Wednesday Work in Progress

Cool Moda fabric ("Happy Thoughts" -- Odds and Ends by Julie Comstock of Cosmo Cricket) purchase from Sewtropolis,(Yes, they do phone orders - I saw and fell in love with this on Facebook), ginko leaves applique designs from Mark Lipinski's Quilter's Home magazine, red polka-dotted parchment sheets from World Market for upcoming holiday baking gifting, Sandra Betzina's Power Sewing Kimono Wrap directions, smaller sized watercolor paper, Burda's awaiting shelving for next year's projects.  Oh and bells (!) from Paper Bear in San Marcos. Lots of ideas, little workspace!

New Sandra Betzina Patterns

1297 Dress
1307 Pants

Eww.
Especially the pants.
I would have to see the dress made in one of Sandra's fabrics or her take on it.

New Sandra Betzina Patterns

1291 (left - tops)

and 1292 (right - skirts)

Usually she has three patterns. The $3.99 Vogue sale started yesterday at Joann's, but there was nary a Vogue pattern counter book around. I found the current issue of Vogue Patterns Magazine, and these were featured. Sandra does some interesting skirts. I'm not to sure if I would try it in the stripe, but maybe an interesting print or solid would still showcase that cool bottom hem treatment.

Sandra Betzina's Fashion Forecast - Fall/Winter

Just the other day I was wondering where Sandra's Fashion Forecast was, and today this appears in my email inbox --

So where is the fashion forecast this season? With few exceptions, when I look at women on the street, in shopping malls, attending sewing fairs, I have concluded that most women in the United States over 40 have simply given up. They grab the biggest most comfy items they own and head out for the day. If you are one of the few women who still cares what they look like, have an interest in fashion and love to sew; there is plenty of information out there, in fashion magazines and online. European fashion magazines are great sources for color combinations, details and silhouettes. This season, I am excited about combining leather with knits, woven fabrics with knits. Big chunky bracelets and necklaces are already in my wardrobe, so I will be wearing those. Tall well made boots are always in fashion. Make some tops and dresses with big cowl necks Vogue 1197, tunic length with the best pair of skinny pull on pants I have designed. Dresses and skirts with draped sections still look new: Vogue 1234 and Vogue 1210, blouses and knit tops with sheered sections Vogue 1275 and Vogue 1260. All patterns mentioned were designed by me and are in the Vogue book under the Today’s Fit tab. Take your time when you sew, enjoying every moment of the process. While I continue to design patterns for Vogue and teach classes, this will conclude many years writing the twice yearly fashion forecasts. If we have your e-mail, we will let you know about the just realized Today’s Fit patterns and new WebTV show topics, filmed by Ron Collins and myself. We are in the process of updating our website once again. Fondly, Sandra

Well, pooh! I always looked forward to Sandra's spot-on fashion, fabric and pattern combination advice (I still have her forecasts from the 80's!). Maybe she was just in a bad mood. . .?

Comments?
I know that personally I try to make an honest effort to look good when going out in public, and reasonably well/yet comfy when at home -- you never know when you'll need to make a mad dash out of the house. And isn't that inevitably the time you will run into someone from your past or someone you know? I am also the first to admit the manager and clerks at J.Jill either recognize or know me by name. They do have great sales and clothes, great in a pinch when you don't have time to sew. And sometimes yes, it is cheaper to buy them than to sew them. That helps save me the time and money to sew something really special when I get the chance.

So dear Sandra, please rethink and don't give up on us. I consider you a role model, both fashion and sewing wise.

Sandra Betzina Power Sewing Tips

I was trying to find the her Fall/Winter Fashion Forecast and came across this link on her webpage. There are some helpful and even new to me sewing tips here! Check it out under the What's New tab.

New Sandra Betzina Patterns!

I was able to grab Sandra Betzina's Today's Fit Vogue 1260 and 1262 yesterday at Jo-Ann's Labor Day sale for $3.60; with an additional 10% off.

(and 1204 Issey Miyake, too! Which someone had conveniently left on top of the pattern drawers.)

I love the detailing and the fabric Sandra used in 1260's View B. And Sandra does know and do coats well, even if I'm sweating in 100+ heat, I can still dream of a cooler temperature and climate.

New Sandra Betzina Patterns!

Vogue 1234 Dress

Vogue 1243 Jacket

I've seen variations of 1243's Views A & B before, but I think the View C pink one is pretty cute for a nice lightweight summer jacket. Or in an evening fabrication style.
The 1234 dress looks interesting, I wish I could see some of Sandra's versions. The fabric used in the photo looks just terrible!

Sandra Betzina's Fashion Forecast - Spring/Summer 2011

Hooray! Here's Sandra's 2011 Spring/Summer Fashion Forecast! I predict lots of fun and easy and fashionable sewing.

Sandra Betzina's Fashion Forecast - Fall/Winter

Hooray! Sandra Betzina's 2010 Fall/Winter Fashion Forecast is now available! Click here to get your sewing mojo going!

Sandra Betzina Today's Fit Vogue 1164 - View B Top

I finally finished the short-sleeved View B Vogue 1164. It had been cut and ready to sew on my sewing table for almost two months. It's been a busy summer! This view does not have darts, nor did I add the elastic to the back, as in my other versions of View A from February 27 and January 27 .

I used a lycra knit fabric, (it's hard to tell in this picture, but it is a cream/white/yellow/black print I bought from C & C Fabrics when they were at the Houston Quilt Festival last year) lined with a camo print lace knit from the Jo-Ann's Red Tag sale. Get a little creative and have fun with the front lining! As long is it is a lightweight stretchy knit, it will work. Sometimes that stretch mesh is hard to find, and can be a little pricey. Tricot is cheaper but also difficult to locate locally. The clerk at Jo-ann's just said, "Huh? We don't carry that!" (???) You should also note the sleeves are not as long as drawn on the pattern envelope. I even added 5/8" to the length. The 100+ degree temperatures this afternoon persuaded me to stay inside and improvise from my button stash, adding an extra button to the front. I may still try to find a cool button to showcase later.

FYI: Jo-Ann's is having their $3.99 Vogue pattern sale this weekend, and this pattern is currently on sale for $5.99 on the Vogue pattern website. Grab this pattern while it is still available...and at a considerable savings from the $27.50 list price. At least they still carry patterns!

New Sandra Betzina Patterns!

Vogue 1197 Love, love, love the short-sleeved top!

and Vogue 1198 Jackets - can't wait to see Sandra's versions.

Vote for Sandra Betzina to get her own show on Oprah's new network!

Sandra is auditioning to have her OWN show on Oprah’s new Network!
Please click on the link below to be taken directly to Oprah’s site where you will be able to cast your vote!

Here's the link --
http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=20990&promo_id=1

New Sandra Betzina Patterns!

Today's Fit Vogue 1173 dress and top

Today's Fit Vogue 1184 vest and shorts

The Vogue Pattern website has all of her patterns on sale right now for $3.99, Otherwise, the next JoAnn's Vogue sale is June 3/5.

Ahh-chooo!

I love trees but not when they are looking for love!

(This is my front yard Red Oak tree.)

Anyhoo, while on a "Benadryl Bender" yesterday, I bought 7 yards of fabric at High Fashion Fabrics. I'm getting ready to try Sandra Betzina's Today's Fit Vogue 1164 in the short sleeved version and whip up a couple of old fav 2945's. Seriously, have you grabbed these two patterns yet? Discontinued 2945 may still be available on the Vogue website. And one of my 1164 versions was passed around the ladies room at last weekend's Houston ASG Sue Hausmann event. (She was great by the way!) All shapes, all sizes, all loved it. (FYI: Next Vogue $3.99 sale is March 18/20)

Toodles! I need to finish washing the fabs and hit the sewing room -- I'm not wasting this antihistimine buzz!

Thank you, floozy oak tree!

Keeps Getting Better -- Vogue 1164 - Versions 2 and 3

Can't stop making Sandra Betzina's Today's Fit Vogue 1164! (click for the first one)

"Berry Angora Cerebral" knit from High Fashion Fabrics, Houston. So soft!

(The snow leopard velour knit was the end of another bolt at High Fashion Fabrics. )

and the 4th one is on the runway cutting table..."Fushia Rae" pleated knit, also from High Fashion Fabrics. I hope to make it this weekend.

The slightly raised waistline closure makes me feel and look slimmer in the middle. And I love being able to showcase a cool button, too!

Then I think I may be done with View A and this cold weather. Can't wait to make a gazillion short-sleeved View B versions. It will be warmer here soon enough.

Discontinued Sandra Betzina Vogue Today's Fit patterns

In case you were wondering, the following patterns were pulled and discontinued from the Vogue catalog to make room for her new ones --

2949 Jacket ($5 online)

1018 Skirt (just pulled, price has not been reduced yet online, may still be in stores)

2967 Tops ($5 online)

7608 Jeans ($5 online)

I've made 2949 and love it. The others are in my stash, awaiting their moment.

Sandra Betzina Today's Fit Vogue 1164 - View A Top

The first (home) run of Sandra Betzina's Today's Fit Vogue 1164 - View A top. This turned into a wearable muslin! I wanted to check the length and fit before cutting into my targeted fabric.

First of all, this pattern runs long - the sleeves, the body. I only had to add 1" to both. Usually it's 1 1/2 to 2". You can also get an extra 1 1/2" from cutting on the "J" size line along the bottom and wrap.

I liked many things about this pattern --

Great versatility potential - you can either use a knit or a stretch woven. Long or short sleeved. Can't wait to try the shorter version for warmer weather wardrobing.

Styling -- The three darts on each front piece help ease and style the wrap over fronts, which are secured by two large snaps on the inside. And the neckline does.not.gape! The raglan, two-piece sleeves fit perfectly. I also took advantage of Sandra's suggestion to put a bit of 1/4" elastic centered just above the waist to help cinch in the back a little. It was just right and very J.Jill-ish. I have a J.Jill velour shirt which has the same styling.


If you look at the pattern envelope photo, those sleeves look a little tight, don't they? I thought so, too, and erred on the side of caution and cut the width starting about 2" down from the armscye along the "G" size. The resulting sleeves are perfect, just a little on the loose side but works with the stretch velour thickness. I plan to keep this for future tops, baste and adjust according to the fabric.

I did not relish the thought of moving the darts when I added length near the waist. I had an idea to cut the dart legs approximately 4" to "lift" them up, insert the tissue paper and then tape down. Worked!










One thing you should note - the front is lined. That means two things - it is hemmed in process and you need to determine the finished length first. OK, three things -- And find a lining fabric. You can also self-fabric line if your fabric is lightweight enough. A velour - no. Sandra suggests a stretch mesh or tricot. Even living in the 4th largest city in the U.S., trying to find these fabrics is locally was difficult. But I did have some leftover TIGER print lightweight 4-way stretch knit, which worked just fine. A little peek of the tiger beneath is fun!

The instructions also call for fusible stay tape. Jo-Ann's didn't carry this either, so I made do with regular stay tape.

Next on the sewing horizon - 1165, Sandra's new pleated blouse. Someone has made this already and it is gorgeous. Take a peek at Sandra's Power Sewing website under the Garment Gallery tab.
Update 1-31-10: I found stretch mesh knit at High Fashion Fabrics (thank you, Peggy L!). It comes in a few different colors beyond black, beige and white -- plum, navy, etc. Even some metallics and glitter! Prices range from $5.99 to $13.99 per yard.

Update -- Here's a link to my February 27 post with two more recent versions!

On the cutting table right now - Vogue 1164

Sandra Betzina's newest Today's Fit Vogue 1164 wrap top. This was the first time I ever ran out and bought a Vogue pattern without waiting for the $3.99 sale at Jo-Ann's. Hopefully the 40% off $16.50 will be enthusiasm and money well-spent. Honestly, can you believe Vogue's new price point of $27.50?!

Anyhoo, I'm trying it in a stash fabric first - a wild leopard print. And to make things even crazier, lined with TIGER tricot. "Hoo, Peggy!" you must be thinking. Actually, the pattern calls for a stretch mesh or tricot front lining. This was from the Wally-World $1/yard table a few years back. As was the leopard print. RIP, that crazy Wal-Mart $1 table and fabric department.

In the meantime, if this turns into a winner, if anyone has sources for (sedate) stretch mesh, please let me know. I've also emailed Sandra for her suggestions. Though I'm thinking she, too, would go with the tiger tricot! : )

Updated! Sandra Betzina's Fashion Forecast - Spring/Summer

Sandra's Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Forecast is online now! Click here for the link.

-Here's 1165-

New patterns making their Spring catalog debut will be 1171 (a dress)...1165 (shirt which she says will take 10 pounds off. I need that NOW!)...1184 (shorts and vest)...1161 (dress). When I visited their new, revamped website this afternoon, I found this -- 1164 top also.

I really like this one!

Not knowing which current ones will be pulled to make room for these, I'd hit the next Jo-Ann $3.99 Vogue sale and grab the ones you've been wanting before they are gone.

First sewing project of the New Year!

A hamper liner?! Well, ya gotta start somewhere. I love my Pier One hamper, but I also knew the cotton tie-in liner was not long for this world. I simply used the measurements and recreated a new one out of stash yardage. And it was good practice for sewing/serging a rectangle bottom to a length of fabric.

Not only did this reignite my sewing mojo and reset my to-do list, but in the process of grabbing this stash fabric, I found the fabric I wanted to use for my next sewing project - another Sandra Betzina Today's Fit Vogue 2945.

Update January 13 -- and here it is. I think it has a bit of a Betsey Johnson feel. Maybe it even is, the store I bought it at does carry her fabrics.