Vintage Clothing & Bridal Sale - Discount Code!!!

Well, it seems as if I need to unload some Vintage Clothing as well as some of my Bridal Gowns/Accessories to make room for the next project in my life. 

I've got some greatVintage things left and they are all 50% in my Etsy Shop when you use the Coupon Code VINTAGE50OFF.  Here are some photos of what's left....

Having recently put a lot of the Bridal stuff on eBay, it's starting to go, at great prices!  my handle on ebay is jenniferserrbridal; check out what I've got if you get a chance. 

 

 

Playing with Dolls

Ava Lounge Jacket and Maya Butterfly Blouse

  
Well, can't say I've been working much on my Chanel Style jacket.  I have been playing with Dolls, however.  Here is a sneak peak of some of the patterns I will have available pretty soon.  This is just from my own little photo shoot to see which wigs work best with which outfits and also my first opportunity to be putting outfits together.  I'm also planning on auctioning off the outfits on eBay, after the professional photo shoot and before the patterns are ready for sale.  They are one of a kind and so cute!  I just can't help myself.....

Mia Dress

 I'm not thinking this wig is working, but the dress looks good!

It ties in the back just like the human version

Maya Butterfly Blouse

Maya Butterfly Blouse in a dip dye knit

 More styles coming soon!

2013 Sewing Book Review

Some of my favorite craft and sewing books for 2013.....

The Colette Sewing Handbook by Sarai Mitnik

We are very excited to get started on some great projects in the New Year.  I keep these books around for my students to use when they need inspiration, or can't figure out what to make next.
Student Megan Broudy will be working on the Truffle Dress from the Colette pattern book and student (also guest blogger) Maya Young has been finishing up a hand sewn tank top out of the Alabama Studio Sewing  and Design Book.  Both really impressive as they are only 13 years old.

The Colette Sewing Handbook by Sarai Mitnik  has 5 patterns for very sweet dresses, skirts and a blouse.  Along with that it has wonderful sewing directions for the basics.  The photographs are lovely as well and I would highly recommend it as a companion for the beginning sewer.
The Colette patterns are very nice in general.  I might see if I can get some in the shop next year.  If you get a chance, check out the website: http:  //www.colettepatterns.com/

Alabama Studio Sewing and Design, Alabama Studio Style and Alabama Stitch Book  by Natalie Chanin are a different animal all together.  Geared toward a certain aesthetic, each project in the books are supposed to be constructed by hand.  Not just hand made, but actually sewn with a needle and thread, sans machine.   For the patient hand sewer, the results of the projects are amazing and will really last a long time.  The techniques shown in the book are meticulously illustrated and described.  I'm addicted to just reading them and have only ventured into the smallest of projects, myself.

I'll update the blog with the finished projects by both girls as they complete them.

The Chanel Jacket - Picking a Silhouette

 

In making my own version of the classic Chanel Jacket, I've deliberated over what kind of shape it would take.  Would it be the classic collarless style that was introduced by Coco Chanel in the 1950's?  or more of a fitted blazer with a notched collar.  For me, it needs to be versatile but a little funky too.  Which Silhouette would you choose?

Classic notched collar blazer with small bias fringe detail

Long one button blazer with contrasting braid

Less fitted blazer with wide bias trim at collar, pockets, front and cuffs

slouchy two pocket version

very fitted with exaggerated peplum

cropped sleeve bolero style

cropped sleeve and cropped length

The Chanel Jacket - The Little Details

 

 This year, my pet project is the Chanel Jacket.  You see, I want one for myself.  The Little Black Jacket, akin to the Little Black Dress, is a classic staple in a well dressed wardrobe.  At just over $4,000, the real thing is out of my range.   My couture teacher Susan Khalje, teaches a course on how to make one.  Her class is about $1,000.  Fabric invested is about $200+.   Not sure I can afford to take her class this year,  so I plan to try my hand at doing it on my own, using past Thread's Magazine Articles and the Claire Shaeffer book, Couture Sewing.  The beauty is all in the little details.

Note the quilted lining and chain on the bottom edge.

Here is another photo of the chain.

 There are lots of details to consider like fabric, trims, lining, buttons etc.  I picked a nice black tweed from the Mill End Store in Portland, Oregon, while I was visiting a friend.  Solid black with a large basket weave.  The lining, a black crepe back satin from C&J Textiles in NYC.  I also purchased buttons from M&J trims in NYC but will likely alter them by inserting them into a fabric covered washer, just to change the look.  Still searching for fancy braid.  A trip to Britex in San Francisco ought to solve that problem.

Nice contrasting braid on this model

I really love the Georgette trim and large braid on the sleeve hem. It's really an stunning effect.

Not a little black jacket but the details are very nice on this one.  Love all the contrasting trim and gold buttons.

 

Sometimes the classic double C buttons can be found on Ebay.