Another 1569 and Fun Topper.

There's a contest over at Power Sewing that ended today. You had to make one of four patterns. As it happens, I only have in my possession V1569 and since I wanted to make a second version ( my first here ) , I cut into a much loved piece of quite heavy tapestry / jacquard intended for a long coat which I also cut out. It won't get it made until next fall, though.

This is my new tunic.

For the contrast sides, I of course used the other side of the fabric. Easy peasy !

The collar is ponte de Roma

and the tabs are leather cut out from an old coat given to me by a friend who knows I look for leather to use in my projects. I used this design element instead of the tabs included in the pattern.

The buttons are from a thrift store and I think they look antique. I thought black buttons would have been too boring.

All the seams are done in Hong Kong finish for a nice ,clean finish.

I love this piece. I need to find a heavy green turtle neck sweater to bring out the green and for  that punch of colour we all love. I did happen to have a purse that matches exactly though !!

My next piece is one I've long wanted to try. It's View D of this OOP pattern.

This Pattern was a little complicated to figure out and is almost as difficult to figure out how to put on so it won't make it into my next Fashion Show /Sale.
You need to take time to arrange the collar around your neck and shoulders but it is unique and fun to wear.

My fabric is a quite thin , very drapey, mini ribbed sweater knit, probably polyester and it was just right for this design.

I cut 7" from the depth of the collar because it was ridiculously long.
I tacked the back of the collar at the back seam which made it a little easier to arrange.

The front piece was quite a bit too short and the back quite a bit too long. I shortened the back and added a piece to the front that ended up looking like a frill . Cute I think.The edges are serge finished which I think was sufficient for a piece like this.

I've worn this a couple of times and I like it a lot. i doubt I'd make a second one though !

I'm very busy these days with my Sewing Group and planning for my Spring Fashion Show. Want a peak ?

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A Little Black Dress (Burda 6988 ) and V1569 by Sandra Betzina

I'm excited to show my two makes of the week. As promised last week, I'll show you Sandra Betzina's V1569

and my finally made little black dress, Burda 6988

I'll start with the tunic. Here is my version but I have so many versions swimming around in my head I can't stand it !

The fabric is a medium weight textured knit in the middle and rayon ponte de Roma for the sides and collar. Great collar ,BTW !

I omitted the tabs that are suppose to join the front to the back. Instead I made these leather and toggle closures to add a little more interesting design detail.

This is a really easy make and would work just as well with woven fabrics. 

It's a slimming style and works well with jeggings.

I just celebrated my 70 th birthday and I wanted a special but simple dress for the occasion that would be easy and comfortable to wear. What better choice than a little black dress !

Here is my LBD at last .

I made view B but dropped the waist about an inch because when I tried this one before, there was something wrong with the proportions and I think the inch made the difference. Otherwise this pattern fits me right out of the envelope with only an upper rounded back adjustment needed.

I decided against a zipper because my fabric has plenty of stretch.I changed the neckline from a boatneck to a scoop neck .

I prefer 3/4 sleeves and although I tried the long sleeves first, they just didn't look as good on me as this length.

My husband helped me to decide on the length, thus just below the knee.

The fabric is a beautiful rayon ponte de Roma bought at Fabricville of course. It feels so silky and  luxurious against the skin. I love it.

I think my dress, because of it's simple lines ,will stay in style for years to come.

I'm really happy with it.

That's all for now . I'm starting to feel the call of my Spring Fashion Show and I'm wanting to experiment and try out ideas so that's probably whet I'll have for you next time. Thanks again for stopping by ! 

Butterick 6393 and 5354

The Groundhog didn't see his shadow here ! I so hope it means a short winter !

Today, I'm showing you two Butterick pattern garments.

I've been sewing for myself to replace everyday tops and also trying out patterns that aren't too challenging to suggest to my sewers. I have nine  ladies this year and it's quite a challenge to get to everyone when they are all making different things . I'm trying to steer them     toward a couple of choices. Butterick 6393 is one of them and most of them want to make it.Yeah !!

This is a really cute topper and can I say ,very slimming. I wore this one Thursday and the ladies noticed that and they are quite enthusiastic about making their own.

I left out the sleeve ruffle and lengthened the sleeve about 3 "

It's a very simple pattern to sew and would be great for beginners. There are no facings . The edges are all turned under and top stitched At the neckline the collar is turned under and tacked at the back seam. It just took me a couple of hours from start to finish.

My fabric is a light to medium sweater knit bought at Fabricville. and has a moderate two way stretch. I bought this one in all three colours that were available (green and brown in addition to this red )

I've worn this one four times this week !! This is definitely going to be in my Spring Fashion Show in May !

My next Butterick garment is an OOP pattern , B5354.

This top is just different enough to  not look like a t shirt but can be worn as one.
The only change I made was to add an inch to the side seams and then blouson it by adding elastic at the hemline. I cut it a little longer than ViewD but not as long as View B.

The fabric is a beautiful silky rayon jersey bought at Fabricville. I love the plum colour and the neckline in this one!

This week I'm working on Sandra Betzina's V1569. It will be another possible project for  my sewing Group as well as a possible item for my next  Fashion Show.

Thank you for stopping by and have a great week.

Jetsetter Poncho by Hot Patterns

I've long been eyeing this pattern.

I thought it might be a fun piece and a possible project for my sewing group. I bought the down loadable version of the pattern to save having to pay the  $23 shipping fee. It's not fun to tape all those pieces together, though !

Here's my version on Antoinette

and here is  what I think ...

As you can see by my photo, there's quite a difference between my resulting poncho and  the drawing on the pattern envelope and yes I was disappointed. I really loved the lines of it on that drawing. But seriously, there's no way that would ever work. The slope of the shoulder would have to be so sharply downward that you wouldn't be able to move your arms. The  drape below the arm is just what allows arm movement.

I still like this poncho and a couple of my ladies want to make one. Also, I'll probably use it as a design for my next Fashion Show which will be in May.

This gorgeous fabric is  a quite heavy quilted look  polyester knit I bought at Fabricville a couple of years ago. It was suppose to become a coat but I decided against that because of the busyness of the print. But don't you think that there are great polyesters on the market today?  I would still prefer to sew using all natural fibers as I did  all though the 80's but they are just not that  available here nowadays.

I ended up making size 12 because that seemed to be similar to my measurements but that ended up  too big. However ,when I made a 2" fold down the center front, I was satisfied . I had bought these wine buttons for the coat I had planned and so I added them and I like the effect.

The collar isn't doubled in the instructions but I did . It sits very nicely on my shoulders and away from my chin and I really like that.

This is a really warm piece and I hope to be able to wear it soon when the winter temps warm up a little .

I've been making new tops to replace the ones I'm tired of wearing so I'll show you those next week. I've also auditioned a simple but cute cardi pattern that I could make for my next Fashion Show, Butterick  6393 and I'll show you a couple of those so please come back to see.

Thanks so much for stopping by and for leaving comments . I love reading what you think.

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