A Mid-summer Collection: Sketches to Sample Sheet

Sunday, September 23, 2012


I thought it's be cool to show you the process I go through when putting together these mini collections. Obviously, some dresses get cut from the final sample sheets because the silhouettes aren't cohesive or the colors don't jive when you see the final product in a line-up. Neither the Port Huron or the Mackinac made it to the final sample sheet (not that I didn't think they were pretty dresses). So while I always aim to have seven finished products, I only ended up with six for the mid-summer collection. That's just how it goes. 
  

With my line sheet and sample sheet I can quickly see just how cohesive all the pieces are and obviously, with a larger collection I would have combined these six fabrics into multiple pieces.
So, that's it...on to the Autumn/Winter 2012 Collection. A girl's always gotta move on to the next new thing, no?

What kind of dresses do you most look for when shopping for your wardrobe?
Which of these six dresses would you be most likely to buy if you could only buy one?
here are some cute sewing projects and free patterns

31 comments:

  1. I'd definitely buy The Soo (although I also love The St. Ignace Dress)!

    Do you already have specific fabric in hand when you are planning?

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  2. I love polka dots, so I LOVE the polka dot one but....the maxi dress looks REALLY comfortable! Can't decide. :) They're all great dresses! Happy Fall!
    http://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com/

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  3. What a fun behind the scenes peek. :) I love them all but need a dress like The Soo, since I don't have anything like it and it might be better for learning to play the organ at church. I would probably buy the St. Ignace though b/c polka dots and a crisp collared button up are my weakness. Can't wait to see the fall/winter collection and maybe a kids' collection. ;)

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  4. Well.....if I had your cute shape and worked in an office I would definitely buy the Soo. But for knocking around I would love the Traverse City. I have been lurking on your site for some time and am absolutely amazed at your talent, not just for sewing but for pulling things together and color combinations. I use your site to show my daughter how classy and beautiful a gal can look while still being modest. So important in my book. Thank you.

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  5. OOO I really liked the Soo throughout the whole process. My fave.
    kendrrat
    kendrrat.blogspot.com

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  6. Traverse City and St. Ignace are totally foxy!

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  7. Soo for me too - the neckline and piping are awesome! You are so talented!!!

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  8. I love the Soo and St Ignace. I would love to have both dresses in my wardrobe. You are a very talented designer!

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  9. It's so hard to choose! But I think I would have to go with the Ludington.
    It was great to meet you at the conference this weekend. My friend said, "If I had known I was going to see Kristina J, I would have worn something cuter!" Bahahaha!

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  10. This has been so fun seeing all of these creations! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Ludington or Traverse City for me! It's so hard to decide - they're all great!

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  12. Love, love the Ann Arbor and the Marquette. However, since I am a shorty, I have to be pretty careful what "long" dresses I wear as they can make a short, curvy person like me look a little ... frumpy.

    That being said, the answer to your question about what I look for in a dress...it is ALL about fit. Length, top/bottom, etc. When I find a well-fitting maxi-dress, I jump on it. :)

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  13. Hi Kristina, I absolutely adore The Soo! It's exactly what I look for in a dress. It's modest, classy, and feminine!

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  14. I love the St. Ignace, especially the design (I would love it in lots of different fabrics!)

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  15. You are so talented. My favorite is the Soo...tho you wouldn't have to twist my arm to wear the others (especially the maxi and polka dots). Very cute!

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  16. Traverse city!!!!! Then St. Ignass then The Soo...

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  17. I pick the St. Ignace ~ it has all the BEST details, a certain tailored femininity plus polka dots...what's not to love?! Great collection. The Soo is my second favorite. Love your talent, girlie!! Keep up the great work! Looking forward to your picks for Fall/Winter!

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  18. Well, my knee-jerk response is that I would buy the Traverse City dress, but...it's easy to find casual wear and much more difficult to find that perfectly perfect dress. So, the Marqeutte is my favorite! Bonus--it can be worn as separates! But, until that perfectly perfect dress comes along you will see me sporting yet another pencil skirt to Sunday morning worship. :)
    ps I love AshB's comment! Maybe I shoulda went with my friends to the conference---to see what Kristina J was wearing!

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  19. I would buy the St. Ignace in a heartbeat! I am in love with the polka dots and the fact that it is two pieces!

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  20. To be honest, if I had your figure I would go for all of them. I see that the Soo got a lot of votes I like this alot but to fit my bottom the top would be too big. Therefore, I would pick the Marquette because the only place I go to dress up would be church. This dress is modest and not too flashly. My second choice would be St. Ignace! Now, that dress says "date night!" love the flow. It could be fun and flirty or you could wear it formal with flare. So, I choose these because of my body type.... but if I were thinner I would go for all of them. The Ignace would be my first choice but if I can only buy one - the Marquette is something I could wear to anything and everything!

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  21. The St. Ignace one! LOVE IT!!!

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  22. While they are all beautiful, I think the Ann Arbor is my absolute favorite! I would buy it in a heart beat! :) Will these dresses be put into production?

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  23. You are wonderful!!!
    +Victoria+

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  24. I would buy St. Ignace for sure! I love polka dots and shirt-dress styles. I would buy all the colors you sewed of this.

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  25. These are ALL fabulous!
    But I think my favourite would be the polka dot St.Ignace one.

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  26. I love "The Soo" dress! I would buy it in a heartbeat!

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  27. #2 and #6 are so adorable (the other ones are cute, too, of course), their style is so classic! I probably wouldn't want to buy them in white, though, because you need to sport a good tan in order to make it look good, which I never seem to have ;-)

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  28. Hi Kristina- your blog is darling. I came across it on Pinterest and was delighted to see that your mid-summer collection is named after wonderful Michigan towns. I am from Traverse City- the dress is a great reflection of my town :)

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  29. You are so gifted! I would pay big money to get my hands on your dresses. I can't believe your brain can conceptualize and create these amazing pieces. You go girl!

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