Quick and Easy Light Jacket for Cooler Tempertatures

I found a very practical pattern to stitch up and take off the chill as the weather cools down.  It is offered by CNT Pattern Company.  This past week my sister visited with us and she has a new sewing machine and was looking for simple projects and patterns to work with.  It has been almost 30 years since she sewed so I took her to the local quilt shop and she purchased the batik fabric above to go with her brown pants.  These really look lovely with skirts!  This is a pattern that anyone can wear.  I highly recommend sewing up several to add color to your basic skirts or dresses.  They advertise them as being able to sew up in three hours.  What a perfect way to unwind in some spare time!  The instructions are easy to follow.



                                      A Little Somethin' Jacket 

#2501 A Little Somethin' Jacket  Breeze into the season in this carefree layer of pure casual elegance! The jacket has a slightly flared 3/4 length sleeve or full-length sleeve and is designed to move easily from work to weekend. The front edge is self-faced. Just fold, press, stitch for quick easy construction. This is truly a three hour project! Whether 22 1/2" or 25 1/2" finished length, this feminine silhouette is as comfortable as it is stylish! Sizes included: 8-24

Musings on Fall into Winter

Gather It Up

With the wind blowing very steady at gale forces, I am inside thinking of how to be prepared for winter.  So far our fall has been unusually warm with only two frosts that nipped the top leaves of the vegetables.  With an 80 degree day yesterday, it is hard to imagine colder days are coming.  We have had a beautiful golden Fall but today the leaves are definitely disappearing in the wind.

The circling scarves are still fashionable and are a mainstay for winter warmth.  Fabrics and hand knitted or crocheted neck wraps work wonderfully. Sewing your own would save time and money and give you a very usable accessory. This would be a project you could work on when the weather changes and you can sit and put a little time into a scarf that would suit your needs.  Here are some to check out:

Fabric scarf to make.

Free Pattern

Another great site and printable instructions for the infinity scarf is found here from Pink Chalk Fabrics.

I like the cooler weather for layering.  It works better for warmth.  I know there are those that don't care to wear layers, but I need them to keep warm.  I do like to wear the leggings under skirts.  This year I found some fleece-lined tights.  I know they aren't a natural fiber, but I hope they will do the trick as I usually wear knee-hi socks with the leggings and sometimes the leggings look a little baggy around the ankle even though I try to fold them to keep them flat against my ankle under the knee-hi socks.

Getting the right pair of shoes or boots helps also.  The clog-type shoes go with a lot of heavier fabrics as well as boots.  It really depends on your preference and weather.  For shopping, I prefer a low shoe of leather.  Be sure to get a shoe with a good gripping sole as the slick soles can cause serious injury if you slip on wet flooring with them.

Classic Dress patterns on sale today!

I forgot that New Look carries quite a few basic classic dress styles.  I received an email stating that New Look patterns were $2.99  download.  You can find them here. 

These should be easy to sew.  Necklines can be raised and hemlines lowered.  Sleeves can be lengthened also.

I have also found them for a price close to $3. at Walmart in case you miss the sale.

Adding to the Wardrobe: Classic Dress

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With Fall and Winter seasons  classic styles are very becoming.  They are easy to dress up or down with accessories.  A good quality cotton corduroy, wool twill or flannel in a shirtwaist or basic dress with little detail, and in a color that looks great  on you  and works well in your wardrobe would certainly lend itself to layering very nicely.  These styles are quite modest and really make a woman more feminine looking as well as enhancing her demeanor.  Our aim is to bring honor to God in all things.  Our form is woman and although Satan would rather we "un"dress, or use underwear for outerwear, or wear unisex styles; we are told to dress in seemly apparel  with modesty and discreetness in what is becoming to a woman professing the fear of God. (1 Tim. 2:9)  I am glad some of these modest styles are appearing in the fashion industry.  There must be a market for them.

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Patterns that are very simple and classic in style can make a comeback.  This would take some careful thought as to what styles and fabrics  like these would be used for.  It is appropriate for an evening with your husband, a festive gathering, certain meetings of dressy character.  These two above are very simple in style and would look very well on medium to slender figures.  The  design or print needs to coordinate with your size.  A smaller person would do best in moderate to smaller design while the taller figure would look nice in medium to larger prints. A simple dress in a solid jewel tone or darker color would do well for mid-season changes as well as all winter.

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The above are the maxi styles.  Patterns can be altered for the "midi" length in any dress pattern.  Knees need not be seen as the curve of the leg is much more graceful looking than any knee.  Gals need  pictures of themselves in dresses above the knees compared to them in dresses below the knee to realize the difference that covered knees make.  

The "midi" styles work well for at home, shopping, meetings,church, etc.  The fabric should match the occasion.  Also the fuller skirts tend to get in the way of everyday use in chores and child care.  I find the A-line  work best in most situations.

I sometimes have to use two or three patterns to put together a dress I like.  If you find a bodice you like, a neckline, sleeve style, skirt style, just make sure that they are compatible with each other or altering will take longer and become frustrating.  Careful measuring will ensure a better fit. Below are a few pattern suggestions. Keep details on the dress simple. These patterns can be changed as some may require a longer sleeve for winter.  I have included a basic fit pattern as the bodice and sleeves are easy to work with and then a fuller skirt can be added whether gathered, pleated, or A-line, whichever you prefer can be easily attached to the bodice.  I would suggest using one of the basic patterns to ensure proper fit  and then work off of it.

Butterick 6089
The hemline should be longer for a more flattering feminine look.

Vogue 9075
The sleeves should be lengthened for winter.  This looks very comfortable.

Butterick 5628
A basic pattern to be used for fitting and then adjusted for a fuller skirt of choice.

McCalls 7279
Another basic pattern for fitting.
This one would need a fuller skirt with a longer hemline.

                                     
    

McCalls 3129

This is a good pattern for those who prefer no waist differentiation.  The neckline can be raised and sleeves made longer.

I am sure you will find that having a very simple  classic dress will add miles to your wardrobe.