Notes on a Pattern - Vogue V2097

 

Sewing Friends,

Here is another "Notes on a Pattern", Vogue V2097.  I really like this pattern, and want to make it this spring.  The silhouette is perfect for me. ;-)

Of course, I want it fit as well.  So, of course, adjustments and muslin are in order.  

So, with this top/jacket the FBA is a little different.  I basically slashed and spread between each dart and added some length to the bodice.  With this FBA, I also needed to do a little tuck at the neckline to keep it from gapping.  Adjustments had to be made on each of the collars to match the length of the neckline.

For the back, I made the prominent shoulder blade and swayback adjustments as per usual. The resulting muslin showed that I still need more room in the bust area and the pleats need to be moved slightly to the center of my torso so that the center pleat falls at the center for the bust.  Additionally, I'll need about a half inch added to the side seam.    So, with a little tweaking, this pattern will be ready for me to cut out my coordinate.

I transferred all of the markings, again, so that the location of the buttonholes, pockets and grainlines were visual on the muslin.

More later of Vogue 2097.

Happy Sewing!

C

Notes on a Pattern - Burda Style Jacket 7321

 

Hi Sewing Friends,

Today's post is "Note on a Pattern" for Burda Style Jacket 7321.  For starters, I cut the pattern pieces at size 18 instead of 16.  I wanted to test to see if a larger size would give me a better fit.  I've noticed that some Burda Style sizing/cut run smaller than the Big Four.  

I made most of my usual fit adjustments:  FBA, swayback back, lengthen the sleeves, and slightly forward shoulders.  This jacket is short.  The hem is at the upper hip area. I prefer a longer jacket for this style.  So I lengthen the jacket by 2 inches above the waist.

My muslins fit pretty well, with the exceptions of the waist area.  It fits, but I like a little more move.  So, I will just an inch or two along the side seam.  Truly, though, adding the 2 inches to the length of the jacket may have something to do with the snug fit.

On the muslin, you can see that I transferred all of the markings. I wanted  to have a complete visual of the jacket; the location of the buttonholes and pockets as well as the grainlines. The back looks very good.  I like the darts at the shoulder for better shaping on me.  I didn't make a prominent shoulder blade adjustment.  That may also attribute to the snug fit.

There are a few drag lines in the upper chest area, which I will address.  I'm excited to make this jacket.  I think the style and the fit are good for me.  So with that said, I think I am off to a good start on making this jacket.

So, stay tune for updates on this jacket project.

Happy Sewing!

C

Pan Seared Red Snapper

 

It's about time for another recipe.  I intended to share this recipe at the beginning of the Lenten season.  However, it wasn't until this afternoon that I sat down to post it.  It is simple and easy.

Ingredients:

4 medium red snapper fish

2 limes

Your preferred seasoning for fish.  Or.., Below is my list.  You can tweak the seasoning to your taste.

1 tsp lemon pepper

1 tsp fish seasoning

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried parsley flakes

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning

1/2 tsp Adobo seasoning

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 tblsps garlic and ginger paste

1 tsp green seasoning

6 tblsps butter

1.  Clean fish and let soak in citrus bath for 1 hours.

2.  Combine all seasoning in a bowl.

3.  Slice fish several times to allow seasoning to be throughout fish.

4.  Rub seasoning all over and in fish.  Marinate for a few hours in the refrigerator if you like.

5.  Melt butter in pan.

6. In heated pan of butter, sear fish on both sides.  Cook for 15/20 minutes or until done.

7.  Serve with rice and green vegetables.

That's it. Enjoy!

Crocheting -- Who Else Is Crocheting?

 

I've been crocheting as long as I've been sewing.  But I rarely post my projects. Lately, I've been crocheting a lot.   I love making beanies.  They crochet up really fast.  Like sewing, crocheting relieves my stress.  And lately, I've been stressed quite a bit.  So, here's to relieving stress. 

New Look Bag Pattern NL6425

 

One of my many creative interests is making bags.  I made these two tote bags in early December, last year.  My hope was to make matching cosmetic bags.  This effort was two fold:  stash busting and Christmas gift giving.  Well I was successful in the stash busting, but I didn't finish the cosmetic bags to complete "my gift idea".  So, these two beauties are still taking up space in my sewing studio.  BTW- I still plan to give as gifts.

I used New Look NL6425, view A and B, with modifications.  New Look didn't give any view descriptions.  These are really basic lined tote bags.  There are no inside pockets.  

The instructions are the easiest.  Nothing confusing in them.  Great pattern for beginners to try.  I like that these totes came together quickly.  

The little tabs at the bottom were just a little challenging.  I wanted to get the placement just right for the pattern design of the fabric.  I think it good, not perfect.

From my stash are two remnant heavy cotton fabrics that I purchased at JoAnn's several years ago.  The straps are also from my stash.  They have been waiting to be used for over 15 years.  I am thrilled that I finally used them.

These totes do look like the illustration on the envelope with the exception of the straps.   I also, added a covered cardboard insert to help keep the shape of the bottom of the bag.

My changes were basic:  straps, strap loops, and bottom insert

These are very easy totes to make.  This pattern is a great template to make a variety of different bags:  appliques, patchwork, overlays, etc.  The possibilities are endless.

I recommend this pattern to all level sewists.

  

Pattern Review for Student Project - Simplicity S9308

This is the bag I made for the class.  Photos of students are not allowed to be published.

Today's pattern review is Simplicity S9308.

I'm kind of working backwards on the student projects for middle school beginner sewing class.  This tote bag project is made the 3rd/4th week of class.  Before we start on this project, the students have had a few lessons: 

• some hand stitching exercise that include various stitches and how to sew on a button
• a hand stitched project
• how to drive the sewing machine, including threading and practicing various stitches
• introduction to appliques and embellishment

This tote bag is a very simple tote bag project.  It has good basic pattern pieces that a sewist could create many different versions with no problem.  An all around great basic pattern for students

Simplicity describes it as:  tote bags in three sizes.  For the class I used the largest size.  And for the most part, the bag did look like the illustration.

In my lesson, the students learned/practiced several things:

• seam allowance
• top stitching
• how to create and sew on an applique
• how to press to achieve a polish look
• how to assemble a project from start to finish

Now for my class, I changed the instructions to have the pocket on the outside instead of on the inside of the bag.  This change was to reinforce the lesson on applique/embellishment.  It also gave the students an opportunity to practice topstitching.  The rest of the instructions were followed as per the guide sheet.  

For the appliques - I created several templates for the student to choose from.  Some are pictured below.

In conclusion, this very basic tote bag is a great beginner project.  It has great bones and possibilities for many different versions of the tote.  I highly recommend it for all level sewists.

Happy Sewing!

C