It's about exploring and sharing my creative adventures (mostly sewing these days) ~
~those activities that sometimes obsess, usually inspire, occasionally frustrate
~and always provide a delightful maze to wander through.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Patterns and Pillowcases

I don't usually post about new pattern releases, since so many others beat me to it anyway, and do such a good job of it, but Vogue stepped up to the plate this time, so I renewed my Club BMV Membership and sent off my order.

Normally I order 3 patterns at a time - shipping for my address is $4.00 for 3, 8.00 for 6, and my frugal self thinks that $4.00 shipping is plenty.   Plus, I really REALLY don't need more than 3 patterns at a time, especially given the number of unsewn patterns I already have.  Stash-aholics (patterns & fabric alike) please feel free to join me in one.  big.  collective.  ::::sigh::::

In fact, I had every intention of only ordering 3 this time.   Here are my top 3:

Marcy Titlton's V8954.  I REALLY like love love LOVE the way Marcy has styled the collar on her Blog Post - cannot WAIT to try this pattern out!  Note:  she also includes a number of very helpful-looking hints in her post.  I love a practical vest with some visual twists - this one looks like it has endless potential!


Donna Karan's V1378.  These pants could be JUST the slim-pant pattern I've been waiting for!  I hope that the reality of how these might fit and flatter lives up to my vision of shaping perfection!  I've never joined the legions of those who love crossover tops and dresses, so I'l probably pass on the top.


V8962 (Very Easy)  I like the shaping and seaming on this one.   It might give just the sort of shaping at the hipline (for those of us.....you know....) that might actually make for a more flattering fit.   Especially if you have hips that ....you know... AND you're short!

After giving considerable thought to that extra shipping charge (not to mention the pattern charge - hey, what can I say?  If you've followed my blog for any length of time you know that I do have frugal leanings!), I ended up adding my next 3 choices:

The other Marcy Tilton, V8966:  The hats are very cute, and I like the scarf, although it doesn't look like something that needs an actual pattern to figure out.  Still, the hats ARE cute....

Koos van den Akker V1377.   The likelihood of me making THIS coat is slim, very slim, but I'm a sucker for his artistic details, and I can often find some gem that's worth using in his patterns!

And Hey!  Vogue!!!   How about actually using some of Mr. van den Akker's construction methods in your patterns, instead of making up your own (less effective, more work-intensive) techniques?!?!   Vogue???


And finally, Sandra Betzina's V1375 made the cut.  I hope it's not just the black & grey stripes that are calling out to me....   I do think a long sleeveless vest could be highly wearable, although this one will need some tweaking to work on my body.

I'm excited!   Now....finding the time and energy to sew them all up.... :D

And then there are pillowcases!
At the end of our fabric sharing soiree last weekend there were a few unclaimed cuts of cotton that gave me a little "aha!" moment.  I've been wanting to join in Rhonda's Pillowcase making project (900!!!  pillowcases benefitting Mary Bridge Hospital) for some time, and this was just the impetus I needed.   Although I only used 2 fabrics that came from the delightfully generous Lori's stash, most of what I used was actually given to me, so it was exceptionally wonderful to be able to pass on the gifts in the form of something useful :)

I know that Rhonda is nearly at her goal of 900 cases (if she isn't there already!), but quilt shops all over have some form of donation connections for pillowcases, blankets, etc.,  so I'm betting many of us don't actually need to send items like this off in the mail.   Animal shelters as well - bedding for the critters is often needed.     I'm lucky to have a local fabric store (Stonemountain & Daughter) that has a box by the front door to drop off all of your scraps - shoppers can go through the box & pick out what they want, & the rest of it is used for various projects.    I encourage you to find a use for your leftovers, and please think twice before throwing any of it in the trash!


I admit that I'm not much of a fan of dressing up animals,
but this pic I could NOT resist!!!!! :D
Have a Safe and Happy Halloween, all!

25 comments:

twotoast said...

Woohoo! Welcome to the pillow case club! I sent some off to Rhonda (they are on her blog, August 12th, 2013) and found them such fun to make. Yours look lovely and I bet they will be very well received!

I rather like the look of the Sandra Betzina sleeveless jacket . . . . very nice indeed! I look forward to seeing your version!

Martha said...

As you probably know, I love all-things-Tilton. I limited myself to those two. But why? I really agree with you about the long vest. I think I need that one too. Can't wait to see your versions of some of these.

Scenic Route said...

I'm with ya as a fellow pattern junkie. Love your choices--and appreciate your positive and constructive comments. I've noticed some Big 4 "shredding" on blogs lately. I've come to a whole new appreciation for them as I can't get them in this part of the world and I've been working from Burda Style magazine patterns--just typing the name and I feel my eyes twitching and a headache coming on! :D

Jillybejoyful said...

What festively fabulous pillowcases you made! And yes indeed - it was so much fun making them! And a lot of love went into it - kudos to all of us who joined in!

Jillybejoyful said...

Tilton Sister fans unite! I lied in my comment on your blog - I just didn't know it at the time....my order just kept growing....and growing..... :D

Jillybejoyful said...

lol! I've only bought one Burda Style...and I only sewed a simple pattern from it. Going cross-eyed tracing, or spending hours printing & taping together downloaded sheets of paper is just SO not what I want to spend my sewing time doing! I really DO appreciate having such easy access to full on patterns in envelopes.

RhondaBuss said...

A friend of mine bought an outfit for my Little Bit some years ago. I think it was a German milkmaid, anyway, the look on that dog reminded me of how poor Little Bit looked. Of course my friend and I had quite a good time at her expense. She just stood there and would not move with a look on her face, of "okay, have your fun and then PLEASE get this thing off of me!" Sometimes I think it is quite amazing that they don't kill us in our sleep :)
Thanks so much for the pillowcases Jilly. We aren't at 900 yet, but we are so, so close!

RhondaBuss said...

Miss TwoToast left out that she went on to participate in a number of charities that benefited from her sewing skills after she finished the pillowcases that she sent in for Mary Bridge.

Jillybejoyful said...

I totally get how addicting it can be! The years I spent doing physical outdoorsy volunteer "work" (i.e., play) are kind of behind me, but when you find something that feels so good, and realize how much joy you spread within and without, it can get quite addicting!

Jillybejoyful said...

lol I know...what our poor furbabies do for us in the guise of our love for them! :D

Mary said...

Love your choices JillyBe! I'll be interested to see what you make. The short vest is so cute and I know you'll rock it.

shams said...

Excellent choices, JillyBe! I can't wait to get my hands on the vest, too!

What a wonderful way to use your BABES fabric! Kudos to you!

beckster said...

Oh, these patterns are so you, just your style! You will wear them all with panache, I am sure. I am a hat freak, so I really appreciate that hat pattern. I still remember that little black persian lamb hat you made - so cute! I love the Klimt details on that coat. I wish I could find the energy to do that pattern. Thanks for all this info, JillyBe!

Goodbye Valentino said...

Thanks for bringing these patterns to my attention. Many have great possibilities! Is that your precious dog?

Jean said...

Great patterns! I remember seeing that Betzina vest at the PRW event in SF -- isn't that the vest that caused a frenzy for wool gauze at Stonemountain? That dog costume is too clever!

mrsmole said...

Love your pattern choices except for the vest. I want to like it for all the odd shaped pieces and fun construction but all I see is that poor model's right shoulder being droopy. Is it the panel placement or does the right sleeve area droop as well...asymmetrical is a good thing but not is it makes you look lopsided? The Sandra B long vest might need the striped strips narrowed a bit if they take over at the shoulders but it surely catches the eye!
Those pants are intriguing! The big bowl of Snickers and M&Ms are ready at the front door for the young ones tonight. Happy Halloween and Day of the Dead to follow!

Jillybejoyful said...

Thanks Mary; I hope so! (rockin' it...)

Jillybejoyful said...

Of course they're excellent; many of them match your choices lol! :D

Jillybejoyful said...

I didn't see the Klimt before, but you're absolutely right! (LOVE Klimt!)

Jillybejoyful said...

Only cats reside here, and no way would they put up with the wearing of a costume! :D

Jillybejoyful said...

Oh my I think you're right about the gauze! & that pattern!! And I got some!!! Now I need to see if I have enough; it could be perfect.....

Jillybejoyful said...

Marcy said something somewhere about even the sleeves being asymmetrical - this one will definitely require a muslin! That's an excellent point about lopsided shoulders; I'll keep that in mind - it should either be obviously intentional, or not at all....

And yes on the SB vest - those gladiator shoulders would have to go!

Ellinor Forje said...

I would wear any of the pieces, but they're also really interesting just to look at. Thanks for posting the photos and feel free to drop by me too anytime.

Unknown said...

I actually like the shoulders on the SB vest...assuming they must be interfaced very well so they don't droop. ???
Marcy's hat pattern is VERY cute! Are you going to make the one on the front of the envelope?...just hoping!!! I'm dying to know what fabric you are going to use!
I limited myself to 4 patterns this last time...a top, cardigan and 2 coats. Why not the hat pattern when I liked it? I'll place another order tonight...MT's hat, the tunic and DK's pants. Sham's DK pants are major cute on her!!!

Jillybejoyful said...

I think SB just used a fairly stiff fabric for the trim - I've not read the details on the pattern yet though (it's next on my project list!) Will be blogging the tunic & DK pants asap.....

Hats haven't made it to the top of the list yet....

And yup, this was definitely a 6 or 7-pattern release lol!