Patchwork Design Elements - IDK?

The fashion design influences of the 1970s have certainly been making its mark in the ateliers of current design houses.  Everything from wide-leg pants, a-line skirts, gauchos (aka culottes), maxi-dresses, ponchos, peasant-style, etc. can been seen on the runways and in clothing stores.

Stella MCartney, $1,220

Donna Karan Dead Ringer

Tomorrow will mark 14 post-op days, and this evening I am feeling a wee bit "tender" in the abdominal and pelvic area.  Clearly, I'm not ready to run any marathons.  So, this Super Bowl Sunday, I am relaxing, surfing the internet, pinning images on Pinterest and catching up on Facebook.  I'm also researching Vogue and McCall's patterns as JoAnn Fabrics is having a sale on both next weekend.

I've created an online account on McCall's website so I could utilize its Wish List feature, and one pattern I've often added and deleted from this list is Vogue 1361.

DKNY Done Easy

I have a confession to make.  My name is Aisha, and I am a patternholic.  I admit that buying patterns on sale is my weakness.  I love browsing through my JoAnn sale brochures to see which patterns are on sale so I can plan my shopping trips accordingly.  Between my love for pattern sales and the time I worked for So-Fro Fabrics many, many years ago, I have built a collection in excess of 600 primarily consisting of Butterick, McCall's, Vogue and Simplicity.

Like most of the "sewists" whose blogs I follow, I like reviewing ready-to-wear runway styles and picking out those which inspire me to create my own versions.  While surfing on Style.com, I fell in love with Look no. 3 from the DKNY Fall 2013 RTW collection and proceeded to search through my pattern collection to see which one I could modify to make my version of this dress - and I think I did settle on one...

The Michael Kors Plan

After a quick search on the various pattern company websites and browsing through my own collection of patterns, I found one that I believe will serve very nicely for my interpretation of Michael Kors' wool/spandex sheath.

Michael Kors in Chicago

My younger kids were out of school this week for Spring Break, so we decided to hit the road and spend a few days in Chicago.  While walking the Mag Mile Wednesday night, I was drawn by the color combination in this Michael Kors window display at Bloomingdale's.

...like The Good Wife

I'm sure most of you will agree that there never seems to be enough time in the day to do all the things you HAVE to do, much less the things you WANT to do.  One of the casualties of my time deficiency has been my television viewing.  I am a huge T.V. fan, as proofed by my list of 73 series recordings on my DVR.  (I really should weed through this list, especially since some of these shows are now cancelled.)  But, I often find I have to forgo watching some of my favorite programs until a more convenient time.  Thank goodness for On Demand because I was able to get through the entire season of "Boardwalk Empire" and "Dexter", and catch the most recent episodes of "The Good Wife" over the Christmas break.

I've always been a fan of asymmetrical styling, so it really caught my eye when the Good Wife lead character, portrayed by Julianna Margulies, wore a black mock-wrap knit dress.

I went online to get a better look at the dress's details, and fell in love with its styling which included "leather" elbow patches and zippered sleeve vent.

"leather" elbow patches

zippered sleeve vent

So, I launched a search for a pattern similar in styling, and remembered reading a pattern review about 2 years ago for Vogue 8305.  This pattern includes a mock wrap dress and top, a jacket with shaped fronts which can be wrapped, and pants with shaped waistband and hemline vent. 



Unfortunately for me, this pattern is out-of-print, and would cost me approximately $30 if I bought it directly from Vogue Patterns.  I shared with you how much I LOVE a pattern sale, so the thought of paying full price for this pattern caused me to hyperventilate.  I was, however, able to find it on eBay for about half the price - still more than I'm used to paying, but I can live with this price.  So, it's my goal to make my version of the Good Wife dress by January 31st - once I find the time (wink).

Also, I bought these platforms by Market at DSW today - on sale, of course!!  Oh my, but they are lovely, and I can so see wearing them with this dress.  I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Be blessed!!

Aisha

Kardashian Knock-Off Candidate

A few weeks ago, I mentioned on my Facebook page that I saw a few pieces in the Kardashian Kollection that I liked...much to my surprise!!

One of their items are these leather-look leggings...

...currently on "sale" at Sears.com...

Well, here's the pattern match...McCall's 6404...

...and specifically View C, whose style lines are very similar to the retail version...

I really like these leggings - worn with an appropriate top, of course.  I think I may give them a try...after a few more weeks of Zumba!

Be blessed!!

Aisha

Easy Knock-Off

One of the benefits I love about sewing is being able to recreate - okay, knock off - designer fashions selling in retail strores for a fraction of the price.  And although going to the mall is not one of my favorite activities anymore, it is still a joy of my daughter's and because I love her so, I make the sacrifice to go shopping with her.  The things I do in the name of motherhood, right?

Anyway, on a recent trip to Twelve Oaks mall, I spotted this gray knit dress by London Style at Sears.


London Style dress in the store...

...and the version available online.

I thought it was cute, but it looked so familiar to me...and then I realized why.  It's almost an exact make-up of Butterick 5559.

I wonder if there's a connection between the pattern and the retail version, because the pattern's designer is Maggy London.  I LOVE a good knock-off opportunity, but somehow this just feels too easy.  But, I may try it anyway.

Be blessed!!

Aisha