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Handmade Clothing Explosion

Hi guys! I feel like I’ve been half awake this past week; my kids have been sick (then I got sick), and in a rush I was also trying to finish up some outfits to wear to Quilt Market this weekend. I’ve been busy sewing things for a couple of booths for Market, so I asked myself ‘do I really feel like making new clothes’ and I told myself ‘screw that, just wear what you have.’ That was indeed the plan, but I dreamt of a couple of my new outfits in my sleep, and when that happens, I know better than to question it and just sew.

So, here are the outfits that I made, all in one post.

On Friday, I made this bright yellow large-text print top, from fabric that I got from Pink Castle Fabrics last year. I originally bought 6 yards of it to make a Vogue dress, but the Vogue dress was a bit fancy and I probably would have worn it once (and felt vastly overdressed wearing it). So I decided to make a peplum top instead. The bodice is from my all-time favorite sewing pattern, the Serendipity Studio Monique Dress. When I told Kay, Serendipity genius, that I was possibly making another Monique, she asked didn’t I have a closet of them already? And yes, yes I do.  However, I changed it up a little bit this time by adding a circle skirt, and a short circle skirt at that. I made this to wear over jeans. I’m terribly happy with how it came out. And I love the fact that I will be able to wear pants to Market (seriously tired of freezing my bum off).

Second up is a top that I made, also from a Serendipity Studio pattern. This is the Paige Dress. The bodice piece is actually drafted from your own measurements, with help from the pattern instructions, so this really is a perfect fit. I made another top, but that was because the amount of fabric that I had restrained me to making a top instead of a dress. I had eight half-yards of Tula Pink voile from ‘The Birds and the Bees’ line that I originally bought to make infinity scarves with. I cut strips from the fabric, to use for my top, and I set aside enough so that I will still be able to make those scarves when I get back. Because the voile is very thin, I French-seamed the strips together instead of serging them. I really like how this one came out. It’s very comfortable to wear because of the elastic under the bust, and I love the side tie.

And last but not least, I made a second peplum top. This one is from fabric that I got from Fabric Shack a couple weeks ago. It’s from Benartex, which I don’t think I’ve ever owned fabric from before, and the designer is Greta Lynn. I sort of stumbled upon this fabric, and I’m super happy that I did. It was just one of those gems that you didn’t know that you needed so desperately. There’s only a little bit of red in the fabric, but I  thought they’d somehow be perfect with red pants. I dunno.

I’m also bringing this dress along that I made last year. It’s my favorite fabric of all time (and it’s getting reprinted this summer!!). I’m doing a Schoolhouse talk for Pellon this year at Quilt Market. I’m a tiny bit nervous, as I always am when I have to talk in front of people, so I thought the dress would give me a little bit of confidence. 🙂 I’m talking about bag interfacing, and I get to show some of the bags that will be in my book (out in November) and mention the interfacing that I use in each (because they’re always different).

I also wanted to tell you about these clothing reference cards from Gwyn Hug. These are laminated cards (or eBooks for your smart phone, etc.) that help you decide how much fabric to buy when you don’t have a specific clothing project in mind, but really want to buy the fabric. The cards are available for women’s clothing, plus sizes, men’s clothing, babies, and childrens. The cards show different articles of clothing (skirt, dress, etc.) and give you the recommendation based on an average of thousands of commercial sewing patterns. I thought this was a cool thing to carry around in my purse! Pop on over here for more information!

Well that’s it! I fly out tomorrow morning, so I’ll be sure to take lots of pictures for those of you at home! Anything special you are looking forward to seeing from the booths?

 

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24 thoughts on “Handmade Clothing Explosion

  1. Melissa says:

    Great outfits! Someday I will take the plunge and make some clothes for me. I always end up sewing for my little one 🙂

  2. The tops look great!

  3. Amy says:

    Very nice. The yellow text top is stunning!

  4. Mar García says:

    Lucky girl, I would like to go to Quilt Market too, but I’m so far , sniff, sniff,… And your yellow peplum top just rocks! Have a nice trip!

  5. Love, the tops. My daughter would love this style.

  6. Bag designer, garment seamstress and model – you do it all Sara! Have a blast at Market!

  7. You are very talented. The tops look great.

  8. Tabet says:

    Hey,
    beautiful outfits. I love your tops.
    Love

    http://wolkedrei.blogspot.de/

  9. Becky says:

    Very cute! I think the top one is my favorite!! Have fun in PDX. It’s a great city!

  10. Lori says:

    Have fun at quilt market.
    Your tops are wonderful.
    You look great.

  11. Aoife says:

    I love the Benartex fabric and it’s brilliant as a top. You’re going to be mega-styled for Market! Good luck giving your talk, you’ll be fab 🙂 And thanks for the Gwyn Hug cards, they’re ingenious.

  12. Charlotte says:

    fantastic outfits, as always! Wish I could see them in person – have a great time!

  13. kateuk says:

    Sorry to hear you have all been sick- children are so generous,always bring their germs home to share. Great outfits- guessed you would be at Quiltmarket, very envious, have a fabulous time. Your talk will be great, you are the go-to girl for (international) interfacing advice! Those yardage cards are a really good idea.

  14. Katy Cameron says:

    Have a blast! You will, of course, be stopping by Tula’s stall, right? ;o)

  15. Mary Ann says:

    Very cute tops. I love that dress you made and you will do great at the Schoolhouse lecture.

  16. Ali says:

    Ok, I especially love that first top, smart to go with a shirt instead of a dress, it’s been too long since I’ve made any clothes, you’re making me remember that!

  17. Kelly says:

    They are amazing Sara!!

  18. SewLindaAnn says:

    Love reading your blog, such a powerhouse of work and inspiration for us out here. Can’t wait to see your book, congrats on that. You’ve been doing a wonderful job on your patterns, I love them and own many. Also, great patterns in the new Stitch magazine.

  19. Gwen says:

    Beautiful tops! The yellow is probably my favorite – but they all look gorgeous on you! Thanks for the shout-out about the cards! 🙂
    Have fun at the Quilt Market – I know you’ll do a great job with your talk! 🙂
    –Gwen

  20. Joyce says:

    You are just too cute…great job!

  21. Beth says:

    Love the tops!!! I like that yellow one a lot! You look awesome. Wish I was there this time. Have a great time at market.

  22. Elsa says:

    Your tops are all so cute ~ especially the yellow one!
    Be sure to bring a rain coat and and sweater ~ it can be chilly and rainy here.
    Have lots of fun!

  23. Emily says:

    Wahoo! lookin snappy lady! We will have to get together when you get back to Chicago 🙂

  24. Mithon Hasan says:

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