On my sewing table...

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Last week, I started my latest sewing endeavor: Simplicity 1901. I am making view B, with sleeves and an above the knee hem. I snooped around on Pattern review and was happy to see lovely renditions of this pattern. To make it, I found this amazing polka dot fabric at my local Fabricville. Its off-white and burnt orange, which looks almost red. Its peau de pêche, which means peachskin in english. The fabric is medium weight, drapes rather well and has an incredibly soft, almost velvety hand. My good friend Josie, who happens to be an artist with an incredible eye for colors, shapes and proportions, helped me pick out the fabric. While we were there, she also helped me figure out which colors I should avoid by using swatches of fabric. As suspected, soft pastels and muted colors do not go well with my golden-sometimes-olive skintone. Rich saturated colors suit me best: ruby, emeralds, cobalts and such. I also discovered that purples, especially lavender, look smashing on me, yet I don't own a single garment in that color! I decided, as a challenge, that one of my next projects should feature that perticular hue.

Can you see the line?

But let's get back to my current project! Since I was burned by my last project when it came to sizing, I was extra careful this time. Instead of following blindly the instructions (a big no-no!), I looked at the finished garment measurements and compared them to a dress I already own that fits. I hit one snag while cutting my fabric. I realised that the bolt must had a slight imperfection: there was a line of slightly discolored fabric crossing my swatch! I checked the pieces I had already cut and, fortunately, only one was affected: a sleeve piece. I had enough fabric leftover to re-cut that piece. I am glad to say that I serged every single piece of this garment today. Even thought I sometimes find this tedious, I just can't argue with the streamlined look and added durability serging offers. I am sure glad my grandma gave me her miniserger!

Do you see the line?

I hope to finish the dress next week-end in time for a friend's gallery opening. I suspect this dress will be more spring-friendly that winter appropriate, but I think it might also look kick ass with my brown boots and a pair of earrings. I'll make sure to write a post about the opening and the artwork next week.

Oh, and I leave you with something that will put a smile on your face, even if tomorrow is monday: Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros signing Home. You're welcome. ;)