Attached is a chanel inspired suit I made using Pattern Master Boutique to design the pattern. I have another color of this same fabric and will interline the jacket next time. I used flat fringing (not inserted like piping) but I did add another flat piece inbetween the facing and the jacket then fringed all three pieces up to the top stitching used to stop the fringing. On the V-neck, I used inserted fringe sewn in like piping. Fun to make.
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What a nice suit. Good Job! Thank you for posting pictures.
I love it! Great job. Tell me about your experience with Pattern Master. How hard is it to use and have you made pants with it?
Nancy
Nancy, I love this program and would not be without it. I also have the Curves program for activewear and have upgraded to PMB 3. I have made everything with it. I make capris, shorts, tops, jackets, dresses, etc. I am extremely please with the results.
Pauline
Great suit - thanks for posting the pix. I find it quite inspirational when people post pix of their work.
Beth, you can see some more of my sewing items at:
http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=pojzvnb.33o36ojb&x=0&y=4juh9t
Thanks, Pauline. I love ofoto - so easy to use! Off to visit your album.
the tank! the jacket (?) with the marvellous neckline and collar! very very nice. Very nice examples of not stuffy sewing - classic but with a zingy spin! Nice looking model, too :wink:
Thanks Beth, I try to look as nice as I can even though I am pushing 62. You might be interested to know that the beigy three pieces with the hem stitched edges were made out of a linen/cotton tablecloth I bought at TJ Max. I used the edges for the prehemmed skirt and pants and the corners for the jacket fronts. Just something I got the notion to try to save having to do all that fancy hemstitching (which by the way is covered in this month's issue of Threads). I love to try and experiment with new things. The jacket with the black panels was handpainted with various images (one was a toothbrush marking), another was dots made by the round ends of foam brush, and I used the variously painted pieces in combination for the jacket panels, front fold over and edges. I have since shortened the wing panels since I thought they were a little too long for me.
ha! you're making me go back and look again - and again! Interesting that you shortened the wings. I think it probably would be slightly more contemporary with shorter/without wings. The green tank - still my favourite! Maybe it's the colour - or the work. That tablecloth idea is very good.
Pauline,
What pattern did you use for that brown jacket and skirt w the tiny ruffles? Hope it's still in print!! Your creations are really beautifully done and look so good on you. Congrats!
nancy
Thanks so much for the compliments. I use Pattern Master Boutique to make all of my patterns to fit my measurements. I saw that little jacket made in very light ultrasuede on a friend of mine and eyeballed the details and copied it using my pattern making program. (Haven't bought a pattern since I bought my computer pattern making software and I recreate any designs that I know will then fit my figure) I just used an armcye princess style, lowere the front neckline a little and used 3/4 sleeves and measured the distances on edges of neck, sleeve and bottom of jacket and used about 1.75 times the length to create the soft (not tight) ruffle). Fabric is embroidered cotton. Glad you liked it.
Here is a picture of the pattern pieces I created and the design sheet specifications regarding the software pattern choices I made.
In the spring 2005 shows Chado Ralph Rucci showed the most amazing hand painted jackets that he paints and then apparently he has the fabric copied and reproduced, really amazing work. Probably you can see them on Style.com
Nancy
Nancy, first: the learning curve on PMB---Sometimes after putting in your measurements you can get a fit better than any pattern you have ever used. Depending on your body figure challenges. Sometimes it takes a little tweaking. You need to experiment with the software to find out what your personal preferences are regarding ease levels. There is, of course, a basic understanding that you know how to put the pattern pieces together and know how to sew. Having said this, I am happier with the fit I get from the program and the design choices allowed, and the CAD program that comes with it that enables you to truly be the designer and change design elements. I haven't bought a pattern of any kind since owning this software (I also have Curves (for knitted, activewear, bathingsuits, etc). I don't use this one as much as the basic PMB 3. I love it. You should make some trial garments befor jumping in with expensive fabric though, just to find your comfort level. I know now how I like my sleeves to fit, (i like to widen the upper back for more movement room for example, and I like moving the side seam forward a little ---I also use their "button" clicks to add even a little more room in the back just above the armholes.) I also change the default ease levels to reduce ease at bust level since I have found the default to be too much for my liking. Things like this constitute the learning curve. A warning though, since you can do all these things, you start getting really fussy about fit, but I felt that the worse things I have made from PMB fit better than any pattern I have ever bought.
SECOND: You just named my alltime "favorite" fashion designer. I have a file of Ralph Rucci Chado's designs and constantly look at them. I absolutely love his high quality, classy look and fluid but tailored lines. I just popped over to see the Spring 2005 RTW and didn't see what you were talking about. I still love everything he does. His designs always make me think of Audrey Hepburn and the gorgeous styles she wore.
I don't know where you live, but here in NY we get Metro channel which covers the fashion week shows and even my husband will watch. I saw his show with commentary by Judy Licht and VP at one of the big fashion stores. His clothes are to die for! Well, not lierally. It sounds like you sew like I do, wanting to get that high end look and style.
Nancy
Yes Nancy, "wanting to" --- is the operative phrase here. Can't say I always achieve it, but I keep trying.
What a gorgeous wardrobe! Thanks so much for sharing your work with all of us. The tapestry jacket is my favorite, but all your creations are inspiring. I'm going to have to look closer at TJMaxx tablecloths!
Thanks. That tapestry (really upholstery fabric that was washed in washing machine before cutting to make it softer) jacket was fun to make. I think I included a closeup of the edge trim which was made by pulling long threads from the end of the fabric like you are making fringe, and then using sewing machine (either zig zag or blind hem stitch a small bunch of these threads to the edges of collar, pockets, sleeves and bottom edge of jacket. Even though they are not long (mostly 54" long or shorter), you bundle them up as you are sewing and when one runs short you just add in some new ones as you are attaching them to the edges. I guess you could zig zag over a long continuous bunch to get the trim you need but I just did it all in one operation. A subtle but interesting edge treatment I think since you know the threads perfectly match the garment. I love to play with raveled threads and these were very nice with chenille yarn, etc. woven into the fabric.
I went to your photo site and I am really impressed with your clothes. I have been struggling to get fitted pants to be perfect and yours are great. Are they all from Pattern Master Boutique? What is the learning curve as I am not all that computer savvy.
Nancy
Pauline: What a neat idea! I wish everyone would post what they sew like this! You are obviously a very skilled seamstress. Did you have a steep learning curve with the CAD program? I find that fascinating, but I think I would like to take a class first to get the hang of it.
I am in awe of your wardrobe. That red suit is to die for!
mimi
Lovely suit! And is there some inspiration from Threads 108? It's so nice to see the creations of others. Thanks so much for sharing!
Regards, Dixedreg
Thanks Dixie, --of course I loved that particular article in 108, but for me, I added a third layer, a strip of fabric about 2.5 inches widesandwiched in between the garment edge, and the facing edge (making 3 layers) for a thicker fringe.
Pauline, You obviously have a wonderful eye for style and much skill in your fitting and sewing. You look terrific. The outfits are so flattering. I looked at this computer program a few years ago but didn't have a computer with room to pursue it. Now I do and I'm taking another look. You certainly make the most of it. Thanks so much for sharing your creativity and inspiration.
P.S. My favorite is the opening pants set with the multi-level back. Did you do this with your computer, too? Hubby came along and he likes the green 3-piece pants set with the embroidered top. Lovely wing-needle work, too!
Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes, the jacket was created using PMB. Love that software and the latest versions are really wonderful. The CAD program that is part of the Pattern Editor Function is very useful for creating your own designs. That jacket was inspired by a Vogue pattern, forget the # off hand, it has been a while. Haven't been sewing much lately, too many other demands on my retiree time. My garden is on tour this fall, and I am running the Fall Garden Tour here in Wilmngton, NC, so my time is at a premium. Your comments make me want to get back to it though so will have to say no to more volunteer work next year and carve out time to create.
BTW, on the green outfit, the embellishments were handpainted, not embroidered. Don't own an embroidery machine.
Thanks again
Pauline
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