Cozy Stretch Velvet - New Look N6687

I wanted a cozy, black velvet top for the winter season.  When I saw the stretch velvet at Joann's, I really didn't have a pattern in mind.  I just knew I wanted something new and cozy for the season.  After returning home from the store, immediately I tossed the fabric with several other fabrics into the washer.  This velvet washes and dries beautifully.  Love it.

My pattern choice for my velvet top was New Look N6687.  I thought the match up was okay.  Not perfect though.  The fabric for the top used on the envelope appears to be lighter and has more fluidity.  

This pattern top, view A,  may be described as a knit top with a asymmetric neckline, ruched side and long sleeves.  

It comes in sizes 6 to 18.  I used size 16 with a few modifications.

My version of the top looks very much like the drawing and photographs on the envelope.  Because of the heavy fabric, my version does not have as much drape.  Also, the length of my top looks a few inches shorter.  

The instructions were typical and easy to follow.  It's important to transfer all markings, notches and circles.  There was nothing confusing in the instructions.  The top quickly came together.

What I like about this top is the neckline and the ruching.  A change in the neckline of a basic t-shirt is always welcomed.  The ruching helps add interest to the waistline while camouflages that little fluffy area that a few of us have. Lol

As far as alterations of the pattern, I didn't change/alter much.  In the bust area, I added just a bit more width and I lengthen the sleeves about an inch.  Lately, I've been feeling a little lazy when it comes to doing a FBA.  The good thing is it turned out just fine.

I think I will make this again.  Next time I will make it slightly longer.  Plus I will do a better "FBA". Lol  This is a pattern that beginners can make, and I do recommend it.  Surprisingly, there aren't many postings online by sewists who have made it.

In conclusion, this is a nice staple knit top to try.  The neckline and the ruching add interest to a basic t-shirt design.

So that’s it for now.

Happy Sewing!

Faux Shaved Lamb Fall Coat - Burda Style 7028

I finished this months ago, and it was just in time for the midwestern mild winter.  

I've wanted to make View A for quite some time, and I knew I would make some changes.  Starting with, adding a collar.  And in this case I did just that.  Anyway, here is a quick pattern review of this coat project. 

Pattern Description:  Coat and jacket.  That's all Burda Style indicates on the envelope.  Their descriptions are just as vague as their sewing instructions.  But I must admit, they always have interesting styles.  So, I will add that view A is a cocoon style coat with waist darts and in-seam pockets.  Both views are lined and have drop sleeves.

Pattern Sizing:  The pattern comes in  sizes 10 to 22.  I used a size 16. 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Pretty much.  I made a few minor changes.  Instead of one button, my coat has three. 

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were typical Burda.  Nothing difficult or confusing.  I did make a few changes in how I constructed my coat.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  

 

Likes:

• The cocoon silhouette of the coat.  I've never made or had a coat styled like this.
• The front in-seam pockets. 

Dislikes:

• Construction of the lining and how it is sewn to the coat.  I followed this step.  After I completed it, I tried it on to see how the coat would lay/hang on my body.  The hem was all wonky.  There needs to be at least an inch hem in the coat to help it hang better, which I did around the curve from one side to the other.  That improve the hang of the coat. 

Fabric Used: This coat is made with Theory black faux shaved lamb (#313222) from Mood Fabrics.  It has been in my stash for at least four years.  So Mood may not have it in stock anymore.  It is soft to the touch and has a knit backing.  It was easy to sew.  For the lining, I used a crepe back satin that I purchased at JoAnn's.  The weight of it adds a bit more thickness to the medium weight coat. 

 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I really didn't do much in the area of fit alterations.  I used size 16.  But I think size 14 would have been better.  The sleeves were extremely long (Cut them to appropriate length) and the neckline is a little too roomy.  I did take in the sides about one inch for a slightly closer fit. I added buttons.  One button isn't enough.  Lol  And, I used the crepe satin to make the button loops.  No other changes other than the hem construction that I mention above.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I really think that I may sew it again.  Maybe next time with a detachable collar.  Just for fun.  I do recommend it to others.  You may want to make a muslin before cutting into your fashion fabric. Wink, wink.

Conclusion:   I like how this coat turned out.  It is quite different from any other coat that I've made.  So that’s it for now.

 

Happy Sewing!

C

 

 

Holiday Champagne Outfit - Butterick B6913

Happy New Year Everyone!

It's good to still be here.  Today, I'm glad to post a pattern review of my Christmas outfit.  I have a few more reviews for 2023 to post.  So please be patient.  I'm hoping to write a few posts at a time in hopes of getting all of them done as  quickly as possible.  

Butterick B6913

I wanted to start with this project because it is my favorite make from the last quarter of 2023.  So, let me begin with the pattern description that is straight from the Simplicity UK website: relaxed, easy, and casual loungewear features knit dress and top with asymmetrical neckline, long sleeves, shoulder strap, and tie belt.  Dress A has side slit.  Skirt C is midcalf length and has elastic waistband.  Pants D are long, flowy, and wide leg, and have elastic waistband.  I made views B and D with minor adjustments.

This pattern comes in sizes small to xx large all in pattern.  I used between sizes medium and large.  My outfit looks like the photo/drawing and the instructions were super easy.  There is nothing complex or confusing about them.  I wanted this to be a super quick construction process for me.  So I used different construction methods.  All modifications are listed in the alteration/change section below.

My likes are:

• Easy to sew - My number one favorite like.   The pants were easy.  They are literally a simple two-piece pattern pajama pant.  The top is a modified t-shirt pattern with an exposed shoulder.  I made this outfit from start to finish on Christmas Eve.  It took about 5 hours. 
• Cute and Festive - With the combination of the style and fabric, it is a very festive outfit.  Perfect for the holiday.
• Comfortable - Knit fabric and relaxed comfort.  Perfect.  No tight, binding clothes on Christmas.  So no distractions from enjoying my family during our Christmas celebration.  Joy.

I have no dislikes.

 

My fabric is a champagne, textured, novelty knit.  I purchased it at Vogues Fabrics on Roosevelt Rd about ten years ago.  It has about 30 percent stretch and great recovery.  The texture is my favorite.  It is medium weight and has a semi- dry hand.  It's not rough though if that makes sense.  This fabric was very easy to work with and that helps with finishing the hems.

Now, the alterations and construction changes.  My apologies, the alteration changes for fit may not be helpful in this case.  I simply made them as I cut out my outfit.  I'll start with the easiest, the pants.  All I needed was to add about 4 inches to the length of them.  Simply cutting them longer for the bottom edge.  For my top at the bust area (starting 2.5 inches from the top of the side seam) I tapered out about 1/2 inch then tapered back to the edge of the pattern to add a little more room in the bust area.  So it looked a little like a crescent moon on the side.  Sewing the side seam, I had to do a little easing to maintain the integrity of the length of the front side seam.  I also added an inch to the length of both sleeves.  Nothing more on fit.

For the construction changes I did the following:

Top -

• No double stitching the seams.  I straight stitched them.  For the hem and the upper edge of the neckline/sleeve, I serged the edges turned and stitched.
• Upper edge (neckline/sleeve) I left and opening to thread a narrow elastic through the channel to help maintain the shape of the neckline/sleeve.  First, I measured the circumference.  Then I cut the elastic 3 inches shorter than the circumference. 
• Attaching the shoulder strap. I stitched it to the edge of the hem, adjusting the location based on where my bra strap falls.  To reinforce it, I also stitched it to the edge just above the initial attachment stitching (avoiding the elastic).

Pants -

• Again no double stitching the seams.  I follow the same seaming for the pants.
• Casing for the elasticized waist.  No turning the raw edges in.  I serged the edge of the waist and the hem.  I turned them and stitched them down. Nothing fancy, but all finishings are neat and clean.

That's it.

 

I planned to make this outfit at least one more time.  I already have a fabric in mind.  But that's another review.  Lol

 

This is an easy pattern to sew.  I do recommend it to all level sewists.  Depending on your fabric, you can dress it up or down.  

 

I am very pleased with how this outfit turned out.  It was perfect for the Christmas family holiday celebration.

Happy Sewing!

C

Pattern Favorite - New Look NL6824

Birthday Dress!

I'm delighted to share another addition of my birthday dress project.  I've used New Look 6824 FIVE times.  And this is the second time I used it for a birthday dress.  The first one was a ivory crepe satin with a lace overlay.  That was in 2008.  I was a smaller person then. Lol

Here is a link to all my posts on New Look 6824.

Patterns can be easily altered, which is fantastic.  For this fifth installation, I just graded it up as I cut.  This was a super quick make.  I needed a pink-ish dress for our church Annual Women's Conference.  This was the first time our main "color" wasn't white.  I went digging through boxes and bins looking for this fuchsia wool that I purchased at Fishman's Fabrics years ago. Lucky for me I had already paired it with a China silk lining.  Both were neatly stored in a plastic bag.  No moth wholes, just perfect.

I didn't really have anything in mind when I purchased it.  So now, it is a Jackie O-ish dress that is so me.  It sewed up fast.  No problems at all.

Parting Photo:  Pink was the color this year.  All because of the new Barbie movie.  I wasn't my goal to make three pinkish outfits this summer.  There is a collage of my three pink outfits that I completed this year.

 

Minerva Fabrics - Crinkle Seersucker Dress Vogue V1672

All done with the second dress using Vogue V1672.  I like this version better than the last.  The striped seersucker makes this the perfect summer dress.  As I said before, I didn't have to do any major fit adjustments to the pattern, only a little tweak here and there as I sewed along.

This version I did make a few little changes from the last. 

• Installed a lapped zipper
• Completely lined the dress using broadcloth 
• Made a rolled hem on the lining and the dress
• Eliminated the sleeves and finished the armholes with a bias binding

That's it on the changes.

Typically, I do not purchase pink  fabric.  This one was a surprise.  The description was Crinkle Seersucker - Red.  It is more pink than red.  It turned out just fine.  This shade of pink is good on me.  Most pinks make me look gray. 

If you want to know my fit adjustments, Read my previous blog posts:  here.

So, that is all for now.

Happy Sewing!

C

Vogue V1672 - A Second Time Around

Seer Sucker Fabric

This is my current project.  My second version of Vogue V1672.   After all the adjustments I had to make it again.  

 I used this pattern for my birthday dress. 

This time I decide to eliminate the sleeve and add binding.  My hope is to have it finished by the end of the week.  So Stay Tuned!

Happy Sewing!

C

Winter Is Coming!

"Winter is coming."  That's a famous line from the "Game of Thrones".  In the movie it means that something bad was about to happen.  In this instance, it literally means "winter is coming." Lol

It's time to start making "our" winter coats.  In my effort to "get ready", I decided to take a look at some of the coats that I've made over the past 15 years.  So this post is to take note of my coat making journey as well as inspire others. 

So here goes!

Butterick B6244 (2016)

Butterick B6385 (2018)

Burda Style Mag 10-2008-101 (2016)

Burda Style 6462 (2019)

Burda Style 6462 (2019)

Kelly Anorak Jacket (2021)

McCall M7254 (2019)

McCall M7480 (2017)

Simplicity S2057 (2020)

Simplicity S2508 (2021)

Simplicity S2812 (2011)

Simplicity S4356 (2011)

Simplicity S9388 (2021)

Simplicity S9388 (2021)

Vogue V1060 (2012)

Vogue V1216 (2011)

Vogue V1262 (2013)

Vogue V8212 (2016)

Vogue V9037 (2016)

Are you planning a coat project? How many? What fabric and color? Please share.

Happy Sewing!

C