Silky Print and Suiting are Matched - Simplicity S3103 and Vogue V1294

Next, Outfit sharing posts is Simplicity S3103 and Vogue V1294.  Good combination.  Still in some neutral tones for some mixing and matching.

I really like these coordinates together.  All I need is a orange, ivory or black jacket.  Hmmm..., more sewing projects added to the never ending list.  Previous post on this outfit is here.

Happy Sewing!

C

A New Blouse Silhouette with Simplicity S3103

Another new pattern to review.  This is a recent release:  Simplicity S3103.  I paired it with Vogue V1294.  These slacks were made last winter.  I just never posted pictures of them.  They look good with this top.

Pattern Description:  Simplicity vague description - blouse with sleeve variations

Pattern Sizing:  4 - 24; I used size 16 with modifications View B

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Pretty much.  I think the top pictured on the envelope looks longer than mine.  I thought about making it again adding a few inches to the hem. 

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Yes.  They were pretty easy to follow. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Looking at the pattern, I initially liked the funnel neck and the sleeves of view C.  I was concerned about how my upper body would look in this silhouette.    Additionally, I didn't care too much for how the armhole facing looked once it was finished.  

Fabric Used: This is a silky polyester print that I purchased from Mood Fabrics several years ago.  I was drawn to it because of the print and colors in the fabric.  I only purchased one yard hoping I would be able to make a simple top.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I made my usual adjustments:  FBA, swayback, and prominent shoulder blades.  The FBA produced an additional waist dart plus and bust dart.  I made the bust dart slightly on an angle.  It almost disappears in the fabric.  One other change needed for me is the width of the funnel.  It stands out too far from my neck.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I will make it again.  I want to make view C with a few more inches added to the hem.  And yes, I do recommend it to others.  One word of caution, pay close mention with finishing the armhole with the facing.


Conclusion:  This is a easy top to sew.  If you need a FBA, it may produce an additional waist dart.  You can also consider making the original waist dart deeper if you do not want to add another one.

P.S.  -  I'm hoping my DD will be able to take some pictures soon of me wearing my newly made outfits.

Stay Tuned!

C

January 2022 - End of the Month Sewing Review

I owe this new approach to reviewing my sewing activities to my friend, Carolyn, over at "Diary of a Sewing Fanatic."  Carolyn has been doing this for quite some time now.  I really like the idea of posting mini recaps of my sewing journey.   This may be better for me than waiting until the end of the year for a grand post about all my makes of the year.  Following this practice will give me 12 mini recaps that I can draw from at the end of the year.  Then hopefully, I will find it easier to post an end of the year review.

After the holidays, I'm happy to stay at home and sew.  I'm encouraged and excited at the close of the year to start making new goals, new plans for a rewarding year of accomplishments.  This attitude is no different for things I want to make.  Usually, I decide what I'd like to make in December for January.  By the first of the year, I cut out a few garments to start.  Something easy.  

This helps get the mojo going after all the holiday season cooking, cleaning, and decorating.  So, this year I started with three knit tops.  I cut them all out on the same day.  I made the black velvet top first, as I thought it would be the prettiest of the three.  Then, I moved on to sew up the second and third tops.

Black Velvet Top - M7836 - View C 

This is actually my favorite, and it is a good compliment to the black leggings that I made last year.  So, I was off to a great start with a pretty top and something new to wear with the black leggings.  My fabric came from JoAnn's.

Ribbed Knit BS6990 - View D and M8238 - View B

The next two tops, I've made a few times before.  Especially, the Burda Style turtleneck BS6990.  It is a TNT.  This is the fourth time I've made it.  And McCall's M8238 - View B.  I just had to try it again.  From bodice to pullover knit top.  Both are great staples, and I will get a lot of wear out of them.  Fabric from FabricMart Fabrics.

Beige Polyester Suiting - V1294 - View B

Black and Ivory Floral Blouse - NL6560 - View D

My next two projects were not the quick and easy two-hour projects.  I wanted to add some details to a plain pair of pants.  I selected V1294.  These pants are well drafted and good for a sloper/TNT pant.  Welt pockets are still a challenge for me.  I don't know why as I've made them several times.  For these pants, I added them to the back.  They turned out perfect.  Happiness.  So, this was my challenge project for the month.  It was also a Minerva Fabric sponsored project.

My Coordinate of choice is also a Minerva sponsored project.  I've wanted to make this blouse for a while.  I like it paired with the subtle pinstriped beige pants.  Both the bold and the subtle show up in this outfit.  My new blouse is floating and feminine; it can be worn with a few other garments in my wardrobe.  That's another sub-goal of mine.  Is to create more mixing and matching instances in my wardrobe.

Black Faux Suede with Fleece Backing V1515 - View A

My final garment made for the month of January is a pullover vest made of faux suede from JoAnn's.  Unfortunately, this is my least favorite make of the month.  Nothing to do with the construction, but the style on me is not that great.  So, this one I will gift to someone.  

This sums up my sewing projects for the month of January 2022.  In total I completed six garments.  The majority are knit tops: fancy and staples.  Love my new neutral feminine blouse and pants.  There is only one not in love with project.  Pretty good for the first month of the year.

Til next time!  Enjoy!

Cennetta

New Look NL6560 and Vogue V1294 - New Outfit Done

 

I'm so pleased with how both of these pieces turned out. It was a lot of fun making them. There are so many things I like about it.

Blouse

The fabric is lovely.  It is a polyester crepe from Minerva.   This soft, floaty fabric falls close to the body.  It sews and presses with no problems.  I love the bold, floral print.  There is an excellent balance between the ivory and black. 

The flounce is very feminine and pretty.  Most of the time, I shy away from neckline flounces, but this one doesn't add to my top heaviness.  

The sleeves are pretty and simple.  The bell falls perfectly above my hand held together by a piece of elastic.  Super simple to construct.  

I also like that the tie was separate from the top.  It closes with an inside twill tape tie and a buttonhole closure on the outside just above the waist.  I used a piece of interfacing to reinforce where I sewed on the button.

My adjustments to the front facing resulted in a wider lower facing.  I wish I had made the upper portion wider too, It kept flipping to the right side of the blouse.  So, after I under-stitched around the neckline, I stitched again to secure the facing to the blouse in hopes of reducing the flip over affect.

This was the second time I used this pattern.  Previously, I made view C and gifted that top to my sister.  So, I was already familiar with most of the construction steps.  In general, they are typical.  Nothing difficult or unique about them compared to other styles with similar instructions.

Pants

The pants are of a viscose suiting, also from Minerva Fabrics.  It has a crisp hand and a stiff drape.  Easy to sew and press.  I love a nice striped fabric.  The pinstripe is subtle, pairing the two fabrics there is no competition between the prints.  They complement each other.

I'll use this pattern again.  They are well drafted, and I love a curved waistband.  And I will definitely add welt pockets again.  They are a great detail.

My related posts are here: blouse and pants 

Happy Sewing!

C  

Notes On A Pattern - Adding Welt Patterns to Vogue V1294

Goodness, I haven't done a Notes on a Pattern in a while.  Being on Instagram more these days, make it so easy not to come to blogland to surf or post.  

So many of my recent posts have been made well after I've posted on Instagram or to other platforms.  I want to get back to reading blogs and posting on a more consisted basis.  Yeah, I know, I've said that before. 

Anyway, this note is about adding welt pockets to a pair of pants.  One of my goals is to continue to add more welt pockets to my garments.  For these pants, I simply used a welt pocket pattern from another pattern.  Sorry, I can't remember which one.  I made another copy of the pieces and added them to the envelope of Vogue V1294.  I already know I will make these pants again.

I really like the draft of these pants.  There is a "real" fly, and the curved waistband is the best.  Also, the crotch isn't super long.  I didn't have to shorten it.  The width of the pant leg is great too.

Before I added the pockets to the pants, I did a test pocket just to make sure. ;-)  It turned out perfect.  Next, time to add the pockets to the back of my pants.  This was the next step in the construction after I made the darts.

Placement is really important.  From what I've read, the tip of the dart shouldn't extend pass the bottom of the welt. 

But I notice that my pockets are a little low on the back side.  So, next time, I think I'll add an inch to the top of the waist.  It won't be too much above the waistline as these sit kind of low to begin with.  And with that small change, I can raise the pocket an inch.

More later on the making of my pants.  Stay tuned.

Parting Shot:  View of my pockets with me wearing the pants.  I'll post a full photo after I post to Minerva's website as this is a Minerva sponsored project.