Named Patterns

2:37 PM 3 Comments A+ a-

Did you see this post about the new pattern company Named on Rachel's blog?

The minute I saw it I went to the company's website and the patterns are adorable!

I ordered these so far:
 
Shane Pleated Top


 
Blair Batwing Shirt


 
Jamie Jeans



Andy Coat

You should get on this! Also, read Rachel's interview with the sister designers. I can't wait to see more from these ladies!

Franken-dress

11:56 AM 4 Comments A+ a-

I'm working on a post about my wedding dress but in the meantime I'm obsessed this dress from Asos...
 
 
 
 
I'm a lover of maxi dresses and I think this could be a good option for fall. It looks a little dressy but I think with flats it could be casual enough for dinner with the husband or a not-too fancy party. I probably wouldn't wear it to Target or anything, but I could see it working for dinner out with friends.
 
 
Anyway, I'm wondering if I could Frankenstein it with the top of a pattern like Simplicity 1872,
 
and the bottom of the Anna Dress from By Hand London...
 
 

I actually have a McCalls pattern that's similar in some ways to the Asos dress but it's made for knits and sort of looks a beach cover up, so I'm thinking the structure of the Anna skirt is needed to make this look more like a dress I would wear over a real bra with underwire instead of a bikini top.

But now for the real issue. The dress from Asos is $54, which isn't cheap but also isn't a horrible price considering the amount of fabric the dress uses. I already own the Simplicity pattern but I'd have to buy the Anna pattern (about $26) and fabric (I would imagine I would need 3 to 4 yards and I don't have enough of anything appropriate in my stash). Since this is just a fun dress to wear to dinner I probably wouldn't spend tons on the fabric, but even at 4-5 dollars a yard the Asos dress is probably a better deal. I know I would have fun making it but I have a million other projects I would have fun making too so entertainment is not my top priority. Also, I know the dress I made would probably be a little better quality, but since this isn't something that I'd wear all the time (like a pair of jeans or a coat) I'm not super concerned about it lasting forever. Finally, considering the dress is not supposed to be super tight, I don't think I would have a problem with fitting if I ordered it. So all of my normal reasons for sewing (fit, quality, price) are not as relevant as they usually are.

It's funny how much of a dilemma something like this is to me now. Before I knew how to sew I would have just ordered it, no questions asked. Now I almost feel like its a moral issue! So my question is, what would you do? Do you make things when you know you could buy them cheaper and the fit and quality would probably be similar?

My buying vs. sewing rules are:
I buy things that seem boring to make and I can buy cheaply (like white v-neck tshirts) or that I couldn't replicate at home (like if they are made of some incredible fabric and I don't think I could find something similar).

What are your rules? And if someone just wants to tell me to buy and and get over my sewer's guilt, that's ok too :)

 

Back in the Habit

5:10 PM 2 Comments A+ a-

My dear sewing friends,

I'm not sure if anyone has missed me in my 5 month abscence. Some of you may never find me again (particularly with the demise of Google Reader), but I am officially back in the sewing habit. Or will be in a few days once my sewing room is complete! I have missed you and sewing more than I can say but getting married, buying and renovating a house and just generally living have gotten in the way recently. I've been keeping up with my favorite sewing blogs and buying most of the new independent patterns that have come out in the last few months (keep your eyes out for a Saltspring, a Hawthorn, some Lakeside PJs and a few Thread Theory pieces for the husband coming soon!) so I'm ready to go as soon as we finish installing new lights and I unpack all my sewing gear. Also, I'm starting a new blog called Summer of the Butterflies to record the progress as we renovate our house. This blog has helped so much to encourage me to sew and keep a record of what I've done, so I figure I should do the same thing with my house! I'll be back soon to share what happened with my wedding dress, since last you heard from me I was in a bit of a crisis. (Spoiler alert: It worked out!) In the meantime, here's a sneak peak of the dress! And yes, this is the same picture from my other blog. I really like that picture...



Glad to be back ladies!