Covering a Sleeve Board

Hi everyone!  Summer is winding down around here and thoughts of fall and winter are dancing in my head.  Some serious sewing (and posts about current projects) is on the horizon and I was recently organizing my sewing supplies in preparation.  I discovered my recently purchased steel sleeve board.  I have no idea when it was made, but I have no doubt that it would be considered "vintage."

I don't know if it's supposed to have a cover, but in my head it was just screaming out for a cheesy looking cover.  So I dug out my cheesiest, quilting cotton I got on clearance at Jo-Ann Fabrics.

I laid out the sleeve board on top of the fabric and traced around it with tailor's chalk.  Then I cut around the outline, being careful to leave about 1 1/2 to 2 inches extra to allow for the cover to fit around the sides of the sleeve board.

I bound the raw edges with vintage lace single fold bias tape from my stash.

 Then I attached thin elastic on the wrong side of cover to really make it "grip" the sleeve board.

 And voila!  Not much, but it does the job.  Now onto the garment sewing!  See you next time!

Fall Wardrobe Planning

I know it feels like we've just only begun summer, but fall will quickly be upon us.  I can pretty much tell that autumn is imminent when I can't turn around without hearing something about "Back to School" :P.

In any case, I can't get thoughts of lovely fall wardrobe pieces out of my head.  And a recent trip to the fabric store and a perusal of the new Fall 2013 Catalogs left me dizzy with inspiration and itching to start planning for the fall.

McCall's 6800

First off, I think I'll want a winter coat.  I live in a part of the US that has quite brutal winters with lots and lots of snow, so a nice warm coat is important.  Plus, readers, I've got this kind of "thing" about winter coats:  I just can't get enough of them (wearing them, making them, just plain looking at them!).  McCall's 6800 caught my eye because of the "high-low" hemline and the detachable faux fur collar.  View D even includes a detachable hood.  I'm smitten, guys!  I can imagine making this coat in a thick wool coating with an interlining (for warmth) based on the technique I learned during Gertie's Lady Grey Sew-Along waaay back in 2010.

Simplicity 2154

I am hoping, also, to make Simplicity 2154 this fall.  And in the navy and white houndstooth suiting fabric I acquired at a local thrift store, I think it will look quite "1960s Stewardess" (a look I don't hate :P).  I guess I'll only know if I try it out.

Advance 9453

One of the holes in my wardrobe that I've noticed is a lack of fall/winter work-appropriate dresses.  I hope that Advance 9453 can fix this issue.  It is a fitted dress with a kick pleat that buttons down the front and has the option for short or three-quarter length sleeves.  My best guess is that it dates from the early 1960s.  The bow tie detail on the neckline caught my eye when browsing through my pattern stash.  

I may also feel the need for a few full and fluffy dresses because they're so comfortable and easy to wear at work (and of course, require a poufy crinoline, my favorite!).

Do you have any plans for fall sewing, garment or otherwise?  Please comment below!