Trying to Stay on the Wagon - More Inspiration

We are already two months into the new year and I still haven't blogged the last sewing projects of 2012 or my end of the year review.  At this point, I've decided not to worry about either.  When the time comes I will blog about them.  Right now, my goal is to finish my homework, work projects and find some time to sew and blog.

I must say there is one thing that I have been able to do: find inspiration for future projects.  Last year, I started searching for inspiration to encourage the HCC members for the upcoming fashion show.  Later, I searched for inspiration to sew classic garments with more sass.  The runway collections of fashion designers, pinterest, and the slew of magazines that arrive on my door step have me ooh-ing and aw-ing over hundreds of designs that would be welcome additions to my closet.  Most designs are quite simple, but they have that little oomph that I want to add to the clothes I make and wear.

So not to leave my blog idle, here are some designs I wish were in my closet.  BTW- You can see more in my "This Should Be In My Closet" on Pinterest.

Happy Sewing!
C

Butterick 5856 In The Red

Lately, I've been sewing a lot of knit garments. The reason being is they are fast and easy. Second because I don't have a lot of time to sew. Since my color analysis I've tried to focus on selecting colors (fabric) that match my color palette. Red, Black and ivory (light tan) is the color groupings that I've sewn most of January and will continue to sew this month. I've pinned many inspirational garments/wardrobes on my Pinerest My Style Board. So this next top highlights the color red, which is a great color for me. I teamed it up with Butterick 5856.

The pattern is described as: MISSES'TOP: Pullover top has narrow hem. A and B: close-fitting, self-lined right sides. C and D: bias, very loose-fitting. Designed for light to medium weight wovens and moderate stretch knits. I made view-D.

Pattern sizing: X-small to XX-large. I used a Medium. My top looks similar to the drawing except the neckline forms into a square neckline instead of oval in the front. That's not a turn off; just an observation of how it wears on me. It may drape as pictured on someone with a different body type.

This top is long and falls below the fullness of my hips.   I don't remember adding more than an inch to the length (just in case). There is less drape and wearing ease across the chest. I didn't do a FBA.

Butterick rates this one as easy, and it is. Nothing confusing or difficult about the construction process. No complicated techniques; everything is sewn by machine.

I actually purchased this pattern for view B, which I will try later. My fabric was enough for View D. So as not to end up with yet another 1/2 yard remnant I decided to make view D instead.

All of the views are pretty nice. I'll definitely will make A & B. My only dislike is I don't like view D without a belt. It has very little shaping through the waist and hip area. And I need some. Novelty knit from Vogue. I suspect it's a poly-lycra with a little more stretch than the minimum requirement for these tops. I made no real alterations or design changes. I won't sew this view again, but will make views A and B.

Vogue 1282 in Review

Today's sewing project review is Vogue 1282. This one has been in the queue a while. Sandy Y. encouraged me to move it up to the top of the list. So early last month, I made my first top. I will definitely get a lot of wear out of it.

I bought this pattern thinking I would only make the top. But I'm thinking of making a matching skirt for the next top.

Vogue describes this pattern as: MISSES' TOP AND SKIRT: Loose-fitting, bias, pullover top has draped front neckline with weight, no side seams and stitched hem. Very close-fitting, below waist pull-on skirt has elastic waist with contrast facing, pleats, front extending to side back, no side seams and right side back slit. Self bias binding finishes hem.

It's a popular top, made by 18 members of PatternReview.com.  Barbara V illustrates how to remove the excess at the center back. After making this adjustment, the gaping completely disappears.

The pattern comes in sizes 4 to 20. I used size 14. My top does look like the photo on the pattern envelop except it does not drape as much across the bust. My fabric had plenty of stretch so I decided to forgo the FBA.

The neckline is super low. I started stitching the center seam about three inches above the indicated starting point.

The instructions were a piece of cake. At first, the weighted pocket looked a little strange, but presented no problem. I used a penny for the weight.

I like the design and drape of this top. No dislike.

I used a polyester lycra knit from Vogue, which contained more stretch than the pattern called for. The only other change I made was to hand stitch the armhole facings into place. All in all the changes that I made were minor.  Next time though, I will raise the arm hole a bit.

This is a great top to sew. It's easy and stylish.

2013 Fashion Forecast - On Trend Pt II Vertical Stripes

Hello Fashionastas!

Time for another fashion forecast.  Vertical stripes seem to be on Trend for 2013.  They are everywhere.  Some are referred to as burglar stripes.  But it's more than just black and white.  Stripes are on the runways and in the stores in all colors and all directions. 

When I saw this black and white outfit (above), MJ's song, "Black or White", popped into my head.

While looking at this photo I started singing Elvis's "Jail House Rock".  What's come over me?

Hmm.., I will definitely make something striped during the year.  There are several striped fabrics in the ole collection waiting to be transformed.

I'm making McCall's Fashion Star 6707 pants.  They look similar to the pants shown above.

M6707

Will you make a striped garment this Spring?  Please share your thoughts.



In the meantime, here are MJ - singing "Black or White" and Elvis - singing "Jail House Rock".

Stay Turned for more on Trend 2013

 

 

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McCall 5752 - The Second Time Around

McCall 5752

This is an out of print Palmer-Pletsch knit dress. I made view A about two years ago. This time I decided to give View C a try.  

Pattern Description: Misses' dresses with gathered, wrapped bodice, gathered self-lined midriff, A-line skirt and sleeve variations in two lengths; dresses A, B have gathered shawl collar and extended overarms, dresses C, D have gathered shoulders: dresses A, D have gathered drapes: dress C sleeves are three-quarter length; dresses A, B, C, D length are mid-knee.  

Pattern Sizing: 8-22; I used 14 with modifications  

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, pretty much. My alterations gave it a slightly different look at the center front.  

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were easy.
I change some of the steps due to the FBA. Step 11 states that you should gather the lower edge between the two circles. I stitched the gathering seams from notch to notch. I didn't completely baste the raw edges together in step 12 as I needed the lower edge open to adjust the gathers. So I only basted from the shoulder to the end of the side seam. I completed steps 13 and 14. skipped 15; finished 16 to 25. For Step 30 I basted starting at the side seam stitching the back bodice to the midriff across to the other side seam. At this point I gathered the lower edge of the front bodice and evenly distributed the gathers to fit the center front of the midriff. NOTE: Because my FBA was more than an inch for each side, I had to overlap beyond the indicated mark on the pattern. Here you can see the finished gathered front bodice. Compare it to the drawing to see the difference. The first dress has a bit of gaping in the center front. The length of the center bodice is too long. The length along the fullness of the bust area is okay, but where the bodice overlaps in the center front, it's too long. In this case, I trimmed about 1/2 inch from the center edge reducing as I approached the notch. I hope that makes sense. This small change makes the dress fit snug across the center bust line.

FBA Pattern Adjustment

The other changes were simple:

 - Sway back as instructed in the pattern guide sheet.
 - Contrast the midriff.
 - Usual prominent shoulder blade adjustment.
 - Long sleeves instead of 3/4 length.
 - A few inches to the length of the skirt.  

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like having the fit tips in the instruction guide and the adjustment lines drawn on the pattern. The design of the dress: the wrapped bodice, the ruching, and A-line skirt.  

Fabric Used: Novelty knits from Supreme Fabric on Fulton in Chicago.  

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Maybe.. This was the second time around for this pattern. Two dresses are enough. I have hundreds more dresses to try. But if you have this pattern I do recommend it for two reasons: it will help you with learning to fit, and if you are full busted, the wrap design is flattering.

 Conclusion: Good pattern to try. Especially if you need to make FBA's on wrapped tops or dresses. This one has two styles that show you step by step how to make the adjustment. The dress is nice too. ;-)