Announcing: June Capsule Contest

[Zoubida]

Carolyn, the Audrey Hepburn style pattern is Vogue 2396. I bought it about 10 t 12 years ago and never sew it. I digged my boxes of patterns from the bottom of our basement (I think we have the same kind of issues ) and I found some I forgot about and which are suprisingly still very "dans l'air du temps". But again this style seems to never fade really.

Welcome on board Mrs Galihad, I find the JCC to be quite exhiliratind (hope the spelling is right) and I'm sure you'll like it.

Robin, the fit of these pants is great! Now I'm jaleaous, I need to work on a pant TNT. We can see a glimpse of your sewing space. Very tidy. I sew on my kitchen table and my sewing machines are in the living room. I can appreciate your thrill to have a space dedicated to sewing.

Thank you Carole. I hope I'm not over my head with this project. I'm undertaking a bit more, may be, than I can chew. We'll see...

Sue, the batik is really, really nice. I love it.

[cherylc]

Hi,
I just pm'ed Elizabeth so I'm in too. I haven't read all the posts, so I have something to do when I'm up with my baby at 3am. My baby (August) is 14 weeks old, and I gained 50 lbs while pregnant. I need a summer wardrobe that will still be wearable as I shrink. The garments also need to be easily accessible for nursing. I might want to make a dress; I'll go look at all the rules clarifications when I read the thread to see if that is allowed. Finally, I think it will all need to come from stash, or as much as possible, since I'm not working. This isn't as hard as it sounds; I have a large stash. 

I don't know if I'll finish, but I'm going to try. I'm excited to see what others are planning!

Cheryl

[peachykeeeeen]

Robin - those pants are great! Very flattering.

Zoubida - I am in love with that textured silk!! Your whole plan is going to be wonderful!

I am faced with the possibility of being without a sewing machine for a while. I was finishing up the test shirt for hubby and only needed buttonholes and buttons and the buttonholer started acting up. It was the first time I've made buttonholes with this machine (I've only had it a month). The first two came out just fine and then the third one was half the length!! The only way I was able to get it to sew correctly is if I turned off the machine, turned it back on and then set it back up for buttonholes. I had to do this for all of the remaining buttonholes or else I would get a half buttonhole every time! Fortunately, this polyester poplin is very forgiving, you can't even tell that I had to tear out the last buttonhole 4 times before it finally sewed correctly! Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to get my ancient Singer working again (it makes great buttonholes too) so that I'll have a backup if my Janome ends up in the shop for any length of time...SO...that means that my weekend that was supposed to be all about me becomes all about getting the father/son pre-June piece done and my backup machine in working order.

Cheryl, welcome! My little boy (Andrew) is 14 weeks old as well! Most of the time he manages to sleep until 5:30 and I've found I can get quite a bit accomplished when he goes back to sleep after his early morning feeding. I assembled the collar, facings and pressed the hem on hubby's test shirt just in that 2 hour window before I had to go to work one morning. There are a several new and soon-to-be moms on this board! If you're interested, I started a thread the other day so those of us who want to talk about babies or pregnancy or whatever can do so without taking over another topic: http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php/topic,4948.0.html

[Zoubida]

Jamie, that's such a pain about the machine! It tend to happen when you need it the most does't it? I hope it won't stay at the repair shop too long.

I love that silk too. So much so that I went back to the  but still  shop this evening. And eventhough I talked to myself all the way to there (and it's a long way), making me promise to myself I will be veeeery reasonable and won't splurge again... Well I did.

I needed a coordinating fabric for the wrap I want to make as an accessory. I found it, I found THE fabric. I'm so bad, I really can't resist nice fabrics. I just can't. Is it serious doctor ?

Not sure about the pattern I will use for the wrap yet. I'm open to suggestions. I have this pattern in my stash (McCalls 3880). I can only make the capelets ones or the one with the slit since I could only afford 1.5 meter of the fabric. I'm not too thrilled about neither of them because they will be difficult to wear everyday.

So here it goes, the last piece of my capsule, the accessory. A wrap.



And here is my most foolish buy of year !!! But oooohhhh how I love it !!!  




And here is a close-up of my future wrap...



I have only one, just ONE fabric left to buy... The lining for all the pieces. I've seen one that would be just perfect at Gorgeous Fabrics. After that I need the embellishments for the Valentino inspired ensemble but I can't find anything I like really. I will need to stop thinking like I want to make a mock-up. I'm not! The picture of the real thing is an inspiration. Once I print that thought firmly in my little brain, I should be more inspired by what I see in the wonderful stores we are lucky to have here in Montreal.

[Morzel]

Zoubida, your fabrics are just wonderful! I really like the idea of monochrome but polytextured.

Robin, Congratulations! Your pants are great, and as it is purple, I really also like the shirt you wear with it!  Great for you to get some sewing done, especially when it´s good fitting pants. Never can have enough...

peachykeeeeen, too bad about your maschine! That´s one thing about buying something new: you´re the one who has to "debug" it! I do hope you get your Singer working.

Em and MrsGalihad, welcome to wardrobe sewing! This "coordinated" sewing does take over!

Scottiesews, I really like your linens and batik. I think the grey (for trousers) do go with the batik. Will you sew the top or jacket from it?

I just finished my first pair of white pants ever a few days ago. And I am very pleased with the result! It is the first time I worked with RPL (Rayon/Poly/Lycra) and I can only recommend this kind of fabric. I washed the finished pants (to get the chalkmark off) and I didn´t even had to iron them! This seems just my kind of stuff, as I travel alot. These white pants will be my pre-June item (I am pretty exited about the white - never had anything but white tees), and I will add other pieces in french navy (linen). I want to do a white blouse (cotton poplin), white pants (RPL), a blue waistcoat (vest), blue jacket (both linen) and a matching bag (got a french navy cotton from Michaels that I think is thick enough). I am looking forward to getting started!

[RuthieK]

Wow! You are all going great guns.

The whole house marketing thing is kinda stressing me out, so many phone calls, packing and cleaning but at least we have 4 viewers lined up for the first weekend. The only sewing I managed was some curtains for the Utility room (laundry area) but if things carry on like this I can't see I'll get to sew much in June. :-(

Thanks for explaining what RPL is, I had heard it mentioned a lot, but thought it was a mysterious american only fabric LOL.
Turns out my favourite RTW work suit is in RPL, who'd a thunk? (Rayon is called viscose in the UK for some unknown reason).

Anyway I am thinking of revising my plan to 2 knit tops, 1 skirt, 1 pair pants, and sewing the jacket later when things are a little less crazy. I am astounded how much those of you with small babies manage to get done 

[ruthc]

My/DH´s shirt fabrics have arrived.   
Unfortunately I am still waiting on the shirt pattern to get here.
So I have trouser pattern but no fabric, shirt fabric but no pattern.  Maybe I should take "excellent planning skills" off my CV?

I did have four (yes four) vogue patterns arrive, non of them very practical for me at the moment. I blame Lyra for posting about the $5.99 sale a couple of weeks ago.  I have already sneaked them away from DH´s eyes and will pretend they magically found their way into my pattern box.  Mind you my sewing stuff is like alien technology for him.   

His shirt pattern must be due soon as I ordered it just a few days before my patterns from the same site.

Of the shirt fabric there is one I think he might not like after all, if you have seen my storyboard it is the cream indian cotton.  The fabric is very lightweight, almost like a voile.  I am not sure he is going to be keen on it as a shirt, unless he wants to flash his manly chest about.  If he doesn´t like it I can always find another use for it and find him something else.

If I get time this weekend I will be measuring DH - if he stands still/unglues himself from the sofa long enough and cutting out the paper pattern for his trousers.

That´s all for my sewing plans for now.

Zoubida - love love love your wrap fabric, it looks like spiderswebs.

[mardel]

Zoubida, I love the continuing evolution of your capsule and can't wait to follow your progress.  Your new fabric is just so luscious and wonderful.  I certainly understand the pull of beautiful fabrics.  I wish I needed clothes like that, but right now I am closer to Marji in that I still love all the beautiful things but the lifestyle is not supporting it at the moment.  You did make me smile when you wrote of needing cocktail and dressy clothes.  For quite a few years I had trouble finding a lot of time to sew but I needed several evening and dressy outfits each year so I would spend my precious sewing time making up fabulous evening clothes..... and now all I need are casual simple things.  Ah, fond memories. 

Oh Claire, your fabrics and your pattern choices are so yummy!    They remind me of sweet summer cherries and strawberries and cream and all kinds of delicious summer treats.

Robin, your new pants are great and it must be wonderful to have a sewing nook and have completed your first project in the new space!

[AnnRowley]

Zoubida, I'll second Mardel's comments on your wonderful fabrics - that Chanel mohair/silk is just to die for...

Great pants Robin - what a successful way to christen your new work space.

I've been taking photos of my ideas - thank you Carolyn - and hope to post them soon.

[BeeBee]

Design question for my second JCC skirt.  I'll be using the striped fabric:
(the composite photo shows the best detail). There is a striped texture to the fabric, as well.  The question:  Am I limited to a pencil/straight skirt with this or would it still look nice in a more flared style?  I bought it thinking pencil, but the other JCC skirt is pencil (I think I was envisioning the same pattern  ). 

[Karendee]

BeeBee,

IMHO, another pencil skirt would look great. The stripe could also accommodate an aline skirt, but your pattern was so chic and looked great on you. I think a person can have many pencil skirts in their closet; it is a basic.

KarenD

[AnnRowley]

I've put together my basic ideas...
       
                   
                     Simple Summer Sewing

The large photo of the pink skirt fabric is not the true colour...

You can see more detail here.

BeeBee, I don't think you should limit yourself to a straight skirt. I think it would look great in a flared style. I personally like a four or six panel pattern with the stripe running down the centre of each one - but that's up to you...

[Liana]

I am following all the exciting ideas here with great avidity!  You all have such wonderful plans and wonderful fabrics. 

Zoubida, I have to echo everyone else in saying that your fabrics are indeed envy-worthy.  I am just drooling here over them all.  I love texture, and you have found a fantastic group of coordinates. 

BeeBee,  I agree that a gored skirt would be great, but of course a pencil skirt is nice too.  Lovely floral.

I'm sorry I'm skipping so many of you, but this post would go on and on.  I'm going to be watching you all instead of participating, so I'm following you all very closely. 

Carry on! 

[Karendee]

I ditto Liana; all the selections and posts look great. Zoubida, your knitted fabric is just too beautiful. I have never seen such an outstanding collection of fabrics for the sewist. AnnR, your colors look fresh and springlike, and I'm sure your collection will look outstanding. Ruth, hope you get your pattern/fabric/voile straightened out soon; perhaps all the missing portions will arrive soon.

To all of you with --nonwork machines, fabric in post, colors not decided, patterns needing muslins, houses on the market to be sold, wrap patterns to be selected, pink camo unlocated, white pants made, people following our progress, PRL used successfully-----carry on! 

I have cut out my first garment (Lt. teal silk )--a top from the Now pattern from Sewing Workshop. As soon as I locate the thread, I'll  be sewing up seams. Will post fabric when I master this system (Flickr.)

Karen

[BeeBee]

My other progress (LOL) involves my top in the lavendar, that will also become my entry into the PR Adv Beg Contest.  I want to make V8419 , because I've made it before, I like it and it fits well.  BUT i want to replace the 2 pleats with pintucks (Pintucking to be my "new skill" required for thePR contest).  I messed around some last night, not sure if this is going to work or not... But that's my update.

[Morzel]

Beebee, you could also make an A-line cut on the bias...

[peachykeeeeen]

OMG, Zoubida, that Chanel is TO DIE FOR!!!!! I'm officially moving to Montreal so I can have access to the same fabric stores you do I'm not sure I want to know how much a meter of that would set me back...

[Karrol]

I found the perfect pants pattern for my vintage wardrobe. Just bought it on ebay (well, a copy of it). Photo from VicVelvets on ebay. The measurements should be very close for me, though I'll probably have to shorten the rise.

Beebee, I think a skirt with a trumpet hem would be great in that fabric, and cut so the stripes run straight doen the pieces. You'll get neat looking chevrons where the pieces intersect at the hem.  Zoubida, I'll agree with everyone, you sure have fine taste in fabrics! 

[cherylc]

Hi all,
Peachykeeen, I can't believe our babies are the same age. My baby was born on Feb. 21, when was yours born?

Ann, I love your color palette. Mine is going to be similar, I think.

I've looked through my stash, and I was worried that I didn't have a good print. Then I realized I don't need a print for this contest. Hmm...Working from my stash is going to be hard. It reminds me of that Threads feature they used to have where they gave designers fabrics and a time limit and saw what they came up with. It will spark creativity in me also (I hope).

I'm calling it my summertime maternity leave wardrobe.

Cheryl

[BeeBee]

Beebee, I think a skirt with a trumpet hem would be great in that fabric, and cut so the stripes run straight doen the pieces. You'll get neat looking chevrons where the pieces intersect at the hem

Hmmm, now that sounds interesting.  I have a ton of this stuff, it was only $2.98/yard at Gstreet, so I'd have plenty.  I'll give that some thought.....

[tumblina]

Oh, boy - my mom just stopped by and dropped off a whole bag of vintage patterns.

DROOOOOOOL

Oh, right - contest.  I'll get right on that.  Honest .

[Littleumbrella]

Count me in, please :
This will be my first time to join a contest. It sounds so fun!I will start to plan this weekend. Ye------Got something to do other then shopping for fabric.

[Karendee]

Welcome all new participants to the JCC! We're having a wonderful time, and we're glad you've joined us!

KarenD

[Dorcus]

Greetings All...   

I've been gone for quite a while and wasn't able to participate in SWAP, but I've PM'd Elizabeth so I'm officially in the Capsule!!    I am speaking at a conference in the east the last week in June so of course I need some new clothes for it so this will be the push to get it together. The month will be a busy one and I can't start until the end of the first week in June but I shouldn't have any trouble getting 4 garments done in a few weeks. I used to be able to sew at least one a week and I've just gotten lazy!! 
Now just need to plan...no black huh...navy here I come! 

Dorcus

[Zoubida]

Welcome Dorcus and all the new participants. I'm particularly pleased by the fair number of contestants. It's going to be such a pleasure to see all the capsules.

Beebee, I think the stripped fabric would be nice on both pencil or gored. Personnally, with my rounded silhouette, I would have done it in a pencil, but you've got a slim body so both would probably work for you. May be sketching the gored with stripes will help you decide?

Ann, your choice of pattern is so great. I particularly love the BWOF jacket paired with the white piqué. It's promising to be gorgeous.

Karrol, that pant pattern is utturly elegant. I can't wear well trousers, they make me look like an elephant. So of course, I'm quite jealous...

Ruth, you know that feary tale about a young, poor woman who was helped get dressed like a princess for a ball. Her friends, the spiders, weaved her clothes. You reminded me of this tale. I don't remember the story well. You're right, the Chanel mohair looks like spider's web, it is delicate, intricate and sturdy at the same time. In our culture, spiders are respected. My parents wouldn't let us kill them. There is a religious background to this respect, they helped protect the prophet from his ennemies by webbing the entry of a cave where he hid from them. The ennemies passed by the cave but didn't enter it, they thought he obviously wouldn't be there or the spiders' web would have been teared. He was saved. Thank you for awakening the souvenir of my parent's tales and the smile of pleasure you brought with your comparison.

And thank you Ladies for your compliments on the fabrics. I'm discovering this ability of choosing coordinated fabrics. Like many of us, I sewed one item at a time, thinking only of the item at hand, not planning or coordinating the different projects. I think I'll do plan in JCC fashion (no pun intended) from now on. It multiplies the pleasure of sewing because of all the possibilities and combinations it offers.

Karen and Jamie, Montreal is really great for fabrics. We have two different districts of the town dedicated to them. They are named after the main artery grouping all the sewing and clothes manufacturing.

There's Chabanel (Chabanel street). It's the heart of Montreal's fashion and RTW industry. It's dying right now after decades of glory. The Québec government tries its best to save it from the mercy-less competition of China. Article title from Needletrade Canada. Lots of people lost their job last winter. It was terrible to hear the sewist, employed since 30 years or more, often the only support of their family and very often not able to adapt to an other job (the only thing they know is sewing) talk with emotion about loosing their job. For years home-sewist could (and still can) buy fabrics in odd places of Chabanel. Not your usual fabric store. Often warehouses and such. And often you had to know at which time of the year they open to public and allow retail purchases.

There's also Saint-Hubert (Saint-Hubert street) and Plaza Saint-Hubert. No industries there. But a very long stretch of boutiques on both sides of the street. Years ago it was paradise for the bride to be and all her entourage. Beadings, tulle, embellishments, fabrics.... Still now it is traditionnal for a bride to go check for a wedding gown in Plaza Saint-Hubert. But there are fabric stores after the plaza on the steet. Lots of them but not as many as some years ago. That part of Saint-Hubert street smells like death too. Only the strongest, most renown stores survived and in the busiest time of the week, on Saturday afternoon, they are half desert.

I'll try to remember and take my camera next time I'll go shop there. It's amazing what you can find in the few stores that are still running. The store where I found my fabrics for JCC is Tissus Tueni. I love the place! But I have 3 other adresses on Saint-Hubert street, among which Tissus Elle (an other favorite for luxurious, high quality fabrics). And of course the delicious Vietnameese restaurant to take a lunch break right at the begining of the fabric and notions part of the street.

Ok, my "river-novel" on fabrics sources in Montreal stops here. Sorry for the long post.

[Em]

I’m one of the new ones here and I just wanted to say that I love all of your capsule plans!  This group is definitely going to be stylin’ in cool clothes this summer! 

Eva–Congratulations on your first pair of white pants!  They sound wonderful!  And paired with your navy waistcoat, you’ll have a very elegant and crisp summer look!   

Karrol–I love those pants!  They are TDF!!!  Actually, I love that whole outfit!  It looks late 30s early 40s.  Just a great look!  I really love vintage, too, and did a 50s vintage mini for the PR contest.  I haven’t picked my patterns for this mini, yet, because I’m still going back and forth between a current mini and a 40s-50s one.  Just can't decide! 

Tumblina–Lucky you!  Are you posting pics of your haul of vintage patterns?  It would be so cool to see your new treasures! 

Em

[peachykeeeeen]

Peachykeeen, I can't believe our babies are the same age. My baby was born on Feb. 21, when was yours born?

He was born on February 11th, the day after my due date! Go figure, since I was certain I was going to be like EVERYONE else in my family and deliver two weeks late!

Good news!! There was nothing wrong with my sewing machine, it was user error. I've never had a machine with a one-step automatic buttonhole before and apparently there is a beep and a LED indicator that lets me know it's done with the buttonhole. I have to wait for both and I guess I wasn't. When I'm more patient and just let it do its thing, it works just fine. Whew, what a relief! My Singer is also working. Craziest thing...when I tried to use it last, I would sew about 2" and then the threads would get caught on something and break. I'd unthread, rethread, change the bobbin and needle and the same thing would happen. I thought I might have a nick in the bobbin case, but my mom pulled it out and tested it today and it worked fine! I think the machines just have a problem with me!! So I'm back in business.

Back to working on hubby's cargo shorts! Baby's are done, and I'll post about those tomorrow, along with (hopefully) a pic of baby Drew wearing them.

[MaryPat]

http://www.emmaonesock.com/fabrics/clearance21560.asp

Zoubida- would this fabric work for the trim for your jacket?

I am working on a plan of neutrals, all tan and khaki. I have a lightweight jacket, trousers, skirt, and purse planned and a coordinating sweater purchased.
I am thinking of it as "The Only Tan I will get this Summer"

[kiltsnquilts]

Back on deck after a few days of feeling yuck, I have managed to post my storyboard (kind of ) photos on Flickr.

I would like to ask your opinion on the grape silk in the middle of the main photo - the one I was planning to make a shirt with.  It goes very well with the aubergine denim and the silk tweed - but I am not sure how well it will work with the green silk homespun?  Honest opinions please!  I suppose if I was wearing the silk tweed jacket over the top it would go but I woudn't always wear the 3 pieces together.

I am not sure what I will make with the denim yet - would love to make a pair of jeans but don't have a TNT pattern and not sure I will have time to do a lot of muslins to find one!!  I know the vogue skirt will be quick, I plan to do the view with the band and the frayed trim.  All I have to get now is the lining for the skirt and jacket - might slip out to the fabric shop tomorrow.  I will also look for an alternative to the grape silk (just for the purpose of the Contest) and see if anything jumps up and bites me!!

I am loving everyones plans so far - sorry for not mentioning everyone - too many to mention!  This has really got my brain working overtime! 

[kiltsnquilts]

   MaryPat - I love the name of your Capsule!!  Thanks for the laugh!

Forgot to say that the photo of my fabrics without patterns also shows my accessory!  I found this beautiful leather bag in a little boutique shop up the road from mine - I was looking when I should have been working Lol!  Although the photo doesn't show it, the colour is great with the green silk and the embossed/tooled leather is lovely!  I needed a new bag anyway so - lucky me!!

[scottiesews]

Z

Scottiesews, I really like your linens and batik. I think the grey (for trousers) do go with the batik. Will you sew the top or jacket from it?

Morzel, I've decided the jacket will be the pink linen.  The beige"y" linen is the trousers as it isn't a colour I can take nearer my face.  I have treated myself to a dress form so I need to get it padded to my shape so I can see what the styles will look like on my shape!
Good to see so many signing up for this, it's going to be fun.

[RuthieK]

BeeBee you could really play with the stripes, either a classic 4 gore bias cut skirt with chevrons at front and back (looks very stylish), or something asymmetric with panels with the stripe running in all different directions (my sort of look).

[ejvc]

Montreal is really great for fabrics. We have two different districts of the town dedicated to them.

Zoubida, my husband is in Montreal just now at a conference and I've snipped out your post and sent it to him, you know, in case he wants to buy me a couple of yards of silk.  I can dream, can't I?

Glad to see so many people!  The official count is now 61 participants!  Welcome all!

Charlotte is in a very demanding stage just currently and with hubby away sewing seems like a distant dream...

E.

[blue mooney]

What a hoppin' thread! Wonderful ideas, patterns, fabrics, titles, and plenty laughs, too!  MaryPat, that's a great line about tan! And I've been searching in vain for the comments about Zoubida's tiny poodle as an accessory. Maybe that spilled over into another thread. Who knows, I've been on some strong painkillers for a week or so, maybe I imagined it.

Ann's BWOF blouse is one I've been eyeing, and even thinking of turning into a dress. So I'm particularly interested in seeing that one come to life.

Karrol, love those vintage pants. Great find.

Zoubida, what can I say that hasn't been said? Love those fabrics. I am reminded of Lily Tomlin's "Tasteful Lady" character on Laugh-In. Those fabrics would be exactly right for her wardrobe.

[Marji]

I now have a date for the pre-wedding festivities for my son Daniel's wedding. The shower and parties will be June 28 in Traverse City, so I will finalize my plans for What to make with those orange/pink fabrics in the next couple of days, and get cracking.

I just love seeing all the plans here. I need to hop on over to the flickr album and see it all together. Hopefully there is a lot loaded there.