Glittery Knit Jumpsuit - McCall 7099

This jumpsuit was ready to sew for over two months. Last week, I finally sat down to sew it up with hopes of wearing it to dinner. It did not make it's debut at the dinner party, but I did finish it on Monday afternoon. So it's ready for the next evening event.  This is one of about twenty UFO's I'd like to sew soon.

McCall's describes this jumpsuit as: MISSES' ROMPER AND JUMPSUITS: Loose-fitting romper and jumpsuits have raised neckline, mock wrap, gathered, blouson bodice, front band extending to back neckline, elasticized waist, and side pockets. B, C and D: tapered. Sizes are:6 to 22; I used 14 with a few modifications. My finished jumpsuit did look like the drawing and pictures.


It reminds me of styles worn in the 80's. I even went through some old patterns to find similar styles.

My likes:

• mock wrap
• dropped shoulder seams
• loose fitting top
• tapered pant leg
• Centered back facing

No problems with the instructions.  They were easy and typical.  Nothing confusing about them.

The fabric used is a shiny blue on black knit that I picked up at Joann's.  After I started working with the knit, I did notice that the recovery was not the best, but I will certainly get a few wears out of it.

Not many alterations wear needed.  I made a FBA.  Three small pleats wear made to take up the added width due to the FBA. Also, I added three inches to the length of the pants and added two inches to the length of the sleeves.

I have so many patterns to try.  Right now I don't think I'll make it again.  But I do recommend it to all level sewists.  It's easy to sew and the style can be worn by most body types.

 Happy Sewing!
C

Cleansing My "Sewing" Palate - 2016 The Next Course

These past few weeks I've thought long and hard about where I'll go from here.  That is, what is the next chapter in my sewing experience? What are my hopes for a great year of sewing in 2016?   Of course, I read a few "end of the year" reviews and resolutions, which for a moment motivated me to do the same.  But I digressed and thought to cleanse my palate instead.  This phase is associated with eating a meal.  To cleanse the palate is to remove lingering flavors from the mouth so that the next course may be enjoyed with a fresh perspective.

That's how I'm feeling about the my next chapter in sewing.  I would like to clean my palate in preparation for a fresh perspective.  No new year's resolution, no promises to review more, or review more regularly.  Just a fresh start to do better.

Of course, I have a few projects already in the works.  I can promise to post those reviews soon as I have finished them and taken the pictures.  Next up, my review on McCall 7099, Jumpsuit.

At the end of this month, I will be moving.  My big search for a new home has come to an end, and I am happily closing tomorrow.  This has been a dream of mine for several years now.  Blessed to realize my dream.

Parting Shot:  My DD in the living room filled with boxes.

Happy Sewing!
C

Peplum Faille Jacket - Burda 7495

I debated posting this peplum faille jacket because I didn't get a smooth sleeve cap. But after looking through the many projects that I didn't post or review this year (2015), I decided that this jacket was note worthy. Not every project is perfect, and it's always good to share challenges with garment construction.

Black polyester faille was ideal for my Burda 7495 peplum jacket. Unfortunately, it is sold out/no longer carried at Mood. But there are several other faille fabrics currently available.  I have my eye on the black and white poke-a-dot on the first page.

Faille fabrics are tightly woven ribbed textile. It has a glossy look, not shiny like most satins.  If my memory serves me right, it was popular in the eighties. I had several outfits made with faille fabric.

Burda 7495 comes in sizes 10 to 20.  I used 14 with several modifications.  There are two jacket views: one with short pleated sleeves and a double peplum and the other is long pleated sleeves with a single peplum.  Both are attractive to me.  The shape of the lapel is flattering and the peplum gives me the appearance of curvier hips.

I made my usual pattern adjustments:

• FBA
• Sway back
• Prominent shoulder blades

The jacket went together with no problems, except for the sleeve cap areas on either side of the pleats.  It's  not as smooth as I would like.  Everything else was  piece of cake.  I did not like the placement of the second button, in the seam between the jacket and the peplum.  So I moved the first button up a bit and put the second button about a inch or so above the peplum.


So that's about it for my review of this jacket. I'm considering making it again with long sleeves.  This is my final review for 2015.

Parting Shot:  I stayed outside longer than two minutes.  I'm so cold it hurts.

Happy Sewing!
C

Nautical Blue Stretch Rayon Ponte Knit is Perfect in Winter - Vogue 8780

You might think why buy ponte knit from a online fabric store like Mood.  All fabric stores sell it.  Well, I can give you one good reason why Mood is the perfect source to purchase your ponte:  outstanding quality.  This stretch rayon ponte knit is absolutely beautiful.  It has a smooth, soft hand; easy to sew; and the color is vibrant and rich.  It's the perfect textile to make comfortable, but stylish dresses, pants, tops and jackets.

This is one of my last two Mood projects of 2015.  I had hoped to publish these pieces sooner, but the Chicago weather very wintry, and it is difficult to get good pictures.  So I apology for the dark photos, which do not do the fabric justice.  But please know that it is as beautiful as I stated above.  Okay, now for the rest of my review of Vogue 8780, view A.

 

This jacket was easy to make and I didn't experience any difficulty with following the instructions.  I used size medium with only a few modifications for board shoulders and adding 1.5" to the length of the sleeves.  Because of the fullest of drape collar/front, it was not necessary to make my usual full bust adjustment.

The upper sleeves is a little snug.  And I could have made deeper side seems below the bust area. These are only minor observations and can be easily adjusted.  The inside of the collar and lapel is exposed.  That not a issue with this fabric.  It looks basically the same on both sides.

From the looks of it today, we are in for a long, cold winter in Chicago.  Today was the second attempt at getting good photos for this posts.  It's cloudy and cold, about 29 degrees.  It feels like 15 degrees as I couldn't stand the cold more than two minutes at a time.

In closing, this has been a good year of sewing with Mood fabrics.  I've had many successes and am excited about future projects.  I hope to try some different types of textiles in the coming year.   In the meantime, everyone stay warm.  Happy New Year! ;-)

Cennetta



 

Happy New Year!!

Haute Couture Club Holiday Luncheon

I can't believe I forget to share photos for the Haute Couture Club Annual Holiday luncheon. It is almost a treat to spend time with these fabulous sewing ladies. This year are luncheon was at the Harry Caray's Restaurant in Chicago.

This is a photo post. So enjoy!

Maria (President), Brenda, Rhonda, and Lauren (my DD)

Brenda and Rhonda

Susan and Wendy (Fashion Show Chairs 2015-16)

More pictures

Ms. Arnita and friend

Mary Kay and Sandra

Ms. Gerri

 Show and share

Renee

Alabama Chaining Skirt

Purses and bags

Top, skirt and bag (gift idea)

Dr. Nikki at show and share

 I simply love the company of these women.  It's always a grand time.

Happy Sewing!
C

Mood's Neoprene is Still Supreme - Vogue 1429 Sandra Betzina

I simply love Mood's neoprene fabrics.  It is vibrant, soft, and beautiful.  You can easily sew up a dress, top or even pants.  For this project I chose this leafy stained glass window digitally printed stretch neoprene and used nautical blue stretch rayon ponte knit for the contrasting yoke. Both fabrics are super easy to work with. Mood has an assortment of prints and solids to chose from.

The pattern I used is Sandra Betzina's Vogue 1429.   

It is described as: MISSES' DRESS: Close-fitting, pullover top and dress have self-lined upper front extending into standing back collar and stitched hem. A: self-lined yoke and sleeves in two lengths. B: purchased bias tape to finish armholes. 

The pattern is available in sizes A through J.  I used a combination of sizes D and E with a few additional adjustments.

Mine dress looks more like the top than the dress because I wanted a contrasting yoke.  The basic silhouette is the same.  So there are no surprises in the style illustrated on the envelope and the actual drafted pattern.

The dress is not difficult to sew.  It is important to follow steps 10 and 11 to ensure that the two yokes meet as pictured in the illustrations.  In my dress they do not abut as intended as I was attempting to reduce the bulk at the center chest area where the two yokes meet.

What drew me to this pattern was the yoke, dart placement, and the slim silhouette.  The yoke offers an alternative neckline; the dart placement helps create a slender look.

I did make a few changes.  No FBA though.  I used size D through the shoulders increasing to size E in the armholes through the bust area.  Other changes were:

• Lower the dart about an inch.
• Added three inches to the length of the dress.
• Added an inch to the length of the sleeve.
• Added a center back seam.
• Made a sway back adjustment (tuck in the lower back area and curve out the lower center back so that the dress touches my back below the shoulder blades to the waist area.)
• Added fish eye darts for shaping.

I may or may not sew it again.  I have so many other patterns that I want to try. But I do recommend it.  It is easy to make.  I was able to sew my dress up in a few hours after working out the fit issues.

I love the neoprene and recommend that you try one too.  

Happy Sewing!
C