed to be the president of the Haute Couture Club of Chicago!!! I am rather excited actually. If by chance you are ever in Chicago the first Saturday of the month, by all means, stop by and attend a meeting. We would love to have you. The club is made up of an exceptionally talented group of ladies, and even a couple of men. I had the pleasure of helping out with the garment review for our upcoming fashion show this last Sunday. I was blown away by the garments that were brought in. Just amazing work. It's going to be a beautiful fashion show. You can read all about the club and the upcoming fashion show HERE.
In our last 2 Wednesday Showcase posts, I've introduced you to 2 co-op type blogs. The Denver Sewing Collective and Refashion Co-op. The Denver Sewing Collective is made up of a group in Denver, Colorado who enjoy sharing what they do, but by being part of a group, the responsibilities of the blog don't fall on the shoulders of just one person. The Refashion Co-op blog is a different platform as it encompasses the talent of sewists worldwide and there are 100 contributors. 
Just this past week, a message was left on the blog by someone who contributes to another collective blog called We Sew Retro. This blog is also a co-op type blog, but here their focus is retro fashion and they have over 1000 contributors, so the content is always fresh and new.
Take a look at some of the beautiful pieces you'll find on the blog.

I especially enjoy when we get to see the pattern alongside the real life garment. 

The blog does not concentrate on just one period of time, so all decades are showcased.

I just had to include this picture. Love the leisure jacket! Be sure to pop over to the blog and check out the other pictures. This gentleman was such a great sport :-)

If you enjoy making a vintage or retro garment from time to time, We Sew Retro is a great place to share it, and even better, you don't have to have your own blog to join in. Check out all the info on how you can join in HERE. Remember, the 70's and 80's are now retro!!!

Now for a more traditional blog, meet Amy of SewsNBows. She lives in Oklahoma, a girl after my own heart. She loves her jeans, cowboy boots, and southwest fabrics, oh, and she also loves to sew! I love her easy style and her beautiful smile.  

She has a very well rounded repertoire of sewn items, the "I Want One For Myself" vest above and this ever so hot bra below. 

Amy also enjoys doing a little restyling. I thought this t-shirt was especially nice. On the left you see the trim that came with the original piece and on the left you see the fabric that she chose to restyle the t-shirt. What a perfect combination.

Amy has a couple of very lucky little girls in her life that she sews for. So precious.

Amy has also taken a stab at designing some of her own fabrics like this adorable teddy bear print below.

By the way, Amy's blog is called Sew N Bows. She makes the most incredible hair bows. She has a tutorial on her blog that you can find HERE. She also has an Etsy shop that you can find HERE.

As always, I am so inspired by what all of you do. One of the things that I plan to do for the Haute Couture Club of Chicago is start a co-op blog. As I said, so many of our members are doing such incredible things and it needs to be shared. Even better when you don't have to commit to an entire blog. It should be up late summer. I'll let you know when it is up and running.

Take a minute and pop over to La Sewista if you haven't already. She has a Wednesday Words post that I think you'll get a kick out of. Sadly, it's all too true for me! Due to an unfortunate accident, she's laid up for a few weeks. I'm sure she would enjoy a quite note too.  

Have a wonderful day!
Rhonda