New Fabrics

I recently went on a trip to Portland for work, and I was so excited to have a few hours in the evening to search for some new fabrics.

I intended to search for some wools for pants and coats and warm wintery things like that. However, the wools this time of year didn't catch my eye. Most were in neutral tones beiges, browns, off-whites, blacks and navy, and I was in the mood for color!

However, I came home with some very nice silks and my luggage thanked me for not being overly heavy! My find of the trip was a gorgeous floral linen that I'll have to photograph and post.

The fabric pictured above is a fabric I had trouble locating on my trip. I had it in mind for some time but I couldn't remember when I got to the fabric store who made it. It's Line Dance by Kaffe Fassett and I have to say even prettier than in the photo. The yellow and green tints are just a bit more subtle and the fabric so soft. It is going to have to be part of my Spring Palette - maybe a beautiful Chantilly or Parfait from Colette patterns!

Final Post for Fall Palette Challenge

The Fall Palette Challenge was not completely successful for me. I finished 4 out of the 5 garments, but produced one that I will never wear.

My lessons learned from the challenge were plenty! First, I was not totally open with myself on what I would wear vs. what I wouldn't. I wanted to stay on a budget and use fabric I already owned. I ended up using a very bright yellow that I bought through an online purchase that I knew wasn't what I wanted.

I was constantly waiting on patterns or waiting on fabric which resulted in me either being way behind scheduled or way ahead of schedule. Then work got too busy and I just wasn't able to concentrate on my sewing as much as I had liked. I ended up working on and finishing some items that were not part of my challenge but then did not complete the entire challenge either.

The positive side is that I made several fall items that I have already worn again and again! I got a lot of practice in tracing patterns and making adjustments to the patterns to fit my body and practiced finishing my garments nicely. All in all I am ready to attack the Spring challenge when it arrives with even more enthusiasm.

The cream corduroy clovers pictured above were the final item I made towards the fall challenge. They are super comfortable and I can't wait to make more clover pants!

The construction was a breeze especially since I left the pockets out. I keep searching for them - so, the next pair I am definitely going to add them back in. I can't wait to make the Capri version for Spring and some wool version for the cooler months!

The top is an Ice blue Georgette Pendrell blouse that I made in between the challenge items. It was my first time sewing with silk and it took a lot longer to put this blouse together than my previous cotton version. This is another item I would love to make again and again!

Later this week I'll be posting my first completed item from the Colette Sewing Handbook!

New Blog Name and Other Updates!

Some of you may have noticed that I changed the name of the blog to something that I felt fit my style and personality a lot more! It took awhile to decide on something I was completely happy about, but here it is the American Girl Dreaming!

I have had a little bit of a break from blogging, but I have been very busy sewing and planning and more!

Fall Palette Challenge: I plan to do a review of my Fall Palette Challenge sometimes next week after I get pictures of my final item the Cream Cord Clover pants.

November: The picture at the top of this post is the Cherry Meringue Dres image from Modcloth.com. I was so excited when they announced this dress would dayview in time for the holidays. I love the scallop like ruffles with the pretty red waistband! However, I guess things didn't work out and they won't be carrying it for this holiday season - huge bummer. Long story short, this cherry meringue was stuck in my head and started work on a Meringue skirt for the new Colette patterns book in a beautiful red bottom weight poplin and wouldn't you know I kept calling it my Cherry Meringue Skirt! I'll have pictures of that up next week as well as my new Taffy blouse!

Other news I have several projects cut and on the table a beautiful linen asian inspired floral Peony dress (Colette patterns), a white cotton sateen Pastille dress (Colette patterns), and I have reopened my (UFO) the Vintage Vogue Floral house dress.

Another big news event and this is in the beginning stages, but I have been busy designing and drafting a dog clothes line brought on by my experiences and disappointments when making a coat for both Pandora and Gizmo. More to come on that later!

Pandora's New Coat

I finished Pandora's new coat right as it warmed up againt here. So, I threw the outfit on her quickly for a couple pictures! She doesn't mind wearing clothing at all though - and was a handful!

Clover Muslin

So, here are some not so great pictures of me in my Clover muslin. I haven't been feeling well, but I am determined to at least get my final two fall palette challenge items done before the end of the month - even if they are the only items I sew.


I did make some minor adjustments while getting to this point. I ended up only doing half inch seams in the hip area on the pants legs to give a little bit more ease in the hip area.

I am still thinking maybe I need to shorten the crotch area in the front just a tad? What do you think?

Let me know if you see anything that stands out to you! This just might be a wearable muslin when I am finished!

Sewing Helper gets a new coat

Even after last week's post about finding my productivity again - I don't feel as if I have accomplished much lately!

I did start a little coat for my sewing helper, Pandora! I chose version B of the Simplicity pattern pictured above, but of course removed the fringe and changed some of the construction details.

She is so tiny and gets cold easily so I just wanted something she could wear when she goes outside for a walk etc. I was half afraid though that she wouldn't take to wearing a coat. I was wrong! During her numerous fittings I had to pry it off of her to get it back!

It should be finished tonight and I'll post pictures of her in her cute new coat later this week!

In other news I have traced both the Jasmine and Clover patterns and will be cutting my muslins before the weekend! So, there has been progress just not as much as I would have liked!

October Goals - Finishing the Fall Palette Challenge

My life has been pretty busy the past few weeks - mostly with work. But I am determined to be back on track this week with normal activities: sewing, knitting, and my back is finally feeling better so, it is back to the gym for weight training, cardio, and yoga! I can't wait to get back to regular fitness - it increases my energy allowing me to spend more time in the evenings moving between chores and crafts!

My goals for this month are pretty light, but I hope that you will enjoy following along! The first is to finish my fall palette challenge which includes a Jasmine blouse and a pair of Clover pants (both from Colette patterns). Colette patterns is hosting a Sew-Along which I am participating in to help us get the right fit on our pants. It is a month long process!

I will also be sewing a beautiful flowered linen dress from Vogue V8725 pictured here: http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8725-products-14164.php?page_id=856.

I also need to select my fabric and get going on my circle skirt from Casey'e Sew along! And then lastly, finish taping together the pattern for my Bombshell Dress from Gertie's- Sew Craftsy class.

And that is pretty much all for sewing - seems kind of light, but with the multiple fittings and adjustments on the pants - I am guessing I'll still be pretty busy!

Then for knitting I'll be completing the Crafty course Knit Lab and making a Lacy Key-hole scarf!

Any spare time from these projects will be going towards Christmas gifts and since the family follows along - I can't mention them here! I'll have to save pictures for a post Christmas review!

Stay tuned - later this week I'll be showing off my Ice blue Georgette Pendrell! I absolutely love it, but I need some sunshine to photograph in!