Saturday, August 6, 2016

Fall Buttericks 2016 and ACC Craft Fair


We bring you a break in the New York reportage for a review of the Fall Buttericks, and info on one of my favorite San Francisco events—the ACC Craft Fair.


Early Fall Buttericks 2016

The Fall Buttericks were released 3 days ago. I wrote a summary of my favorite patterns on Pattern Review, but I thought I'd publish a tweaked version here.


Wow, this is one of my favorite Butterick releases in awhile! There are several I will buy. Just like the recent Fall Vogue release, this release feels quite wearable.

I particularly like this dress, B6388, with the unusual seaming and the wonderful neckline. Check out how the side seams wrap to the front and the pocket is inserted there. LOVE


I like that this duster, B6368, provides some neck coverage -- it doesn't just sit at the base of the neck.


I also like the classic lines of this coat, B6385:


I like view D of this top, B6377. (View C and D are less chopped up, and D has a cowl neck.) It's fitted through the bust, which is more flattering than many of this style. The single diagonal seam and the pointed asymmetric hem lengthen the body and create a slimming line.


I like the scrunchy neck on B6384 and the fringe is fun. (I'd wear it closed.) Another plus is that the back features princess seams.


They call B6376 a button down shirt, but it's a button FRONT shirt. (A button down shirt has buttons on the collar points.) In any case, it's a lot of fun and I would get a lot of wear out of it.


Katherine Tilton has a new vest, B6381. It looks quite wearable and great for layering!


I thought of Margy when I saw the turtleneck from this "Lifestyle Wardrobe" pattern, B6389. Margy has been looking for a turtleneck pattern that won't result in a droopy neckline. This, of course, is partly due to fabric choice, but this turtleneck calls for a zipper, making me think that it's drafted quite close to the neck. The zipper would also stiffen the neckline, helping it stay up better. I would not sew this in a stretchy, lightweight jersey, but it might work well in a more stable, beefier, knit, like a doubleknit. (It would be difficult to prevent a zipper in a rayon knit from buckling and wobbling).


I recently drafted my own denim jacket and, after having studied the available patterns, I can say that we need better denim jacket patterns. The Gertie pattern, B6390, is close-fitted, which is a nice change from other patterns. I also noticed that the back of the jacket has similar (not the same, but similar) lines to the jacket I recently drafted.

Yes, a very wearable offering! There are a couple other patterns that I'd use, with some modifications.

You might also check out my review of the early Fall Vogue Patterns for 2016.


ACC Craft Fair 2016

One of my favorite days of the year is the ACC Craft Fair!

If you live in the San Francisco area, you should check it out. If not, maybe one of the other ACC Craft Fair locations is convenient for you: Baltimore (the largest), Atlanta, and St Paul. Check out their website for dates and times.

I made a quick visit this year, as my time was limited, but I still managed to immerse myself and revel in the wonderful creativity of these artists. It's exhilarating to check out the wares, and talk to the artists, exhibitors, and other attendees.

The ACC Craft Fair is held at Fort Mason in San Francisco

The last time I visited Seattle, I stopped into the gift shop for the Seattle Art Museum and I saw several fanciful wool hats. I took note of the artist's name—I've had her website open in my browser ever since. Imagine my surprise to see her, in person, this year at the ACC Craft Fair!

Lauri Chambers of Acme Hats (note that her website is currently down), makes wonderful, creative, whimsical felt hats and she brought a carload of them to the fair. Her booth was continually crowded, with some people trying them on and spectators observing the scene. Observers enjoyed the scene as much as the shoppers.

I had lots of fun trying on hats. I took pics of only a few, but you can see how wonderfully whimsical they are.

Myrna modeling one of the hats she bought

Later, I ran into Myrna again, as well as Veronica and Linda, wearing their new hats. Strangers started asking if they could take photos of our little group. I hadn't yet bought one, so I'm wearing 'the hat that brung me'.

Myrna, Veronica, me
Photo credit: I have no idea. A nice gentleman who asked to take our picture.

Veronica, Linda, me, Myrna
Photo credit: A different gentleman who asked to take our picture.


I was delighted to see Ping Wu once again! I purchased my "brain coral" poncho from her last year. Ping Wu, a contestant on Project Runway some years ago, is incredibly creative and primarily works with knitwear.

Photo credit: A sewing pal I ran into, Lisa M

I had fun trying on earrings.

And then I bought my own Acme hat!

Photo credit: Lauri Chambers

Please join me on Patti's Visible Monday.

Have a great weekend!

65 comments:

  1. Images from Butterick are fine, but your photos from the craft show are blank. I'm using an iPad. Thanks

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    1. i'm using firefox 48 and can't see the images, except one {the woman with the blue hat} on my laptop ... pleeese fix ....

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  2. I'm having trouble with most of the ACC images, too. Not all, but most. I'm on a PC with Chrome. For the first time in years, I love all the new Butterick releases! Thanks for the heads-up; I wouldn't have seen them otherwise.

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  3. Acc images lost in Safari as well and the link to the Laurie chamber site is incorrect.

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  4. My favorite is the Lisette coat. I'm with you on being annoyed by the miss-use of the button down phrase.

    I'm only seeing 2 photos in the craft fair report, and still nothing on the last post. Using Safari.

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  5. I received all of the blog pictures yesterday, today all but 2 pictures are minus sign icons????????? (Lucky I read the NY blog yesterday) Butterick pictures came through fine.

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  6. I use Chrome; could see museum pics yesterday and not today. In today's post I can see Butterick pics but not others. But, I so enjoyed the narrative! Your posts are always so entertaining; I so enjoy.

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  7. Thanks for the Butterick review which I can see. On Chrome/Windows 8, I only see two of the ACC photos - Myrna, and you trying on earrings (which is a cute pic!)

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  8. Me too! Some of the ACC images not showing up in Safari. And I would SO love to visit that show vicariously through your eyes!!

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  9. I can see the butterick - but not the ACC images. I'm using chrome on a lap top.

    Thanks for posting the new B patterns. I really like them. For some reason I tend to overlook them and McCalls? Need to change that
    Marcia

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    1. I usually do, too, Marcia. This batch was an improvement.

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  10. I tried yesterday's post in both Chrome and Safari, and still cannot see the pics. I can see about half of these today. I'd love to see the museum pics!

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  11. Thanks for the comments on the new Butterick patterns. I can see those pphotos, but only one or two from the Craft Show. I'm on a Mac.

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  12. Don't you just hate computers sometimes. I sure love your posts and hope that you can get back to blogging soon. I love to see your pretty smiling face too.

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  13. nope. Love your travels but can't see any photos after the butterick ones and two from ACC and big bird. One is all black! oy!

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  14. I looked at the Butterick patterns and didn't see anything I was interested in until I saw them again in your post. I love the duster, which I don't even remember seeing! How would you make the Tilton vest work for our large busts? You are much better at fitting these types of patterns that are shapeless than I do. I just pass them by thinking that I can't wear them.

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  15. I see the picture of you in your funky earrings, and your friend Myrna and nothing else.

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  16. I use Chrome and could see nearly none of your ACC photos-just Muriel in blue hat and you with ear rings

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  17. I'm entering a comment here. I believe I've fixed the images now. I've verified it in an incognito window. Please let me know, below this comment, if you are still having issues.

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  18. I'm using chrome and all the photos are fine. No, more than fine... they're great! I absolutely love the hats and the earrings. And there are several of those patterns that are calling me out to play. But as much as I like that shirt I might boycott it if they persist in calling it a button down! (only a little kidding)

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    1. Yay! And, yes, this release was unusually good!

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  19. I can see all the pics in Firefox AND THEY ARE GREAT!! Now I MUST visit the ACC show in Baltimore in February to buy my own Acme hat. Thanks for the great blog entry.

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    1. Yay! Paula, each ACC show has different artists. I'm not sure if Lauri Chambers will travel to Baltimore, but you can contact her when her website is back up.

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  20. I can see all the pics in Safari! Remember whatever you did this time, as I'll be picking your brain for my first post-Picasa post!!! Those ACC pictures are fabulous...it looks like such fun. Maybe I'll go next year...

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    1. Margy, I hope you DO come! And the process for posting pics is pretty bad, so steel yourself! I will, of course, walk you through it!

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  21. I can see all the photos on this post but none on day 2 of NY. Safari on Mac. Love those hats. how wonderful. Looks like you had a fun time there.

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    1. Ok, I lied. If I scroll down I can see some photos. I tried Chrome and it is the same.

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    2. You caught me, Vicki! I've gone back and fixed a few of the NY Part 2 pics. I have a LOT more to do, though, and it takes so much time!

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  22. All photos look great on my Mac laptop. Many thanks!

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  23. No problem with pix on Safari with a Mac. Your craft show post was great! I loved all the hats, including the one that you bought! Your mustard hat & poncho photo reminded me how wonderful that poncho is! Oh, and you certainly can wear hats well!

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    1. Thanks, Cherie! I do love wearing hats but I don't have that many of them. Storage is a bit of a challenge!

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  24. Those pics were worth waiting for. Makes me giggle!

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  25. Fortunately, your blog posts and photos open up perfectly for me. Having just completed a 3 year course in millinery, I really loved and appreciated your photos of the fabulous felt hats. They are all amazing and lots of fun.You really chose well. Also, thank-you so much for the further details you gave me in your reply to the High Line area where you stayed in NYC. Much appreciated.

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    1. All is well now, Marjorie! I believe I've fixed everything and can make it work (though it's a rather pesky process) going forward. I hope you'll have a great time in NYC!

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  26. Wow! on the patterns. They are starting to look like RTW with all the seaming details. I rarely wear dresses but 6388 (top) started speaking fabric to me.

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    1. I know, Kathy! It really was a superior release! I usually don't pay much attention to Butterick, other than Katherine Tilton.

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  27. Hi Shams- I too had a chance to get to the show. It was wonderful. The felt hats look fantastic on you, they are so much fun!! I saw a lot of new things at the show this year and enjoyed some of the "make and take" projects and demonstrations. The NEW home décor exhibition “Make Room: Modern Design Meets Craft.” was great. Designers and architects created room vignettes inspired by fine craft that demonstrated the essence of style in the North, South, East, or West. All in all it was another great event. Sorry I missed seeing you there. Can't wait to see you in your hat -in person. :)

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    1. Hey, Jonelle! Your mom told me that you were going yesterday, though she had to miss. I was only able to stay for a couple of hours, but it sounds like you took full advantage of the show! And thanks!

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  28. Thank you for all of your efforts to document your trips with beautiful photos. I so enjoy your writing style and personal perspective in this blog. Smiling all the while I am reading. Thank you again.

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  29. Can't see the ACC pictures...the ones I really wanted to see! I'm using a tablet running with Kit Kat or Lollipop, can't remember which.

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    1. Ugh, corkpop! You are the first one who says you can't read them since I fixed them last night. I'm not sure what to do, but thanks for that info.

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    2. Took four times but all the pictures finally showed up! Yay!

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  30. thank you, thank you, thank you for your time; i see the posting time for the blog was about 6:30am, this morn .... you are amazing ... i hated when they *closed down* picasa ... i produced and hosted a lot of webpages a very long time ago and loved picasa; they made it so easy to insert images ... oh, well, and alas ...

    you + the acme hat = adorable and cutie ... thank you for your awesome blog; when i see an email from *communing with fabric,* i put all else aside and immerse myself in your life, sewing and san francisco {i was born and raised in the city - attended lowell high school, the old lowell on masonic and, seriously, even did the *hippy thing* on the haight and golden gate park!!} you give me a glimpse back at the past, however the city has changed so much that i'm sure i would never recognize my old haunts now ...

    thanks again for your extended time and major trouble to post your awesome blog ... i, for one, really appreciate your work; i've been there, done that ... if this is sacrilege i'm sorry, have you thought about word press? have a wonderful san francisco day .....

    darlene -- ps, do you actually live in the city and commute to goggle or does google have a *branch* in the city?

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    1. i got so carried away with you getting the pics to post that i neglected to tell you how much i do love your blog ... i read your techniques for the different elements in your sewing and have learned from them ... i'm not as avant-garde as you, well, not at all, spokane, wa could not take it ... LOL ... but the styles are always translatable into wearable garments no matter where you live ... don't stop blogging; we need your perspective and vision ... i commented a bit more a while ago, but know we are here and loving your work ... darlene

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    2. Thanks so much, Darlene in Spokane, for your comments! When I work in Mountain View, I ride a corporate bus. When I work in our SF office (yes, we have presence in 4 buildings in the Embarcadero), I take the Muni Metro, which is an underground subway. The city is much different than when you lived here, but it's still a great city. I truly appreciate your feedback!

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    3. Yeah, what Darlene said! Lol! Seriously, yours is one of about three blogs I really look forward to....and I follow about fifty.

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  31. Thank you so much for the effort you made to fix the picture problem. Yours was one of the first sewing blogs I found. It still brightens my day when I see your name on my feed

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  32. Love all the pictures - you certainly are having some fun! Love the Acme hats, especially the one you bought - great. I wish I could have got over there, rats, maybe next year. Thanks for the reviews of some the new Butterick patterns. I breezed thru them when they came out, of course, gotta get Katherines, but I missed that first tunic dress - and that's totally soemthing I'd wear to death. Thanks!

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    1. Thanks, Kathleen! It took me several years of hearing about the ACC show before I got over there, and now I'm addicted. Yes, that tunic dress is amazing! I eagerly await a BMV sale! :)

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  33. Shams, per usual, thanks so much for your informative, attentively composed posts. I learn from your construction explanations and am always inspired by your design aesthetic. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for the time you take to share.

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    1. Thanks, Cordell! I definitely recognize your name!

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  34. You are truly communing with fabric! In all the best ways. Love the new Fall patterns you featured. xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Thanks, Patti! I hope to sew some of those up soon!

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  35. Best hats evah! And you look great in all of them. Now when are you going to start sewing your own.

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    1. Thanks, Pao! These hats are felted, not sewn. I have played with felting in the past, but I do NOT need any more hobbies! :)

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  36. Oooh I think I want nearly all those patterns! But being in the UK will be forced to wait.

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    1. Have you checked to see how much shipping is from the BMV site? I ordered a whole pile of patterns from them and shipping to California was $12. My total for 8 patterns plus shipping, was $41. The sale is now over, but next time they have a sale, maybe create an order to see how much shipping would cost to the U.K., and then decide. (Get on their mailing list so you know when the sales are, but they run them pretty often.)

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  37. Those hats are amazing and I love the one you chose. How fun!

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  38. Sometimes my own ignorance is a blessing. I did not know about the Picasa change but it will probably not affect my meager blog output in any meaningful way....but sorry it has been annoying for you. I adore the ACC shows and this past winter found two wonderful artisans who reset jewelry into beautiful new rings for me. I promise to blog on them in the future...and maybe get a manicure first. And yes, several of those Butterick patterns caught my eye but I am trying to down-size my pattern collection so will have to let them percolate in my mind first.

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    1. Jane, if you use their upload feature, it won't be a problem for you. I don't use it that way. Good for you to show some restraint! I've already made 2 of the new Butterick patterns, though. :)

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