If that feels like a bit too much to you, however, you might test the waters by mixing prints with a similar color palette, and challenge yourself only with the proximity in scale and texture of the prints. This way, you’re taking a little bit of a risk but not really jumping into the deep end.

I’ve shown coordinating Lisette sateen and lawn fabrics here, and they could be very cute together sewn up as a Souvenir Blouse so you get the same raglan sleeve effect as the J. Crew top. This could be great for spring and summer!

After staying up late for two nights in a row to finish my new Lisette Attache Dress (Simplicity 1666), there was no way I was going to let a little problem like being alone in the studio yesterday with no one to photograph it stop me from showing you! (It’s been a quiet week in the studio, which has allowed me to make some terrific progress on next spring’s Lisette fabric collection.) The envelope for this pattern doesn’t do the dress justice, so I wanted you to see it on someone. That would be me, I guess.

This dress is so easy to make, especially since there are no sleeves to set in, and the princess seams make it easy to get a nice fit. You can take a little in here or there, as necessary, to tweak it for your own shape. This is a semi-fitted dress, which means that it’s designed to fit closely to the body but not tightly. It should skim the body, not restrict it. It’s also very flattering because of the built-in cap sleeves and the shaping. The cap sleeves and flared skirt really help give the illusion of a tiny waist!

I know some of you really like to wear a belt, and here’s a photo to show you that it can be done with this dress.

I sewed my Attache Dress from raisin-colored wool crepe because I didn’t want to wait until spring to wear it. I love sewing with wool crepe. It’s so forgiving and drapey. I lined my dress, which is why it took a while to sew. The pattern doesn’t include a lining, but it’s easy enough to add one. I plan to wear this with jackets and sweaters, and it’s been fun to pair it with boots and tight in this cold weather. I’ll swap them out for other accessories as the weather warms up.

I just finished cutting out the peplum top from this pattern in one of the new Lisette fabrics, too. If I manage to finish that new Lisette fabric collection and get through next weekend’s big birthday party (theme: pink, number of little girls: 6, number of craft projects planned for the party: 3, number of things I need to finish before the party: 37?) I’ll sew it up and show it to you soon. At this rate, who knows when I’ll get to the skirt or the bag patterns that are also included in the envelope!

As always, these cotton fabrics are specifically designed for apparel, with lots of terrific lawn, sateen, poplin, and twill in pretty, wearable, colorful prints. Obviously you can use the fabrics for other sorts of sewing projects too, but the prints are specifically scaled for clothing, so they’re easy to work with.

These fabrics will be great for spring and summer sewing, so you can get a head start on warmer weather and longer days during the dreary part of winter. (And I can’t think of a better way to endure the long winter than sewing with lots of inspiring color as you look forward to spring!)

I can’t wait to see what you’re going to make with these new fabrics.

I know you’re going to be asking about new Lisette sewing patterns, and I’ll address that issue soon. Our Spring 2013 pattern release will be available next month.

I love how this silhouette works at all lengths. It can be made as a top, tunic, dress, or maxi. It accessorizes well, works with jeans (which is how I’ve been wearing it as we move from summer into fall), and can be made in different fabrics. I’ve been making all of my summer caftans in linen because of all the crazy hot, humid weather we’ve had here in New York. But I’m moving toward silk for fall because it can be dressed up.

Anyway, the caftan I’m wearing here is my newest project for Creative Bug, and it’s quick and fun to make. It’s a great advanced beginner project, and you may notice that it’s based on a simple rectangle so there aren’t a lot of pattern pieces to deal with. In the video, I even demonstrate how I printed on my linen versions. You can watch the trailer for this project here.

Interested in registering and making the project? Creative Bug has generously put together a special offer, just for you. You can take $10 off any 1-month, 3-month, or 6-month subscription package if you use the promo code CAFTAN10 when you sign up. The discount code is good through October 15, 2012. I love this because you an watch as many workshops as you want.

And if you need a little more caftan inspiration, I’ve also got a caftan Pinterest board going with some cute prints and details that might get you thinking. And plotting your own style.

As it happens, our friend Jessica is a librarian and an avid sewist. She makes a lot of her own clothing and she’s done some really clever things, including converting Oliver + S patterns to make dresses for herself. I love what she did with the Passport Dress, and how she’s wearing it more like a jumper with a blouse underneath. For this dress Jessica used a sturdy black cotton twill with a subtle silvery grey stripe.

Click through to see the rest of the photos. Everyone looks great, and the men in this crowd really have it going on, don’t they? It’s nice to see that fashion has a place, even in the heady world of the library.

OK, enough with the excuses and on to the good stuff! Here’s a wonderful Diplomat Dress sewn by Rose in an eyelet (yes, eyelet!) that showed up in the Lisette Flickr group recently.

I think this dress is right on trend in terms of color and fabrication, and that it looks wonderful on her! Here’s what Rose has to say about it.

I made the dress to wear to a friend’s recent wedding. I used blue eyelet cotton fabric with a scalloped selvedge edge.  I used View B of the pattern with short sleeves, cutting the bottom and sleeves of the dress carefully to have the scalloped edge.  I wanted the dress to hit me at the knees, so the complete View B length worked out, with no hemming, although I wish I had cut it about an inch shorter.  I used an invisible zipper and let out the side seams a little; otherwise no other modifications. Because of the eyelet holes, I debated whether to add a lining, but decided to just wear a black slip underneath instead.  I really enjoyed the pattern and love the fit!

You can see more of Rose’s creations on her blog. Thanks Rose!

Here’s what Gail has to say about it:

I love shirt dresses, but they can be hard to find in ready-to-wear for anything but a rectangular figure.  So I was thrilled to find this Lisette pattern, enabling me to make my own, to fit my curvy frame!  I have to admit I copied this dress pretty much to the letter from another seamstress in the Lisette Flickr group, Julieree.  I’m a big fan of seersucker for spring and summer, and when I saw her dress in the group pool, I had to make one just like it!

The pattern was a dream to work from.  I used the size for my chest measurement, and graded out at the hips to the next size up.  In actuality, my hips are two sizes larger than my waist according to the body measurements on the pattern envelope, but I didn’t want to make the skirt appear too A-line, and having used Lisette patterns in the past, I knew there is usually a little extra ease.  Worked out perfectly!  Now I’m enjoying daydreaming about fabric choices for the next one!

Since fashion these days is all about prints–and especially mixing prints–I wrote a little piece for the magazine about successfully combining prints in your own sewing. In the article I provide some tips for mixing and matching prints in ways that will work for everyone, even if you’ve never tried this look. I hope it will help you to combine printed fabrics in ways that are fun and unique to you and your own tastes.

We had fun with the photos for the piece. To illustrate the suggestions I give, I was able to put together several different print combinations for the same pattern, the Lisette Passport Dress and Jacket, to show how print selections can really change the character of a single style.

Sew News has generously provided the article as a free PDF  on their website. Hop over there to download your copy. And then start mixing some prints!

Here’s what she has to say about them:

I saw a pair of floral shorts in a store last year, so when the Souvenir pattern arrived I sewed up the shorts with some flowery home-decor Denyse Schmidt fabric. I think the patterned fabric adds a bit of punch to an otherwise casual outfit. So far, I’ve been wearing them with a  t-shirt for hanging out in the garden or at the beach, but I think you could also dress them up them with a lacy top or a cardigan for Sunday brunch.  I love that they zip up the side, and have little pleats, which means the front has a smooth, flattering fit.  It’s always hard to find time for “selfish sewing”, but these shorts sew up pretty quickly, so I’m already planning another pair in bright blue twill.

I think they look great on her. Thanks for showing us how you wear your style, Hilary!

Jeanne made this adorable version of the dress (and don’t you love the shoes she has paired with it!) and has this to say about it:

Since the first Diplomat Dress turned out so nicely, I decided to make another one using a smaller scale Lotta Jansdotter print. This time around, I made View B and added short sleeves to the dress. During our recent preview of summer weather here in New England, I paired the dress with cranberry-colored t-straps for an added punch of color. This dress has already proven to be very versatile given its seasonless nature.  I’ve worn this dress with tights, boots, and layered a cardigan on top on colder days. Once I find a pattern that I love, I tend to reuse it over and over again, so I’m positive I will be sewing more Diplomat Dresses soon.

I’m glad to hear that, Jeanne. It looks great on you, and I’m eager to see what our workshop participants make for themselves in the coming weeks, too!