Tag Archives: sewing inspiration

Buy it or Make It

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When I see a ready-to-wear garment I like and serendipitously find its sewing pattern twin, I feel like the winner of a secret matching game. To keep track of them, I started a pinterest board on my new sewing-only account called Buy it or Make It – a rhetorical question for the enthusiastic seamstress.

This Badgley Mischka dress was just released as a pre-Fall pattern (Vogue 1460) by McCall’s and it is my jam on sprouted wheat toast. I am all about the dolman sleeve for no fuss fitting and the high cowl neckline is just the right amount of soft and sexy to balance the sleek pencil skirt.

Buy It or Make It #1

Peter Pan collars are terribly cute to me, but that’s the problem. They can look TOO cute if not handled properly. But, Peter Pilotto produces a peter pan collar like a prince (given his price tag, that irresistible alliteration is now a double entendre). I would take Vogue 9109, a multi-cup size pattern (my favorite kind), and reshape the collar pattern to make it more like Mr. Pilotto’s sharp, wide-set one.

But It or Make It, Vol. 2

Nina Ricci didn’t reinvent the wheel with her draped cashmere coat, but seeing it sure does inspire me to make a cheaper version. It’s hard for me to think about third and fourth layers while drowning in summer humidity, but a quick project like Butterick 6244 (sewn unlined with double faced wool) could be just the thing to kick off serious winter sewing when I’m actually ready for it. Luckily, the planning of it can happen while enjoying A/C.

Buy It or Make It, Vol. 3

The sporty asymmetry of this white Victoria Beckham dress is really appealing to me. McCall’s released a multi-cup pattern, M7185 that has a similar look. The pattern has a full skirt variation — my default style choice — but, I might be widening my (or rather narrowing) my horizons next season by sewing a slim skirt style or two.

Buy It or Make It, Vol. 4

Which of these styles would you like in your life?

Wanna Be Sewing: Stripes

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Horizontal. Vertical. Diagonal. Stripes. I want to wear them in a box or with a fox or in Fort Knox. They’ve been on my mind considerably. It doesn’t help that all of my social media feeds keep tempting me with more stripey fashion. Tipping me over the edge was the awesomely clever, curve-loving stripe placement on this recently Instragrammed dress by Andie of Sew Pretty in Pink.

Here’s the rest of the inspiring, striped lovelies that have been strolling through my mind palace like spoiled divas. They all have ridiculous price tags, but knock-affable features for the gung-ho seamstress. Take a scroll with me…

Thakoon Gathered Waist Shift Dress

 This $1,420 dress by Thakoon with its low neckline, elasticated waist and wide pastel striping is the picture of cuteness. And, the model’s skin with those colors!

Etro Floral Silk Tunic Dress
How about this silk tunic dress by Etro? Fa-bu-lous. At $1,340, it better be! Finding the perfect black and white striped fabric to pair with white silk for the hems would be a serious hunt, but color blocking could work (almost like piecing a quilt). And that floral detail on the right shoulder…could be hand painted. Effectively elevating it to the level of slap-your-mama gorgeous.
Giorgio Armani striped knit skirt
This Giorgio Armani striped knit skirt is asking to be knocked off with its $1,427 price tag. Seriously, it’s two rectangles and a double knit. Overpriced but adorable.
J.W. ANDERSON Tri-colour striped silk dress

I want to date this dress by J.W. Anderson. I’m not sure what the technical term is for that off the shoulder flounce detail, but I love how it sits ever so slightly askew to echo the bias, tri-color stripes. At $1,419, it’s waiting to be bought by a high rolling dame or DIY’d by a clever maker.

Chloe Hand Drawn Stripes on Silk Crepe De Chine Wrap Dress

 A drapey wrap dress pattern, a big floral print and the perfect coordinating striped fabric could recreate this look from Chloe. Luckily the silk crepe de chine available to home sewers is way more affordable than the $2,095 price tag of this beauty.

Marni Stripe Georgette Skirt
 I never would have thought to add a rib knit waistband to a sheer skirt, let alone do it all in stripes. High five to Marni for this $589 piece of sewing inspiration. Note to self: This is how you wear above the knee shorts in public.
Novis sequin patterned striped dress
By Novis. On sale at the moment for $2,446. It’s sequin. And the peek of stripes at the skirt corner is everything.
STELLA MCCARTNEY Striped stretch-knit dress

I can always count on Stella McCartney to bring it. The simplicity of stripe layering on this t-shirt dress is what’s makes it catch your eye. I’m hoping something like this catches my sewing machine soon.

Altuzarra belted striped shirt dress

Speaking of simplicity. The way Altuzarra is working the stripes on this shirtdress…the only effort at matching is on the almost invisible front pocket. Instead of paying $1,321 for it, I might let it inspire an adventure with McCall’s 6891, an underestimated pattern in my stash that could ease me into shirtdressmaking.

Piazza Sempione flared striped dress

A knock off of this $1,570 Piazza Sempione dress in a knit is totally doable with McCall’s 7121. Finding the thick, double stripe fabric would be the challenge.

Tanya Taylor Peggy Rainbow Stripe Skirt
OK. I’ve never heard of Tanya Taylor Peggy, but her $525 pencil skirt of dueling stripes has me wishing I was her best friend. The moment I snag the right fabric, this skirt is happening.
Halston Heritage Appliquéd cotton and silk-blend dress
The finale of this tribute to parallel lines is brought to you by Halston Heritage. This dress is a breathtaking argument for giving curves a license to wear horizontal stripes. I can’t spot a waistline seam (or any for that matter), so I won’t talk smack about the $445 price, but it does open my mind wide to the transformational power of stripes. Wide enough to reconsider my phobia (more like lazy avoidance) of stripe matching.
Which of these beauties inspires you?