Cutting Line Design Patterns, Events and Announcements

[Terri K]

Hey thanks Louise -   I thought you might already be out in Sacramento.   Because you always do so much research and include the industry techniques,   I always go with your "original" the first time and then decide if I want to make adjustments.   Re the sizing of the Heading for Adventure duster, the one I tried it on in Tampa, is size XS and loved the fit.   For the one I made in the woven stripe linen, I wanted a little more ease so I made the size small.   I also shortened the sleeve hem one hem and removed the pockets.    It's a light, airy jacket and coordinates with lots of basic RTW tops and the little coffee colored ABO top.    I'll post the photos of the finished product later tonight.    Now to make some cream colored linen pants 

[DeniseM]

Louise, thanks so much for the feedback. I can see how the B&B jacket will be so pretty the way you describe it. Have fun at the conference. Wish I could be there.

[Terri K]

I posted the finished Heading for Adventure jacket in the "Sewing Louise Cutting" collection in the Flickr photos link below.

[mom2five]

Thanks Louise,

I keep wearing the jacket around the house to get used to it and I'm really starting to like it;  my girls also like it now but dh still says it's too big.  I have only myself to blame for his opinion though, I went through a five year big denim jumper stage so I think anything not fitted scares him.  (I've looked back at old pictures and it was pretty scary!)

I perfected my One Seam pattern today!!!  Woohoo!!!  I now have a perfectly fitted pair of pants, exciting doesn't even begin to describe that feeling.

I have declared this week as sewing week, your Cutting Through the Clutter book inspired this wardrobe change... Hopefully by Friday I'll have a smaller stash and more clothes in my closet... one can dream...

angel

[fzxdoc]

Terri, that jacket turned out so cute!  I take it that you decided on the shortened version, since you removed the pockets?  Thanks so much for posting the "in progress" photos as well.  It's always fun to see a garment come together that way.

Where did the fabric and the buttons come from?

Kathryn

[Linda 75142]

Great jacket, Terri.  Love to see a photo with you wearing it too!  Lovely job!

[DeniseM]

Terri: what a great job you did on that jacket. I'll bet it's really comfortable to wear and you'll get lots of use out of it. I love the way you were so careful to line up the stripes. Everything looks professionally done. Congratulations on another great addition to your wardrobe.

[Sew Sew Sandi]

I just finished the Points blouse of Points and Pleats fame.  I LOVE this shirt!  I made mine in a light blue linen and changed the sleeves per Louise's guidance (cut slits from sleeve hem to seam line, overlap, true, and cut) and then lengthened them a bit.  I wanted to be able to wear the shirt with a couple pairs of linen OSs I made earlier, one in dark brown and one in rust, so I made a button for the point from all three fabrics.  It's a 1 1/8" covered button with strips of the blue, brown, and rust linen separated by a tiny "braid" I twisted of threads of each linen.  I'll try to have DH take a picture and post it.  A big thanks, Louise, for your assistance in this sewing success!

[Terri K]

Thanks all for your complements on my HFA Jacket.   I made the longer version.  At 31.5 inches long,  it's a nice vertical look over pants.    I hadn't thought of it but it would look great over one of my summer sheath dresses that I wear any time I can.   The wonderful linen fabric came from Waechter's last summer.   I originally got it for a pair of one-seam pants but realized that big woven stripe would look like striped prison pants       I'm just going to use a couple of the big buttons.   They are very lightweight natural wood or cork with little spots that look like an "animal" print.   I got them from one of the now out of business fabric stores in the DC area - bought all they had because I saw so many possibilities with them.

Sandi - I also have the Points&Pleats top pattern and am glad to hear of your success.   Now to do some planning for that one.   Look forward to seeing the photos.

[fzxdoc]

Thanks for the additional info, Terri, on the fabric and buttons for your fabulous jacket.  I agree with Denise, I like the way you made the stripes match and mesh in an interesting fashion!

Kathryn

[marciae]

I just finished the Points blouse of Points and Pleats fame.  I LOVE this shirt!  I made mine in a light blue linen and changed the sleeves per Louise's guidance (cut slits from sleeve hem to seam line, overlap, true, and cut) and then lengthened them a bit.  I wanted to be able to wear the shirt with a couple pairs of linen OSs I made earlier, one in dark brown and one in rust, so I made a button for the point from all three fabrics.  It's a 1 1/8" covered button with strips of the blue, brown, and rust linen separated by a tiny "braid" I twisted of threads of each linen.  I'll try to have DH take a picture and post it.  A big thanks, Louise, for your assistance in this sewing success!

Sandi - anxious to see photos!  After reading this I got out my pattern - shortened by 2in and reduced the sleeve per the instructions Louise posted to you.  I cut out the blouse last night - however, I cut out 2 left fronts for this blouse.  Am hoping to find some time to sew this afternoon.  I also had the 'blurp' about the fit and style of the blouse.  Anxious now to get it made up!!

[DeniseM]

I'm trying to post the picture of the fabrics I have planned for the Butterfly and Bees pattern. Hope I can do this.



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[Linda 75142]

DeniseM,

LOVELY fabric.  Be sure to post a photo of the finished jacket!

[LOUISE CUTTING]

I tried several times to post here before I left for the ASG convention, but for various reasons I could not get it to post...so here I am and will try to take any questions that might have been for the past week.

For Terri's post on July 23 about the HFA...if you are planning on making this as a duster (larger) use the size you normally sew in Cutting Line Designs, but if you want a a tunic style, you can go down a size...make sure the finished circumference is about 4"-6" larger than you are for sitting down room. I know you have finished you shorter version and I will check it out...I had looked at your photos of your progress and it was looking great.

To Mom2five: for the ABO it is supposed to be an oversized jacket...make sure you are wearing shoulder pads....it will 'set the shoulders' and the jacket will hang from there. If you want to bring the jacket in a bit, do so in 'no mans land'...about half way between your neck edge along your shoulder seam and the sleeve armscye seam...this is a  vertical seam...from the shoulder seam to the hem...but whatever you do in the front, you will make the same adjustment in the back, and this adjustment will happen on the other side of your body...so if you pull the circumference (vertical) in 1" it will take 4" out of the garment. With taking it in at 'no mans land' you don't bump into the center front or armscye. Only the shoulder seam will need to be 'trued' up.

I'm glad you like the 'Clutter book' I have heard from so many who have read it and started to clean out or straighten their closets...not even waiting for a rainy day!

To Sew Sew Sandi: I am so pleased with P&P...it truely is one of my favorite patterns. Please post the pictures when you can.

To marciae; The 2 left fronts in P&P always look great...a little camp shirt with the shorter front and the longer back to cover 'stuff' Keep us posted.

To DeniseM: the 2 different fabrics will look so great together. I too want to see it finished...I know with using the manila folder edges it will take some time.

If anyone out there has taken a picture of my booth with the banner along the back wall, I would love you to e-mail it to me. I think Terri, you had Don take some of you in the various garments in Tampa. With the shipping of the 2 skids, the shrink wrapped around and around and then banded in all 4 directions.. 2 of my boxes were borken into and another one take in route to the ASG show in Scramento. All the metal bands were cut off (8 of them heading in all directions) and the shrink wrap was pulled off one of the sides. I don't believe anything was taken in either of the 2 boxes, but the box that has gone missing was the office box...everything to run the business on the road for the week, scissors, pens, bags, credit card (the back up one) machine...thank god...the real one is $1000 and that goes with us in the carry on baggage. Sales slips....and all the typical office stuff...stuff you can't get in a hotel, in the middle of the city, when the show starts in 5 minutes after the last bolt of fabric is put in place on the same day as set up. But what I am missing is the 10 foot long banner that goes across the back of the booth, the vertical One Seam banner and the applique banner ...all 3 combines add up to $$$. So if any of you have pictures even with your smilling faces in them, I need to be able to show the moving company what I am missing and also to take it and have a similar one reproduced at the sign company. Thanks. It's always something! till later, Louise

PS...look for a broadcast e-mail shortly.
 

[Terri K]

Hi Louise, welcome back.    I  just got back from Waechter's.    After seeing the shortened Heading for Adventure (HFA)  jacket (check out my Flickr photo Louise Cutting Collection) last Thursday,  they asked if I would let them display it in the shop.   So today I took it there with the ABO silk noil top.    While I was there this lovely lady who was in town for a quilt/wearable art show at the arboretum tomorrow looked like she was wearing Eskandar.     We got to talking and she said she had spent waaaay too much on Eskandar but loved it.    So I showed her the HFA striped jacket and she was crazy about it.  She's about my size and it looked great on her so she got the HFA pattern and has ordered the Anything But Ordinary since they were out of that one.   Waechter's had tons of great cross-dye linens that would look great in it.   

Joyce said she was going to put it on the website - isn't that nice!    I'll have to retrieve it for my CA trip mid month though 

Regarding the retreat, I understand they are taking names for a waiting list.    I didn't sign up because I live here and wanted to give the out-of-town ladies an opportunity to enjoy it.   I may attend one in FL when it's cold here !! 

Louise,  you can pull any of the photos off Flickr and I'll e-mail it as well.

[Linda Dean]

I just got back from the ASG Conference.  I spent way too much money in Louise's booth.  As usual, she had some fabulous fabrics.  Every day I said I was finished and the next day I was back buying more.  I don't know which  pieces to start on first.  Steve, my husband, voted for the green linen group.  I kidded Louise that Steve would be calling her.  Louise stayed with us when she was in Cincinnati so she knows my husband.

[LOUISE CUTTING]

OK Linda, Bring 'em on  .

I am still trying to dig out from all the paper work and orders...just sent out the broadcast e-mail about the upcoming retreats.

Linda, without a doubt, you got some of the nicest fabric selections to make just stunning outfits. All of you who don't know Linda, she is one of the most talented sewing designers...I hope you will be able to post the two garments you wore in the Fashion Show. They were truely wonderful.

Back to doing a bit more work...and it has only been a 16 hour day! till later, Louise

PS Thanks Terri for the pictures of the booth...that will help a lot in the claim and to shoot off to my sign maker for her to look in the files to try to duplicate them...

[RobbieJo]

Louise,

Why does my new Rowenta, that I got at the Atlanta Expo, spit.  I'm sure there is something I'm doing wrong....

[LOUISE CUTTING]

Why does my new Rowenta, that I got at the Atlanta Expo, spit.  I'm sure there is something I'm doing wrong

Try several things...make sure your cord (the big heavy one that carries the water) doesn't have any kinks or twists in it. Sometimes if there is, water has build up in the cord after it left the steam chamber and it is no longer steam and turned back into water. I have gotten in the habit of hitting the steam button on the iron and steaming into the air...so if there is any excess water in the cord it is now out and I now see nothing buit steam. I have also heard that it can be your water that you are putting into the iron.  The tap water might have to be mixed with cheap drinking water from the store.

Keep me posted. till later, Louise

[Doris W. in TN]

Why does my new Rowenta, that I got at the Atlanta Expo, spit.  I'm sure there is something I'm doing wrong....

Mine does this, too, unless the heat is set to the highest setting - cotton/linen.  No kinks in the 'hose'.   Rather distressing when I want to iron rayons and synthetics.  Bought mine at Atlanta Expo also this year.

[LOUISE CUTTING]

I put a call into to Rowenta yesterday...I had to talk to them about other things...so I thought I would ask. Will let you know when I talk to them.

I am just about to get a new shipment of ABO and BPD out of the cardboard shipping boxes and into clear plastic bins with snap lids and stack them to the ceiling in the warehouse. Always a fun job to do in 96 degree weather...but they need to get out of the way...because the two skids of what every was left in Sacramento should arrive back today. I hope all the boxes are there..I am waiting to fill out my claim forms until I see that everything is back. ABO is in its 3rd printing in just about a year and BPD I think is in its 10th printing since it first came out.

I am sending off the pictures that Terri sent to me with all the signs in the booth that she took in Tampa to my sign company this morning. In reconstruction the office box I realized there were 2 pair of the brand new KAI scissors I carry were lost in the box as well. I had taken a pair in my suitcase to use in the day before class...so at least I had a pair to cut fabric...when ladies started to look at them and feel them in their hands...I have shipped 3 pairs of each the 9" and 10" this week to people who attended the conference and loved the scissors...also about 100 yards of the sport elastic. Side note...Habermans Fabrics is smart...they called yesterday and asked what I talk about so they will have plenty on hand...they ordered 3 rolls of the elastic last year...that is 75 yards...silly people....they were out of it at about 10AM on the first day...so at the Novi show, Habermans will be prepaired like we all learned in Girls Scouts! If we can drive to a show I can take much more of the notions, etc but at a show that I ship to...it is easier for a local store to order the goods in and I let them know what I will be talking about.

I think the ASG conference was one of the best they ever had. The only thing was the killer hours...up at 5AM every morning and to bed at midnight...by the time you get your booth squared away in the wee hours of the morning, be teaching or in the booth all day and then to doing paper work at night and answering e-mails (if I could get on) at night and still running a business 3 hours later and from across the country. Chicago is the place in mid July of '08. I have already informed Sandy that we will be driving there...the fear of loosing product and then dealing with claims has taken up way to much time. We will get to see some pretty country side through SC, NC, Tenn, KY, IN and IL...and take a couple of days in each direction to do it...and when the ASG Conference is finished in Chicago, the trip will be much shorter coming home because we will be driving down hill.....

OK, I have stalled enough off to the warehouse. later Louise

 

[marciae]

I've finished my camp shirt and my points "camp shirt".  I took pictures but they're quite fuzzy!!   Anyway I love the points blouse using the two left fronts - it's a nice casual top and a dressier look than a knit top all the time.  It was quick and easy also!   I did not do a FBA - I took in the sleeves and I shortened the pattern by two inches - I love the look - made it out of a wild print silk.  The camp shirt is made from a piece of brown linen.  I shortened it about 4 inches and it still seems to over power me.  I'll probably wear it more as a 'jacket'.  For both tops I used all stash fabric and stash buttons.

[LyndaC]

Hi, Louise,
You have probably been asked this before, but I am curious as to which of your patterns (besides the Oneseams, obviously) is the most popular?  What do you think makes it so popular?  Which is your personal favorite?  Why? 

Lynda

[LOUISE CUTTING]

I am curious as to which of your patterns (besides the Oneseams, obviously) is the most popular?  What do you think makes it so popular?  Which is your personal favorite?  Why?

Oh, you are bad!!! that is like asking which kitty I like best! (sorry, no children...so I can't use that one). Granted with 40,000 One-Seam Pants patterns out there....it is a really great pattern...but as far as favorities I love the 'Points' blouse of Points and Pleats. It is different and if you have sewn for years and years...it actually makes you have to read the directions.

I think that is what I try to do with all the garment patterns I design...I want you to have to read the instructions and look at the illustrations...so you are not 'just sewing'....and I felt (short of Issey Miyake patterns from Vogue) that was what sewing was coming to...'just sewing'

I love BPD, both the jacket and little top (a copy of an Armani $900+). ABO, again both the jacket and short sleeve shell looks good on everyone. BPD has been reprinted a bunch of times...it is easy to sew...usually can be finished in an afternoon and looks like R-T-W...always what I am looking for. 

As far a being popular (which I never was in high school or college) I think people see the finished garments on both Sandy and me at the expos around the country. So many people say that the independent designers design for their own body type....well, I don't, Sandy wears the styles in her size (about an 8-10...grrr) and hmmm...I wear...them in...ah...my size. We are not shaped the same...more's the pity, but ladies attending the events can see that the garments look good on a large size range.

At the recent ASG convention, I was so pleased to see so many of my garments on the ladies attending. That was very nice for me to see...and I thank all of you who make my patterns and enjoy wearing them.

The patterns have straight forward designs that you see in ready to wear....they are a great canvas to play with and change...longer....wider...shorter...

And as you all work with them, and place your pictures of the finished garments in the web, others get ideas and a  'jumping off points' to see what they have in their stash. The FTA skirt is a hit once it is made and worn...it is so pretty on just about every shape and is certainly cool in the summer months. There is a sizing chart on the instruction sheet that has the finished hip circumference of the skirt...not normally shown in this type of skirt...but I always suggest to anyone who is making it to make the skirt about 3 1/2"-4" over their hip circumference to arrive at a great looking skirt for their body.

A Perfect Blouse ...you just can't have too many classic man tailored shirts in your wardrobe...worn closed or over a T-shirt or shell as a shirt style jacket is always a nice addition.

YED...is a sleeper of a pattern...it is beautiful in a linen or silk as the tunic length over One Seams... and place the little vest over it for the layered look...or cut the tunic shorter and make short sleeves for a summer look.

When I was teaching college I would  have to repeat to my students over and over again...This was a class on buying (they were young and always self-projected) you can not buy for yourself, your friends, your age or the colore you like. It is one of the hardest things to learn when becoming a buyer, learning to buy for different ages, sizes and skin tones.

This is also what I have to do when designing patterns. I don't have many garments of some of the pattern syles in my wardrobe and have a ton of garments from other pattern styles in the line. The pattern design is 'good' for the pattern collection and mixes in well with the overall view but it isn't exactly right for my personal body shape. So, yes, LyndaC, I love all my patterns...but I like some more than others, because they are better suited to my shape and life style.

Got to run...the two skids with the stuff from Sacramento are coming and I have to get ready for them...everything was supposed to get here on Friday...there was a major holdup and so I get to unpack today...till later, Louise

[marciae]

We went to a dinner party yesterday - late afternoon - I wore my points blouse (made from 2 left fronts-camp shirt like) I had soooooo many compliments on it it was unreal!!   Two of the ladies were adament about "where" did I purchase - told them I made it - wish you could have seen the look on their faces!   I've sewn for years - have had many compliments on articles - but never has such a fuss been made over such a simple to sew item!!   It does have style and made up in the silk print I must say -  it did look very nice - - and so did I!!

My daughter was here Friday and loved my brown linen camp shirt - she ended up with it - she's a teacher and she'll wear it tucked in - she loved the look and the long tails - and I had shortened about 3 in off the pattern!

[LyndaC]

Good answer, Louise.  And, yes, I love all my kitties the same, too.

[LOUISE CUTTING]

I've sewn for years - have had many compliments on articles - but never has such a fuss been made over such a simple to sew item!!   It does have style and made up in the silk print I must say

I love when they don't believe you. I didn't tell people I sewed when we moved here to Winter Park. We had both retired and started to sit on boards of museums/art centers/theater ...and if anyone  has ever done board work...it is turely work, but no pay...and I didn't want to start sewing costumes/tablecloths/mending/etc. I wanted to work in a fundraising area. So no one knew I sewed...and I know you all get the question "will you make one for me?" Plus, we only lived in Florida in the winter months...that is until the fabric store 'Fabric Collections' was for sale...it had only been open about 8-9 months and the owner wanted to move to NYC and purchase Jerry Brown's on 57th street. So she was going to close my little new found gem. So I bought it...she moved on...ran Jerry Brown's out of business...a 60 year old store...gone in 2 years!

I had friends at the various organizations questioning why I would buy a fabric store???  Investment??? I actually had a women ask "It isn't like you are actually going to work there???"

Well, the little 1600 sq foot store grew and grew until it was 7000 sq feet and 3 moves...if it wasn't for the hurricanes several years ago...but as people knew I sewed...I got..."will you make one for me?" ...hmmm...no, I have a business and if you have ever been in business for yourself...there is no time left over.

Now, as I see people (outside of our sewing family) the question is: "I bet you made that...too!!!" and always said with a snear for some reason...I always feel sorry for people who don't sew....they must have had a rotten 7 grade home ec teacher who made them rip out every stitch. Looking back between my art classes I was taking at the college level at age 12 (6th grade), my sewing...I sewed everything from my doll clothes, to my bedroom decor and girl scouts for 12 years....seems to be the foundation of my outlook and has gotten me through the last few years. 

Started this note awhile ago...just talked to Rowenta...as for the steam generator irons....when you first turn them on...let them heat up, and then before you start to iron, press the steam button with the iron directly into the air, If the iron has be resting for awhile do the same thing. It is getting the water condensation that has collected in the hose out first so the steam can travel through the hose and not have the water that has built up in the hose, spit.

When I first turn the iron on and after it is heated, they said to stand with the cord from the iron extended straight out from the base, then pressing the steam button for a few seconds...this also get the water condensation out of the hose.  It will just become a habit. If I have been sewing and have to use the iron, that might have set for a time, I just press button for the steam, out of the way of my garment for a few seconds and then start my pressing. I guess I have been in the habit of doing this and never realized it when you asked the question. I remember seeing Shirley Adams do it on her sewing program years ago and got into the habit of doing the same.

Later, Louise     

[nanflan]

I didn't tell people I sewed when we moved here to Winter Park. We had both retired and started to sit on boards of museums/art centers/theater ...and if anyone  has ever done board work...it is turely work, but no pay...and I didn't want to start sewing costumes/tablecloths/mending/etc. I wanted to work in a fundraising area. So no one knew I sewed...and I know you all get the question "will you make one for me?"

Well, the little 1600 sq foot store grew and grew until it was 7000 sq feet and 3 moves...if it wasn't for the hurricanes several years ago...but as people knew I sewed...I got..."will you make one for me?" ...hmmm...no, I have a business and if you have ever been in business for yourself...there is no time left over.

Now, as I see people (outside of our sewing family) the question is: "I bet you made that...too!!!" and always said with a snear for some reason...I always feel sorry for people who don't sew....they must have had a rotten 7 grade home ec teacher who made them rip out every stitch. Looking back between my art classes I was taking at the college level at age 12 (6th grade), my sewing...I sewed everything from my doll clothes, to my bedroom decor and girl scouts for 12 years....seems to be the foundation of my outlook and has gotten me through the last few years. 

Oh Louise, I just love this! You truly know what all of us go through.

[mom2five]

Wow Louise, I can't believe this happens to you too!  I assumed that with your knowledge and skill you wouldn't have to deal with the "oh can you whip one of these up for me" friends. 

[marciae]

Speaking of "whipping up" - I'm working on a BPD top.  I haven't made one for about 4 years  - I had forgotten how easily it goes together.  I'm using a silk 'suit' weight - it's the woven "nasty" stuff to sew with - the needle kind of clanks every now and then.  I may end of lining - will see when I finish.  The silk is a creamy color with a bit of lite caramel through out.  Back to the machine!

[MaryAnn]

I have just finished--well, I still have to sew on the buttons--a Stars in Heaven shirt jacket in a lightweight linen tweed. This was quite an interesting construction, and I had to pay attention. The sleeve-yokes were very interesting shapes. We're getting ready to deliver our son to the south Florida for his freshman year, and I'm definitely going to pack this top! Since we live in Southern CA, this is quite an adventure! Hmmmm, maybe I should have made "Heading for Adventure", instead....

[Doris W. in TN]

...but as people knew I sewed...I got..."will you make one for me?" ...hmmm...no, I have a business and if you have ever been in business for yourself...there is no time left over.

Gosh can I relate!   When some of my neighbors found out I sewed, they asked if I could/would make some place mats for them, kitchen valances, etc.    My reply is always "I'm so behind on my sewing right now, I'll never get caught up enough to sew for anyone else." 

Thanks, Louise,  for the tip on the Rowenta Steam Generator.   I'll try that trick out the next time I use it.

[marciae]

I have just finished--well, I still have to sew on the buttons--a Stars in Heaven shirt jacket in a lightweight linen tweed. This was quite an interesting construction, and I had to pay attention. The sleeve-yokes were very interesting shapes. We're getting ready to deliver our son to the south Florida for his freshman year, and I'm definitely going to pack this top! Since we live in Southern CA, this is quite an adventure! Hmmmm, maybe I should have made "Heading for Adventure", instead....

I started one of those and have never finished it!   I started it shortly after my husband passed away and I just "cut it out" so, of course, it's too long in the bodice and looks like the sleeves may be too.  I just wasn't thinking at that time.  I did bring the project back to the fore front about 6 months ago and worked a bit - it is getting closer to the top of the 'finish' pile!  If I finish it, I could probably make some adjustments at that time - just treat it like RTW.  Bet you'll enjoy yours!

[Doris W. in TN]

We went to a dinner party yesterday - late afternoon - I wore my points blouse (made from 2 left fronts-camp shirt like) I had soooooo many compliments on it it was unreal!!   Two of the ladies were adament about "where" did I purchase - told them I made it - wish you could have seen the look on their faces!   I've sewn for years - have had many compliments on articles - but never has such a fuss been made over such a simple to sew item!!   It does have style and made up in the silk print I must say -  it did look very nice - - and so did I!!

marciae - your post motivated me to pull out my Points pattern and inspired me to make that as my next project.   I'm thinking of retrieving some Brussels Washer that has been lounging in my stash, and putting it to work.   


BTW, Louise, one of my sewing friends recently made up your BPD "top," wore it to our Sit & Sew yesterday,  and she looks great in it!

[marciae]

I'm going to do button holes in my BPD top first thing this am!  It's going to be a challenge with the weave of the textured silk - but yes, Doris - it's a great looking top also!   The next pattern on my list is the Less if More top!  This summer it seems like the only top I wore was the LIM that I'd made from a silk print when the pattern first came out.  DO make the points blous - you'll love it!  I also want to make the pleats.  I'm thinking that if I don't pleat I can do a small dart in the bottom of the top piece?  I'm going to try it as I love the looks of that pattern.  If I use "interesting" fabric I think I can get buy without the pleats??    Louise, what do you think??