Eeeek!

You guys! It must be Christmas because I just saw the coolest thing.... well two things! 

 Nessa and Gillian...you ladies are awesomely supportive women... contacted me to let me know that my Red Vogue Dress is on McCall's Pattern company's office fan board in NYC. You can go see it here... 

I'm also super excited to share that I won an award! Skirt fixation sweetly awarded me the Best Woven Skirt for my Cobalt Blue half circle skirt. So fun! Thank you Skirt Fixation!

Merry Christmas everyone, I wish you all a happy and safe one!

McCalls 6992: Tacky Christmas Sweater

My family has been sporting "tacky" Christmas sweaters for years now and I'm not even sure if they are actually tacky or are in fashion now. I think it may be a little of the latter....or at least I'm hoping! Cause I wore this one out in public and will again. I knew that it was okay when my son's girlfriend complimented my sweater...mind you she called it a tacky Christmas sweater but I took it as a name of sorts and not a description of distaste...

I was inspired to make this after seeing a jacket made by a lovely lady I know. She made Vogue 8430 using a boiled wool and then felted the design as was on the pattern sample. It turned out quite nice! I got to thinking about how I could make a sweater out of a camel colored boiled wool I had bought. Then I remembered that Lauren of Lladybird had made a sweater and I reread her post and took into consideration her tips and sought to find the perfect pattern to use.

Since boiled wool doesn't have much give to it, I knew that I needed to choose a loose fitting pattern. I also knew that I wanted a turtleneck to make it cozy. I have been really liking raglan sleeves lately so it should be no surprise that I choose one with raglan sleeves! McCalls 6992 fit the bill, except that it is crew neck...so I got busy drafting a funnel neck and it worked out great.

One of my favorites aspects of this pattern is the shoulder dart. These darts are not often seen but when used with a raglan sleeve, reduces the bulk in the front of the shoulder. I love how well this sweater fits! I also felt that the dart would stabilize the boiled wool as it easily stretches and would do so at the shoulders. 

Here is a close up of the felted reindeer I added...I debated back and forth as to whether or not to add the nose but now I'm glad I did. I had tried my hand at needle felting while taking a tailoring course at our local design school...not exactly part of the tailoring curriculum but it was fun to do and I was given a felting needle to keep! I didn't know at the time that I would ever really use what I learned...

My new sweater was perfect for our family outing to the u-cut for our Christmas tree, a favorite Christmas tradition for me! Roaming around the woods with the family then home for hot chocolate and tree decorating....what could be better?

Vogue 8825

Lady in red....is dancing with me..... it's stuck in your head now, isn't it? Your welcome.  Brings me right back to junior high school sock hops in the gym... Well you know what? This dress belongs back there  in 1986 with Chris de Burgh too.  All it needs are some ginormous shoulder pads!

Oh my gosh.... I want to L-O-V-E love this dress but there is something stopping me....those dang big sleeves. Not the upper part of the sleeve, everything's just fine there...it's at the cuff. I find that they detract from the best parts of this dress. I really love the neckline, for a faux wrap, it stays close to the body with no wardrobe malfunctions. I like that I can tie the sash in the front or the back of this dress. With the large belled sleeves though, I prefer to tie it in the back so it doesn't look so busy from the front. Of course then there's the fabric choice...crepe knit in a perfect red. I love this fabric. It's heavy and warm for the winter yet doesn't wrinkle badly and can be machine washed. 

This is Vogue 8825, very easy Vogue. True to its claim, this was a super easy make. Here is my review.

My Review: 

Pattern: Vogue 8825

Fabric used: Heavy Knit Crepe in a gorgeous red

Instructions:  So simple! Another raglan sleeve... I am on a roll with this sleeve lately.

Changes I made: None. Changes I should have made... removed the cuff and make the sleeve slim to the wrist!!! 

          

Repeat worthy? Yes...with changes.

Sorry about these over exposed pictures....it was the best I had of the back of the dress. 

On a side note... I think that my son did a great job taking these pictures for me. It was really cold out and he suggested that I not breathe when I smiled for a picture because he could see my breath. So smart! Now there's a photo tip for those of you living in colder climates like me!

So what do you think? I'd like to know. Keep the sleeves as they are in all their glorious puffiness or remove the cuff and make them slim to the wrist? I think you already know what I want to do :)
But maybe you could change my mind...

Workhorse: Simplicity 1699

There are some garments in my wardrobe that are in heavy rotation and this peplum top is one of them. It just looks good with everything. I particularly like it with a cropped jacket or cardigan with the peplum peeking out the bottom.

My Review: 

Pattern:  Simplicity 1699

Fabric used: Ponte Di Roma in ivory ( I'm a little disappointed that it has pilled so quickly) 

Instructions:  So simple!! Especially with no sleeve to set in... raglan sleeve for the win!

Changes I made: I didn't make any changes to the pattern but I did omit the collar. It wasn't my thing....

                          Oh!... and of course I used an invisible zip instead of a lapped...

Repeat worthy? Yes. I really want to make the longer sleeve version for winter!

Top: self made Pants:Target Jacket:thrifted Shoes: Franco Sarto

This was such a quick and easy make and I really love that the peplum isn't too overwhelmingly poofy... it has just the right amount of flounce...