Burda 6579 Pieced Top

Posted on April 29, 2021 by Noile

A circle-style skirt like my Adri Vogue 1524 wastes a lot of fabric, which left enough to make this Burda top. So I did.

Burda says it’s a one-spool “easy”, and technically it is, but naturally I had to complicate things.

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Posted in 2021, Covid, Tops | Leave a comment

Burda 6124 Stretch-Top Slacks

Posted on April 23, 2021 by Noile

Covid, and a long post-surgical recovery, have put me off clothes entirely. Yet, they somehow seem necessary, even in these weird days. How to wear clothes that don’t feel like clothing? That is the question!

As a start, I settled on these Burda pants, with a lovely, wide, stretchy, waistband. Flexibility! Soft around the waist! Almost cozy, dare one hope? (But the appearance of an actual, publicly-wearable garment!)

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Posted in 2021, Covid, Pants | 2 Comments

Vintage Vogue 1524

Posted on April 19, 2021 by Noile

Vogue didn’t do Adri any favors when they showed this pattern in white and peach. Even in 1985, these were b-o-r-i-n-g color choices! Maybe the Vogue stylists took a look at that uninspiring top and just tossed in the towel?

But the skirt is another matter — it’s got a marvelous swoop, a Covid-friendly belly band, and giant pockets. Sign me up!

Read on . . .

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Posted in 2021, Covid, Skirts | 2 Comments

Take-Along Compact Backpack

Posted on April 16, 2021 by Noile

Somewhere, in a bookstore (in Massachusetts?), in the Before Times, I found a clever, light, fold-up nylon backpack. I theoretically bought it for Mr. Noile, because we tended, in those days, to buy used books in vast amounts which were difficult to carry home using flimsy paper or plastic bags, and he usually ends up carting them.

The backpack I bought was really nicely designed, but I soon realized that we — not just Mr.Noile, but I, too — needed something similar, but different. Above, the original purchase, i black, from Flip & Tumble, a woman-owned firm in Berkeley, California, and my altered version, gray, below.

Read on for more details.

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Posted in 2020, Accessories, Bags | Leave a comment

Like a Burda

Posted on April 16, 2021 by Noile

. . . but not. I made a version of BurdaStyle 12-2020-127, but using a fhandwoven wrap.

Details are on my weaving blog at this link.

Posted in 2021, Other, Tops | Leave a comment

Burda 6475

Posted on April 12, 2021 by Noile

I’m not sure why I bought this pattern. It might have been because the denim version looked as if it might possibly be some kind of cat-proof tunic for lolling around the house.

But in the end, I found a very different use for this, uh, somewhat sack-like garment.

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Posted in 2021, Covid, Misc | Leave a comment

Vogue 1486 Crop Top Muslin

Posted on April 9, 2021 by Noile

Most of the reviews I’ve seen for this pattern are for the skirt. I don’t know; it just seems overdone to me.

But I loved the idea of that top! Could it be my dream top — like a t-shirt, but with a more flair, and made out of linen?

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Posted in 2021, Covid, Tops | Leave a comment

A New “Sources” Page on Noile

Posted on April 9, 2021 by Noile

Terri, a reader, has very kindly sent me a comprehensive list of online fabric sources in the USA and Canada. I’ve made a separate page of her listings — it’s an amazing resource. See it here on the Sources — Terri’s List page.

Thank you, Terri, for this brilliant page of wonders!

Posted in 2021, Misc | Leave a comment

Kwik Sew K253, Sort Of

Posted on April 4, 2021 by Noile

So, I’m still staying at home just about 100% of the time, and I never wear shoes anymore. Additionally, for years I’ve longed for slippers that would feel like socks, but would fit less floppily, without slipping on our wood floors or stairs.

It was time to make my own.

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Posted in 2021, Covid, Misc | Leave a comment

Paco Peralta Split Skirt

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Noile

Paco Peralta has a reputation for beautifully drafted designs, and, even though this skirt is, in truth, simple to make, it’s no exception. This is Vogue 1619, and, if out-of-print, well-worth snagging for all three pieces. But that skirt! It has it all — including pockets.

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Posted in Pants, Skirts | 2 Comments