Vogue 1245 Alice +Olivia Top

I finally finished this top! It seemed to take me forever to get done. It is rated as an easy pattern and it is. However sometimes I equate easy with being quick and that was not the case. I also took extra care since I decided to use a length of silk fabric that I have had sitting in my stash for a while now.

I love the colors, the patterned silk with the eggplant poly chiffon looks quite nice together. I think I will make this pattern again just not any time soon. It is a very distinctive look and one per season is just fine. Next time I make it I will add more length to the bodice pieces. For this version I had added 2 " to the bodice from the additional pattern pieces, next time I will add another 1".

Pattern: Vogue 1245 misses top by Alice + Olivia designer.
View A

I made the XL and added 2 inches to the bodice length.
The directions are very easy to follow. Next time I will add a little more length to the bodice and possibly to the sleeves. I also raised the center neck slash by 2 inches. Otherwise it would have been scandalous and the girls would have been showing!

Please forgive the lack of hairdo and make up in the pictures,
My husband thought the top looked a little renaissance fairish and I suppose with the elastic at the neckline it does slightly.












Happy Sewing!

- Posted by Steph from my iPad

Location:Lisle, IL

Time to breath.

I think since my last post that I have been to Connecticut, Las Vegas and Pittsburgh,PA.

It was literally off on plane and onto another with a couple sporadic nights spent in my bed with 12 hours from flight to flight, having just enough time to shower and change the clothes in my suitcase!

The Las Vegas,trip shoe horned between the other work trips, was for FUN. Who knew when we planned a long weekend away with friends back in June or July that I would have to sandwich it in between work trips.

Las Vegas was soooooooo much FUN. I just seriously could have used a couple days off after Vegas to recover. LOL



On Fremont Street listening to live music, drinking crazy huge drinks and watching people! Like one gigantic block party!





A the Bellagio Conservatory




Bloody Mary of Champions... It has hot pepper smeared bacon in it! Called the BLT Bloody!



Me at one of the fountains at Caesars Palace.


NOW.... I Can breath.

And now it is Saturday, ahhhh. Next week I have off from work and am looking forward to it. I am going to be spending the majority of it downtown Chicago with my sister. She is coming into town for a sculpture conference, I can't wait!

In the mean time, all is going fairly well. I had another Synvisc injection in my right knee yesterday. My daughter is getting another cortisone injection into her spine today, hopefully that will help to continue calming things down in her spine.




- Posted by Steph from my iPad

Location:Lisle, IL

Crazy week! From Horse shows to Montreal to Minneapolis!

The past week has been super busy!
Here is a quick peek and re-cap.

Last Saturday: Evergreen Invitational Charity Event in Chicago.
Amazing Grand Prix course on the grass!




Last Sunday was spent at another horse show for the Illinois Hunter Jumper Association 'B' finals which featured the ChicagoEquestrian.com Hunter Derby finals. It was a beautiful day with a fun course for 37 horse and riders.

Monday afternoon saw me on a plane heading up to Montreal, Canada for work. Me and 4 other colleagues spent until Thursday training on a new product. The weather was perfect and we spent the early evenings walking around the city. We had the opportunity to eat at one of the BEST restaurants I have ever been to. Joe Beef. If ever heading up to Montreal call ahead and make reservations. So very worth it!!

















Friday I made a day trip up to Minneapolis for a meeting and slept on the plane both ways! Hopefully I did not snore :)

Saturday, ahhhhh a lovely relaxing day started with a great breakfast with my family, followed by a much needed massage and a great day spent with my husband.

Hoping to get in a little sewing time today before my monster schedule takes over and I am on the road for 11 days starting Tuesday. I won't complain too much because a long weekend vacation trip to Vegas is right smack in the middle of the work chaos.

Quick note on my Stella blouse, it wore beautifully! I was worried about the front being wonky and it seems to have settled down. I even got several compliments on it. Which is always a nice feeling.


- Posted by Steph from my iPad

Location:Lisle, IL

Stella: Stella and Luna tops by Sewing Workshop

"Hey Stella" oh this top instantly makes me think of Brando in Streetcar named Desire. The scene where he grabs his head with both hands and yells, "STELLA"!

Well, actually it was more like the fabric made me want to grab my head and yell.

I used a nice weight poly/ rayon blend and I had just enough fabric to properly cut out all the pieces on grain correctly. The fabric was a bit shifty, always slipping off grain when not being watched. However it did sew up quite nicely, all except for one part. I was worried about setting in the cowl with that triangular piece on the bias being set in, but that came out wonderful! The only piece that gave me hell was the lower third of the left front. Lay it flat and it matched the right front perfectly. Sew it together and hang it vertical and ohhhh what a wreck. I was so careful to keep everything on grain but somehow this piece just was whacky. If I had more fabric I would have taken it all apart and re-cut a new left front.

I really should have taken a before picture! The left front sagged more that half an inch longer in some spots then anywhere else and made a funny ripple at the bottom third part of the front seam. I made do the best I could and my picture here is easily 90% better then it was before I fixed it. And the good part is that when I have it on it's not really noticeable. I'll put up a picture of it on as soon as I get someone to shoot one.

All in all, I like the top very much. I even think I will make it again. Depending on the fabric choice this could make a good work top or a great weekender hang out top. Very versatile!

The first picture makes the center front hemline look way worse than it really is. But you get the 'picture' still a bit wavy but at least it is now even and not pulling forward and when it is on me it seems to straighten out more.



A close up of the bias cowl insert. If I was going to have any issues it should have been here. This actually lies beautifully.



Even the long CB seam came out very nice.



I will have to try the blouse out on a trial wearing and see what I think and if that center front bothers me or not.

- Posted by Steph from my iPad

Location:Lisle, IL

Planning for a wardrobe & photos from Delaware

So the past couple of days I have been going through my closet, my pattern stash, and my collection of fabrics.

Fall is in the air! Well not really, the temps have been in the 90's and the humidity is gross. But fall is on my mind and my wardrobe needs some uplifting.

I have put together a very AMBITIOUS plan of sewing.









My plan behind the plan is to add solid basic neutrals in a palette of blacks and greys in pants and jackets, pops of color in tops, a nice dress, a coat with a fun lining and several shells.

I also have an ulterior motive to use some new patterns and learn some new sewing techniques.

Now to give myself a timeframe.... I'm thinking possibly of the end of the year. 4 months to see how much I can get done.

Now to share with you some more pictures of my trip to the Delmarva peninsula.



Me and my mom and dad at Henlopin State Park.






Surf casting on the beach. No fishes caught, too many dolphins in the water.














Time for some crabs! Ohhhhh they were so delicious :)




- Posted by Steph from my iPad

Location:Lisle, il

The magic of Assateague Island

This past week my work travels took me within 12 miles of Assateague Island National Seashore. The weather was beautiful with sun shining, temps in the 80's and a light breeze. I finished up with my work and had a couple of hours to spare.

There was no way I was that close to the wild ponies of Assateague Island without making a visit!

As a child we used to go camping on Assategue Island and I swear that Island is magical! (of course that could have everything to do with wild ponies and being a young girl infatuated with Marguerite Henry's Misty of Chincoteague series of novels)

I paid my $15 fee and drove down the National Park, enjoyed several nature walks with my work pants rolled up, put my feet in the Chesapeake Bay and of course daydreamed of wild ponies!

































- Posted by Steph from my iPad

Location:Maryland, USA