Mixed Materials - Burda Style 7303

Today, is the first time in a long time I was able to get some blogging done. I've missed going to my favorite places for inspiration and motivation. So I am grateful to have a few hours to post about a few projects that were finished in January.

This first one, I contemplated throwing in the trash. I had a few fitting issues and construction woes. Then on Monday, I decided to remove the hem of the jacket, for the third time, hoping to get it to lie flat. It's better, but still not 100 percent. I think part of the problem may be due to the loose weave of the fabric and how I attached the lining to the armhole of the sleeve. That's my best guess.

So on Wednesday, I decided to wear my trendy, mix media outfit to work. Here's how I wore it.

Burda Style 7303 - complete review:

Pattern Description: Collarless princess seam jacket with pocket welts and sleeve variation. An almost A-line skirt with center seam option.

Pattern Sizing: This pattern comes in sizes 10 to 20. I used a size 14 with modifications.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? It does look like the photo minus the trimming.

Were the instructions easy to follow? There is nothing confusing in them. I don't like attaching the interfacing to the lining. I skipped that. It didn't really need it; the skirt is faux leather. I did, however, add seam binding to the waist of the skirt for stability.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the classic style of the suit, and I thought it would be a good pattern to try my first mix materials garment. No serious dislikes.

Fabric Used: remnant boucle from Vogue, faux leather from Hancock's, red polyester lining from my stash, and black polyester charmeuse from Rainbow Fabrics.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

Of course I made my usual adjustments: FBA, prominent shoulder blades, and lengthened the skirt a few inches. I also took most of the ease out of the sleeve cap, but later realized I should have left it in. The faux leather does not have much give and is snug around the upper part of my arm.

My design changes include:
- faux leather sleeves and pocket welts for the jacket.
- exposed zipper on the skirt.
- I like the front center open with the front facing folder down. It's the opposite of how the model is wearing the jacket.

Mishap #1 - While trying to get that final press before wearing the outfit, I touched to faux leather welt with the iron. So it lost some of the shine and "plastic" too. lol

Mishap #2 - I used a pressing clothe, but there are some areas of the faux leather that lost it's shaping and some luster. I probably had the iron too hot. So this is a point that you should consider if you plan to make a faux leather garment.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Not sure. I have many patterns to try. But I do recommend it.

Conclusion: Although I had a few mishaps with this sewing project, I received a lot of compliments. It's not hard to sew. And I think the jacket is good for making a Chanel style jacket.

All photos can be found here.

Faux Suede, Faux Leather - New Look 6067

Saturday evening I finished New Look 6067, View D with belt. I made a few trips to the store in search of a fabric to make this dress. But after not finding that "perfect fabric", I turned to my forever growing collection of fabric. I decided on a faux suede. It's been in the collection for several years and no better time like the present to reduce the stash. It's sort of a taupe, camel-ish in color. The faux leather is leftover from a previous project.



This dress is described as: Misses' pleated dress in two lengths with sleeve and belt variations.  It comes in sizes 6 to 16.

My dress looks much like the drawing on the envelope. My belt does not exactly meet in the front like the drawing, but the model's does either. If I make the belt again, I'll lengthen it so it does meet. View C appear to have a slim keyhole at the neckline. I wanted that same design element. So I modified my dress to include it. There were no instructions for that neckline variation. It's easy to do. Just sew from the top down about 1 1/2 inches stop, then start sewing again at the notch to the end of the CF. Finish the front facing the same way. After attaching the facing to the neck, sew the edges of the opening to the facing on either side make finish the keyhole.



The instructions were typical. Nothing difficult or confusing. However, I didn't like how the zipper is finished (#15). By the way, it calls for an invisible zipper, I used a standard one. I am so trying to reduce the collection, notion included. So I used what I had on hand.

The pleating on the bodice is what attracted me to this pattern. I made a few changes, some I've already mentioned. Others changes: lengthen skirt about three inches, omitted the lining, FBA, sway back, prominent shoulder blades.

The piping for the belt is made from the same fabric used for the dress. It's not difficult to make. It just takes a little time. I want to test using the Simplicity Bias and Piping machine, but I didn't have the fusible tape.  So I had to make it the traditional way.  Later expect a review on the machine.  It's sure to speed up the time it takes to make custom piping.

This is a nice dress to have in your wardrobe. It sews up quickly and has some nice design elements. I probably won't sew it again for myself. I have about 500 dress patterns to try. Seriously, 500. But if you like this style, I do recommend that you try it.

Happy Sewing!
C