Vogue 8710, a Katherine Tilrton Top

When making Vogue 8710, most people have made View B (the striped top), and I intend to make it for the fall.

 For the spring/summer season, I made two versions of View A. Here is the first one.

Details and comments:

Fabric: 100% cotton knit (quite thick)

Sizing:  I made a medium and I didn't need any extra at side seams.
          I made my usual Full Bust Adjustment (FBA) and it was too big. I had to use 1/2"  
               

 Directions:  Were clear but the sleeve insertion was really weird. They are top stitched to the armscye

 with the help of Steam-a-Seam!

 The two pleats form a kind of flat puff which looks a little funny so I've added  shoulder pads  and                                                                                                                                           extended them into the sleeve to give a more pleasing look

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Design Element: The fabric is lovely and I love its weight but it curled unmercifully during                                   construction. When I noticed that narrow strips curled nicely on each side I decided to experiment
 with the neckline . Here is a close-up of the flowers I fashioned.   

I sewed the strips by hand,starting with the middle one and forming the flowers as I went. I loved doing this. It was relaxing and only took about an hour to finish. Here is what the underside looks like. I didn't add stabilizer because of the weight of the fabric.

       I  love this top and have worn it a couple of times already. Skirt is an old favorite of mine S5005 that I've had for many years.

      My second version is a sleeveless one using the same fabric in white.

      This time I used a purchased  trim to form another design of flowers ,a more subtle one.

This white top was very needed in my wardrobe and is very cool in this hot weather. Worn below with a cotton skirt S2764 ( I made an identical one for my DD).

    That's it for now. I have company coming for a couple of weeks but I hope to have time to blog my Burda Style rain jacket that I've finally finished!


Hope you've had time to sew this week! More later from

            

McCall's 6559 My Way

First I'd like to thank all  those who stop by to see what I'm doing and a special thanks to those who leave comments. I appreciate it so much!

McCall's 6559 has had a lot of attention and my version may be a disappointment, but I thought it would work with a narrow navy and white cotton knit stripe from my stash. I only had enough to make a top though.

I used the drawing for View F (the pink stripes) as my laying out guide and cut it off at the second lengthen or shorten line. This is what I came up with.

The contrast is less spectacular than I had envisioned it, but I do like this top a lot. I would like to try a dress using colour blocking but that probably won't happen this summer.

Comments about the pattern.


1.  I cut a size 12 with size 14 at side seams and with my FBA, that worked very well.So the sizing is accurate.


2.  I raised the front neckline 5/8" because it seemed too low. It is just right with this small addition.


3. The pieces fit well together and the instructions were clear.


4.I added neck and arm hole bands  which I think adds a nice touch.The pattern doesn't include them.


5. This is the only negative.I find the arm holes a little too big and I would raise them as well as add a bit to the circumference next time.


And yes, I would make it again and encourage anyone who has rhis pattern , to give it a try.


A couple more peaks..

I'm off for a doctor's appointment. The skirt is my white bull denim which I made last summer.

Have a great weekend Everyone. I hope it's not too hot where you are!

A story in Purple

My husband and I have been married for 14 years, a second marriage for both of us.
We have a lot in common and one of the things is that we never remember our anniversary, sometimes until months later. It's a good thing we both forget isn't it.


 Last month Bob was away on hockey business and when the day of our anniversary arrived, I remembered and E-mailed him first thing in the morning,much to his surprise. When he arrived home a few days later he surprised me with this beautiful amethyst  ( my birthstone) bracelet. I was thrilled !

I don't have anything purple in my summer wardrobe except a skirt so I haven't worn my bracelet a lot which my husband has been quick to notice. Well, I had to remedy that.


First , I bought this great cardi at a hotel where we were staying  in Halifax.The skirt (a heavy ponte) and top ( a ribbed sweater knit ) are two pieces I made this spring. I like how they look with the cardi and of course the bracelet.

Next, I had to buy some purple fabric!!! Don't you love it when you genuinely  need fabric!!!


Firs,I made a top using S6619 View A but with short sleeves.

Here it is paired with a purple skirt made years ago but that I still love.

                                     A detail shot of the interesting shirring

The fabric is a soft organic cotton spandex and is a perfect match in colour for the skirt.

This top is very fitted and I was glad of the extra inch I added to the side seams which I needed.
The neckline is very low and open ( I didn't make a muslin). I of course need a cami underneath.
This is a once and only for this one. Again, not my best look.

The next piece is a second version of Silhouette's Giorgio's Top. Here is my first version.

I changed it up this time with the 3/4 sleeves and the angled sides.

The fabric is a very lightweight almost sheer cotton knit. It's too light really and I wish I had made it into a wrap instead. It doesn't hang well.

And last of all, I made this very simple princess seamed dress using S1883.

The fabric is a rayon jacquard. I decided not to line it so as to keep it as cool as possible  to wear in  hot summer weather.

 Because I didn't like the neckline , I decided to add large sew on beads. I'm not sure if that helped but it is what it is.

Comments on this pattern: 


1. The sizing is accurate I cut my usual size 12  with side seams at size 14 and I didn't need the extra. Of course I made my Full Bust Adjustment as I do for all patterns.

2. The armscyye is a bit too roomy and low. I'd at least raise them an extra 1/2 inch s next time.

3. The V-neck is the opposite of too low, ie. it's a bit too high.

4.The princess lines of this dress give it a pleasing silhouette and skims nicely over the body.

5. The length is just right (at about mid knee) on my 5'4 1/2 " frame with a 1 1/4 " hem..

6.. Yes I would make it again but would change the neckline as well as raise the armscye.

I'm going to enjoy having this dress to wear on hot days when dresses are the most comfortable garments.

I wore it last night when we had guests for dinner.

More pics here.   

Hope you had time to sew today!
More later from

An Oh So Comfortable Dress

The dress I have to show you today is a knit dress that is so very easy to wear. Knit fabric and no zipper, short and flirty. Here it is.

The pattern I used was Giorgio's top by Silhouette Patterns which I've used twice before.

 To make this dress, I lengthened all the pieces by 14 " and it falls just at my knee. ( I'm 5'4 1/2" tall).

I piped the neckline and sleeve edges with the curled selvedge of my knit fabric ( Poly-lycra)

 I should add that the neckline on my tops and this dress has been lowered so that is another change I made     to the pattern. 


I wore this dress to a  casual wedding last night . It was hot and humid but I was comfortable and cool.

I hope you found time to sew. 


More later from

More Necessary Pieces

I hate to bore you but here are the last two pieces on this theme.

These capris are once again V7608 by Sandra Betzina.

They are part of this outfit.

I'm very happy with the way they fit and how they look with the jacket. (Whoops! I thought I had a photo but I don't!)


The next item is a top made as a muslin to test  Simplicity2234 . I want to make the dress on the model.

I wasn't too sure about this one until I wore it to a community function and got compliments. After all, it may look like a maternity top but I'm far beyond that age so I'll just accept the "It's cute" verdict.

The fabric is an embroidered cotton voile from my stash.

Some detail shots.

Me in these two pieces

I do plan on making the dress soon using a lovely light polyester georgette type fabric that's been in my stash for at least six years.

First though, I want to finish my rain jacket ( here's a peek). I still have a few styling details to finish on it.

Then, I've started to make a couple of purple items to match a bracelet my husband gave me for our anniversary.I;ll share those with you next time.

Happy Sewing to all from

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More Useful Pieces for my Wardrobe

The weather has turned warmer and sunnier this week in the Maritime Provinces. For me, that meant a whole lot of weeding  but I still sewed quite a bit of course.

I wasn't as keen to finish my rainproof jacket as I was when I started it thanks to the beautiful weather but I did finish quite a bit of it.I'll show you the finished garment next week for sure. I'm not intending to let this become a UFO!

I have another pair of cropped pants to show you which I made a couple of weeks ago. Here they are with a few details.

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I morphed two patterns together to make these jeans.I used Vogue 7608 ( which were fitted by Sandra Betzina when I attended her workshop in Halifax in 2006)and McCall's 5392 an OOP pattern.

 I simply laid the McCall's skinny jeans over the Betzina pattern and used above the crotch ofV7608 and tapered the legs from the thigh down using  M5392 and cut them at about ankle length . These turned out just the way I had imagined them and I really like them a lot.

Here I'm wearing my new capris with another Today"s Fit piece, V1109    , blogged here. I love the way they fit.

I also made a top this week which I've been admiring for a long time but wasn't sure how flattering it would be

The pattern is New Look 6648 View A.

The fabric is a somewhat sheer, stretchy and crinkled polyester from my stash . I love the batik-like mix of colours in this fabric.

This piece was super easy and quick to make. The band is ruched at the sides and must fit snugly for the right effect.

I think it looks Ok on me but is not my best look.This will probably be a once and only for this pattern. I have it out of my system now.

Here are the two pieces together.

WEEeeeeee!!

Next, I want to finish my jacket and then make a couple of purple pieces to go with a beautiful amethyst bracelet my husband gave me for our anniversary. Please look in on me again soon.

a

Filling in the Gaps in my Wardrobe

It's been a while but I have been sewing!

I decided June would be the month that I would make items I really need.

I always get excited when I discover I really need something....Capris, short sleeved tops and a rain jacket are all on my list.

So far, I've made three pairs of capris, two tops and I'm having a great time making a casual jacket using an old issue of Burda World of Fashion. But that will be another post.

First capris.#1

Pattern: Silhouette's Yoga Pants

                    Fabric:Stretch Cotton Sateen

                     Size: 8. (Silhouette sizes   represent finished
                       garment measurements.)
                     


                      Changes to pattern: 1. Added 2" to top of pant
                       because I don't like low rise pants.
   
                       2. Added cute pockets on side of capris.
















Comments: I love this pattern! It fits like a dream and is so easy to make. I made a muslin in a ponte knit. For those I used size 6 and they were perfect.For the stretch cotton, I really needed the bigger size.The waistband is wrapped around 2" elastic.

Next item was this top:

                                                                             

Pattern: Silhouette's Giorgio's Top

Fabric: Polyester Lycra

Size 2. (Again, sizes not those of the Big Four ).

Changes: Nothing to do with fit. I scooped the neck lower with my French Curve and made the sleeves longer than the short version of the pattern.

    Comments: The fit on this top is amazing. I used the D cup piece for the side front and  
       this muslin turned into a wearable one.The back is really cute,I think.

This is what the two pieces look like on me.

And with that, I`m going to call it quits because my laptop is behaving really badly.

I do hope you all had time to sew this weekend. Have a great week and let`s all hope for sunny and warm weather for this week.