I could make that!

 

Camilla and Marc AW11

JustCavalli AW11

There are ALOT of boyfriend style jackets doing the rounds at the moment!

Not hard to find a pattern for a cute and comfy version of your own!

McCalls M6087

I think View B in this Simplicity pattern would be extra nice!

I could make that!

There seems to be a lot of chambray shirt dresses in the stores at the moment - and with good reason! A 3/4 sleeve shirt dress is a fantastic Trans-seasonal item. Here a just a couple available in the Australian stores right now.

@ Sussan

@ Colorado

I especially love the styling of the Sussan version - even though when you look closely at the picture it is  more of a tunic dress rather than a shirt dress. Some ballet flats, leggings and a lovely scarf.

It is amazing what you find when you go looking - as I have had it in my mind that I would like a nice casual shirt dress pattern in my collection for a while now - but had not come across anything I really liked. But when I was looking for something completely different - I found this:

Simplicity 2246

And Spotlight just happens to have Chambray cotton on sale right now for $7.95 per meter.

I could make that!

There are quite possibly a million Little Black Dresses out there available - but hey - they are useful!

A great LBD will take you through many seasons and can be dressed up or down to meet the needs of different events!

This one from Banana Republic caught my eye.

Banana Republic LBD

The ruffle detail is cute but not over the top. The Banana Republic version is a Rayon blend. It took me a while to find a pattern that could make this work.

But I think this McCalls M6024 could work nicely.

McCalls M6024

As you can see the pattern offers a number of variations. The pattern back shows that the ruffles go the whole way around the neckline - and you might like this more than the original version - but with some crafty measuring and altering of length you could easily make it the same at the Banana Republic version. A devolumed flutter sleeve like in view A and a No-Frill skirt - like in View C - and you'll have yourself a pretty similar cute LBD.

I could make that!

I am sure that anyone who can sew frequently sees garments being sold for exorbitant prices and thinks to themselves - I could make that!

Well - I am going to try and do a regular feature on that very thing. Each week (or as often as I find inspiration) - I will post an item of clothing available for purchase along with a pattern that would give you a similar version for a fraction of the price.

Fun right!

Want to play along? let me know and I'll set up a linky tool for next week.

But for now, last week I saw this *hot* little red number available at Ginger and Smart.

Ginger and Smart Dash Dress

One look and I saw the pattern in my head - McCalls 5845

McCalls 5845

It is listed on the McCalls website as being out of print (Boo Hoo - why do they do that!) - but hey you might be lucky at find it at you local pattern supplier/fabric store.

If you want to see it made up there are a number of reviews on Pattern Review.

Before you say - Ugh! External darts - What on earth were they thinking - take a deep breath and give it a try - they are a really cute feature!

I have made up this pattern in a Stretch Sateen and it sews up beautifully. I did make a muslin and had to take in the hip curve a little as well as drop the neckline about 1" - I think I could have taken it more. Sorry - I have zero pics of this one as they were all taken on someone else camera and being 8 months pregnant I can't go and try it on. But I promise that once it fits me again I will do a proper review!

Now I want to make it in red!