Simplicity 1651

Finally, I was able to get a few okay pictures of me wearing Simplicity 1651.  Most of the review is posted here:


Pattern Description:  It's described as misses' dress with bodice and skirt variations.  Vague as usual.    This pattern is inspired by project runway.  It has a twisted yoke with peek-a-boo front.  The second bodice options has a "v" neck front bodice. The back bodice also has two variations: option one has waist dart and covers the back completely and the other has a deep "V" that ends about three inches above the waist.  Two horizontal bands make a peek-a-boo affect for the back view.   So you can safely wear a bra with this view. The skirts options  are half circle and slim with a slit on the left side.  There are also three sleeve options:  cap, double cap, and 3/4 length with ruching.  The closures is an invisible zipper on the left side.  The designer can mix and match the sleeves, bodices, and skirt variations to create different looks.

Pattern Sizing: 4 to 20; I used 14 with modifications.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, the green print option at the bottom of the envelope.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Very easy.  Nothing confusing in the instructions or construction of the dress.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The double sleeves, twist bodice and the gathered slim skirt.  No real dislikes.

Fabric Used:  Floral Dana Buckman Taffeta from the Fabric Mart.  Great fabric to sew.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I made a few alterations as noted in my previous post referenced above.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  Yes and yes.  This pattern has good bones.  You can create other style from the pattern.  Plus you can mix and match the bodices, skirts and sleeves with other patterns.  I think experienced beginner can sew this with no problems.  Check the fit first.

Conclusion:  This is a cute little dress that is easy to sew. 

Making it Fit: Simplicity 1651

  

 

I really like the design options of Simplicity 1651.  The peek-a-boo back panels can conceal a bra strap.  The soft gathering at the waist of the slim skirt, double layered sleeves, and the twist yoke bodice sold me on this pattern. 

 My first dress is like the green print dress at the bottom of the pattern envelope.  Early last month, I purchased "too much fabric" from the Fabric Mart.  One of the fabrics was perfect for this dress.  (My daughter absolutely hates this print and wonders why I like it. Tee Hee.) Anyway, this is a Dana Buchman taffeta, 60% rayon and 40% polyester.  It sewed up beautifully. 

Many of the colors can be found of the Pantone color palette for spring and fall 2013.  This fabric looks more like fall the summer.  It's a good transitional garment the can be worn alone or with a jacket on cooler days. 

I had to make a few adjustments.  The full bust adjustment was the first to tackle.  My biggest concern was excessive fabric at the center front bodice.  I wanted to ensure a good profile as well as a good front view of the dress. 

The Full Bust Adjustment probably looks weird, but it works for me.  After making a basic FBA for a princess seam side bodice, I had to reshape the center front edge and the seam line adjacent to it.  Adjusting the bodice center front was easy, I just added the length needed to match the added width of the bodice front.  Additionally, I trimmed about an 1/8" from the upper edge of the curved seam ending a zero at the first notch.  Of course, a picture is worth a thousand words.

The prominent shoulder blade and sway back adjustments were super easy.  Instead of doing my usual PSB adjustment, I decided to follow the Palmer Pletsch method, which is to add width the length of the bodice; then ease or make a shoulder dart.  Finally, the excess below the shoulder blade can be adjusted as I sewed.  This method worked out just fine.

My mistake, though, was I didn't adjust the amount of ease in the sleeve cap.  So I used the excess to my advantage.  I made gathers along the cap.  This further accentuated the double sleeves, which I liked even more.

The dress has one slit on the left side.  I made a slit on both sides and added a few inches to the length of the skirt, not shown today. 

That completes today's installment.  Have a fantastic weekend.

Happy Sewing!
Cennetta

Gorgeous Fabrics - Simplicity 4428-B and Butterick 5566

Good afternoon all,

Today's post is long overdue.  Both garments were made in January. Yeah.., that's how far behind I am with posting garments and reviews.  Last year, Ann Steeves, owner of Gorgeous Fabrics, came to Chicago for the Haute Couture Fashion show.  She bought several yards of "Gorgeous Fabrics" to share.  I was the lucky recipient of the black ponte knit and the red and black taffeta. 

Shortly after the holidays, I sewed a jacket (Simplicity 4428-B OOP) and a skirt (Butterick 5566-D).  Both patterns were used for previously projects.  So I won't give a full review, only some highlights.





  
The jacket sewed up with no problems.  I serged the hems and added length to the lower back for a little more derriere coverage. Didn't make a FBA.  That's it.  Easy sewing project.

 The skirt - I put a little more time into it.  I handpicked the zipper and added ruby seed beads.  I also added black pipping along all of the vertical seams and added lining. 

Both pieces are great wardrobe builders made with "Gorgeous Fabrics". That's all for now.



Happy Sewing!
Cennetta

It's a worthy cause! MBCH Pillowcase Project

About an hour ago I mailed pillowcases to Rhonda Buss.  Lauren and I wanted to contribute to this worthy cause.  I'm happy that my daughter was able to make ten pillowcases of her own (very new to sewing) and graciously cut five for me to sew yesterday.  It took me less than an hour to make five.  If you want to help Rhonda, please go to her blog for instructions.

Lauren found some really fun cotton prints; and when I saw her finished cases, I wanted to keep them.  But no, they are on their way to Rhonda's house.

Below are my favorites:

  

Happy Sewing!
C

Who Doesn't Need More Knit Tops - Butterick 5753

I bet you are surprised I'm posting again. I'm on a mission to get all of my 2013 projects posted. This next one is Butterick 5753. Lately, I've been seeing a lot of tops that resemble Sandra Betzina's bat wing top, Vogue 1291. View A of Butterick 2753 caught my eye. So I decided to give it a try.

Pattern Description:
MISSES'TOP: Loose-fitting, pullover top has front/back extending into sleeve variations and narrow hem. A: contrast front and back. A and B: side pleats. C: front extends into single layer tie ends (wrong side shows).

Pattern Sizing:
XS, S, M and L, XL; I used Medium with modifications.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes it did.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Piece of cake. Super easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Nothing to dislike. Like - the cut of the sleeve opening, the pleating at the waist and the blocking options of view A. I was able to sew it up while listening to MJ's Invincible CD. By the last song, I was at the ironing board pressing the hem.

Fabric used? Two textured white knits from Vogue on Roosevelt, neither had a lot of stretch in them. But worked just fine. I think the version on the model has more stretch than my chosen fabric.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I didn't make any design changes. But I thought the medium would be too small across the bust area. So I graded the pattern up a bit just in case I needed the extra width. Once I had it sewn together, I realized there was too much ease in the waist and hip area. So I decreased width almost the entire amount added from the lower bust through the hips area. The hem still fits loose on the hips. But that's fine.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, and yes. This is a great top for beginners to try. And it has a little more style then your basis summer t-shirt.

Conclusion: I like this little trendy top and plan to make at least one more of view A.

 Happy Sewing! C

Sandra Betzina's Fancy Pants Vogue 1307

Good morning!

Today's review is on Sandra Betzina's fancy pleated pants. I wanted to make these since I attended  her retreat last year. I couldn't imagine making these in a wild print like pictured on the pattern envelope.

This wool gaberdine suiting was the perfect choice for me. The pattern is described as: wide-legged pants (very loose-fitting through hips) have fitted yokes, front pleats, button, self loop and invisible side zipper, And View A: (I made) has side front pockets, lined yokes and front pleated into cuffs with optional topstitching (channel stitching). View B: (which I plan to make) self-line yokes.

This pattern ranges from sizes A to J; I used E.  My only alteration to the pattern was to add four inches to the length.   My pants look like the pants on the envelope.

The instructions were easy to follow. I took extra care with forming the pleats and channel stitching on the cuffs.

The instructions provided guidelines on how to fit the yoke and I followed them. But when I finished the pants, they had more room than I like. Maybe I loss weight during the process. Ha. Ha. Ha. The next pair I make, I will shorten the crotch and better fit the yoke. 

I call these fancy pants because of the pleating, cuff, and optional channeling stitching. These design details are what inspired me to try them. It took me twice the amount of time to make it takes to make my TNT, M5818 pants. It's worth it. Near perfection is needed for these details as they are eye catching and will be noticed right away.

My fabric is a very nice wool gaberdine purchased at Vogue in Evanston. You're probably thinking wool in summer. It's a medium weight fabric that can be worn on cooler summer days and in spring and fall.

I will make view B. If you like this style, try them. The pants aren't difficult to make, but require a little time to make those details perfect. The top I'm wearing is the second one made, Vogue 1282.

Happy Sewing!
C

Hi There!

This morning, I remembered my blogoversary is only three days away.  Then I thought about my lack of activity.   I've been such a slacker!   I've got to get my blogging mojo BACK!  Anyway, I hope to post some reviews soon. 

Happy Sewing!
C