The Whole Nine Yards

I found the opportunity during my Thanksgiving week holiday from work to sew patterns that I have been "meaning to sew".  

New Look 6009 (1.5 yards):

Material: mystery woven for $1.5/yd from le Wal Marche.

*I sewed the view with the keyhole and hooped front.

* I like the distinctive neckline. The front center seam is sewn from the top to a marked circle. A few inches below the top circle is another circle from which the rest of the center seam is sewn. Voila, an instant aperture is formed between the two circles and is finished with small topstitched hems at its sides.

However...

*when I sewed the neckline facing, I discovered that it was inadequate to encircle the neckline. I thought that maybe I cut the pieces incorrectly. So I gathered slightly the neckline to get the facing to fit. Later when I compared the neckline pattern piece to that of the front facing pattern piece, I noticed that it seemed to be two sizes smaller than what it should be. I am not certain if there is an error in drafting or simply I am missing something.

*Since the back and sides flared out strangely, I added the elastic at the waist and because that did not work for me, had to remove it.

* The elasticized waist just did not suit me, so I removed the elastic and replaced it with two angled front darts from bust to the hem.


*The directions asked to handstitch or slipstitch the hoop closed after inserting it through the long slit below the neckline. To secure it closed, I sewed a 1/4" hoop seam (facing inwards) and topstitched it instead.

* I am not sure whether or not I will use this pattern again.  It is an easy pattern, but I unexpectedly spent some time with the neckline and the issue and the fit at my waist and hips.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

New Look 6940 (1.5 yards):

Material: poly knit from Gorgeous Fabrics

*The top had extra ease at the waist, hips, and front. 

*The gathering below the central bust area was not flattering on me.  I should easily "expect" somebody who saw me in this to ask me "the question" that at this point I was "not expecting" to be asked at this time.

*I took in an additional 3/8" at the side seams

*The neckline came much lower than suggested on the model and illustrations.

* This top has a lot of potential especially after modifying the top to raise the neckline and eliminate the gathers below the bust. I will give this pattern another chance.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Vogue 8451, already out-of-print (1.5 yards):

Material: same fabric from New Look 6940
This is the 5th top from this pattern (two I borrowed for the puffed banded sleeves using front and back pieces from other patterns), so I did not make additional changes.  Current rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Time to get a new cell phone that takes better pictures! 

Simplicity 2756 from the Project Runway-inspired series (1.5 yards)

Material: polyester/satin charmeuse from fabric.com

* I sewed the top with the elasticized neckline and flounced sleeves.

* I thought the flounced cuff was wide so I halved the width.

* I was disappointed that the top I had no shaping.  After taking in an additional 3/8" at the side seams, it was still a sack.  I decided that it will be a belted top.  Wait, make that a lounge-around-at-home top.

* I prefer New Look 6892's version. 

I probably will not use this pattern again.
Rating 2.5 out of 5 stars

Vogue 8194 (3 yards):

Material:
   Visible part: same poly/satin charmeuse from fabric.com
    Inner part: leopard lining fabric from GF.

* I liked that the front and back are lined.

* I should have used the back darts for more shaping.

* I wish that I had faced the collar (as recommended from a fellow PR-er in her review) to hide some awkward hems.

* I should have followed my original instinct to go for the long sleeves.  The flounced sleeves both did not hang the same way.

* I used my usual upper back and petite adjustment at the waist.

* With a few more tweaks, this blouse has a  potential to be a TNT for me.

* I hope to try this pattern again but with a more stable fabric.

I raised the neckline 1" from the center front.

Front with dart to be created by seam that closes the slit.       

Sleeve and "c"ollar pieces
















Loops, lining, and neck ruffled collar

Lining and the outer material

I don't like how the shine on the charmeuse is emphasized by the camera flash, also "bringing to light" what I am trying to hide. 

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars                                                  

Next on the agenda:

* Find "larger" buttons accommodated by the loopholes to replace the current "temporary" buttons.

* Re-align button placement to straighten the front edge.

* Gentle iron pressing to relieve the "waves".  

Have a nice day of giving thanks no matter where you are in the world, or simply "Happy Thanksgiving".