reader's closet

Leather and Lace

Sewista, member | December 8th, 20112 comments

Bag of my own design made from black faux leather and a vintage doily. The doily was ombre dyed to give it a bit of character. There is a v. subtle bit of extra fine glitter on the outer edges of the...

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Thistle Cottage Studio Hosts Jasmin Zorlu's Hatblocking Workshop

orsinimedici1951, member | December 6th, 20111 comment

Thistle Cottage Studio Hosts Jasmin Zorlu's Hatblocking Workshop A to-do checklist a mile long, and the adrenalin was pumping with excitement and anticipation, for the weekend of Jasmin...

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Don't Throw it Away!

sophronia, member | December 6th, 20112 comments

My boots were getting a little scuffed but I have a problem with throwing anything away! I decided to upcycle them and I love them! I think they’re right on trend. The last pic boot on the...

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Salvatore Ferragamo Inspired Coat - Simplicity 2812

Mahogany_Stylist, member | December 1st, 20114 comments

Black and white houndstooth is every where this fall. I guess we can credit Salvatore Ferragamo for that. The fabric was a gift and this fall I decided to go ahead with sewing it...

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Tribal Shorts

Shelly_DanceBombFash, member | December 1st, 2011

I designed these winter shorts to go along with the Tribal Print fashion trend that is popular right now. I created the tribal print pattern, cut it out of wool fabric and sewed it onto each side of...

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Electric Blue

sophronia, member | December 1st, 2011

Is it just me or do you love the electric blue? This dress is so versatile, it can be worn about 100 different ways! Just wrap, drape and tie. It can also be worn as a top.

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Chartruese aka Lime Green

sophronia, member | November 30th, 2011

I made this from knit fabric in my stash. The design is mine.

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Mmmmm..... Sherbet

sophronia, member | November 30th, 20113 comments

I jar dyed (actualy I used coffee cans) this fabric and made the dress from one of my original designs. I love the effect I got with the dye!

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New Animal Print Mini Totes

ca89bee32, member | November 23rd, 2011

I made a few more mini totes, a friend of mine bought one and she has been getting alot of compliments on it. So i decided to add a few more to the inventory. I love animal prints, I have to remind...

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Alabama Channin Inspired Slouch Hat

GreenTrunkDesigns, member | November 18th, 2011

I was recently introduced to the design work of Natalie Channin, creator of Alabama Channin. I instantly fell in love with her style, and her “Slow Design” philosophy. After reading...

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Halloween costume 2011

JeanneMariesews, member | November 15th, 2011

This is my haloween cosutme for this year. It is made almost entirely from thrift store finds or fabric from my stash (yes, I have too much fabric in my stash. Wait, is there such a thing?)

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Western Handbag

ca89bee32, member | November 15th, 2011

A couple of my friends have suggested several times they would like me to make a few western bags, so here is the first one. I wanted it to be a little different than what I have seen. The fringe is...

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Steampunk Handbag!

ca89bee32, member | November 15th, 20112 comments

This is a steampunk bag made of cowhide tooling leather. I love this style. The bag is made to look old, it is branded and laced with leather. There is no liner, it is dyed inside black. This bag was...

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"Post Time" Bag

ellenatstitchart, member | November 14th, 20111 comment

This bag that I designed and made was inspired by a well known historic race track in a community not far from where I live. The track in Saratoga Springs, NY opened on August 3,1863, and is the...

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Captain Hook and Peter Pan

Mari_B, member | November 8th, 2011

FOR CAPTAIN HOOK: Materials needed: Red gabardine fabric Yellow ribbon Gold fabric Purple pants White cravat Black wig White lace Plastic hook Plastic sword Red hat with white featherWhite...

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Bowser - Mario Bros.

dimporella, member | November 8th, 2011

Bowser from Mario Bros! We did a group costume for Mario Kart this year. Bowser was a costume I could not find anywhere so I decided to make my own version. The whole costume is hand...

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Medieval Gargoyles Perched on Stone Pedestals

golddogs, member | November 6th, 20114 comments

We are ancient gargoyles who just flew off a cathedral in France. These costumes are completely home-made. We made the stone shirts by painting felt with stone paint and then cutting it into pieces...

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Little Red Riding Hood Halloween 2011

IggyJingles, member | November 5th, 2011

I sewed the hooded cape of a fine wale corduroy, and the peasant style full skirt from broadcloth - with patch pockets, whopping rick-rack and broderie anglaise trim. The hood was lined with a nice...

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A Salute to Navy Uniforms!

GodSewedFirst, member | November 4th, 20116 comments

The military paid my way through college. Thank God I was in the Navy because out of all the military services and uniforms, I think the Navy's fit the best! Yes, I took a pattern off my...

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ultimate sewing challenge

debbie_turney, member | November 4th, 2011

velvet dress

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ultimate sewing challenge 2011

debbie_turney, member | November 4th, 20115 comments

ultimate sewin challange this ensemble is made from stretch velvet, all interfaced with knit fusible interfacing and the collar has extra medium weight interfacing for more shape. the dress has...

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Cinderella Dress

DenimQueen, member | November 4th, 20111 comment

This dress was made for a my 5 year old goddaughter for her Princess Party. She wanted to portray Cinderella, so I wanted her to have a little 'Cinderella Story.' The top is completely removable...

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Holiday Party Ensemble

Tourbillion, member | November 4th, 20112 comments

Bodice and the skirt for my holiday party ensemble were made from McCall's Pattern #9124 (Two-Piece Evening Dress).

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Steampunk Wedding

julrf, member | November 4th, 20113 comments

Judy Garvey's unique "Steampunk" wedding called for a special dress. The overcoat is 100% Silk, white, trimmed with deep ruffles at sleeve and around the entire coat. The wedding dress is...

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And Old Buttons!

GodSewedFirst, member | November 4th, 20115 comments

Along with sewing I enjoy making porcelain buttons. I taught myself how to make plaster molds of my antique button collection and buttons from designs I have made. Using antique books I...

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Fortuny Inspired Beaded Medley

ecasale, member | November 4th, 20114 comments

I was on a business trip in Korea when I was surprised to come across fortuny inspired satin. I never quite knew what to do with it, until I found an old beaded jacket at a goodwill store that...

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Jacket, Pants and Top

yaz11, member | November 4th, 20113 comments

Cashmere wool coattail jacket with silk lining. Zipper removeable tail (for the days you don't want to be as fun :), hook and eye closure. Jean cotton cigarette pants. Silk de Chine top with...

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Classic Style Yet Fun Party Ensemble

Racingmom13, member | November 4th, 20111 comment

In designing this dress, I wanted to create something that was fun but had classic styling. I wanted to create something that could be worn at Christmas, New Year's Eve, or to virtually any party...

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fun and flashy funky pary dress

cindyevans, member | November 4th, 2011

Love the sequin.. make my own patterns and designs based off what my 6 yr. old says is pretty. I Am a stay at home mom from nursing with a sewing addiction with no schooling and never use a...

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China Silk Wedding

pmkurth, member | November 4th, 20111 comment

When my daughter Jessica asked me to make her wedding dress, I immediately agreed! She saw a photo in a magazine of a dress she adored, and so it began. Like most of my sewing projects, it...

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my idea of french fashion

cindyevans, member | November 4th, 2011

My challenge was to use material I've had forever. Velvet back with complimentary dress color and hot pink to set it all off. I have a 6 yr. old and made her an outfit from her...

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Ceris drawings to fashion

cindyevans, member | November 4th, 20111 comment

This is my daughters drawings of her stick person on the top, including the tophat... her idea of green and hot pink together with flowers adorned. Not sure if the uploaded pic shows it ...

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Ruffled Feathers

kaysoyka, member | November 4th, 20112 comments

There's lots of dimension with this 6-panel, plus godets, chiffon skirt and it's layer upon layer of chiffon strips sewn in random directions. The belt base is leather, faced with canvas on the...

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Katie's Prom Dress

sewnsue, member | November 4th, 20111 comment

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Skyscrapers In The Big City

lizavanfleteren, member | November 4th, 201110 comments

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Retro Glam

kaysoyka, member | November 4th, 20116 comments

This retro inspired skirt is made from a lurex brochade. It's fullness was achieved by underlining with organza, horsehair braid hem and crinoline petticoat. The halter top was adapted...

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Used 2 Bees Ultimate sewing challenge

bloomingfairie, member | November 4th, 2011

Here are photos of a few of the many things that I have created. I use recycled fabrics and other components whenever possible. See photo description for details. I find great joy...

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Happy Birthday to me- let the party begin

PABarnes, member | November 4th, 20111 comment

I made this ensemble by combining 2 different patterns. The jacket was created using an o-o-p McCall's pattern 5816. The skirt was made primarily from Vogue 8583. However it became too...

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The White Queen

Jnetbeam, member | November 4th, 20112 comments

A request came from a friend of mine that I should be the 'White Queen" from "Alice in Wonderland." The following costume was a big hit at the costume party and is an intepretation of the dress...

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