That Tilton Dress

There are about nine reviews already on Pattern Review for Vogue 8813. Everyone seems to love it. It is a vintage sort of dress without being at all stuffy, and certainly not fitted. Definitely has a little hippie-beatnik-lagenlook about it.

My muslin is a happy little piece. Almost makes me want to add some more ink and make the muslin into That Tilton Dress. But such a piece is way over the top for me. Maybe.

Still trying to decide what fabric to use. Drapey hand-dyed rayon? Soft washed linen? Cotton with just a little crisp to it. I like that the pockets stand away from the body on the muslin, so no to the drapey rayon.

Maybe I should go shopping.

But. I've been trying to rein in my sewing expenditures to save up for a yet-to-be-determined sewing-related adventure. So it's best to shop the stash.

There is that light-weight burnt orange cotton corduroy. Nice jumper for fall and winter maybe. A long-sleeved shirt or T under it. Brown leggings too.

Hmmm....still dreaming. No hurry here. Just letting it perk.

Maybe I'll make a shirt instead now.

Just a tote

Here is a tote I completed after taking a sashiko class with Hellenne Vermillion. She is always so inspiring. And she has that Japanese heritage that brings an appealing perspective to her work. I aspire to channel her artfulness here and elsewhere.

Meanwhile I am struggling to create a second piece for an upcoming show that Fiber Art Fusion is having.  My first piece turned out too *cute.* It's OK but it doesn't feel like it belongs to me. If all else fails, it will be my contribution to this show.

Right now I'm trying to finish a boro piece. I feel more connected to it.

I'll post both soon. Actually I hope to finish both soon. I miss making garments and this has become a bit of a creative block.

May you have a creative day.

Some repurposing

It is hard for me to let go of sewing projects, even those I deem wadders, even those that aspire to be no more than wearable muslins.

Take the West End Pants from The Sewing Workshop (TSW). Straight-legged pants that were hugely wide and cropped. Not a good look on me. But it does have cute pockets.

Now I needed a skirt for an upcoming sewing group challenge. So I took it apart, except for the side seams, to preserve the cute pockets. I removed the crotch and some of the width in order to create a simple column with four vertical seams.

Next I put the waistband back on, following the instructions for the TNT Urban Pants from TSW, also. Unlike the West Pants, the Urban pants have a nice flat front that is created by stitching down the elastic right over the tummy without any gathers. All the gathers in the elastic fall over the sides and back.

The Urban Pants also have a front vent on the pants legs that I've always liked. So I used those instructions to create a similar vent in the back of my skirt. I used a favorite dime button, added a little sashiko, and I call it done.

I think I'm going to like it as a skirt.