January 2022 - End of the Month Sewing Review

I owe this new approach to reviewing my sewing activities to my friend, Carolyn, over at "Diary of a Sewing Fanatic."  Carolyn has been doing this for quite some time now.  I really like the idea of posting mini recaps of my sewing journey.   This may be better for me than waiting until the end of the year for a grand post about all my makes of the year.  Following this practice will give me 12 mini recaps that I can draw from at the end of the year.  Then hopefully, I will find it easier to post an end of the year review.

After the holidays, I'm happy to stay at home and sew.  I'm encouraged and excited at the close of the year to start making new goals, new plans for a rewarding year of accomplishments.  This attitude is no different for things I want to make.  Usually, I decide what I'd like to make in December for January.  By the first of the year, I cut out a few garments to start.  Something easy.  

This helps get the mojo going after all the holiday season cooking, cleaning, and decorating.  So, this year I started with three knit tops.  I cut them all out on the same day.  I made the black velvet top first, as I thought it would be the prettiest of the three.  Then, I moved on to sew up the second and third tops.

Black Velvet Top - M7836 - View C 

This is actually my favorite, and it is a good compliment to the black leggings that I made last year.  So, I was off to a great start with a pretty top and something new to wear with the black leggings.  My fabric came from JoAnn's.

Ribbed Knit BS6990 - View D and M8238 - View B

The next two tops, I've made a few times before.  Especially, the Burda Style turtleneck BS6990.  It is a TNT.  This is the fourth time I've made it.  And McCall's M8238 - View B.  I just had to try it again.  From bodice to pullover knit top.  Both are great staples, and I will get a lot of wear out of them.  Fabric from FabricMart Fabrics.

Beige Polyester Suiting - V1294 - View B

Black and Ivory Floral Blouse - NL6560 - View D

My next two projects were not the quick and easy two-hour projects.  I wanted to add some details to a plain pair of pants.  I selected V1294.  These pants are well drafted and good for a sloper/TNT pant.  Welt pockets are still a challenge for me.  I don't know why as I've made them several times.  For these pants, I added them to the back.  They turned out perfect.  Happiness.  So, this was my challenge project for the month.  It was also a Minerva Fabric sponsored project.

My Coordinate of choice is also a Minerva sponsored project.  I've wanted to make this blouse for a while.  I like it paired with the subtle pinstriped beige pants.  Both the bold and the subtle show up in this outfit.  My new blouse is floating and feminine; it can be worn with a few other garments in my wardrobe.  That's another sub-goal of mine.  Is to create more mixing and matching instances in my wardrobe.

Black Faux Suede with Fleece Backing V1515 - View A

My final garment made for the month of January is a pullover vest made of faux suede from JoAnn's.  Unfortunately, this is my least favorite make of the month.  Nothing to do with the construction, but the style on me is not that great.  So, this one I will gift to someone.  

This sums up my sewing projects for the month of January 2022.  In total I completed six garments.  The majority are knit tops: fancy and staples.  Love my new neutral feminine blouse and pants.  There is only one not in love with project.  Pretty good for the first month of the year.

Til next time!  Enjoy!

Cennetta

January 2022 - The Month of Knit Top M8238 Burda Style 6990 M7836

My last post was a pattern review on McCall M7836, View C.  I didn't have any photos of me wearing the top at the time of the view.  Since then, I had an opportunity to take a few photos along with photos of two other knit tops that I made the same week.

Before I talk about the other knit tops I made, here are a few pictures of me wearing M7836, View C.

I'm wearing a pair of McCall 8244 leggings that I made sometime in October, I think.  I didn't bother to review them.  They were super easy. I was just waiting to show them with a new top or tunic.

You know I really try to maximize my use of patterns that I like.  So, my little collection of TNT patterns is growing.  Lol. I made another version of M8238-B and another of Burda Style 6990-D.

M8238-B

I just made a little minor change of making it a little smaller for a closer fit.

Burda Style 6990-D

Minor change to this one too.  I didn't have enough yardage to make the sleeve one piece.  So, I added a cuff like to make my desired length. 

Happy Sewing!

C

Brocade Holiday Skirt - Vogue V1725

I started this project with the idea of making the dress, Vogue 1725, View B.  After struggling with trying to make a FBA, I decided to make a skirt to wear with a top of a different fabric.  See previous post. The bodice of the dress after the adjustment, just wasn't flattering.  

 

The skirt of the dress did not call for a lining.  I added one because the brocade is not completely opaque.  The lining was cut about 2.5" shorter than the skirt even along the curved high section.  I didn't want it to show.  The skinny waistband is about 2.5" wide and completely interfaced.  And I omitted the pockets.

What I liked about the skirt is the fullness of it and the high/low style.  That's actually why I purchased the pattern.  For this version, the brocade makes it extra special and perfect for a holiday or special event outfit.

My fabric is from Minerva Fabrics UK.  It is a lovely brocade that either side of the fabric can be used.   It all depends on whether you want more gold or more black in your outfit. I chose more black. 

I'm glad I was able to get something out of the pattern despite the unflattering altered bodice.  In hindsight, I could have used another bodice already tried and true (TNT).  Anyway, I was able to get a nice  outfit.

So, what are you planning to make for the holiday season?

Happy Sewing!
C

P.S.

Sorry the pictures are a little grainy and dark.  

McCall M8238 Converted Into a Pullover Top

I really like to style of the bodice of McCall's M8238.  So I decided to convert it into a pullover top.  The process was so easy.  All I did was use a basic t-shirt front and back pattern combining them with the front and back patterns of M8238.  I didn't even draft new pattern pieces.  I merely pinned both to the fabric and cut.  That's how simple it was. 

I think we all can take advantage of the practice of hacking/splicing pattern designs to come up with our own designs or  designer inspired creations.  It can be as easy as what I described above.  Or something more labor intensive.  I'd probably save a lot of money.  

Anyway, the making of this top was just as easy as constructing the bodice of the McCall's dress. The steps were the same except for longer vertical seams and a hem to finish it off.  To follow some of the basic pattern review protocols, please read the following:

Pattern Description:  Knit keyhole cut-out-fit-and flare dress is a pull-on style with back neck closure, and half, three-quarter and long sleeve options.  My top is most like the bodice of view B with some modifications.

Pattern Sizing:  Groups:  6-14 and 16-24.  I used size 16.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Yes and no.  Only to the waist.  Top instead of a dress was the goal of this project. The style of the bodice is also the style of the top. 

Were the instructions easy to follow?  The instructions were typical and easy to follow.  Although I did not like the closure at the neck. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  

Likes:

• Keyhole
• Cut out upper back and shoulder
• Center front seam; option for color blocking and slimming affect

Dislike:

• Closure - I ended up sewing a small strip of velcro to easily close the strap at the neck.

Fabric Used:  I purchased the black penne at JoAnn's.  Perfect for what I had in mind.  The knit has good stretch and good recovery.  I tossed it in the washer for a quick wash.  Then into the dryer.  No problems.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  

• I changed the closure to velcro
• For the FBA, at the lower front armscye I graded up to size 18.  Also, along the upper front side I graded up to size 18 tapering back to size 16 five inches down.
• Spliced t-shirt with bodice to design a pull-over top.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  Yes and Yes.  I plan to make another top.  I also want to make the dress sometime in the near future.

I enjoyed converting this bodice pattern into a pull-over top.  It will be worn with a newly made audacious skirt (V1725), which I'll review soon.  This is another project from a Big 4 pattern company that isn't quite what the designer had in mind. Lol

I do recommend this pattern to sewists of all levels.  It is a nice change from the basic t-shirt style dresses/tops. 

Stay Tuned for more on the skirt I made using V1725.

C