My love affair with these Ginger Jeans continues...

As I'd mentioned on my previous pair of jeans, I knew I'd quickly be sewing another pair.

This time, I used this fabulous Whisper White White Short-Piled Stretch Cotton Corduroy that I made for my Mood Sewing Network project with my monthly allowance from Mood Fabrics.

I'd also previously mentioned that I cut a size that was a little too large. This time, I cut a 14 with a size 12 waist. 

And whereas I did not interface the denim waistband, I definitely interfaced these. I've been wearing the denim jeans so often that I feel the waistband had grown and it's very loose. So I didn't want to make that bad judgement call with the stretch cord.

Be sure to check out my post on the Mood Sewing Network for my tips on sewing with corduroy!

I've been saying for the longest that I can't get enough of cute tops to just throw-on-and-go. And I'm always looking to create ones that have interest, but at the same time -- I like for them to be fuss-free. We all love the idea of a spectacular garment or some sort of fabulous dress. And I've made plenty of them all throughout the years. But some days, I just want to be cute while cruising the aisles at Target! I love having amazing everyday clothes and...

During the day, I like having the TV on in the background with programming that requires very little attention. So last week, I had on The Bold and The Beautiful, and there was a scene where Steffy Forrester had on this really cute sweater. I barely paid any attention to what the characters were saying as I was trying to figure out the details of the sleeves. 

I get a lot of fashion inspiration from television and one of my favorite websites is WornonTV.net. They save me the trouble of doing my own sleuthing to find the details of things that I see and like. Later that same day, I discovered the cute top is from Alice + Olivia and sold at Shopbop.com for $330! Chile, please... y'all know I headed right to Joann's to make this top happen.

I wanted a pattern with simple lines and an easy sleeve to modify. I picked McCall's 7660, because I already had that one in my stash. I picked a heather gray ponte knit and cut the size 14. 

A gray mock turtleneck pullover is basic AF! But adding simple details like split sleeves and hardware really step up the style game and gives it a touch of edginess. 

I uploaded a tutorial to show how I created a split sleeve and added the hardware. I hope you enjoy!

Mikaela asked me to make her this skirt. This is McCall's 7392.

I'd previously made view A for her summer of 2016. I cut the size 6 in a stretch denim. I topstitched with silver contrasting thread and used silver snaps. She has worn this skirt so much in the last year and a half that she asked me to make her a similar version with a straight edge in corduroy.

This version is done in a 100% cotton goldenrod corduroy. How 1970s does this look? Very! I still used the size 6. This version is basically view C, but in the same length as view A. And I left off the belt loops.

I also used buttons and matching thread for topstitching.

I made a slight 3/4" full butt adjustment. Last year when I made a muslin of this skirt, it was hiking up a bit in the back. And that small alteration fixed that. 

This is such a perfect wardrobe addition for fall and she loves it already.

I love when a spin is put on basic things that you can wear everyday to make them a little more special.

Like adding ruffles to a sweatshirt. Ruffles on a sweatshirt is way cooler than say, on a cotton button down. This sweatshirt can be washed and dried and tossed on without ever seeing the iron again. You can just put it on and go. 

This is McCall's 7688, view B. My fabric is an Ivory and Silver Terry Fabric with Lurex that I found at Hobby Lobby.

I cut the size medium. This top is loose fitting with drop shoulders. 

Ruffles are sewn to the princess line of the top and also set in the sleeve seam.

I finished the ruffles with a serger stitch because this fabric shreds! I was covered in terry fibers while sewing. 

I didn't care for the suggested way to sew on the flounce. So I made a quick video showing how I sewed mine on.

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Here is an up close look at the neckline.

I really like this sweatshirt, a lot. I wore it out yesterday and I was so happy I didn't get in bagging or stretching. That was one of my main concerns with the fabric. It held up well and I can't wait to wear it again!

It's comfy pajama season! Mikaela requested for the Thanksgiving holiday that I make her some pajamas. We were in Joann and she found this pattern, McCall's 7518 in the catalog. So, I promised her that I'd have them made by the time she got home yesterday.

For the fabric, she wanted plaid. She first selected a flannel shirting in a similar colorway. The fabric was only 41" wide and it was really lightweight with no 'give'. I explained why it wouldn't work. I told her to think about the same fabric that baby blanket sleepers  are made in. I found this Blizzard Fleece Red Green and Navy Fabric and most importantly, it's 58".

I made the adult small and it was the perfect size right out of the envelope. It's always a win when I don't have to make any alterations.

Especially since I took the time to match the plaid at all of the seams. 

This is really a quick sew. It took longer to cut it out than it did to actually sew it all together.

I typically like for the dominant print (in this instance it's the red) to go down the center. But, primarily the center back -- it nips in at the waist. So I put the dominant color down the princess lines.

I omitted all of the extra topstitching that was suggested down the center of the hood and around the neckline.

It also has a center front lapped zipper. 

For the cuffs, I used a navy blue ponte from my stash that was leftover from my Vogue 1522 pants.

This was an absolute success and she's loving it. I'll make another one in more of a red plaid for Christmas, because she's going to wear this one to death!

Sometimes, you just don't want to wear a dress, so a fabulous suit will fit the bill for an evening look. 

Suits are so popular this season in women's wear that I knew I had to make a couple. More to come... Maybe Hillary started a trend. Or maybe we're all just kind of ready to stop overthinking dressing as much as possible and to simply just have our blazer match our pants. Even if you don't have a job that requires suit wearing or a special occasion for a "lady tux", don't feel intimidated. Suits are great wardrobe pieces that you can create in a fabric you love that would fit your lifestyle... and make perfectly good since wearing together or as separates. It's okay to break them up!

I wanted to make this suit in a fun fabric that I knew would work for either a special occasion, or pairing the blazer over jeans, my white jumpsuit, navy pants or white skirt. And Lord knows I love a printed pant! These would pair perfectly with a red or any other bright, jewel-tone sweater or top.

The star of any great suit is the blazer, of course. 

My inspiration comes from one of my current favorite designers, Veronica Beard.

My jacket is Vogue 8958, view D. It's currently out of print, usually the good ones are! Sometimes you have to reach in the back of the pattern drawer for current styles. This gorgeous design has really good bones. It has the perfect wide shawl collar and two-piece sleeves. I'm tall, so I like long blazers. I like for mine to be long enough to cover the booty, because it creates a flattering line to my shape. But the only thing this jacket was missing is a back vent.

So I had to modify the back pattern piece. This jacket had only one pattern piece that was supposed to be cut 4 times. It has a center back seam, so 2 for the back and 2 for the back lining. 

Creating a vent and a vent lining and then sewing it is pretty complicated if you've never done it before. Not impossible, just tricky. 

If this is something you all would like more details regarding, let me know in the comments below and I'll do a YouTube tutorial for you.

The fabric is very lightweight, so it's completely interfaced with this White Knit Fusible Interfacing, which is my new favorite! And I also added a back stay using Whisper White Silk Organza.

I cut the size 14, and I didn't have to lengthen the jacket.

I did however lengthen the sleeves by one inch. If I make this one again, I will probably add a sleeve vent and buttons. I'm not bothered by not having this detail, but I do think it's all about aesthetics though. But this fabric is so heavily printed that the buttons are not missed.

I cut my contrasting collar in White Polyester Crepe.

And the way the collar and facing are drafted gave me a beautiful turn of cloth. Because no one wants to see the seam line!

I love the cut of this jacket, how it's nipped in at waist. The vent was the perfect touch. And I can't wait to make this one again.

My pants are Vogue 9181... the same pattern that I used to make the hot pink cords. Officially, my tried and true!

I cut these the same way but made the hem longer. The pink cords are meant to be worn with lower heels. As these are meant for 4" heels. So they're around a 37" inseam.

I still used pockets. And I omitted the belt carriers this time. This pants fit so well at the waist they're not needed.

I love how this suit turned out and I can't wait to start on another one.