Austin Scarlett's Project Runway All Stars Wedding Gown

I just absolutely fell in love with his wedding gown! I really think he should have won (shaking head), if not on this dress alone. He was the Creative Directior for Kenneth Pool/Amsale wedding gowns a few years ago. Actually all of his gown designs are exquisite.

Project Runway - The Ocho!

Season 8 of Project Runway begins on July 29. They are back in NYC... and each show will be 1 1/2 hours long!

And finally, an old favorite -- Project Peepway!

From 2008 -- Project Peepway
Happy Easter everyone!

A peek inside the closet

No, not mine - Leanne Marshall's from Project Runway. She has lots of cool clothes, be sure to mouse over the top of the photo for the descriptions. Here's the link, thank you Project Rungay guys!

Don't forget, Season 7 of Project Runway starts tonight...they are back in NYC! Yay!

Go "Gown Crazy" !

Update: TLC is RE-AIRING GOWN CRAZY on October 30 at 9:00 pm CT! With enough viewers and responses to TLC, Kayne can turn this show into a series!

Debuts tonight, August 14, on TLC.

Remember Johnathan Kayne Gillaspie, from Season 3 of Project Runway and the gorgeous gowns he created? Tonight is the Pilot episode of his show on TLC.

GOWN CRAZY
Gown Crazy stars Johnathan Kayne Gillaspie, the top 5 finisher of Project Runway 3. In the pilot episode, Kayne tries to fulfill his dream to be the #1 gown designer in the United States but time, resources and the Oklahoma weather stand in his way.

Update: Oh, I loved it! Kayne comes across great. And the gowns? - Wow! His sewing magic? Wow again! Even though he has so many things on his plate, I hope it gets picked up for a series or at least another follow-up special. Try to catch the repeats - I know I want to see it again!

Here's a link to an interview with the SheKnows website.

It's a good day to...

sew - and think about sewing. And fashion. It's raining outside right now, but not a torrential, toad-strangling downpour. Nice enough to be soothing without worrying if the roof repair will hold.

I am trying to resuscitate Vogue 8505 View A jacket. I love the fabric; it is a knit which looks like mock distressed leather without being tacky, believe it or not. It's drapey and I thought it could save itself from the design. In any case, now I know these "T" shapes don't flatter me or anything all bunchy under the arms. It's a short walk from looking cool to looking like a meatball. I'm going to try and take it in on the sides or turn it into a vest/jacket like Sandra's older Today's Fit patterns 8125, 7065, 8089. She sure seems to like this topper style - wish me luck! I'll either be able to wear it in public or end up transmogrifying the fabric into purses or book covers/portfolios, or reindeer ornaments for Christmas presents. (I'm sure my sister is reading this going, "uh, OK!")
Up next on the cutting table is Sandra Betzina's Vogue 2949. I'm going to use the soft brushed cotton plaid I had planned for 8505 two-peat. I've seen 2949 sewn in many varieties of fabrics, so the odds of success are pretty well in my favor, I hope. I found some wale-less red plum corduroy which matches one of the plaid colors to use as trim on sale for $3.49/yard at Jo-Ann's this morning. It will help calm the plaid and showcase the cool collar lines and edges of the jacket. Along with the fabric, I also grabbed Sandra's newest patterns - 1071, 1081, 1082 for $3.99 each. The drawers were waiting for me and fully stocked - at least 5 copies of each one! Sale is through October 18.

I thought the Project Runway finale was interesting -- three females as the finalists. Honestly, I liked them all. And I loved the "Oh, CRAP!" look on Kenley's face when it was announced Tim Gunn would be filling in for JLo as the guest judge. But really, a foot injury excuse? Tape it, prop it up and go on with the show. Leanne's eco-friendly turbines barely edged out Korto's greens, which I thought were stunning. I also liked some of Kenley's designs, especially the floral painted beige dress. She definitely has potential but needs some maturity.

Enough computing, time to get back to the sewing room to play with sharp objects. . .

New Laura Bennett Case Clothed Episode

Click here for the latest episode of "Case Clothed - The Sweatsuit Substitute"

Another Laura Bennett Case Clothed on iVillage!

Click here for "The Case of the Sensational Swimsuit"

One Month From Today ---

Latest from Hancock - Project Runway Fabric

Some of the Sunsational Savings Sale items starting today through Sunday, June 15 --

99 cent McCall's patterns
50% off buttons and sewing machine needles
$1.77 Maxi-Lock serger cone thread



And also on sale through June 18 per the circular, I didn't see the rounder in the store, 30% off Project Runway prints by Robert Kaufman, regular price $8.99 (!) sale $6.29. Shades of brown, turquoise, paprika, salmon done in zippers, safety pins, pins, "Make It Work", notions and models. I have no idea what you would do with them. . .

New installment of Laura Bennett's Case Clothed

Click here for the newest episode, "The Case of the Harrowing Heel Height"!

Project Golden Runway

Click here for potential changes to Project Runway when it moves from Bravo to Lifetime!

On the positive side, we will get a summer series run beginning in July - Bravo!

Mood Sling

Thanks to Blogging Project Runway, I found and ordered the Mood canvas bag I saw Jillian using on Project Runway! It was $7; plus $7.99 UPS shipping. So cool - the logo print on both sides is in a copper metallic, really stands out and looks sharp! 20" across, 13" tall, 6" bottom width. The black canvas is coated on inside for durability. Black corded 27" double handles let you sling it over your shoulder comfortably.

Sign (up) here

Here's the application to be on Project Runway 5. Interesting to read at the very least...especially towards the end of the form (medical and mental examinations if needed?!)

Smiling Happy People

What a pretty smile! Why doesn't she smile more?

A well deserved win for Christian, though I thought Rami's and Jillian's were also good. Jillian really does jackets well. Rami's gowns looked ready for the red carpet.

Do check out Christian's sister Shannon's blog - Little Bubbles It was fun to read about the Runway Finale party she hosted, complete with a "tent." Creativity runs in their family.

I hope Project Runway Season 5 casts more just-starting-out designers like Christian, and not the already-established ones like Rami. A mix is fine, just not skewed too heavily towards the experienced. If you already have your own store, step aside and give someone else their chance.

Project Runway recapper

Opalescent definitely has one of the most entertaining series of Project Runway recaps, complete with hysterical photoshopped photos! This is the one who did the Project Runway "Class of Season 4 'Yearbook'" picture.

Hair Apparent

Sadly not! I thought Chris' clothing was a little ookie. I'm with Tim on this one. While I wasn't overly impressed with Rami's collection, if Chris hadn't used the hair (or told us) he would have easily won that round. But if I didn't know it was human hair and instead it was perhaps just a poly fur trim or even fake wig hair, I would have really liked these designs. You can't deny he definitely has talent and vision.

What's on the (slightly sagging Sew/Fit) cutting table today?

Burda 7876 - View B - a cool vest/corset for L! We spotted and bought this pattern last week. And then last night while watching Laura Bennett's corseted jacket, I thought these details were spot-on with her design. I may have to Frankenstein them into a jacket or blouse for me. So Burda, look at how the back straps are slightly elasticized to stay in place and how the strap width is the same as the piece it joins to in the front. Details, details, details! Popular pattern, too - I had to go two stores to find it.

Laura Bennett was on

...and I was able to see her last night at 10 PM, CST. She looked fabulous! Loved her dress and hair - hope QVC may offer the dress someday. Anyways, she came across wonderfully for the 10-15 minutes she was there. The metallic wrap sweater sold out, with limited quantities and colors left on the jacket, pants and shirt. The shirt in blue, which looked pale green on my tv sold out, also. I loved the button details on the longer cuffs and front closure. Though I thought I heard her say they were elastic looped. That's no fun, especially for the front. The "architectural" structure details of jacket looked very similar to the Burda corset vest I'm making for L. The flat-front/darted pants were faced, no waistband with a side invisible zipper. Both came in khaki and black, but you really couldn't see the details on TV in the black. All in all, a good collection and a good start. I came this close to ordering the blouse, but thought I could use her eye for details instead with my own version. If it had still been available in the blue/green, those fingers would have been dialing.

zzzz... Laura Bennett! Huh? Where?

I dozed off at the end of the Oscars and stirred enough to check out QVC around 11:30 PM. I didn't see Laura Bennett or her outfits - just some crazy yellow lamb leather jacket. If that didn't give me nightmares...! Anyways, from what I've been reading, she wasn't on last night/this morning. Perhaps maybe tonight. QVC right now is showing their Spring Fashion Gallery. No sign nor mention of Laura. But check out their website in the meantime, maybe you don't have to wait in vain. I found photos, order-ability and prices for four of her items --

• A79578 Drape Metallic Sweater - $93.50
• A79581 Seamed Corset Jacket - $138
• A79582 Silk Blend Blouse - $52.56 Special Introductory Price (regular price $58)
• A79583 Twill Pants - $93

I also saw some of Chloe Dao's outfits, which personally and honestly, looked a lot cuter and more affordable.