Two Marcy Tilton Patterns

I have been making a lot of comfy clothes lately.  What I'm wearing most days.  This one is Marcy 

Tilton's  V1768.  It's fairly figure hugging but I like it a lot and I think it would look great on a lot of figures.

I love the asymmetrical neckline.  I've pinned the lapels down to see if I like them flat but I think I like the way they stand up in the pattern photo better.  I'd love to figure out how to get a pocket in this thing tho.

The back has a great detail that could be used in other garments.  I used two different sweatshirt fabrics since I didn't have enough of either one.  All raw edges, the fraying adds texture.  I'll make this again for sure.

This one is Marcy's V1694.  I'll be making this often, too.  I'm sorry I made it in such a hard fabric to see the details!  I got this fabric at my local fabric shop, Hart's Fabrics.  

Check out the pattern, the details are fantastic.

Another asymmetrical neckline.  I like the way it looks on, very flattering.  I wrapped the neck facing around to the outside, will do that again.

Always love these built in pockets, they're fun to make and feel really comfy.

Again, I'm sorry for the fabric choice.  The details in the back are great.  Trust me.  Get this pattern!

OK, now for the rant about Vogue Patterns.  Yeah, I know they're now calling themselves Something Delightful.  What a crock.  This new name feels demeaning somehow.  Why change a name everyone knows and loves?  It's just one of many company decisions I think are unwise, if not downright stupid.

Another one that particularly irks me?  They now minimize the designer's name.  Don't they realize that many of us buy these patterns BECAUSE OF THE DESIGNER?  Are you listening Vogue (no, I will not call you by your new name...ever!)?  

What the hell?  These designers have been part of the success of this company for decades.  Why disrespect them now?  What could have gone into THAT company decision.  And who is making these decisions?  Must be people who think women wear mostly dresses...and dresses with big puffy sleeves?  Get real.  Take a look at the indy pattern companies that are doing so well right now, Vogue!  You need someone under 50 with influence in your company!

I buy Marcy and Katherine Tilton patterns, period.  And I want to see their names in BIG BOLD LETTERING on your website and on the pattern envelope to know that your company values it's designers.  And BTW, change your name back, it's not too late!

 

Color Galore Tunic

 

As promised, my next garment from the fabrics I worked on in the last Pat Pauly class.  If you're interested in this type of work, Pat has two openings in her January class.

This garment is not for the feint of heart.  Good thing I'm not feint of heart.  I really loved the brain tease of getting these fabrics to work together.  I had my doubts more than once and some would say I should have listened to these doubts...no doubt.  But I'm super happy with this.  

Close up.  Color is so exciting for me.  There is so much joy, for me, in making these textiles.  Using them is tricky, that's why I usually like to use black and grey instead of these bright colors.  But I have several to use and use I will.  Stay tuned for more eye-popping results.

This garment is one I've made a lot.  It's self drafted from RTW and I can't get enough of it.  So comfortable and fun to work with because of the many pattern pieces.  It works well with several fabrics for that same reason.  And it's pretty much zero waste which is another plus when you're working with fabric you have made.

The back is two solid pieces with a contrasting pocket sewn in for a bit of color pop.

Stay tuned for my next post, coming up soon.  It's on two of Marcy Tilton's patterns...and a bit of a rant on Vogue Pattern Company....yeah, I know they're now calling it Something Delightful....yet another reason to wonder where their heads are located these days!  

Screen Printed Haori Jacket

I took another online class, screen printing with thickened dyes from the lovely Pat Pauly. She is offering several such classes online in the coming year.  I recommend them.  They are labor intensive but really fun and very professionally done.

I wanted to try the Wiksten Haori pattern so I purchased a huge painter's drop cloth from OSH (Outdoor Supply Hardware here in California).  It had a lovely hand, loosely woven, it was a runner of about 20'x3' and cost only $18.  I washed it in Synthrapol which made it even softer.  

I traced the pattern pieces with a Sharpie, giving myself some extra room in all directions in case of shrinkage.  Next time, I'll cut it out, it will save space on the worktable.  I serge all of the edges carefully to avoid fraying during wash out.

I scraped grey over the entire piece of cloth in an uneven design...after all, I don't want it to look like I bought a piece of grey cloth to screen onto!  

I used several screens of my own making.  And some hand scribbling with a squirt bottle.

I really like the pattern.  It's extremely roomy tho so be careful.  I cut a medium and I think I could go down to a small on everything but the sleeves next time.

This garment looks and feels like it's been worn by someone at work for a few decades, which I love.  The minute I threw it on it felt like a favorite old garment; soft and comfortable.

For the lining I used a heavy cheesecloth, or really shear muslin, not sure which since I've had it in my stash for years.  I printed it with an old silk screen I created years ago.  The weight works really well next to the drop cloth fabric.

One huge plus about this pattern is that it's almost zero waste, something surface design folks look for.  Who wants to cut away so much of your hand printed fabric?

My next post will be another use of the cloth I made in the class.  This time I'm trying several different pieces in one garment.  Watch out...might want to put on sunglasses before you open the next post...just saying...