Pattern Collection Tour - Drawer #2

Want to see what's in drawer #2 of my Sewing Pattern Collection?

Watch the video below to find out (I'm going to show you my all time favourite sewing pattern)!

Ooooh!  I see some Vogue!

If you missed Drawer #1, you can see it HERE.

Next week I'll share the last drawer, my favourite, the Vintage Pattern Drawer~

Where do you keep your pattern collection?  Share with us below~

Sewing Pattern Reviews

Have you heard of patternreview.com ?

It's a very cool site where you can read and submit reviews on sewing patterns, books, machines, stores, classes, websites, etc.

If you become a member (you can join for free or buy a premium membership) and write reviews you can pick up a customized widget like this one that's at the bottom of my sidebar:




There's even a fabric glossary, sewing podcasts, newsletters, expert speakers, contests and so much more!  There are almost 260,000 members and over 86,000 reviews that are, believe it or not, easy to sift through to find what you're looking for.  If you're a sewer, you need to be on this website.  It doesn't matter what level you are, there's something for everyone. 

I have to say though that there are a couple of drawbacks.  It's not overly attractive, maybe even a little dated in its design.  Also, it can be a bit cumbersome from time to time with multiple log-ins.  However, if you can get over those two little things, you'll enjoy the site.

The more pattern reviews you post and the more that other's leave comments and indicate how helpful your review is, the more stars you earn.  I got my first star this past week!!  I guess the more stars you have the more people are willing to listen to what you have to say (???).

I'm enjoying the community and I love that I can look up a pattern there first to see if anyone had any problems with it or if there were a number of people who made similar adjustments to a pattern.  It's a great way to save a lot of time and frustration, plus it's kind of fun to check out everyone else's projects.

If you have a sewing blog I highly recommend joining this community.  It's a great way to connect with other sewers and to reach a whole new audience.

Are you a member already?  Have you tried it out?  Leave a comment below and let everyone know what you think.

Show and Tell: Pattern Review- V8436

As I mentioned on Monday, I took last weekend to make something that I've sort of been putting off.  I don't know why because I actually love making coats and jackets.  It's the one garment that I actually take my time with and really try to do things properly on.

This is the pattern I used:

Unfortunately, this pattern is no longer in print, but if you have it in your stock and haven't tried it yet I definitely recommend that you give it a go. 

I love this pattern for three reasons:
-it fits me like a glove
-it's fairly easy and comes together quickly
-I can't resist a good bishops sleeve


Source



I think a bishops sleeve is the prettiest, most elegant, most feminine sleeve you can use.

I went with view B because I liked the collar too.  It's warming up here, but my walk to work in the mornings is still pretty chilly so I didn't think an open neck would be very comfortable.

Vogue patterns can be a little intimidating for some home sewers but this one really is very easy.  The collar goes on with no tricks or special cutting, the lining closes everything in quickly (even the bottom hem), and unless you want to add embellishments, there are no tricky zippers or button holes to worry about.



with unfinished sleeves



You know it's  time to stop sewing and go to bed when you
snip your finger instead of the thread!



Even after everything I just said about Bishops sleeves I was actually very tempted to leave the cuff off of the sleeves and just do a bell type sleeve.  After alot of back and forth though I decided to save that for another time.

I used a beautiful mustard yellow wool for the outer jacket and a pretty tone on tone deep purple pinstripe lining for inside.  I love to do contrasting linings.  I think it adds something special, even if I'm the only that see's it.

                                       

I think it looks great dressed up or down.  I can't really do my hippy dippy chick thing at work so I tend to go for a more classic style, especially when I have meetings out of the office.

I had made this jacket a couple of seasons ago in a very supple tweedy fabric.

      

I even made the skirt to match.  I don't think I've ever worn the two together but now that I see it as a suit it really doesn't look all that bad.

The linings:

You can do so many things to this to make this jacket your own.  You could add a button or large brooch to close it, add a military flare with buttons down the front edge, use a super wide matching ribbon for the belt, the sky's the limit.  I think I'll make this one more time with some heavy weight Jersey for a more relaxed look and maybe convert the bishops to bells.  We'll see.

Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts.  (Do you think Angelina Jolie would've worn this in The Tourist ???)

Inspiration Shot: South African Giraffe

Just look at her!  So beautiful!  I love the sheen on her coat and the way that she's gazing right into the camera with almost not a care in the world.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

The giraffe is one of my most favourite animals.  I think I read somewhere that they are not hunted by the others very often.  Their size fools everyone into thinking that they're really powerful.   You go tall girls!

The patterned coats of the wild animals in Africa are mesmerizing.  I could lose myself in their intricacies.  Let me know if there are any other wild animals you would like to see pictures of, I just might have one~

Don't forget to enter my 100 follower celebration giveaway!  Just go HERE for details.
As of very late Wednesday night less than 5 people have entered
so head over there.  You're chances of winning are extremely good!