Friends, I have really lost my blog-jo lately. I don’t feel like I have much to say that’s terribly clever or interesting but I still want to connect with you. So here are a few pictures of a couple of fun makes, with a distinct lack of clever commentary. Perhaps the fact that this dress is covered in OCTOPI makes up for my writer’s block!
This is a cotton jersey fabric by Cotton & Steel. HOW AWESOME IS THIS FABRIC! These groovy molluscs are show-stealers so they called for a very simple canvas. McCall’s 6886 – a TNT pattern for many sewists – fit the bill with zero design frills.
What I’d change next time (and probably alter on this version): there’s too much ease. I’m always terrified of things turning out too small, but I should’ve known a big 4 pattern would come out on the big side. And the sleeves would be more flattering if they were more fitted. The neckline is gaping a bit, so I will shorten the shoulder-to-bust length next time — a modification I have to do on most patterns anyway. In other reviews I’ve read of this pattern, it seems that extra fabric pooling above the butt is not uncommon. I’m having the same issue and even considered putting fisheye darts in the back after I’d sewn it.
So I have been doing a bit of surgery on this since these pictures were taking, and am confident I’ll get it to the point where I feel great wearing it.
Also of note: the contrast colour looks red in my photos but it’s actually HOT PINK. I fucking LOVE hot pink on grey. And especially when it’s on OCTOPI!
Next is the Nina cardigan by Style Arc. I sewed it using a Rayon-Cotton-Modal sweater knit from Water Tower Textiles, which is really lovely and soft.
This cardigan is such an interesting design! At first glance it’s a basic waterfall-front cardigan, but check out how the back is pieced together to not only create the waterfall effect at the front, but also create some waist-shaping. This is a BRILLIANT design.
Here I’m wearing the cardi with some RTW pants and the Chai Tee I made.
Thanks for stopping by!
— Lori
Frivolous At Last 
Hi Lori,
Please don’t abandon the blog!!! Pretty please! It is always very interesting, very informative and super entertaining!
I love the dress, and in my opinion the fit is great. Yes, maybe the sleeves could be a bit narrower, but the body looks very nice. The wrinkles at the back are created by the way you stand I think. Did I mention I love it?! And the octopi are absolutely great!
The cardigan looks like such a versatile piece. Looks perfect with the dress and super cute with jeans. I was looking at this pattern and couldn’t find the right fabric. Now I have ideas. Thank you!
Hope your blog-jo comes back!
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Lol! Thanks, Inna! I’m not thinking about abandoning the blog– just feeling in a bit of a slump. This always comes and goes in waves. Keep me posted if you decide to do the cardigan. I do recommend it, but if you haven’t sewn Style Arc before just know that they give fairly minimal instructions.
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Love both pieces! I’ve been having blog fatigue too. I need to get off my butt and get pictures of stuff but my butt is very comfy.
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My butt is super-comfy too! LOL!
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Hi Lori,
the octopus are pink? Unbelievable, that‘s a real crazy design. Similar crazy like your shoes. You did not mention the shoes but you should have. The heel looks like a octopus tentacle (is ‚tentacle‘ the correct english word?)
I like reading you blog posts and perhaps I should start translating my ones in english too. But my poor englished stopped me so far 😉 Anyway. Please stay online!
Regards,
Kerstin
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Hi Kerstin! Thanks for commenting. The shoes are by a Canadian shoe company called Fluevog. The heels are actually meant to look like a “ball and claw” like the legs on some fancy furniture. I adore these shoes! And yes, tentacle is the right word, and your English is just fine! Much better than my German. 😉 Nice to meet you here. I’ve just followed your blog on Bloglovin’. Looking forward to seeing your posts.
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Lori, you are so kind 😘 I guess you are the second english speaking follower – Eli from cat in a wardrobe started following me several month. I don‘t know if she understand any german but you can train now 😉 Bye!
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Great one! Thanks for pushing through. It has motivated me to finish my one blog post for this month! 😁 Hopefully I can post it By tom! 😍
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Brilliant dress! I have a similar C & S octopi woven fabric. I’m waiting for the right TNT pattern to get the rotary cutter out…
I must say that your octopi placement was quite strategic. Always a challenge, so well done!
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Thanks for the link to the sweater knit! I’ve been looking at a few patterns that need that sort of fabric, but the options at Fabricland are pretty limited. Or stupidly expensive ($42/m? I think not!)
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