As stated yesterday, I’m looking for that feeling of Spring right now, and found some garment displays in Hancock Fabrics stores recently that has helped restore my faith that warmer weather is coming!
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Walking into one store, I was greeted by this attractive trio. These outfits fit that dressy/casual look we all crave in the early part of the spring. More detail on each dress is listed below.
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White Pant Suit – Suit: Vogue Pattern #1021, Blouse: Palmer/Pletsch McCalls #2818
This white linen suit has a polyester blouse (red with white polka dots) to accent it. Here is a ‘power suit’ that not only makes a statement, but is feminine without being frilly. The closure on the front of the jacket is hook and eye tape, just sew the tape into the seam and you have an instant front closure! Decorative frog closures could be used for a different look.
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Black and White Dress with Jacket – Jacket: Simplicity Pattern #3797, Dress: New Look Pattern #6676
The Jacket is made from black linen. The original pattern calls for the jacket to be unlined, but the seamstress Bev chose to line it, which gives the jacket a little extra body. The dress was made from a gauze print, would be a cool dress to wear for an outdoor event in the hot weather. I can just see this at a summer party, the jacket allows you to dress it up, or it can be removed to make the dress a bit cooler.
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Knit Top and Skirt – Top: Simplicity Pattern #3837, Skirt: New Look Pattern #6843
This is another great pattern for a top, the pattern has 6 different styles which can really help any wardrobe. The top was made from a black knit fabric, and a red and black knit was chosen for the skirt. Bev, the seamstress, suggested using a stretch needle in your machine to make the sewing easier. Also, using a serger helped make the project a snap to make.
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Pink and White Pinstripe Jacket – Kwik Sew Pattern #3529
You can never go wrong with a pinstripe jacket for spring and summer. The details in this pattern add character to the jacket. Jacket has ¾ length sleeves and white buttons down the front. The seamstress said this pattern would be for what she calls an ‘advanced beginner’ – but not real hard to make. Unfortunately, the detail of the fabric was hard to capture with my camera, but it is a fine pink and white pinstripe that runs vertically (of course) down the jacket.
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Grey Linen Suit – McCalls Pattern #5329
A great suit for lunch out with the girls! The lined Jacket is made from an embroidered linen and the skirt from solid linen. The original pattern for the skirt was not lined but Barb, the seamstress, decided to add a lining. Barb mentioned to remind you to pick up a new needle for your machine when you start a new project, and she said that she always the Schmidt needles. For this project she used a Schmidt size 12 needle.
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Green Jacket and Pants – Easy To Sew Simplicity Pattern #3506
This would be a comfortable outfit to take on vacation – can’t you just see it for a day on a cruise? Top is a green linen solid and the top and pants are made from a challis fabric. These fabrics will make for a cool and comfortable outfit for any type of casual day wear.

Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse of Spring. Taking a small break from projects – but I’ll have something new up very soon! Write in and show us what you’ve been doing to get your wardrobe ready for spring!
Sheila Reinke, Heart of Sewing
Sheila