AN EBBYJ EXCLUSIVE

Okay - I do not think of myself as some fancy couturier, but the dress that I am about to unveil - in my opinion- is hot. It is a dress that I entered into the BURDASTYLE MALISSA DRESS VARIATION CONTEST. First, let me show you what the original Malissa dress looks like.

The second image is the Malissa dress already made up out of a knit fabric. What do you think? Can you think of any changes and variations you would make? SOOOO- you are supposed to take this dress and make a cocktail variation of it. After sketching-which really does help when you can't make up your mind- this is what i came up with:


AN EBBYJ EXCLUSIVE. An EBBYJ EXCLUSIVE. AN EBBYJ EXCLUSIVE. AN EBYJ EXCLUSIVE. AN EBBYJ EXCLUSIVE. AN EBBYJ EXCLUSIVE. AN EBBYJ EXCLUSIVE.
I am really excited about this . What a hot little number for a plus-sized girl.

I really thought the lace was a chocolate brown but the eggplant color of it still works.

I took a different approach when sewing not only this piece but all of the pieces for my winter wardrobe.My winter wardrobe is based on the idea of a traveling poet during a modern dayHarlem Renaissance that listens to Billie Holiday, Chrisette Michelle, beyonce, Eric Badu, jay-z, Solonge, Common ad the list goes on. She travels all over of the world hoping to book gigs. She so desperately wants the world to hear her work, her point of view. She travels with one suit case of interchangeable peices of clothing and a quilt. (She really needs two but we will make believe it only fits in one.)

(I want to say thank you in advance for traveling with me as I share my wearable colection inspired by this off-the-wall-idea)
I say wearable collection because i am going to wear the mess out of it.
I know I am rambling, but I really believe in this concept and i am excited about it even though the collection is just for me.
Follow along as I post different pieces to the collection.

I CAN'T STOP

OMG!!- I can't stop sewing. I really should be studying but I have been sewing since I got home. Have you ever been in a mood like that. Where you are just bursting with energy;energy for sewing. And it feels as though you are sewing up a storm. That is how I feel. I found that making a list of the things I really want for the upcoming season has helped me have an idea of what to sew. I have made some of the pieces on my list already and will post later as they are part of a project i am working on.

I was wondering how you all feel out there about maxi dresses?

Do you all have any songs that constantly play in your mind that might even inspire some of your creations?

The song that plays in mind is "Lover Man" by Billie Holiday.

Also, how do you keep track of all of your inspirations such as magazine clippings and what not? I am in desperate need of some help or else clippings will be everywhere.

A change is gonna come

Some of you may have noticed that I change the name of blog. I didn't do it because someone is after me or anything. I did it to reflect my new outlook. So many times we look to superstars, friends, and magazines to tailor our style when really we should be ourselves and sew. There is nothing wrong with sourcing these inspirations for upcoming seasons, but do not let it dictate to you what you should look and dress like. Be an individual. When sewing for yourself, add in current trends that are flattering to your body and not just because they look good on Halle Berry. I wished I could have came up with this realization all on my own, but I didn't . I have Lisa and Linda and of course you mommy and the rest of my family to thank for the encouragement.

New Mccalls patterns

Has anyone see the new Winter/Holiday Mccall's patterns. I would say that their okay. Some of the silhouettes I swear they have created before. I was hoping to see some different silhouettes.
(More fashion forward maybe).
I did manage to find some patterns that I like.

This jacket is sharp. You have to have the right fabric though.
This caftan is great for around the house. I really want to make one to wear in public- but - I just don't know if I am that bold yet. It would have to be a solid color. Maybe I could make it in black with gold accessories. Hmm-Have to think about that. Definitely don't want the crazy looks.

Sexy Sexyyyyyy! Finally, a pattern that I feel comfotable sewing some of my wovens in. When one of the Hancock's that I worked for closed down. I bought so much fabric, it was not even funny. So I have a large amount of pretty cottons that I originally planned to quilt. However I do not quilt everyday, so they just sit there.
Really want to make this.
Another great pattern for my wovens.
Another great pattern for my knits and some lightweight cottons.
What a cute jacket.

Tell me what you think.

In a nutshell (or a long list rather) here are the things that I want for the fall

Thanks to everyone for their comforting posts about my stash and obsession with knits. I am very excited to sew them all. The hardest thing to decide is what to make with what. Looking in all of the magazines that right about now are big and fat, I am getting a lot inspiration. I mean of lot. I have put so many little notes, bended corners and used lucky stickers to mark all of the things that I am dying to have for the fall and winter season. So in a nutshell, here is a list of all the things I plan or hope to make (I know-what a wish list):


Some kind of funky khaki jacket with funky buttons

a flowy red dress

raglan sleeve shirts with slight variations in jeweled tone colors (my fav is eggplant)

high waisted skirts - one fitted-one loose-vogue 1068 perhaps (as soon as I get the belly down)

more knit shirts of course grey

dresspants-slim and wide leg in various colors

a slew of winter jackets (Hello - Mccalls, Butterick, and Vogue have some bangin coat patterns)

a great carry-on for plane ridescouple of quilts

and Lord knows what else I will come up with.

I want this winter to be full of color - color- color.

I just know for sure that I am into jeweled tone colors and any piece of fabric with a little stretch. I tried to come up with a cohesive selection to make a mini wardrobe, but my day to day imagination changes . And plus, I like to take on each project individually so that it has all of may attention. I am excited to see what you all are excited to make.

By the way lets give Michelle Obama a handclap not only for the blue dress with flowers at the neckline that she wore to the DNC, but just for her style period.

I'm Back

Question? Is it possible to have too many knit shirts? I try not to make too many knit shirts that resemble a t-shirt and try to change the silhouette a little.And due to my overwhelming knit stash, I have vowed to sew only knits until I get the knit stash down and then go to another area in my fabric stash. So here is one piece that I have made so far:

This is a rayon knit that was purchased at Hancock Fabrics at half price. I bought so much of it and later found out that not only does it have to be handwashed but, you have to line dry it as well. I guess that is what I get for buying while excited.

The pattern come from burdamode.com in their download section. It was a free tunic/dress pattern that has become one of may favorites so much so that I hang it on a hanger for repeated use. I have tried and tried to copy and paste a pic of the pattern for anyone interested and somehow it must be restricted because it will not paste.

You can make this pattern from not only a knit, but challis, linen, georgette, or just about anything that has some drape and flow to it. I made the largest size that it had just to be on the safe side and that seemed to work for me .

Would I continue to make this pattern? You know it. Once you have downloaded the pattern, printed it, and put the pieces together, the possibilities are endless. What you save by the pattern being free, i guess you would say you make up with the expense of buying ink. By the way, is anyone else a fan of putting pattern pieces together that you have printed from the internet.

On another note here is a pic of my new sewing room before I set it up. (Linda I am still working on those curtains.I know - I should be ashamed of myself).

I wished I could have gotten a better pic of the room before but I could not even step in the room because of all the stuff - I mean fabric. So this pic is basically from the entrance to the room. Here is a pic of it afterwards.

Also, when reading other blogs, I sometime get the feeling that some of you may not have big fabric stashes. Could it be true? Do you just buy enough to make you current project and then from there or do you buy when you see something like? Could your stash possibly look like this?

So, I am trying not to buy anymore fabric, but how can you resist a good sale. Anyway write me back and tell me about your stash.

This is the last time I move - I hope

Sorry guys for not blogging in a while. I was moving and working at the same time. Though this transition prevented me from moving, it has not stopped me from sewing. I promise to show something as soon as I can get any amount of consecutive days off.