Another dress from my Dome show that turned out really well. This dress was a really nice looking, pretty easy and comfortable dress. I had some issues with the lining at the neckline and sleeves. It keeps wanting to crawl out and say hi to everyone which had me pulling it down from the bottom. (A dreadful problem which I hope I found the cure for future situations) There is a cure for this ill,  and it entails making the lining smaller or rather a gather type stitch prior to attaching the lining to the dress.

Other than that the lines matched up magically and the lines are just really pretty. You may not be able to notice it in the photo, since I only did it in one color. The pattern uses two tones, but being petit I have to be careful with how much pattern I use. I would love to make it again using the two tones. And for that I will keep you posted!

Happy Sewing~

photos at : www.chanteusedesigns.com/blog

Cheers,

Kathleen

This is another dress I will make again. And this time I am thinking no sleeves or the long sleeves. I had a small issue with the sleeves or rather I should say “don’t sew after midnight if you have never made the pattern”.  Hence I tended to put them in at a wrong angle! Looks nice from the front, but looks funny from the back because I put them in with the center being matched to the front marking. Yeah, don’t sew after midnight is all I can tell you.

It is really slimming with the two toned, so take advantage of this comfy knit dress. SUPER easy. Great for a beginner. Love the black and white the pattern offers. Now I will be brave enough to try that.

Also, one last tip: the lining rides up in front. So I watched a video on gathering the lining prior to attaching so it will not ride up. Tends to do that a lot.

See Website Blog for photos:  www.chanteusedesigns.com

Cheers,

Kathleen

YES, It’s too embarrassing AGAIN to say how long ago I started this pattern. I found it in my stash and being a knit dress had to finish it. That was my fear to overcome this year…….Knit fabric.  Yep Knits, and funny timing on the Kathy Ireland pattern. I had no idea what a power house she was. Cover of Forbes, socks, laminate flooring…..sky’s the limit. Well, this pattern was a delight. Will I ever wear it since it’s 10 years old? Very good question! 😉

This was so fun to make. I have to tell you that it was easy, the knit being interfaced laid down nicely on the front “peek a boo”  and really turned out nice. I notice that I have to play with the fabric to install the zippers. Which seems a bit odd  but it lies down flat if you sew a few inches and then lift up the pressure foot, then continue on a few inches and lift up the pressure foot. At least, that is my experience with getting zippers in knits.

Did I put you to sleep on that one…………zzzzzzzz……zzzzzzzzz……….zzzzzzzzzzzz? Probably! But just sayin!

Photos on website blog: www.chanteusedesigns.com

Happy sewing.

Cheers,

Kathleen

Skirt Photos on my website blog: www.chanteusedesigns.com

It’s too embarrassing to say how long ago I started this pattern. One day while I was downtown on my lunch hour, I saw a gal walking down Sutter Street in San Francisco with this fabulous skirt on. Thought I was in a 1940’s movie. Then low and behold shortly after I found the pattern to make that skirt. Too bad it took me so long to make it but it wasn’t that it was difficult. Quite the contrary. Skirts are a dream to learn how to sew. I can’t even tell you how many skirts I have made, but I can guaranty that I have made more skirts than I have dresses, tops, pants but certainly not aprons! If you are wanting to get your feet wet in the sewing world and you like skirts then give them a try. You will become addicted……especially if you take a few small steps to fit yourself.

The rest as they say will be history!

I made item D. Happy Sewing.

Cheers,

Kathleen

PS Remember I have run out of photo space here, but I also have to move my website from iweb very soon…….jeeez………….so I am working on an entire face lift!! Wonk wonk. Not my favorite thing to do ………chief, cook and bottle-wash here! It’s on the way 😉

This was my favorite of all the dresses I made for the Tacoma show. Comfy, cool when you are working and really elegant. A customer favorite too.

It is tricky about the top sewing bodice to interfacing…..translation “It’s a lot of hand sewing” and I couldn’t imagine why they said you could even sew part of that. Lots of hand sewing, especially if you hand sew the hems like I do, but worth it. I am going to be making more of this one. I think I should have it in black and a blue or orange/burgundy.

Cheers,

Kathleen

www.chanteusedesigns.com