Monday, May 21, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
"Shirred" Delight
To update my spring/summer wardrobe, I created the short sleeve version of Burda 7942 with shoulder casings and ties.
Shoulder ties and casings
A rectangular piece was sewn from the top to the bottom of each sleeve in three parallel rows. I sewed four pieces (cut on the bias) of ties (right sides together and turned them out using a safety pin) and inserted them through the casings with a safety pin.
Conclusion One of the few patterns that I revisited because I liked the style and fit and the ease of construction. The ties and the shirring at the shoulders added a distinctive flair to the short sleeved version.
To update my spring/summer wardrobe, I created the short sleeve version of Burda 7942 with shoulder casings and ties.
Shoulder ties and casings
A rectangular piece was sewn from the top to the bottom of each sleeve in three parallel rows. I sewed four pieces (cut on the bias) of ties (right sides together and turned them out using a safety pin) and inserted them through the casings with a safety pin.
Conclusion One of the few patterns that I revisited because I liked the style and fit and the ease of construction. The ties and the shirring at the shoulders added a distinctive flair to the short sleeved version.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Puzzling Print
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Pattern Description
Semi-fitted blouse with ruching at the front's princess seams and sleeve variations. Has interfaced collar, front facing and center back seam. I sewed View A, the long sleeved blouse.
Size
European sizing 36-38-40-42-44. I sewed a "40" corresponding to a "14".
Fabric Used
Cotton with pastel camo print. I enjoy sewing with wild fabric prints and creating something that drifts away from my usual wardrobe!
Likes
* Blouse was easy to put together.
* Seam allowances are included in pattern pieces.
* Seam numbers were included.
* Gathering/ruching in the front (gathering was done between two marked stars on the front pieces). The edge of a front gathered piece should match up with the edge of its corresponding side front before stitching them together.
* The directions flowed well and included helpful illustrations. Steps such as side seams and sleeve seams were not numbered and did not include illustrations.
* Surprisingly, instructions for assembling and attaching neck collar and sleeve cuffs were sufficiently clear and easy to follow.
* Included reminders/tips for setting in sleeves.
Dislikes
* Nothing to dislike. The only thing that I somewhat bothered me was taking a little more time in easing the collar onto the neckline. I ended up snipping quite a bit of the top edge of the collar after attaching the front facing.
Modifications
I used 4 large buttons instead of 7 small buttons as shown in the technical drawing. My top is not as low cut as pictured on the pretty model.
Conclusion
The blouse ended up looking more like a shirt/jacket. I rarely wear button down shirts because I would rather wear a camisole or a sleeveless top underneath and not having to button the front.
I'll sew a poly blend version and also the short sleeves with the tie casingsm which seems very "in" right now. I recommend this top because it is very easy to make and very versatile (any season of the year, dressy or casual occasions).
>
Pattern Description
Semi-fitted blouse with ruching at the front's princess seams and sleeve variations. Has interfaced collar, front facing and center back seam. I sewed View A, the long sleeved blouse.
Size
European sizing 36-38-40-42-44. I sewed a "40" corresponding to a "14".
Fabric Used
Cotton with pastel camo print. I enjoy sewing with wild fabric prints and creating something that drifts away from my usual wardrobe!
Likes
* Blouse was easy to put together.
* Seam allowances are included in pattern pieces.
* Seam numbers were included.
* Gathering/ruching in the front (gathering was done between two marked stars on the front pieces). The edge of a front gathered piece should match up with the edge of its corresponding side front before stitching them together.
* The directions flowed well and included helpful illustrations. Steps such as side seams and sleeve seams were not numbered and did not include illustrations.
* Surprisingly, instructions for assembling and attaching neck collar and sleeve cuffs were sufficiently clear and easy to follow.
* Included reminders/tips for setting in sleeves.
Dislikes
* Nothing to dislike. The only thing that I somewhat bothered me was taking a little more time in easing the collar onto the neckline. I ended up snipping quite a bit of the top edge of the collar after attaching the front facing.
Modifications
I used 4 large buttons instead of 7 small buttons as shown in the technical drawing. My top is not as low cut as pictured on the pretty model.
Conclusion
The blouse ended up looking more like a shirt/jacket. I rarely wear button down shirts because I would rather wear a camisole or a sleeveless top underneath and not having to button the front.
I'll sew a poly blend version and also the short sleeves with the tie casingsm which seems very "in" right now. I recommend this top because it is very easy to make and very versatile (any season of the year, dressy or casual occasions).
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Happy Cinco de Mayo
Mon artiste Heather and her celebration of spring through her watercolor art!
She immediately wore her Diego themed outfit after I made it a few months ago!
"Rain Forest Adventure"
Heather sporting her Dora's "Primary Colors" outfit:
Coordinates well with her "Spring Fiesta"!
A smiling Valentine girl on Easter day!
She could easily blend with a "Peach and Berry Delight"!
I had high hopes for this simply chic shirt!
A camisole will do to make this shirt wearable! I really like the "cha-cha" sleeves that I created in place of the cuffs! It's fiesta time!
Mon artiste Heather and her celebration of spring through her watercolor art!
She immediately wore her Diego themed outfit after I made it a few months ago!
"Rain Forest Adventure"
Heather sporting her Dora's "Primary Colors" outfit:
Coordinates well with her "Spring Fiesta"!
A smiling Valentine girl on Easter day!
She could easily blend with a "Peach and Berry Delight"!
I had high hopes for this simply chic shirt!
A camisole will do to make this shirt wearable! I really like the "cha-cha" sleeves that I created in place of the cuffs! It's fiesta time!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Where's the $419.05?
From Saks Fifth Avenue, Nannette Lepore's Harry's Bar Jacket for $430!
From me, some jacket for $10.95!
From a McCall's 5329 jacket $6.95 pattern and $2/yard fabric from Le Wal Marche
Pattern Description
Misses' lined jackets: Semi-fitted, lined jacket has collar and lapels, elbow length sleeve ruffle or cuff; jacket A has purchased trim; jacket B has applied band. I sewed view B (the ruffled jacket)
Size
6-8-10-12. I sewed a 12.
Features
* Instructions and illustrations were clear and easy to follow!
* Darted front and back.
* Collar and lapel are separate pieces
* Interfaced collar, lapel, and front
* Lined back, side fronts, and sleeves
* Markings (dots, triangles) matched up well.
Fabric used
Polka dotted cotton with a tad bit of stretch for $2/yard at Wal Mart. I used some leftover fabric from a previous project for the lining.
Likes
* The overall style
* Easy to sew
Dislikes
* Neckline came much lower on me than pictured. I would raise it next time. A person with a long torso probably would not need to make neckline adjustments.
* I wonder if there is a better way to finish the sleeve linings than slip stitching!
Modifications
* I eliminated the front side darts and decreased the seam allowances. This jacket did not appear to be semi-fitted for me. It was really "barely fitted" for me! I could have used a 14, but feared about the collar coming too low!
* I eliminated the side bands along with the back band. I did not want to break up the back darts which I found flattering.
* I used a really different fabric for the sleeve ruffle because I did not have enough of the original fabric. I think this is coming from being a Dancing with the Stars junkie and seeing the Mambo/Samba/carnivale theme popping up ever so often!
Conclusion
This is a well drafted jacket with endless options and could be easily adjusted for a more personalized fit! I plan to sew this jacket again with a slightly heavier fabric. Just adding trim and changing the buttons changes the mood of the jacket!
Softer light:
From Saks Fifth Avenue, Nannette Lepore's Harry's Bar Jacket for $430!
From me, some jacket for $10.95!
From a McCall's 5329 jacket $6.95 pattern and $2/yard fabric from Le Wal Marche
Pattern Description
Misses' lined jackets: Semi-fitted, lined jacket has collar and lapels, elbow length sleeve ruffle or cuff; jacket A has purchased trim; jacket B has applied band. I sewed view B (the ruffled jacket)
Size
6-8-10-12. I sewed a 12.
Features
* Instructions and illustrations were clear and easy to follow!
* Darted front and back.
* Collar and lapel are separate pieces
* Interfaced collar, lapel, and front
* Lined back, side fronts, and sleeves
* Markings (dots, triangles) matched up well.
Fabric used
Polka dotted cotton with a tad bit of stretch for $2/yard at Wal Mart. I used some leftover fabric from a previous project for the lining.
Likes
* The overall style
* Easy to sew
Dislikes
* Neckline came much lower on me than pictured. I would raise it next time. A person with a long torso probably would not need to make neckline adjustments.
* I wonder if there is a better way to finish the sleeve linings than slip stitching!
Modifications
* I eliminated the front side darts and decreased the seam allowances. This jacket did not appear to be semi-fitted for me. It was really "barely fitted" for me! I could have used a 14, but feared about the collar coming too low!
* I eliminated the side bands along with the back band. I did not want to break up the back darts which I found flattering.
* I used a really different fabric for the sleeve ruffle because I did not have enough of the original fabric. I think this is coming from being a Dancing with the Stars junkie and seeing the Mambo/Samba/carnivale theme popping up ever so often!
Conclusion
This is a well drafted jacket with endless options and could be easily adjusted for a more personalized fit! I plan to sew this jacket again with a slightly heavier fabric. Just adding trim and changing the buttons changes the mood of the jacket!
Softer light:
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Think Pink!
Heather insisted on posing and smiling!
Visions in pink!
Finally finished Burda 7911's wrap blouse!
My cute photographer took these (her little arms were getting quite a workout from holding the camera (video) as still as she can)!
The cap sleeves gave me that "space-age" look! Just call me a "super-galactic" mom!
Heather insisted on posing and smiling!
Visions in pink!
Finally finished Burda 7911's wrap blouse!
My cute photographer took these (her little arms were getting quite a workout from holding the camera (video) as still as she can)!
The cap sleeves gave me that "space-age" look! Just call me a "super-galactic" mom!
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Lime Time and Merry Berry
Heather and I were having too much fun in front of the mirror, (technically behind the camera) after I made another shirt using leftover lime houndstooth fabric from a previous project.
Lime from the Lilly Pulitzer collection (Saks Fifth Avenue):
Berry from the Lafayette 148 collection, Nordstrom's:
All Charged Up
Heather and I were having too much fun in front of the mirror, (technically behind the camera) after I made another shirt using leftover lime houndstooth fabric from a previous project.
Lime from the Lilly Pulitzer collection (Saks Fifth Avenue):
Berry from the Lafayette 148 collection, Nordstrom's:
All Charged Up
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Girl Scout Tribute
From Simplicity 4417
Pattern Description
Misses' tops (sleeveless) in two lengths with bodice and trim variations. I sewed View C with the front band and tie above the bust.
Sizing
6-14. I used a size 12 and took in the seams a little because I was using a knit.
Fabric
Green is a poly knit and the brown is a more stretchy knit.
Features
*Has two front band and ties pieces. They are folded in half lengthwise, right sides together and sewn up to a marked circle (clipped later) and turned right side out, raw sides basted together and attached to the bodice front, where its basted between marked dots.
* Thin shoulder straps. I used a small safety pin to turn the straps right sides out.
* Self fabric lined bust/bodice area
* After its seams are sewn, the skirt attached attached below the bodice
Modifications
* I used two types of fabric, knits instead of wovens.
* For View C, I omitted the the front's second tier.
* I omitted the zipper
* I did not gather the bottom of the bust area.
* I sewed the skirt only to the bodice, right seams together, then I slip stitched the lining/facing (folded bottom edge) to the skirt, to cover up the inner seams.
Dislikes
* Bustline is lower than I expected.
* I did not find the style flattering to my figure. A very thin person would carry this much better than me!
* I think the woven version would not fit me at all!
Conclusion
A blouse that is very easy to put together. I would wear this top for the home to lounge around in or better yet, this style would make a great lingerie top!
From Simplicity 4417
Pattern Description
Misses' tops (sleeveless) in two lengths with bodice and trim variations. I sewed View C with the front band and tie above the bust.
Sizing
6-14. I used a size 12 and took in the seams a little because I was using a knit.
Fabric
Green is a poly knit and the brown is a more stretchy knit.
Features
*Has two front band and ties pieces. They are folded in half lengthwise, right sides together and sewn up to a marked circle (clipped later) and turned right side out, raw sides basted together and attached to the bodice front, where its basted between marked dots.
* Thin shoulder straps. I used a small safety pin to turn the straps right sides out.
* Self fabric lined bust/bodice area
* After its seams are sewn, the skirt attached attached below the bodice
Modifications
* I used two types of fabric, knits instead of wovens.
* For View C, I omitted the the front's second tier.
* I omitted the zipper
* I did not gather the bottom of the bust area.
* I sewed the skirt only to the bodice, right seams together, then I slip stitched the lining/facing (folded bottom edge) to the skirt, to cover up the inner seams.
Dislikes
* Bustline is lower than I expected.
* I did not find the style flattering to my figure. A very thin person would carry this much better than me!
* I think the woven version would not fit me at all!
Conclusion
A blouse that is very easy to put together. I would wear this top for the home to lounge around in or better yet, this style would make a great lingerie top!
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