Anthropologie Hack – How to sew an Anthropologie dress using sewing patterns

I love Anthropologie. I am a total sucker for their stylish content marketing, I fall hook line and sinker. Well, not exactly. I have gone to their brick and mortar stores to look at the quality of their garments and frankly, not impressed. On average an Anthropologie dress can cost from 120-348.00, basic Made In China ‘stuff’. So, what is an Anthropologie lovin’ woman to do? Hack it together herself.

In the 2014 fall/winter catalog there are many dresses I would love to have and so I shall by making them myself.

My first hack is this one. And, for some reason it is no longer on their website. It is made of rayon jersey, 3/4 sleeves, scoop neck in a soft grey with a black contrasting fabric and gathers at the waist. Full price was listed at 148.00. Fabric is listed as ‘imported’. Unless it’s from Italy or other more ‘luxurious’ places I’m thinking ‘imported’ generally means China.

Here is my hack and how I put it together. Continue reading “Anthropologie Hack – How to sew an Anthropologie dress using sewing patterns”

JillyJanuary 8, 2015January 9, 201520 Comments

Reviews

Butterfly Kimono from Butterick 6065

Well, this was unintentional, me posting a kimono right after Jamie. Plus, we’re having a Kimono night at the Denver Sewing Collective’s next meetup. I’ve got kimono on the brain. This was an super easy jacket to make. Basically a rectangle folded over and the side sewn where your arms go through. I like the drapey band that Butterick has here. I bought the fabric from … Continue reading Butterfly Kimono from Butterick 6065

JillyNovember 13, 2014November 12, 20148 Comments

Junk Drawer

Operation: Core Wardrobe – No Pain No Gain – Editing the closet

Still moving forward on my core wardrobe. This is the tough part, editing the closet. Twice a year I change from a spring/summer wardrobe to the fall/winter. And, every year I put a few things in the ‘Donate’ pile. Well, it’s about to get a bit ugly this year. With my goal of sewing a core wardrobe it’s important to get rid of things that … Continue reading Operation: Core Wardrobe – No Pain No Gain – Editing the closet

JillySeptember 25, 2014September 24, 201410 Comments

Junk Drawer

Operation: Core Wardrobe – What shape am I?

The idea of sewing my core wardrobe has been growing for the past year. I’ve taken the last 6-9 months or so to plan for it. Not that it needs to take that long to plan for a wardrobe, it’s not like we’re climbing Everest here. Or is it? The first steps in sewing a Core Wardrobe that looks and feels smashing is to determine … Continue reading Operation: Core Wardrobe – What shape am I?

JillyAugust 27, 2014August 26, 201410 Comments

On The Road

Sewing On The Road (In A 1962 #Airstream)

I own a 1962 Airstream. We bought it on a whim, literally drove by it and stopped to inquire and wrote a check. I love the Airstream, but it really is a money pit and we’ve often thought about selling it. But, then when we take it out, we vow to hold on to it and keep working on it. And, it needs work. EVERY year something goes wrong. Like this trip the toilet didn’t work and we didn’t have hot water. We usually stay at RV parks surrounded by very upscale RV’s. As in $300,000 kind of upscale. And, there amid all the glitz and glamour sits our very old Silver Twinkie. But, I love it.

I’ve always wanted to sew in the Airstream and this year I did. Here are a few pointers for sewing on the road. I am no expert but if you decide to sew on the go these might be helpful. Continue reading “Sewing On The Road (In A 1962 #Airstream)”

JillyAugust 13, 2014August 13, 20148 Comments

Denver, History

The Lost Art of Dress by Linda Przybyszewski

Linda Przybyszewski was in Denver at the Tattered Cover bookstore doing a reading and book signing of her book The Lost Art of Dress: The Women Who Once Made America Stylish. Linda is a wonderful speaker, has a doctoral degree from Nortre Dame with an emphasis on law, history, culture and dress. She teaches a class called We Are A Nation of Slobs: The Art, Ethics … Continue reading The Lost Art of Dress by Linda Przybyszewski

JillyJune 4, 2014June 3, 20149 Comments

Finished Projects

Sewing the perfect T-shirt = A surprising amount of work

I am working on the perfect t-shirt. One that fits like a glove. Ultimately I want to use a cotton blend fabric with modal that is somewhat sustain-ably made if possible. My goal is to make all my t-shirts from here on out and build on this must have Wardrobe Basic. Continue reading “Sewing the perfect T-shirt = A surprising amount of work”

JillyMarch 12, 2014March 12, 201411 Comments

Tips & Tricks

How To Read A Sewing Pattern

If you are new to sewing or are learning sewing on your own you might be wondering what exactly all those arrows, notches and symbols mean on the sewing pattern. Let’s walk through all the symbols and markings you might find on today’s sewing patterns.

How To Read A Sewing Pattern

The pattern instructions will take you step-by-step through the sewing process. The symbols and markings on the pattern will aid in layout, specify whether it’s the front or back side of the garment, where decorative elements like darts, pleats, etc go and more. Knowing what these symbols mean will aid your garment sewing and improve your final garment. Continue reading “How To Read A Sewing Pattern”

JillyFebruary 13, 2014July 1, 20163 Comments

Junk Drawer

The luxury of sewing all day

Denver Sewing Collective had their first Saturday Sew-In on January 25th. And, boy was it a glowing success. Lynne was able to score her housing development’s club house that had lots of tables, natural light a kitchen and even a fire place and couch. At one point there were 16 of us sewing away like so many mad seamstresses. Lynne’s husband Frank even brought his … Continue reading The luxury of sewing all day

JillyFebruary 1, 2014January 31, 20142 Comments

Humor

7 Reasons Sewing Is Better Than A Cinnabon

youre-not-welcome-in-Cinnabon-ever-again — Image from http://www.sodahead.com

The last time I had fun at the mall I was with my boys. We were looking for back-to-school clothes for them. They were obnoxious on the escalator and we stuffed our faces with fast food. I got a coffee drink at Sbucks and I let them wander around unattended for an hour. So, the mall was fun on that day. And it was fun because I was shopping for them, not for me. Continue reading “7 Reasons Sewing Is Better Than A Cinnabon”

JillyJanuary 8, 2014January 8, 20146 Comments

Finished Projects, Reviews

Tessuti Fave Top – Jill’s Favorite Free Sewing Pattern

I love the Tessuti top! It’s a free download from Tessuti Fabrics, a fabric store based in Australia. All levels of sewers will love this top. It sews up quick and provides lots of opportunities for customization. On mine I lengthened the sleeves about 3 inches and didn’t interface it or even do bias binding, I just folded over the edge and stitched. I wrote a bit more on this top HERE. All in all I love the top, belted or not, and it’s one of the tops that I reach for time and time again. What do you think? Love it or not so much? Continue reading “Tessuti Fave Top – Jill’s Favorite Free Sewing Pattern”

JillyJanuary 2, 2014January 1, 201410 Comments

Junk Drawer

Sewing and the New Year!

I love the New Year. I can’t help but get excited to leave the old year behind and fully embrace the New Year coming. Like many sewers, quilters and crafters I like to think about all the wonderful new things I’ll be sewing and creating. What new techniques will I tackle this year, what new fabrics will I create with, who will I be inspired … Continue reading Sewing and the New Year!

JillyJanuary 1, 2014January 1, 2014Leave a comment