Friday, January 22, 2010

DD's Career Wardrobe -- Fall 2009/Winter 2010 PT II





This is a long post.

Finally, I'm posting the first of two Career Wardrobes that I made for my DD who will soon graduate from college, earning a degree in Business Management. Last summer I decided to make her starter wardrobe that would include some basic pieces to interchange as she seeks employment and starts her professional career.

She and I worked together and came up with this wardrobe which includes the jacket and pants from this pattern, the red dress photographed on the envelope of S2550, and the skirt of M5715. These four pieces makeup wardrobe 1.

Last week I came up with the bright idea of doing the photo shoot in the office. So Yesterday we waiting until everyone had gone home before starting.

Here's my review of the Jacket and pants of Wardrobe 1:

Pattern Description: MISSES’ LINED JACKETS, LINED TOP, LINED SKIRT AND PANTS: Semi-fitted, lined jacket has princess seams, self fabric or contrast pocket band, pocket with pleats, shoulder pads, two-piece sleeves and shaped hem; jacket B has contrast binding; semi-fitted, lined top has raised waistline, back zipper and ribbon tie belt; flared, lined bias skirt, below mid-knee has back zipper and inside ribbon facing; straight-legged pants have back zipper and faced waistline.

Pattern Sizing: 6-20. I made a size 8/10 with some changes. View A and E

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? For the most part. The design lines are the same. The changes that I made make it different from the drawing and the photograph.

Were the instructions easy to follow? There was nothing difficult or confusing about them. Typical instructions for a notched collar jacket and straight-legged pants.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? We liked the design lines of the two. This wardrobe pattern is a classic work "casual wear".

Fabric Used: I purchased the fabric from Vogue's Remnant room. It's a houndstooth fabric of assorted fibers.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

Jacket -

I started with a size 10 across the shoulders tapering down to may size 8. DD has broad shoulders and this change allowed for a better fit. At the first fitting of the jacket, I noticed the shoulder extended to far over the shoulder bone. So I trimmed off about 1/4 inch.

I only topstitched around the collar and the front of the jacket.

Pants -

Like me, DD prefers a front or side zipper. So I added a mock fly at the front of the pant.

The back facing was cut on the fold eliminating the center back seam allowance. And the front facing cut in two pieces adding seam allowance to the center front. Finally, I added a button loop to the inside of the front opening above the zipper.


NOTE: dress and skirt reviewed separately as they are from other patterns.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Probably not. I have many, many more patterns to try. But if you have it, I do recommend it.

Conclusion: This non-stop wardrobe pattern is a perfect wardrobe builder. It not hard to sew, and DD likes it. ;-)





The Dress


Pattern Description: Misses' dress with bodice variations.

Pattern Sizing: 4 - 20. I made a size 10 the Red version on the envelope.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Not exactly. The drape wasn't quite the same. It could be due to the underlining. DD will probably add jewelry to help the placement of the drape.

Were the instructions easy to follow?Yes. Nothing difficult or confusing. Easy to sew.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? DD liked the design of the dress.

Fabric Used: cranberry wool gabardine.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I underlined the entire dress.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Probably not. I have hundreds of dress patterns to try. But do recommend it. NOTE: The size 10 is fitted in the bodice area. You may want to increase the seam allowances a little across the back and shoulder area.

Conclusion: This is a nice dress to add to your wardrobe. Yesterday DD confessed that this is one of DD's favorite garments of the two wardrobes. Only problem, I'm a little, just a little, unhappy with the drape.

The entire wardrobe can be viewed here.






This is the second wardrobe for my DD. I used M5715 and S2798 for it. The dress will be reviewed separately. I used all three views of this pattern.

My review.

Pattern Description: MISSES’ LINED JACKETS, SKIRT AND PANTS: Semi-fitted, lined, slightly below waist jacket has yoke, collar, side pockets, raglan sleeves, back pleats, button and buttonhole closure, stitched hem; jacket A has sleeve pleats and cuffs; jacket B has bell-shaped sleeves with stitched hem; tapered, mid-knee skirt C or straight-legged pants D have contour waist and back zipper; skirt C has back slit.

Pattern Sizing: 6 - 20. I used size 10.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes. I made a few minor changes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes. No problems. The jacket is time consuming. It has a lot of pieces and it's fully lined. It's worth the effort.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I picked this pattern for DD. The jacket was what I liked. The skirt and pants are basic standards. I think McCalls uses them for many of their wardrobe patterns. No dislikes.

Fabric Used: I used a wool blend for the jacket; a polyester gabardine for the pants; and a grey suiting for the skirt. The skirt pattern was also used for the other Career Wardrobe (dark brown corduroy).

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

Jacket - No changes.

Skirt - I made a vent, instead of slit, added a waistband, and a pocket flap (dark brown version).
Pants - Moved zipper to the size. Made adjustments to the back facing.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?Probably not. Lots of other patterns. The skirt and pants may be reused for wardrobes that have the same pattern.

Conclusion: This is a nice little wardrobe pattern that was fun to make. I really like the jacket. Give it a try. ;-)

See all photos of this wardrobe on Flickr

44 comments:

  1. Great Job. I really love the brown pants suite. Love. Love.

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  2. It is so terrific to see a smart work wardrobe for your DD. She looks very professional, and well dressed.

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  3. I love both of these wardrobes! Your daughter will certainly be starting out her career on the right foot :) And the poses on location in the office are so perfect.

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  4. Wow! with an amazing wardrobe like that your DD is going to be President of the company in double quick time! She looks so stylish but efficient. I love the red dress and the the jacket from wardrobe two is wonderful .... in fact it's all wonderful!

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  5. Your DD is very lucky to have such a talented Mum. I'm struggling to finish just the blouses for my corporate wardrobe. Blame it on the extreme heat and long working hours.

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  6. Wow! That's a lot of sewing! Those are beautiful, professional garments. Your daughter is off to a great start. How lucky she is.

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  7. What a phenomenal job you did on that wardrobe, and what a lucky DD!!!

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  8. Wow! Great wardrobe for job hunting and beyond. I really like the second wardrobe, probably because these are more my colors, but they are both wonderful.
    I started a wardrobe for my dd and then she decamped for teaching in Korea. Hard to fit her long distance.
    Good luck to your dd.

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  9. The wardrobe is PERFECT! Your daughter looks fantastic. What a terrific headstart - to have the perfect wardrobe before she graduates. I'm going to have to do the same for my daughter. Thank you for a wonderful idea.

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  10. Her career wardrobe look sensational. She looks so professional and beautiful at the same time. Good job, Mom.

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  11. What awesome wardrobes! Your DD is ready for anything once she's graduated. You've given her an amazing gift!!! You do wonderful work and your love for your daughter is shown in every stitch!

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  12. You must be very proud. Not only are the wardrobes great but a daughter graduating from college. Congratulations on both jobs well done! The fit on the brown jacket looks perfect and I especially like the colors of wardobe 2 - professional with young personality.

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  13. Everything looks amazing! It's so important for a young person going into the work world to feel confident, and a wardrobe like this helps a lot! I am starting to feel inspired to work on my own work wardrobe.

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  14. You are such an awesome mom. Everything is so spot on and she'll look tailored in her first professional outing.

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  15. Loving it all! But the brown suit with pants and the red top is outstanding.

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  16. Everything looks stunning on your daughter!!! She is blessed to have you sew for her. I really like the tan pantsuit.

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  17. You did an awesome job on your daughter's wardrobe!!! She looks both professional and chic!

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  18. She looks so polished and work ready, unlike many college grads and others I have seen around in offices. She has a great role model and seamstress!

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  19. Beautiful wardrobes, they'll serve her well for years to come as she climbs the career ladder. Thanks, Mom! comes to mind.

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  20. Great looking wardrobe! She looks very beautiful, confident, and professional. Congrats!

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  21. Great photo shoot! I really like all the pieces - I think my favorite look is the maroon pants paired with the purple sweater and black jacket. The camel-colored suit is great though, too... Your DD is very lucky to have you ;).

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  22. Your did a fabulous job on your daughters career wardrobe.. I know she is happy she has a mom that can sew....

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  23. She looks so sharp and very professional.... She is one lucky lady...

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  24. Oh my goodness, your daughter is so lucky to have a mom like you who can make such beautiful, professional looking clothes and is also willing to make a whole wardrobe for her! Even a single suit jacket is a tremendous present to make for someone. How wonderful. Your daughter looks gorgeous and polished in her new pieces and congratulations on the upcoming graduation!

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  25. The clothes are beautiful. She's so blessed to have sych a gifted personal tailor. The suit is very nice.

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  26. First, congratulation to your DD. Second you did a great job on her wardrobe. The pieces are modern with a conservative flair. The color scheme and combinations are awesome. The mix and match possibilities are endless.

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  27. Your daughter is gorgeous! The wardrobes are incredible and she is going to be the most stylish new graduate out there. Purple is really her colour, too. I wish her great success.

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  28. Both collections are stunning. What a great Mom you are to your lucky daughter! I really love the black jacket in the second wardrobe.

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  29. Your daughter is so lucky to have a mama who can help her create her first work wardrobes. As much as we hate to admit it, having the right clothes in a work situation really does impact how others perceive you. They all look fabulous!!

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  30. OMG, it's all so beautiful! What an outstanding job you did; what a lucky girl. I still think you don't look old enough to have a daughter her age. Hope DD gets your good anti-aging genes.

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  31. Really great pieces. Your daughter is so lucky to have you sewing all of these great work clothes for her. And I love the office setting for the photo shoot - so fun!

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  32. WOW! Love the wardrobe especially the red dress and black jacket

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  33. Absolutely love all the pieces and your dd looks great in each piece.

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  34. Your DD is a lucky person to have a Mom like you! I like the whole ensemble, but my favorite is the red dress! Just Beautiful!

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  35. Cenetta, it's fabulous. Very nicely done.

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  36. wonderful work! I love all the costumes that you did, but the cranberry color dress is beautiful, beautiful! I envy DD

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  37. Not only is this sweet, it's beautiful!

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  38. All of these are awesome! WOW! I really am loving the brown suit.

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  39. Wow! I love both outfits, especially the suit - super professional and pulled together looking. I also had that dress on my list and am a little disappointed to hear that the drape is not quite what it seemed to be. It looks great on her too though!

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  40. WOW Your daughter is lucky to have a Mum who can make all thoes wonderful clothes for her. Great job! Love the pants suit.

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  41. She looks amazing! You did a fantastic job on all her garments. She looks very professional and stylish!

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  42. What a lovely wardrobe! Your daughter looks so beautiful, just stunning.

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