Spring Break Sewing: More Patterns

After paying my last bill to my school, I decided to celebrate by buying a few patterns that I have had my eye on for a while. Two are from Colette Patterns (Crepe and Peony) and the book is Clothing for Everyday Wear - Stylish Dress Book by Yoshiko Tsukiori (link in the side bar >>).
 I don't have enough fabric for the Colette patterns which I was hoping to crack open first. "What about schoolwork for your final semester?" you say. "New patterns," I say. Just kidding. I'm still working; senior project is growing and becoming more tangible, and in two and a half months I'll walk myself right across that stage. Patterns, almost-there-English degree. Indeed, a time for celebration (and hard work :) )
The patterns:












I've also got a picture to add of my brother in part of his mock up jerkin:

We'll definitely be making the skirt a little shorter.

I had some time a few weekends ago to make a dress out of the new everyday wear book (Dress X) and I am still not sure what I think of the outcome, especially since I've never really thought of cowl necks on summer dresses. Its different, but not bad, and still very comfortable. The fabric is awesome, one of my favorites to work with so far. I bought it over Christmas break in hopes of making some cigarette pants, but the idea of another dress seemed more appealing, especially after getting patterns in the mail. It's a little wrinkly because I wore it out last night, and the pictures are fuzzy because the camera on my phone is dying, but you can still see what's going on. I actually had to take the waist in, which I did not expect because most Asian patterns are too small for me. but the rest of it fit well, especially the length and placement of the dropped waist. It even has cutesy little pockets.

I also found out that to use or not to use quilting cotton for your own apparel was actually a debate. So, spurred by the idea of branching out in textile and tactile experience, I bought some linen and charmeuse for a few other projects in this same book, but this in no way discouraged my love of cotton, which is much more my price range than most apparel fabrics anyway. Expect a light wrap jacket in grey-blue linen and a Colette dress in charcoal charmeuse in the next few weeks.

Happy Sunday and Happy Sewing!