Taking Apart the Fedora

So I have this old fedora hat that has too many memories to keep around. Also it's pink and let's be realistic - I am not going to wear a bright pink fedora hat anytime (if ever) soon. Oh and I forgot to mention the silver buckle has tarnished since its last wearing. Thus I have decided to rip apart the fedora to make a pattern! I noticed while ripping it apart the seams are only 3/8 inch.

Below you can see the steps I took in taking apart the fedora.



I began with the inside band.







Which revealed that the band was covering the raw edges of the top and brim being sewn together.








Next I detached the brim from the top portion.









Here you can see the tarnished silver buckle and bias strap with a centered ribbon.






Here is after the brim is detached and you can see how there is bias binding covering the raw edges of the top.







Here I am detaching the bias strip. The strap was covering the raw edge of the top.







Here you can see how the bias trim is connected to the top.








I am beginning to detach the bias trim.









One of the last things to do was taking apart the bottom and top sections of the brim and undoing the 6 stitching lines. The brim was covered with bias tape made from the pink fashion fabric. The bias tape was topstitched into place to cover the raw edges of the brim.


Here are all my pieces (excluding the four sections of the brim) laid out. As you can see I will need to iron out the seam allowances. I will proceed to copy the sections onto pattern paper.

Saturday Night Hat

I love Saturday Night Hat by Eugenia Kim! It is full of great ideas for any style hat and contains several patterns. Kim divides the book by the different types of hats and also explains that the hats are meant to be made within an hour or so.

Kim gives ideas for berets, cloches, cocktails, fedoras, caps and sun hats. Kim doesn't forget to include the basics and "vital hat-istics" at the end of the book.

Finished The Baby Quilt!

Since the baby shower was earlier than I had first thought I finished it tonight!

Here you can see after I finished the quilt seams and turned it right side out.














This is the finished project! I used yellow golden embroidery thread in a diamond shape for the tacks. I really am proud of myself! I really love the fabrics and the golden thread to accentuation!

New Patterns!

I was at Joann Fabrics yesterday during lunch to pick a few patterns from the Vogue catalog. They were on sale for $3.99, so I took advantage. As you can see I chose ones I really really could not do without! Also I plan to use the two Guy Laroche patterns as party dresses and shortening their length!

Baby Quilt for a Friend

This is a photo of the two fabrics I have chosen to use for a baby quilt. The golden yellow thread you see will be "ties" to hold the batting in placed with the two cotton fabrics. I will probably make ties every 2 inches across and every three inches down.

I only needed to buy one yard of each the cotton fabrics and batting.




Here you can see a better view of the pattern on this cotton fabric.


I can't wait to see this finished project!

Continuing Tan Embroidery Skirt

I have gotten a little further on my skirt. I began to cut the lining and finished the seam allowances on the fashion fabric.

Here you can see that I chose to cut out every single piece individually, even the front where it should be a fold. This is a rayon lining and very slippery. After I sew these four lining pieces together, I will make the hem at least an inch shorter than the fashion fabric hem.

That means I need to decide now on how long I want my skirt. A choice I wasn't ready to decide but need before I hand baste the lining to the fashion fabric.

Here you can see that I began to press the seam allowances utilizing a ham.







Next I finished the seam allowance with a nice top stitch zig zap design. This stitch used very thread and did not have to use my extra bobbin. I still need to trim the extra fabric on the outer edge of these seams.

As I mentioned above, once I finish combining the lining pieces and finishing the seam allowances I will hand baste the lining to the fashion fabric.

Once that is complete I will insert the 7" invisible zipper and continue with steam pressing my petersham into the same curve degree as my pattern.

I plan to finish the waist with the petersham inside and a sliding hook & eye ensemble. Once that is complete I can figure how I will finish my hem. I am still thinking of something along the lines of a 2" hem lined with a stabilizer. Since I need to make a decision soon on the length.

Maybe I could add a tan (matching the embroidery thread) lace or trim on the hem to have it hang nicely. I'm just not sure.

Full Circle Tan Embroidery Stitched on Black Woven

These are a few photos from the full circle pattern I made about a month ago and decided to use a black medium weight woven wool with tan embroider stitched flowers. The tan appears to be white in some of these photos, but they are a tan color. I plan to finish with an invisible zipper, golden tan lining, a thick 1 1/2 inch hem, and a grossgrain ribbon waistband. You can see the full circle pattern skirt from a few blogs before.


Here I have pinned my pattern onto the fashion fabric. As you can see I barely had enough fabric for the skirt! Luckily I was still able to work out both sides (fabric folded in half crosswise) of the pattern onto the fabric.





I began to cut my patterns and notice that I am in need of new scissors. I have been cutting easy, light weight materials and have not noticed how dull my scissors have become. I will have to try to sharpen them tomorrow to see if it helps.





This is where I have taken the three pieces and pinned the curved outside seams together and am ready to sew with a 5/8 inch seam allowance.





Here is my skirt after I have sewed the side seams. I have not decided how to finish my seams and will decided later but it fits well around my waist. I think this fashion fabric is lovely in full skirt and the lining will add more volume. My final plan is to make a tulle skirt that can go under other skirts for more volume. I love to be super girly and love the full skirt voluminous look!


Let me know what you think about a 1 1/2 inch hem on the bottom. I do know that I want it above the knee and will need to take approximately 4 inches off to be the correct length.

Quotes

Some quotes I have taken note from of some recently read books.

Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful. - Sophia Loren

Beauty is not all that interesting. Nina Garcia

The kind of confidence that tells others that you respect yourself, love yourself, and dress up for yourself and nobody else. You are your own muse. Nina Garcia

Remember that always dressing in understated good taste good taste is the same as playing dead. Susan Catherine

Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world. Bette Midler

Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing. Salvador Dali

Stylish women are never lazy. Nina Garcia

Some people think luxury is the opposite of poverty. It is not. It is the opposite of vulgarity. Coco Chanel

The "Business" of Sewing

The "Business" of Sewing, Volumes 1 & 2, by Barbara Wright Sykes are packed with information. From samples of forms and ways to get calculations for fabric and price list samples of work and tailoring jobs. Sykes goes on to tell you about about to start a conversation with a client and how to keep a professional image and respect. She gives inherent details that are a must, details that guide you while your working away on your own business. I believe these books are invaluable. Sykes informs you that you must stay on track and keep working and explains reasons why businesses fail and how you can avoid the same.

Volume 1:
http://www.amazon.com/Business-Sewing-Maintain-Achieve-Success/dp/0963285750/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223649313&sr=8-1
Volume 2:
http://www.amazon.com/Business-Sewing-Achieve-Maintain-Success/dp/0971782415/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223649313&sr=8-2

The One Hundred

The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Women Must Own by Nina Garcia is a wonderful and quick read. Nina lists the must-haves that every stylista should or does own. My favs were the iPod (with lists of must-have songs), animal print (only wear one piece at a time), Hermes scarves, trench, peacoat, the pencil skirt, denim jacket and wide-leg trousers. Then there are the things that I must obtain: tuxedo jacket, men's white button-up shirt (no pearl or covered buttons), ankle booties, a nice pair of aviators (I'm thinking Dolce & Gabbana or Cartier), gloves, gentlemen's hat, leather pants, spanx and wayfarers.

This list really does let you know what pieces will last forever, pieces that are not trendy but classic. You will always find something to wear with Nina's One Hundred list!

It's good to know that I've already got a good headstart to this stylish list!

Remember every lady needs that great LBD but you also need a great Little White Dress for the after Labor Day days, when you feel like breaking all the rules and showing it to the world.

You have to love the fun facts that Nina throws in. Like the polo shirt and how LaCosta got the little crocodile idea (from a tennis player).

Pick your copy up today:
http://www.amazon.com/One-Hundred-Guide-Pieces-Stylish/dp/0061664618/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223385295&sr=8-1

Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia

So of course I am a big fan of Project Runway (although I do wait until the seasons are available through Blockbuster.com - no commercials) and of course I had to read the Nina Garcia books. I am still working on The One Hundred but I did finish the Little Black Book of Style before the weekend started.

This book is wonderfully written by Nina Garcia and has artwork featured by Ruben Toledo. Toledo is one of my fav artists, his work is also featured in Nina's The One Hundred and also the Bombshell Manual of Style.

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Black-Book-Style/dp/0061234907/ref=bxgy_cc_b_img_a

http://www.amazon.com/Bombshell-Manual-Style-Laren-Stover/dp/0786866942/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223316327&sr=1-1

Nina informs the reader that you need to present yourself to the world, you need to have a style identity. She doesn't state a ton of rules for each stylista to remember but she does inform the reader on what to pay attention to in regards of balance of the entire outfit, from jewelry to bags to shoes to the skirt/pants and your top with a hat, everything.

This is a fun read for anyone interested in being a better stylista! Nina also tells us about her past and how she came to be the woman she is!

Wow!

I can't believe it has been almost a week since I have last blogged! I have been busy between work and home and getting ready to start my fall classes at SUO. Another sewing class from http://www.patternreview.com/ started today, so I had to sign-up for that also! I need to go visit Aunt Connie and see what projects she has going on. Also, I need some advice about covering my dress form from her.

I have read a few books, which I will list and add my opinions about later.

We went to the WVU v. Rutgers game Saturday. WE KICKED ASS!!! We are still on our streak of never losing to Rutgers at a home game. GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!

More later, I promise! : )