Dawn Anderson Rococo Blouse

This week’s garment is the Rococo Blouse from Dawn Anderson Designs.  I first met Dawn at a local ASG event (she is a member of my local Chapter) and have watched her business grow from the early days.    Dawn’s lovely designs reflect her background in theater and costuming , her love of historical garments and her forward-looking modern approach.  You can read more about her background and see her pattern collection on her website.

The Rococo Blouse features a low square neckline with princess seams, is fully lined, buttons up the front or the back, and includes interchangeable sleeve ruffle options:   gathered sleeve ruffles with a detachable eyelet ruffle or triple circular ruffles.  The pattern is sized 4 through 26.

This blouse is very flattering, comfortable and fun to wear.   I’ve made it twice.  The first time, I was testing the pattern for Dawn and I made View A from a blue and white striped embroidered cotton.  I made no alterations to the pattern and it fit perfectly. Dawn has written extensive directions for altering this pattern based on your own measurements so if you do need to alter, she will walk you through it. 

I liked this blouse so much that I decided to make View B which the pattern describes as being for an advanced skill level. I used a large floral print silk crepe lined with China silk.  I lined the circular ruffles with two different silks, a striped charmeuse and a damask-like georgette.  The pattern allows for the ruffles to be tacked up for a drapery effect but I didn't do that on my blouse.   I matched the fabric’s pattern along the center back closure and used self fabric covered buttons.

Dawn's instructions are some of the best of the independent pattern companies. They are very thorough and walk you through each and every step of the process. I like this blouse pattern so much that I would love to make it again.  Here I am wearing it during a photo shoot I did with my family in 2009.

photo by Sally Brewer Photography

Fair Isle Knitting

Creatively, I have been on fire recently.  My mind is full of ideas and I have actually had some time to work in my studio.  Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot I can show you from these sessions.  I have been working on creating samples of the items I am planning to feature in my Etsy store and I’m not ready to share the pictures of those just yet.   I’ve also been working on a project that will be given to someone serving on a team for a retreat associated with my church, but these projects are all done anonymously so it doesn’t feel right for me to share that project with you either.  I’ve felt a little frustrated by the disparity between my productivity and my ability to share it here on my blog.

But here is one project I’ve recently completed that I can share with you!   Remember back at the beginning of January when I stated that one of my goals was to knit a little bit more?  And remember my brown jacket that I finally finished at my recent sewing retreat?  Well, I knit myself a hat to go with that jacket.  There is a great little knitting shop in Old Town Alexandria called fibre space.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:  I’m not a very skilled knitter.  But with some guidance from the friendly and helpful staff at this shop I picked out the pattern, Meritursas, and the yarn, Canopy, both by The Fibre Company.  This luscious fiber is a blend of baby alpaca, merino wool and bamboo.  I have knit fair isle patterns in the past, and I really enjoy their mathematical and precise nature.  I’m not much of a hat wearer but with the cold weather we have been having I’m very pleased to have this soft and warm addition to my wardrobe.

Cynthia Guffey Shawl Collar Jacket

This week’s featured garment comes from a pattern by Cynthia Guffey, #5010, Shawl Collar Jacket.

This short jacket with shawl collar ends with one button at the waist line and four curved bust darts that originate in the armscye in the front and back.  Cynthia's instructions are pretty bare-boned and assume a certain level of sewing expertise. These were fine for an intermediate to advanced sewer (which is who this pattern is rated for).

Things I particularly like about this jacket:   It is a great short length (my favorite), is well-drafted, has attractive and unusual curved darts in the front and back and a shawl collar that goes together perfectly and is very flattering.

I also loved the hem finish which, by the way, has no instructions other than "Hem the jacket". There is a cut out along the CF hem so the facing can be folded to the right side and sewn with a seam, then the rest of the hem turned up. You would have to know what to do here since the instructions don't tell you. If I were to make this jacket again I would line it.

Fabric Used: The jacket is made from a brown wool with a twill weave. The collar is made from a plush corduroy (almost chenille-like) both purchased from Guss Woolens in Baltimore.

I particularly like that Cynthia's patterns fit me very well with almost no altering.  Several years ago I spent a week with Cynthia in Louisiana learning her pattern alteration method. I used that technique to alter this pattern. I increased the shoulder slopes and added a small upper back curve. I shortened the length of the sleeves. I redrew my own facings rather than make the alterations to those pieces, too.

Conclusion:  A great little short jacket with lots of style and good drafting.

More About Dyeing Fabrics and Winner

And the winner is Donna Gotlib.  I found Donna’s blog during One World, One Heart and left a comment for her.  In turn, she checked out my blog and left a comment for me.  That comment earned her my hand dyed fabric bundle (thanks to Random.org which picked #5).  Donna creates wonderful art designs; I fell in love with her wedding stationery called Neva and Howard.  Just look at those bridesmaid designs!  I love those.   She has lots of other lovely things at her webstore Got Donna.

I’ve been thinking a lot about dyeing fabric recently and am itching to do some more myself.  I’ve got a pretty good set up at present with all of my dyes and supplies in one spot and a handy bathroom sink nearby.  But I’ve also been thinking about those of you who have an interest in dyeing but just don’t know where to start.  So here’s my list of supplies you need to get started.  Many of these things you can buy at your local big box or dollar store, and all of the actual dyeing supplies you can get from Dharma Trading Company who is offering 50% off shipping until the end of February.  I’ve added a link to the supplies below that are available from Dharma.  Click on the word and it will take you to the item on their website.

These supplies are for dyeing 100% cotton fabric.  Dharma sells a number of different types, or you can pick some up at your local fabric store.  I like Country Classic Solids from JoAnn Fabrics.  It’s inexpensive and takes the dye well.  Any 100% cotton fabric will work.  Make sure you prewash it first.

• Fabric
• Mask/goggles (for mixing)
• Rubber gloves
• Misc. measuring devices -- buy a set of plastic measuring spoons and cups
• Plastic containers (cups, bowls, etc.)
• Zip lock plastic bags
• Plastic spoons
• Paper towels
• Newspaper or plastic dropcloth
• Sharpie marking pen for marking fabric and record keeping
• Synthrapol (or other soap)
• Soda Ash (1 or 5 lb); you will use 1 cup/gallon water
• Dharma brand fiber reactive dye in the following colors (2 oz. each):

o   PR1 : LEMON YELLOW (MX-8G)

o   PR13 : FUCHSIA RED (MX-8B)

o   PR26 : SKY BLUE (MX-R)

These dye colors will mix together to create the colors you see here.  I used the directions in Dyeing to Quilt by Joyce Mori and Cynthia Myerberg though I use less water than they call for to give a more mottled look to my fabric.  The book contains the “recipes” you need to create a color wheel of 12 fabrics.  I would recommend starting with fat quarters or half yard pieces for your first attempt.  Feel free to email me privately if you want more information on the process.  Good luck, and send me some pictures of your beautiful fabrics when you are through.

One World, One Heart Giveaway Results

The deadline has come and gone for my One World, One Heart giveaway.  This morning, using www.random.org, I selected five winners to receive one of my key fobs.  This event was so much fun, discovering and bookmarking lots of new blogs, and response to my post was so lovely that I decided to share the love a little further around and pick five winners (five to commemorate the number of years that OWOH has been going on).  Sadly, this is the last year for this event but I will enjoy connecting with all of the new blogging friends I've met through it.

Without further ado, here are the five winners, listed in the order their name was drawn.  Congratulations.  For the rest of you, don't forget I'm doing another giveaway this week for a bundle of my hand dyed fabrics.

julie mitchell   US

trisha too    US

jennifergrieco

emily r

jenn    US

While I was working on this post I received a lovely email from Tejae, notifying me that I had won HER OWOH giveway!  What a nice way to start my day.  Tejae makes lovely heart shaped keepsakes like the one I will be receiving but she is talented in lots of other artistic areas, too.  Head on over to her blog, Tejae's Art, and see what she is up to.  Thanks, Tejae, for being a part of OWOH and thanks for this beautiful love token.

photo by Tejae Floyde

Have a great weekend, everyone.