Notes on a Pattern - Vogue V1858

Today I want to talk about Vogue V1858.  This is one of Vogue's latest pattern releases.  It is basically a princess seam dress with a curve "V" neck front yoke and a back yoke.  Nothing really extra special.  But it has a neckline that I haven't seen.  And that is why a decided to purchase the pattern.  

I considered this to be a relatively easy dress to make.  There is no lining, it has princess seams, and it requires moderate stretch knits.  On the envelope, it indicates a sewing rating of average.  That's okay because there is an invisible zipper and the front yoke may present a little bit of a challenge to get it just right.

Vogue describes the pattern as:  Fitted dress has shaped contrast neck bands, side front and side back seams, three-quarter length set-in sleeves, invisible back zipper, hook and eye closure, stitched hems. 

I made some changes: no invisible zipper and I hand-stitched the hems.  Simple changes.  

But first, as always, I need to make sure the pattern fits.  So, immediately I made my typical adjustments.  Only later to discover that they were a bit too much.  I started by cutting size 16.  I could have used size 14.

Below are my original adjustments.  

The FBA was spot on.  But all of the added width was too much.  

The swayback adjustment was good too.  This time I added the amount removed to the hip area instead of at the hem.  Now this area seems to be a better area to add the length back into the garment.  

Using size 16 in the shoulder area was okay.  But at the very top of the shoulder, an inch or so front and back, was too long.  I adjusted it before setting the sleeves.  So, there was no need to add in the shoulder blade area.  

The overall size selection was a little bit off.  This has happened with other princess seam dresses like Simplicity S1314.  I ended up doing a lot of tweaking to get the best fit in other areas of my body, resulting in huge seam allowances of 1" or more. 

Simplicity 1314

What I like:  the front yoke and princess seam.

Other changes that I made in my dress:  I hand-picked the zipper and added beads instead of installing an invisible zipper;  I added several inches to the length. The dress is on the short side; I hand-stitched the hems.

Right now, I can consider my dress finished.  But I was thinking of adding some more to the dress to make it extra special.  I thought of adding petals of silk flowers:  one at the side bottom hem area and another at the left shoulder.  Or a small panel of lace somewhere.  

This making it extra special feature may not materialize.  It something that I was thinking about. 

These are my notes on this pattern.  I really like the neckline and hope to incorporate it into another dress or top.  We will see. Lol.

Anyway, I hope this information was useful to other sewists who have similar fit adjustments as I do.  

Happy Sewing!

C 

First Quarter 2019 - In Review

Late to publication:  I wrote this April 24, 2019.  Posted April 29, 2019  Warning Long Post

We are 24 days into the second quarter of the year.  It's spring and I like many others in the mid-west are relieved that the sun is shining more, the temperatures are warmer, and the days are longer.  All of these signs of spring motivate me to be more productive.  One of the things that I've wanted to start to do is post a quarterly review of my sewing projects.  This is a practice that I used to do when I was working at the university.  It kept me on task with my goals for the year.  It also help me highlight milestones accomplished rather than waiting until the end of the year to review the status of set goals.  In my sewing, this will help me catalog my sewing projects and help me focus on accomplishing more of my annual goals.  So, I'll note garment types, fabric used, and construction techniques practiced in one simple quarterly post.

Sometimes, for whatever reason, some projects never get posted to the blog.  They somehow get lost in the shuffle of my day-to-day routine of thinking about sewing rather than be able to do something sewing related.  So these quarterly posts will if nothing more give mention to ALL makes good, bad, and given away.

So it begins:

January - Wardrobe Building Month:  I wanted to beef up my staples, and I wanted to make comfortable easy to wear knit garments.  My focus was on quick and easy pieces that sewed up really fast, but also had some cute style elements.

• Simplicity 8643 - Pleated Front t-shirt.  It's a great alternative to a basic t-shirt.  Luckily I was able to make it without doing a FBA.  Fabric Marcy Tilton  2 yards

• Christine Jonson Funnel Neck Top Travel Trio 2 - Simple, cute, and easy. Fabricmart Fabrics 1.5 yards

• McCall 7812 Drawstring front top - I wanted a new style.  This pattern fit the bill.  First, I made a "red wearable muslin" that I decided to gift someone.  The second one is perfect. Fabricmart Fabrics 1.5 yards for each.

• Christine Jonson Center Seam Pullon Pants - I love these pants.  I made a black and a chartreuse pair.  Two pair made using a total of 4 yards from Mood Fabrics

     Not Posted -

• McCall 7688 - Drawstring knit dress.  I didn't like it on me.  So I'm gifting it to my sister.  Will post later.  Mood Fabrics, 2 yards
• PaperCut Oh-la-la Leggings.  Sorry, I didn't post these yet.  Later with a new top. Mood Fabrics, 2 yards

February - Another month of easy, quick garments.  I needed some new t-shirt dresses to replace the worn ones.  These dresses took less than three hours to sew.  I also made a quilted jacket.  Something a little different from my usual sewing garments for myself.  This jacket was a UFO, cut and ready to sew over a year ago.  I added a lining for the front, back and sleeves.  February I ended with only three garments made, but each is unique in it's own right.  Be it color, style or fabric texture.

• Christine Jonson Funnel Neck Top and M7386 skirt - dress hack - This was a simple blending of two easy patterns that produced a cute little black flirty dress.    Fabric Mood Fabrics 3 yards

• Vogue 1314, my TNT t-shirt dress.  This one I changed up a bit.  Using the pattern lining front and back, I lengthen the dress, added slits to the sides, and finished the look with a thin belt. 2 yards

• M7254 - Cardigan/Jacket.  This one had been waiting in a box for about two years.  Already cut and ready.  What was I waiting for.  It turned out to be a winner.  Fabric from Mood and Vogue Fabrics about 3 yards

March - For the final month of the quarter, I decided to make two coats.  This coat pattern had been on my to make list for awhile.  The sewing techniques that I'm hoping to major are: welt pockets and attaching the lining to the coat to emulate the techniques seen in ready to wear coat.

• Burda 6462 - Long belted boyfriend coat.  Special sewing techniques bound buttonholes and fully lined and attached at the hem of the coat.

• Burda 6462 - Short fur collared boyfriend coat.  This is my favorite of the two.

Here We Go Again - Vogue 1314 My All Time Favorite TNT Pullover Dress

I paired V1314 with this beautiful Taupe/Mocha/Black/Red stretch striped cotton terry (#308113).  I love the color combination.  Each color can be used to make a cardigan, jacket, or coat to complete a well put together stylish outfit.  The coloration and the stripes are classic 70's.    The knit is lightweight with a lovely drape that falls close to the body.  It feels good on and is super easy to work with.

If you follow my blog, you know I've used this pattern many time.  I just can't stop finding new ways to use Vogue 1314 Tracy Reese Pullover Ruched dress.  Actually, I've used the front and back lining pattern pieces (no ruching for me) to create over a dozen looks.  Can I say it's my favorite TNT pullover dress pattern.

For this dress I lengthen it by several inches and added slits to the side.  No other changes to it beyond the fit, which were made years ago.

My challenge was placement of the horizontal stripes.  I was careful to make sure the pattern of the stripes below the bust was consistent around my body.  My fit adjustments resulted in a bust dart, and it was important for me to try to reduce the appearance of it without disrupting the pattern of the stripes.  I'm very pleased with it and hope to get plenty of wear out of it.

Do I like it?  You bet.  Will I make it again?  YES.  Do I recommend it?  Yes, to every level of sewist.  This is a winner!

If you interested in reading about my other versions of this dress, please click here.

Happy Sewing!
C

Mood Taupe Sweater Knit Rayon - Perfect for TNT T-Shirt Dress Vogue 1314

Now, who doesn't love a great t-shirt dress?

My latest dress made is my TNT V1314 t-shirt dress in Mood's Taupe Sweater Knit Printed Rayon Jersey.  Believe me, this one fabric you don't want to pass up!  It is a super soft beefy knit.  It really doesn't look like sweater knit, but it's much thicker than your average rayon jersey.  The drape is fluid, and it lays gently against the skin.  It is great!

 

 

Vogue 1314 is in high rotation on the cutting table.  This is the third dress that I've made this year.  And I've used the pattern a total of eight times so far. ;-)

Guess what?  This will not be the last time you see this pattern made up in some amazing fabric.  It's quick and very easy.  From cutting table to hem, it's takes me about 2.5 hours to crank one of these babies out.  Perfect go to pattern when you need a simple, cute dress that is also great staple that you can dress up or down.

I like wearing this version with shoes that pop and a great statement shoulder bag.

With that being said, I'm off to a great start with my Fall wardrobe. Quick, easy, and ready for the crisp, cool breeze of the fall season.  That's all for now!

Happy Sewing!
C

Vogue 1314 - Dolce and Gabbana Floral Print Inspired Dress

Good evening everyone,

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend.  It went by so quickly.  Anyway..,

This is another post about sewing with one of my favorite TNT patterns.  Last night I made another dress using Vogue 1314, the lining pattern front and back.  This is my favorite t-shirt TNT pattern.  To date I've made five dresses and two t-shirts.

Not bad for getting the most out of a pattern.  After I finished this floral edition, I think I better copy it onto some issue paper for a back up.  Tee Hee.

This project was quick and easy.  I had no fit issues to resolve. Sewing time was about 3.5 hours.  I used a knit from Fabricmart Fabric. It has a soft hand and very easy to work with. 

My inspiration for this version comes from one of my favorite fashion designers, Dolce & Gabbana.  I simply love the floral dresses, short and long.  The inspiration fashion is above.

I cut the sleeves at 3/4 length and added ruffles.  I also shorten the front and back by 4.5 inches and added a 10 inch ruffle.  No other changes except those that I normally make.  You can read about my other versions here.

That's all for now!

Happy Sewing,
C

TNT's Patterns Are My Favorites - Vogue 1314

My first "finished" project of 2018.  I needed something fast and easy to make on Monday afternoon.

Vogue 1314 is one of my go to knit dress pattern because it is quick, easy, and already to go.   It's a simple four piece pattern to is a bind right next to my table.  Perfect for a mid-western, cold as the North Pole, January day.  I first used it a few years back.  After making the necessary adjustments, it was immediately place in the TNT bind.  I use the front and back lining for the dress along with the neck band and sleeve.

The possibilities are many.  It can be used as a sloper to adjust similar style patterns.  Last year I used it with other sleeve patterns.  This basic pattern can lend itself to be morphed into a totally different dress.  The possibilities are endless.

My previous reviews are here:

Vogue 1314 The Third Time's The Charm

Getting the Most Out of Your Pattern Vogue 1314 and McCall 7542

Vogue 1314 Striped Knit Top

Oops The Wrong Fabric Choice

Self Drafted Sleeve - Vogue 1314

Sparkle Top with Bold Full Skirt

There are all of the versions of Vogue 1314 that I've had over the years.

Happy Sewing!
C