First, the new sewing machine! I've been so busy sewing I haven't hard time to post about it. Two weeks ago I took the daytrip to Philadelphia to visit my mom, and she took me to Steve's Sewing Machines, out by King of Prussia. The staff were very knowledgeable and helpful. They sell Bernina's and Baby Locks, and when I said what I was looking for (more muscle, ability to sew thick fabrics) and described the type of sewing I did, she steered me straight to this one. I have had NO problem sewing thick seams with this machine so far, and I'm almost looking forward to sewing the corduroy faux mink I picked up last winter.

This suit is actually something I made 2 months ago, on the old machine before the mustard coat killed it. Its quite possibly one of my favorite things I've made, ever. I used McCall's 5815, a Nanette Lepore knock off. I made a combination of the views, using the collar from A on the body of B, closing up the sleeves to omit the slits at the end (a detail I didn't like), and omitting the pockets. Its a lightweight wool gabardine lined in silk habotai, and its already become my go-to classic suit for when I need to look good and feel confident.

This little jacket I've made twice before, and will likely continue to make: vintage Butterick 9970. Its quick and easy, but I think the biggest appeal is that the outcome is the kind of little vintage jacket I used to love to find in thrift and vintage stores, back when I lived in a place with good thrift store and had the time to visit them. Now I can make these little jackets whenever I feel like, and not rely on luck! This one is a silk/rayon blend brocade from the Vera collection on fabric.com, lined in olice crinkle silk charmeuse, also from the vera collection on fabric.com. I have enough left for a pencil skirt. I'm unlikely to wear the items together (too Mona from Mad Men), but I think II'll get good wear out of the skirt. I really like how the color looks with dark grey.