Vogue 8863 - Fabric Possibilities and Zipper

 A flattering cropped jacket 

I made this style in three fabrics for Vogue:

 

A textured purple wool with silk-screened grosgrain zipper trim

and purple double knit sleeves. 

 

A soft kiwi wool coating with checkered zipper trim

and deep grey rib knit sleeves.

A medium weight red wool coating with a jacquard zipper trim

and black double knit sleeves.

Choosing the perfect ribbon is as much fun

as choosing the knit for the sleeve.

Keep your eye out

for thrift shop sweaters in the right color or contrast

to use for the sleeves.

Gotta love that up-cycling.

Some great possibilities for the jacket body from  

Marcy's fabulous Website include:

Max Mara Rainbow Tweed

Metro Italian Tweed

Chatelaine Tweed

Felted Wool Blend Boucle Knit 

available in Kiwi, Crimson or Pewter.

For the sleeves some options are:

Grey and Black Double Sided Ponte 

gives you a choice of which side to use.

Marc Jacobs Knit in Charcoal 

or black or black on black stripe.

Black Cadillac Wool Double Knit

So many wonderful possibilities.

For the zipper, remember you can always start with 

a longer separating zipper than you need and cut it down.

Make sure the zipper pull is at the bottom of the zipper.

 Mark the top of the zipper where you want it to end.

Cut the zipper 1/2" above that mark and trim off the unneeded teeth.

Stitch off the top of the new zipper to form a 'stop'.

Finish the 'stop' and cut edges with Fray Check.

Press the extra zipper tape to the back.

 Fuse your chosen ribbon to both sides of the zipper

and press ends to the back.

Then stitch ribbon to zipper close to the teeth.

I silk-screened grosgrain for this zipper trim.

Fuse zipper to front of jacket to hold for stitching.

Fusible tape shown here on the back.

I mark the placement on wool fabric 

with a wax 'chalker' line that will press out.

Stitch it in place on the left side of the jacket.

 

Apply trimmed zipper to the right side front

after the jacket front is finished.

I want to make this pattern in a denim type fabric 

with a wild print lining

for an upscale jean jacket.

One day...

Last Day in Paris

 

A cup of coffee

and an apple tart

at a favorite bistro

takes the chill out

of a rainy afternoon

on the one day

I didn't bring my umbrella

along.

Rain began and ended

this Paris trip

(making me feel right at home)

but the days in between

were quite nice.

 A big olive press 

(I think)

in the window

of a cool shop 

on Ile Saint Louis.

To heavy

to put in my suitcase.

The olive oil

that is.

Lights on the Seine

create magic.

Je retournerai 

au printemps.

Sunday afternoon at Versailles

 

 A  panorama 

that cannot do justice

to the glorious day at the chateau de Versailles.

It can only hint

at the vast gardens, canals, ponds, paths and plantings.

The clouds were extraordinary.

No, 

this is not a 

Christo et Jeanne-Claude work,

just the outdoor sculptures

ready for winter.

 

Sun and clouds

behind 

the Temple of Love. 

I especially loved

the cottages 

and gardens

at Marie Antoinette's village.

 

Reflections.

 

Light 

through an arbour walk.

Arches.

Portico at le Grand Trinon.

Cobblestone gutters

have such 

romance.

 

Puddle patterns

after 

the morning rain.

In the vast repetition

of room 

after room

after room 

after room

of luxury

it was a relief 

to finally find

a simple toilet.

 

Fit for a king

 

or queen.

 

Paris, Perfume, Painting, Fabric and Feathers

Sitting in the hotel lounge tonight

having a glass of wine after a marvelous couple of days.

Some fun photos to help me remember...

 Window 'licking' (lèche-vitrines) at Colette. 

THE skirt of the season -- short and sassy.

On the rue Saint Honore

this is what a cowboy boot looks like.

Marcy and Francesca happily admire the cashmere

at Janssens and Janssens.

Yours for only 525 euros/metre.

 Philippine Janssens' window showing her bespoke pants.

She makes pants that fit, with infinite styling and fabricating possibilities.

And, she looks like Audrey Tautou.

If you want pants that really fit and are in Paris

it can happen

We toured this amazing silk flower facility and got to see a dress 

being made for a princess.

Ostrich feathers and crystals

attached one at a time

to curved insets along the bottom edge.

Someone's fantasy gown

becoming a reality.

The Soutine exhibit at the Orangerie

blew me away.

I've always liked his paintings

but seeing so many 

portraits and landscapes together

cemented his work

as an all time favorite in my book.

The brushstrokes,

the color,

the energy --

amazing and extraordinary.

I am in awe.

In the perfume studio -- a table of scents awaits.

So much fun to mix our own and train our nose.

Sunday Reflections

Love the leopard, still all over Paris.

Here's the beast at the flea market.

Judy found the perfect scarf at the Marche Biologique

from one of our favorite scarf vendors.

The galettes were mouthwatering as always!

Looking at the garden

from Monet's bedroom window.

 Marcy and I taking pictures of each other.

A lush Fall garden.

Love the stove.

When I look at the ponds

I understand some

and imagine more

what living and painting

this beauty

changing in time and season

was.

Paris Continues...

 This store always has window displays that are a visual feast

 of color and texture and style.

Almost makes me wish 

that I had a man to buy something for.

(My grandson will just have to wait.)

Bespoke.

 A cowgirl theme is popular all over Paris this Fall.

Tres cher.

Carhartt jackets and Timberland boots,

make me feel right at home.

 One of the exquisite domes at Printemps.

The restaurant under the other dome

makes for a magical lunch.

Our playful waiter

looked a little bit like Brad Pitt.

He loved it of course

when we told him that.

 

Nespresso is now making a tea machine.

Imagine that.

Perfectly brewed tea every time.

Hmm...

Not yet available in the US.

You'll just have to wait...

Paris continues...

Blue Skies in Paris!

There have been two wonderful warm

and sunny days in Paris to enjoy!

Cooler days are predicted so we have been
appreciating this Autumn magic.

Sat in a cafe for several hours Sunday

watching the river of people

rushing through the Marais.
So happy to be quiet for a while.

Had a lovely lunch today sitting on the sidewalk with

Judith Ann, an Oregon friend and her daughter Molly,

 born down the road in Takilma, soon-to-be-delivered of her new son.

An imminent birth brings so much joy to family and friends!

Even those of us on the fringes get to share.

This man waiting for his family outside of Merci 

is the best dressed I've seen in Paris. 

His suit was perfectly tailored

and he wore it with a casual panache.

Marcy and I stopped at Merci for a dessert and tea.

Both were superb.

They make them here with great care.

Some of the tastiest Parisian food I've eaten!
Merci, Merci.

Creativity in light fixtures is a Parisian talent.

This one gives new meaning to the term 'book light'.

The moon over the Place des Vosges as night falls.

Another perfect day in Parisdise.