Skating For Real

DD has become crazy about figure skating. She's taking three classes a week and an additional strength/flexibility/balance class. That last one is HARD, it's one-on-one with a professional gymnast, sweat is pouring down DD's face... does that ever make me happy :)) Never has she been this determined, so of course I'm doing what any sewing-able mom would do: make outfits :) It's quite a change from couture, and I'm still figuring out best applications for all the stretchy stuff; as you know knit is not my forte. I have a serger but I've begun to use the sewing machine instead, following Jalie's instructions. It's much more accurate and simpler, not to mention less threading!

This first one is stretch velvet in neon pink and black/gold burnout velvet- and not stretch. The pattern I used is Jalie 2790. It comes with a straight skirt, but since the black wasn't stretch, I made a circular skirt and attached the black to a strip of the pink velvet. Also made the flounce narrower.

Balmain standing guard...

I used a super soft nude bamboo fabric for the back, still need to buy a closure for the neck.

DD just returned from the rink in her white Jalie 2797: A great soft spandex in a modern pattern, nude netting and clear elastic. She's also wearing a long tee in the same nude bamboo, no pattern just a rub-off of a tight fitting tee. I added some rhinestones to the sweetheart neckline.

I've made many more, just haven't had a chance to takes pictures. The long sleeve nude bamboo tee solved a couple of problems:

1. Nothing will itch :)

2. It keeps her warm without compromising style :)

So now this mommy can plow ahead, style, glamour and GLITZ ! As long as it will stre-ee-etch!!

Rock Star Jacket- Star Included

Links to more photos added on 6/26/08:

Jacket inside

My label

Pocket

Welt

Stretch skirt with darts

No-scratch comfort added to waistband

We sure had fun when she got home yesterday afternoon! She was thrilled with the new skirt and top.

Skirt is a self draft A-line with darts in a remnant stretch with shiny scales on i. Top is BWOF 3-2008-133, in cotton, also a remnant, with silk chiffon drawstring.

The photo shoot went very well, the star was extremely cooperative, and most poses were too good not to show;-) Please forgive a mum's momentary pride!

It's hard to see in this photo below, but I put my label on the back waistband. 


Hopefully you can see the gorgeous buttons DD selected by herself- each and every one different.

She wore the jacket to school, so I'll take some close-up pictures later.

Also, Happy Birthday, mate!

You're better than new, I'll stick to you like glue.

Rock Star Jacket Is Done

This is Jalie 2320, a truly great pattern. I drafted the lining per Kathleen's book. If you don't yet have that book, do yourself a favor and get it. It's worth its price for the lining/facing instructions alone.

Well, it's all sewn up, but the rock star wanted a whole outfit, so the photo shoot had to wait. She's at school right now, hopefully she'll be up for a performance when she gets home :-) In the meantime, here are some construction photos. This leather is super soft and quite easy to sew. I did use a leather needle at first, but after switching to a ball point for the silk lining, I found it to work just as well. I changed the front pockets since I didn't have enough leather; I made a single welt and silk pocket bags. I used tear away stabilizer when sewing with the metallic facing down, which helped the feeding go pretty smoothly.