I took my kids to the pool today, and I couldn’t help but wonder how many more chances we would get to go swimming before the summer is over and it would start getting cooler (although, knowing Chicago, we might still have warm weather on Halloween, for all I know). It also made me reflect on all the finished projects I have been able to show you this summer…not that many. I’ve been working on something all summer, and unfortunately, that something means that I really have diddly-squat to post about. I’m hoping once we get more into fall, my blog will get a little more attention. 🙂 If you are a new-ish reader to my blog, I assure you that usually my blog is much more active with finished projects…hope you can hang in there with me for a little while longer!
I got a little envelope in the mail today with 3 Vogue patterns (by the way, Vogue is having a pattern sale online right, with all patterns $3.88!). One of the patterns that I got was V2903, which is pictured above. My friend, Kim, threw down a little personal challenge for making this dress. Maybe this is not your style, but me personally, when I saw this pattern, I thought that this was one head-turning dress (especially with a crinoline underneath, which I have, yay!).
I trotted on over to one of my favorite online shops, Pink Castle Fabrics, and pretty much the first link I went to, I found the fabric for the dress. Pink Castle just got these Yuwa fabrics by Suzuko Koseki, and I found this large-scale text print called ‘Postmodern’. Oh my gosh, this one is awesome!! It also comes in bright pink and yellow, of which I am having a hard time deciding on what to get for the Vogue dress. What do you think?? Help a girl out, I’m kinda indecisive on this one. The pattern takes approximately 6 yards of fabric, but I did a bit of research online, and I think I can cut some yardage out (me being of the 5’2″ persuasion).
Pink Castle also just got the new Trefle fabrics, which includes this glittery text print. Glittery…and text…I think it’s just as good as chocolate cake with coffee ice cream, whipped cream, and about 10 cherries. I’ve been a really big fan of text prints lately, because they are the ultimate modern blender…I think it is appropriate to add a text print to just about any project!
I also noticed that the new Bella by Lotta Jansdotter was in stock…gosh, people have been talking about this fabric line forever, it feels like it should have already been out (well, it is now!). Gray, yellow, orange, blue, brown…I feel like this is a really awesome set of fabrics in colors that are a bit unusual for a color line, but they totally work! If I had a bit of extra $$ in my pocket, I’d definitely get some of the large floral for a bag. Maybe I should set up a lemonade stand out front.
I’m sure you probably already know that Anna Maria Horner’s Field Study and Denyse Schmidt’s Chicopee are just out. Not to be a fabric enabler, but all of the precuts and bundles are 20% off at Pink Castle using coupon code PRECUT20. This includes the ever-popular blogger bundles.
Things around here will be picking up toward the end of September. I have the Tula Pink Sew Along to announce next week (beginning September 25th!). I have guest bloggers debuting one each of all of the 25+ Tula Pink quilts, which should be really amazing (I have seen a few of the quilts already, SO GOOD!!).
I have a new free bag pattern coming in a few weeks…this is one sexy tote bag. I probably wouldn’t even call it a tote bag, lol. I’m going to use some Tula Pink ‘The Birds and the Bees’ laminates (which are probably in my fabric stash all stuck together as we speak, but it’s all good).
I’m also beginning to formulate my classes for Sewing Summit. If you are going, you’ll be able to schedule all your classes in, in a few weeks. My first class is a 2-hour lecture on ‘Advanced Bags’, and the next day, I have a hands-on class for installing zippers (4 different techniques, and if there’s time, we’ll also do the invisible zipper). I’ve listened to what everyone’s been wanting to learn, and I hope the classes will be interesting and relevant!
And I’m popping in for Quilt Market for a couple days, and I’m already plotting out the blog coverage for that…
That’s pretty much what’s in my mental calendar at the moment. Oh…and the most exciting bit of news? Maybe he doesn’t want me to announce this in public yet, but my husband has designed a free quilt pattern for Pellon! We’re just waiting on the fabric (solids!), but I can tell you that these are very large-scale blocks. I’m super excited about it, and he did not bear in mind any of the sewing tasks in making this, so I had the challenge of writing the pattern myself, lol. We’re actually going to double-team this quilt, it’s going on our bed when finished, and it will be the first quilt I’ve ever had long-armed, so I’m really excited (he is freakishly intrigued by the long arm process, so I’m sure it’s going to be something really crazy he’s going to request – good luck Lisa). Haha, I think this has been the highlight of my week. 🙂
so i actually used the short sleeved pattern as my wedding dress pattern in an ivory shantung silk. its a great pattern and i can’t wait to see what you make.
LOL!!!! I KNOW you can make this dress…the challenge was to see if I could make the dress. It will love stunning on you and meh on me ;o)
I’d go with yellow for the dress. And I am ordering Vogue patterns now too. Damn you! And you know I will have to look at the precuts now that I can get them at a discount. My husband is going to be mad at you. :p
I’m intrigued by the sexy tote!! Can’t wait to see what your husband designed.
With your coloring, you could easily go with either yellow or pink. But, pink is going to look softer and a little more feminine, and the yellow is going to look bright and bold. Whichever look you go for, it will be fab!
I have my eye on Madrona Road at Pink Castle. You can’t go wrong with a Tula Pink Sew Along.
All very busy and rxciting times! Can’t wait for SS!
I love that dress pattern and I’m 60 years old…so it spans the ages. I call it a “Lucy dress” as it looks to me like something that Lucy or Ethel would have worn. Polka Dot fabric would look great in that.
I love the text fabrics too…better yet they are on linen….yes, as good as chocolate and coffee. I did just get back from a grocery store run that included Starbuck’s Java Chip…my guilty pleasure when its on sale.
I love that style of dress too. So chic and classy especially with a contrasting clutch! Can’t wait to see it finished! Jacinta
It all sounds good to me – look forward to the Yuwa dress – it can only be stunning!
And what a team – you and hubby will be the new Amy and David!
Loving the sound of your week! That dress is amazing, love it, and while the green would look nice and demure, the pink would be fab! Can’t wait to see hubby’s quilt :o)
I loved all the info in your blog today. I’m going to chime in with a color for your dress: I think the Teal would look great with your coloring. Someone else commented that the pink or yellow would look great with your coloring, but I really think the Teal is the right color for you. The style of the Vogue dress is fabulous, by the way. Can’t wait to see it done!
The color will influence how you look, age-wise. I think yellow, or yellow with black print would look more grown up. I’m new to your blog, so I haven’t seen many photos of you, but you look young in pink. I made a similar vogue pattern and it was so flattering. Their designs are worth the extra effort and look so professionally done.
I am intrigued with the Bella color bundle in grey, yellow, orange, brown… sounds delicious! I think I need to get into my loft and sew up a wall hanging of those very colors.
Back in my younger days when I had a trim figure, I would have made this dress in a heart beat! So prety and can’t wait to see what you select.
Fun fabric previews—I love those text prints! I cut up some Madrona Road this weekend, but I don’t know how I am going to handle only having a fat quarter of that awesome text print. 😉
Make a yellow dress! I think I’ve actually made that pattern before when I costume designed “How to Succeed in Business..” in college. I ADORE that silhouette and whenever I need a fancy dress I go for that type of dress.
Make a pink dress! It would oh so awesome!XD