Tuesday night was Taylor's open house for school - and I managed to finish my Simplicity kimono inspired top just in time (a photo has been posted on the sidebar, but if you're wanting a larger photo to check out details more closely, click here)!

Unfortunately, I had to help run the PTO table (I'm co-president this year) and the sleeves seemed like they would just get in the way plus it was just too muggy and warm outside (and I needed shorter sleeves so I could stay cool), so I opted for the Jalie Crossover Top instead.

So in a nutshell, what do I think of this top? I like it a lot! It's fun and trendy, but not over the top. I think that the longer sleeves really bring out the kimono style to this top and I love how the lower half is so fitted! The neckline is a bit looser than what I would have liked (it could use some tacking down, just in case I bend over), especially if you compare it to the Jalie Crossover Top, but this could be in part due to the natue of the pattern - namely the wide dolman sleeves.

This was also my first time working with onionskin. The fabric is easy to work with, but tempermental when it comes to heat. It seemed like after pressing, then picking it up, it would leave a lump where I would handle it. It really needed to be pressed, cooled, then picked up.

As for if I'll make this style again, well, probably not. Not because it's a bad pattern, but only because it's so distinctive. I'm not sure what to make next. I think that I'll thumb though my fabrics and see what calls out to me.

Today's cooler temperatures (we're going to be 20+ degrees cooler today than yesterday's high of 103) have pushed my fall planning into high gear.

So what's on my list so far?

Kwik Sew 3434. I figure I've got to sew something from the '80's this year. I'll skip the stretch velvet\velour like the model is wearing and go for a sweater knit instead.

I am still on a quest for the perfect pair of pants - this time I plan on trying out Jalie 2561. From what I've read on Pattern Review, their cut is very similar to Express' Editor Pant. Along with it, I plan on making a (matching?) vest.

Simplicity 4074 caught my eye quite awhile ago, not just because of the wrap dress, but because of the 2 piece skirt and top. I've already purchased material for this one - a nice burgandy\cranberry knit.

I love coats, so Simplicty 4109 - a Built by Wendy Pattern (the coat, not the cape thing) is high on my list. I found some wonderful light pink wool coating, but after visualizing it in my head, I'm not sure how the coat will look in pink (maybe something double-breasted for this fabric instead?). I certainly don't need another black coat - so I'll probably have to go back to the drawingboard with this one. If I don't wind up making this jacket right away, then I plan on using her book, Sew U to make several pair of pants and tops.

The latest issue of Burda World of Fashion has a great looking pullover top - I'm still looking for the right fabric to use (it requires more yardage that what I had expected), but I like the fact this looks easy and fast to sew up!

I have several projects marked in Amy Butler's In Stitches book - a kimono and pj bottoms just to name a few. I'm waiting to order some of her new fabric before I start these.

If you'll notice, none of these have been added to the sidebar yet. Why? I seem to get so sidetracked and excited by new designs that these may never make it out of the concept stage. Planning for sewing is (almost) as fun as sewing itself!

So, what is everyone else planning?

I believe that all of our air conditioner woes might be over (knock on wood). The air conditioner repairman had to come back out to our house again yesterday - it seems to be working right now. So now, back to our regularly scheduled sewing.

Last night I got to work on my Simplcity Kimono style top. It's coming together well, and I can see this is going to go together fairly quickly. I think that I'm going to keep the sleeves long - since this fabric is so thin, it drapes nicely, but I could see that if you used anything too heavy, it would make you look heavier around the midsection.

As promised, I'm posting the (hard to describe) fabric for Taylor's costume. The above photo is the main fabric for the zombie bride. I plan on 'ripping' some of the lace like inserts to make the fabric look rotten in places after everything is sewn up. Now to find something for the contrast insert and front skirt piece. It would be nice if I could find some off white\grey fabric in a similar pattern, but I'm not holding my breath finding any.

Now that my Duro dress is complete, the laundry has been washed and put away (it was litterally spilling out of the laundry basket and onto the floor in a very large mound), 4 pairs of pants have been hemmed (and I have mastered my blind hem foot), and the refrigerator is stocked - what's a girl to do? Start another project of course!

This time I am looking to start something that might get finished up fairly quickly (I like those instant gratification garments every now and then) so I've opted to try one of Simplicity's new patterns, 4020 - the kimono-esque top. And I decided to use my new geisha onionskin for the fabric (I'm keeping it all in a theme today).

I also forgot to mention that my newest issue of Patrones arrived last week! After spending some time thumbing through it, I've decided that this issue is definately better in person than what it is on the web. One of the items that ranks high on my must make list is this little number from Paz Torras:

Of course, I can't just stop at planning these projects. No, I also have a strong desire to make some plushies too - and I found the perfect book, Aranzi Aronzo's Jersey Nuigurumi to make some. Some of the doll shapes remind me of Cuddly Rigor Mortis plush items. Either I must own one of her plushies or make one like hers and this book might help me to do it!