Simplicity S8982 - The Great Wardrobe Builder

This Simplicity pattern can be used to build a little mini wardrobe.  For the SewYourView November Challenge, I came away with four new pieces:  three tops and one skirt.  They can be mixed and matched with other pieces I already have.

For now, this raps up my posts on S8982.  It's an easy pattern that you can get a lot of mileage out of.  Out of the four pieces that I made, my favorite is the hacked key hole top made of ITY polyester/lycra jersey.  You'll see this one again.

Anyway, this is more of a pictorial posts.  All of the pattern review notes are in the two previous posts.  Enjoy! More to come later.

Happy Sewing!
C


 

Little Black Dress in Rag & Bone Black Polyester Crepe - Vogue 9239 View F

OMG!  It's been such a long time since I last blogged.  I've been struggling with projects and time to write it all down to share it with you.  Finally, today I was able to get a few pictures, some not the best quality, but good enough to show you my latest dress.

Months ago, I came up with the notion of making some solid color dresses.  As I look through my wardrobe, I decided that I didn't have any "new" solid black dresses.  So I search the Mood online fabric store and found this beautiful Rag and Bone black polyester blended crepe.  The crepey texture has a dry hand, but not overly crepe like some you found in local stores.  This one is smoother, drapes beautifully, and sews like a dream.   It's a perfect fabrication for flounces, full skirts and floaty palazzo pants.

The contrasting fabric came from a local store.  I didn't have enough to make the flounce.  So I thought it would be great to use a contrasting fabric and add a few accent about the neckline and waistline.  I think it worked out just fine.

I paired it with Vogue 9239, View F.  This is the second time I've used this pattern.  My first review is here.  For this dress, I made a few more tweaks to make the neckline smaller (I could have bought it in a little more, though.  I lengthen the sleeve by 1 inch and the skirt by 2 inches. The pattern only suggests that the bodice is to be lined.  I lined the entire dress.  

I like the fullness of the skirt and the way it moves as I walk.  The fabric feels great against my body.  There are a few areas that I noticed were as "close" to perfect as I would like.  But overall, it turned out pretty good.

If you planning to wear something black and floaty during the holiday season, this is a great fabric to make it with.  I thinking of getting another yardage to make a nice pair of palazzo pants.

Stay tune, more projects to come!  (I have some catching up to do. ;-) )


Parting Shot:  I always take one or two silly pictures just for fun.  Here I pretending to push the tanker.  ;-)

Happy Sewing!

Cennetta

Shirred Wrist Sleeve and McCall 6964

This is the second sleeve drafting project that I've done using one of Rhonda's "free sleeve Saturday" patterns.

What I like about this one is that it draws attention to your forearm without a lot of fabric.  That is, not to say that I don't like flounces.  It's just a different type of attention-getter.  I decided to take the shirring higher up my arm. You can see that in the pattern below.

This sleeve was just as easy to draft as the "Draped Cowl Sleeve" but it requires more time to slash and spread the small sections.

Black tops are scarce in my wardrobe.  This new one will be great to wear with jeans, slacks, and skirts.  For cooler days a nice 3/4 sleeve kimono jacket is the perfect topper to add warmth and still show off the cute sleeves.

Again, I won't repeat the tutorial for this sleeve.  Get the instructions from Rhonda's blog here.

Thanks and Happy Sewing!
C

Draped Cowl Sleeve - Rhonda Buss Sleeve

Top made by Rhonda Buss

Early summer I posted a blog on four sleeves designed by Rhonda Buss that I want to try.  This week I started with drafting the draped cowl sleeve.  I want to make a dress and top with this sleeve.  Rhonda makes it so easy to do.  I was able to complete my first attempt in less than an hour from coping a basic sleeve using McCall 6963.  I'll use the draped front to following the design of Rhonda's top.

I'm not going to trouble you with repeating the steps that Rhonda shared in her tutorial.  So here is the link to it.  

In pictures, here is how I did it.

I posted my test on Instagram and Rhonda gave me a helpful tip on enhancing the drape by spreading the cap of the sleeve.  I will to do that.  But for now, this is my first attempt.

Happy Sleeve Drafting!
C

More "Notes on a Pattern" - McCall 7542

Last week I was able to finish my first top using M7542.  I bought the pattern for the sleeves to mix and match with other top and dresses.

I wasn't crazy about the bodice because of the high neckline and the boxy silhouette.   But after making this view, I think the style looks okay on me.  This one is for my sister.  She'll model it and a pair of Ginger Jeans I made for one of our club challenges.  I couldn't help trying it on just to see if it looked okay on me.  Well.., it not bad at all with the exception of  the "too tight" across the bust area. 

M7542 - The dart is undetectable with this fabric.

This project provided an opportunity to see how well the top fits me.

Observations -

•  The center back is slightly curved.  It is concaved in the lower back.
• The small shoulder darts do not really add much room across the back.  I did notice that the length of the should seam is sport on, though.
• Using C cup.  It fits like a glove.  No ease at all.  So the D cup will probably solve the problem.
• Length is a little short, which is how it comes across on the envelope.
• Neckline fit beautifully.
• Sewing.  It comes together with no problems.  Nothing difficult or confusing in the instruction.

Likes -

Simply the sleeves.  Still planning to make every view.  More photos coming with me wearing a finished top.

Fabric -

This mesh fabric is from JoAnn's, Nicole Miller.  Cute..,

That's all for now. 

Thanks!
C

 

Notes on A Pattern - Vogue 1314 and McCall 7542 Getting the Most Out of Your Patterns

Happy Friday everyone!

Are you getting the most out of your patterns?  Do you only use a pattern once, then discard it? Do you buy multiple copies of the same one?  How big is your pattern collection?

I've been collecting patterns for over three decades.  In the early years, I only bought them when I was planning to make something and was always happy to take advantage of an occasional sale.  As my skills improved and sales came more frequently, the collection started growing exponentially.  Now, I have amassed over 600 patterns including three years of Burda World of Style Magazines.  Sometimes, I buy multiple copies for client/student use or just because.  The only patterns I've ever discarded were in a give-away event or I tossed them because they were poorly drafted.  During my long practice of learning to become a good sewist, I learned to mix and match pattern pieces.  This was out of necessity and lack of drafting skills.  These days I'm becoming very selective in what I buy to help slow down the growth my collection.

More and more I'm returning to my old practice of mixing and matching pattern pieces.  It is cost effective and it saves time.   I've used Vogue 1314 several times and consider it a TNT.  It is simple.  I use the front lining, back lining, neckband, and sleeve.  It's a t-shirt dress!

Sleeves are a really big thing these days, and so pattern companies are following the trend as well.  McCall 7542 is showing up all across social media.  At first sight, I knew I would buy a copy.

It's available in sizes 6 to 22 with cup size A/B, C, and D.  The base of the top is simple with four different sleeves: tulip, trumpet, pleated, and bubble.  Great potential to make multiple tops and dresses.

So my first use of M7542 was with V1314 to create a tulip sleeve knit dress shown above. The sleeve was a perfect fit.  I'm planning to try all of the sleeves, either in a dress or top.

Consider mixing and matching patterns to create your own unique style.

Happy Sewing!

Cennetta