Showing posts with label COLLAGE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label COLLAGE. Show all posts

Friday, April 12, 2013

Spring Top Sewalong



This is a first for me.. I have seen and voted on tops in Made by Rae's Spring Top Sewalong, but I am a little timid when it comes to competitions. When I read Rae's announcement, about this year's STS being more of a true 'sewalong', having no judges and no winners, I immediately committed to join in!
I'd already sewn the two tops in that pervious post.. and according to the rules I can enter them too.. but this one. This is the one!
I NEEDED to make this one!

It started with a sketch..
I chose my Option 2.
Got down to business.
And the next day I had a top!

and I LOVE it!!!!!

The Pattern: Why... it's my STAPLE DRESS PATTERN!!! What?! Yeah. It really is.
(Are you tired of it yet?)
This one is cut exactly the same just shortened to a tunic/long t-shirt length. The original pattern is roomy enough and has a wide (almost boat neck) neck opening that I was able to add the pintucks straight down the front without adding any width to the pattern piece. I then added a small box pleat to the back neckline, to balance the difference. I drafted the collar from another free pattern I had on hand, greatly lengthened it and completely altered the shape of the points.

The Fabric: Solid Designer Voile from Freespirit.. not certain of the color. I purchased it last year and it's been sitting in my stash for sometime now. Don't even remember why I bought it. I know I must've had a plan to buy as much as I did... but I can't imagine a better use than this!

I'm literally so in love with it. I NEED to make another. VERY SOON! not only that, but I promised some of you that I'd offer this variation as a free tutorial...
That was before thinking about the fact that I took zero photos of the collar attachment process.... guess I'll just have to make another! ;)

Now, I'm debating whether I'll try the next one in a print or go with another solid... The voile is the perfect weight. I can leave it long to wear out and belted or tuck it in. It's so thin it doesn't result in any unattractive bunching under my goofy new high rise jeans!




Once again, the photos here are by Suzanne Gipson. She is such an amazing photographer and friend. Just makes a girl feel good! You know what I mean?


>>----♥---->
             April

Are you sewing a Spring Top? YOU SHOULD!!!!




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THE WINNER OF THE COLLAGE LAYER CAKE IS:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:
11
Timestamp: 2013-04-12 04:43:19 UTC

MARTINA!

she said:


stufenzumgericht said...
The Stapel Dress fits very well to this beautiful fabric line! By the way, I'm sewing the dress at the moment and have to say, that it's pure fun! Martina
April 11, 2013 at 10:24 AM


Thank you Martina!! and thank you all for you comments and for hoping along with the COLLAGE party! Remeber to keep following the other crafter's. They are sharing incredible projects and giving away more layer cakes!


Thursday, April 11, 2013

tags and SUCH ;)

I am super thrilled to be a part of this great blog/social media tour today.... we're spreading the news about my beautiful friend, Carrie Bloomston's first ever fabric line, COLLAGE for Windham Fabrics!

^Photo by Jill
I first met Carrie at Houston Quilt Market in 2011, where she was debuting her first booth of sewing patterns. My husband was with me on that trip and he spotted SUCH. Knowing that I'd love it, he called me over. Carrie and I have become fast friends and since meeting. I've look forward to seeing her at every QM.

This fabric line perfectly captures the essence of Carrie and I couldn't be more happy for her!
She is a truly genuine, caring and spirited woman with amazing talents. Every piece from her line, like her, stands perfectly strong and beautiful on it's own, but when in the group as a whole, each one plays so nicely with all the others in a supportive, collaborative and collage sort of way!

For my part in her COLLAGE party, I'm sharing The Staple Dress I made from her brilliant Bauhaus Red new's strip print.

^Photo by me (April Rhodes) 

When Carrie showed me the line and mentioned the prints she thought would work well for this dress I was thrilled that she included this one! The news strips were a stand out for me and I am so pleased with it now. It is a little "edgy" while still being whimsical.  I think the styling could go in any number of directions.

To celebrate Carrie's line, I included a little tag made from her selvage. Doing this made me think of how fun it'd be to do add tags to any handmade garment.. not just with the selvage this was made from, but searching for all the words and special little details that a selvage can contain. I've always saved them thinking I'd find a fun use.. and this, I believe is my favorite idea yet!!! 

^Photo by me (April Rhodes)
^Photo by me (April Rhodes)

If you want to try it,  simply cut of the selvage off the fabric and stay-stitch (machine sew with a short stitch length, 1mm or so) the cut edge. Fold it in half and cut to desired tag length adding about 3/8". Pin tag under neck facing just before you topstitch it. VoilĂ ! A special little handmade tag for your garment!

Here are some photos of the dress in action taken by Carrie's photographer, Jill.




Also, for my stop on the COLLAGE tour/party, I get to give away a little something..
^Photo from Carrie ;)
a layer cake of the entire line! 

Leave a comment here for the chance to win!! I'll randomly choose the ONE lucky winner.

Carrie and Windham have given all the tour guides a layer cake to giveaway, so if you don't win from me, don't despair, keep following along with the list of awesome crafters, and stay tuned for COLLAGE to arrive in stores, early July!! We'll definitely be stocking it here, at Sew To Speak!

still to come...

 April 12 – Tia Curtis


April 14 – Ramona Burke

April 15 – Sally Keller

April 16 – Angela Walters
April 19 – Jenny Kelly
April 20 – Sam Hunter


I hope you love it as much as I do!

>>---♥---->
           April


+ + +  PLEASE BE SURE YOU'RE NOT A NON-REPLY BLOGGER.. so that I can contact you if you WIN!! :)  + + +