Black and White Color Blocked Easy Coordinates with Simplicity S9690

When you are short on fabric, try color blocking.  It is a great way to use fabric remnants.  I was able to make a coordinating top for two pair of pull-on pants that I made using Simplicity S9690.

 

Pattern Description:  Cold shoulder top A has scoop neckline with long sleeves.  Top B is short sleeved.  Both pants C and D have knit contrast on waistband.  Jogger pants D has ankle cuffs and pin tucks.  I made views top A and pants C with a few modifications.

Pattern Sizing:  size groups (8 - 16) (18-26).  I used size 16.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Pretty much.  I did color block the top and I made little pleats in front of the pants.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  The instructions were super easy, and there was nothing in them that was confusing.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked that the pattern was easy to sew.  In the early part of summer, I was sewing really basic patterns and garments trying to jump start my sewing mojo.

Fabric Used:  These are two more fabrics that I purchased at Hobby Lobby.  They really have some deals on basic fabrics.  Great place for beginners to shop.  The fabric is a knit crepe.  I pre-washed and dried it before starting my project.  It came from the dryer softer and bouncy.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I made some changes.  Most of them were due to fabric shortage. Lol.

• Top A - I decided to color block the top using the remnants from the two pairs of pants that I made.  
• For the sleeves I added separate pieces to make the sleeves long enough.  I also added some topstitching to make the add on look intentional.  
• Instead of using binding to finish the neckline, I used the fashion fabric to finish it.

Surprisingly, I didn't make my usual fit adjustments.  I thought the style ease in the top would be enough for the "fit adjustments" that I normally make.

 

• Pants C - I added little pleats to the front of the pants.  I did not want all the gathers across the front caused by the elasticized waistband.  Also, I reduced the length of the waistband.
• Lengthen the pants a few inches so that they would be long enough.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  Yes and yes.  This is an easy, quick pattern to sew.  Great for beginners.

Conclusion: Sometimes you need a few super easy projects to jump start your sewing mojo.  This one is great for that.  It is also a great beginner pattern that offers some creative designs.

Happy Sewing!

C

Color Blocked Jacket With Ooh La La Leggings - Vogue V8795 and PaperCut Leggings

 

I decided months ago to make another pair of OohLaLa leggings.  Actually, I planned to make two pairs out of the designer rayon double knits that I purchased from Gorgeous Fabrics last fall.  After completing them I had about 3/4 yard leftover of each color.  It was too much to through away and two little to make another garment.  I was determined not to start another bin of scraps as I already have several in my sewing studio and in the garage.   So, I had to figure out some way to use them up immediately after making my leggings.  

This is why I came up with the idea to make a color blocked jacket.  It took some thought and a whole lot of playing Tetris with the pattern pieces.  The best design solution was to make each side a different color.  It was still a challenge with making the sleeves long enough.  So, I did something that my grandmother taught me many, many years ago.  She called the process "piece mill".  The sleeves are actually two pieces sewn together to get the desired sleeve length of the jacket.   I guess it could be considered a design element.  

Once I got all the pieces cut out, I began to happily put together my jacket.  This is not the first time that I used this pattern.  I first made the jacket way, way back in January 2013. It is Vogue V8795.  The complete review on that project is here.

The first time I made the leggings was in 2015.   I loved them and can't say why it took my so long to make them again.  The Papercut Ooh LaLa Leggings are reviewed here.   

There is nothing to add to the review of the leggings.  They were super easy to make and my likes remain the same.  As for the jacket, the major difference is color blocking it.  My design changes are centered around using a limited amount of two different fabrics to get one complete jacket.   The sleeves are two pieces: a upper and a lower piece.  The back of the jacket is also two pieces with a center back seam. This jacket is about 1" shorter than the first one due to fabric limitations.

I love how the jacket came together.  The whole process was fun.  All of the fabric was used. And I have a little jacket that I can wear with either pair of leggings. 

The fabric is a Designer Rayon Double Knit from Gorgeous Fabrics.  Here is where you can find the Deep Purple on Ann's site.   There are several  other colors to choose from.  This knit is wonderful.  It does not pill and has great recovery.    

I'm pleased with this project.  It was the last outfit that I made for myself in 2020.  I think it was a good final project.  The leggings are great and super easy.  Although the jacket took a little time to make, I am very pleased with the results and glad I was able to use the scraps.  Both patterns are a good sew, and I recommend them.

Happy Sewing!

C

Vogue 8805 - Color Blocked

Vogue  8805 has been around for a couple years.  Several bloggers and members of Patternreview.com have made it   When it was first published, I thought it was a nice easy pattern to try.    Back then I read a few reviews and saw that some ladies had no problems with it.  It didn't really find reviews that included changes that I may need to make to get a perfect fit.

The pattern includes cup sizes A, B, C, D, but that does not always work for ladies who need to make a FBA.  And believe it or not, most times when a pattern says "very easy" that means fewer pattern pieces or easy to sew together.  Keep in mind that does not always translate into very easy fitting.

So last weekend I decided to give V8805 a try.  Really this was my "wearable muslin" test.  My hopes was to make it work.  This pattern can be used to make a top and a long coat.  I got the long coat idea from one of my pins on Pinterest.com.

Here is my review of Vogue 8805:

Pattern Description: MISSES' DRESS: Pullover dress (semi-fitted through bust) has back neck slit, hook/eye closing and narrow hem. Purchased bias tape finishes neckline. A, B, C, D CUP SIZES.  This pattern can be worn by all body shapes as indicated on the pattern.

Pattern Sizing: It comes in sizes 8 - 24;  I used 14/16 with the middle section D cup.  Just testing the usability of the pattern options.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Pretty much.  The dress worn by the models seem to have a little more shaping about the waist area.  It appears to have less style ease than the illustrations on the envelope.  I wish Vogue included the photographs on the envelope.  That would reduce the number of times I have to go back to the website to look the shape and fit of the garment.  That probably cost more money.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Very easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The shape of the dress and the color blocking options.

Fabric Used:  Ponte knit from JoAnn's.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I was hoping that I could get away with minimum alterations.  Occasionally, I have a momentary brain freeze and forgot that I will always need certain types of fit alterations 99.5 percent of the time. This was no exception.

Construction Changes --

• Only topstitched where the middle and the lower part of the dress is joined.
• Made the hems wider than indicated in the guide sheet.
• Added two inches to the lower section.
• I prefer to finish the neckline with bias band cut from the fashion fabric.  It looks nicer.

Fit Changes --

• Tapered the sides of the middle and lower section starting below the bust area.
• Added vertical darts to the back of the dress.  But I forgot to do the swayback adjustment.  
• Added a centered back seam.

With  the fitting changes I still see a drag marks start from the side in the bust area that travel to the back of the dress.  So I think I really do need to make the sway back adjustment and I think it would be better to alter the mid-section A/B cup size to get a better fit all together.  

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  Yes, I plan to.  I want to at least try it again in a top and/or possibly making the jacket/cardigan similar to my pin.

Conclusion:  This is a easy pattern to sew.  But don't skip making your usual fit adjustments.  You may need to do a little reshaping of the dress.  This pattern can be used for a jacket or top.   I do recommend it to others.  But read some of the reviews before you start.  You may find a few helpful tips.

Happy Sewing!
Cennetta