Vogue 8781 Complete and paired with New Look 6150!

Vogue 8781 paired with New Look 6150

Pattern Description: Lined jacket has shoulder pads, side pockets and two-pieces raglan sleeves. Skirt has a raised waist.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes...for the most part. I'll explain in more detail below.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, they were.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I really love the look of raglan sleeves. It may be that I don't wear them well. I like the skirt, too; however, I find that Vogue patterns sometimes have too much curve in the hip.
Fabric Used: A woven tweed--the quality wasn't that great.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I eliminated the pockets.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Probably not.... I found there was too much fullness in the sleeves. I typically have to make an FBA for most patterns. However, I didn't have to do that for this one. Also, if you at the pics closely, you can see that the jacket fronts don't hang straight or level. I don't think I straight-grained the fabric. So, it may be that the whole thing is off-grain. What a TERRIBLE me-made mistake! This is one of the reasons we make our own, so that we don't end up with garments that twist and curve in the wrong places! AAAAaaaarrrrggghhh! I still wore it to church and made the best of the situation.


The top is New Look 6150.  It is fast becoming a TNT.  This is the second time I've made it, and I've already committed four more pieces of fabric to the pattern as well!!!

The top and some close ups of gathering and finishing details. 

Project Runway for the home sewer!

You gotta check this out!  It's Project Runway for the home sewer....  The Great British Sewing Bee! 
Home sewers in the UK are put to the test....

Last call...to join The Challenge!

This is a re-post for the last call to join the Sew Your Own Wardrobe For A Year Challenge.  This is a year-long challenge to create fabulous "me-sewn" wardrobes, enhance our sewing skills, and find encouragement along the way.  We currently have 40 ladies who have taken up the challenge.  April 15, 2013 will be the last day to join the challenge.  

Feel free to post this announcement on your own blogs as well as the link to the Welcome & Intro Video.

Simplicity 1699 Complete...

I'm all done with this one....

I'm not sure I'll do it again.  I love the color (fuchsia).  I also loved the embroidery detail on the linen blend.  I used that piece on the top and a plain (non-embroidered) version for the pants.  I love the pants  in this pattern and will likely use it again.  I will, however, move the zipper from the side to the back.  The pants are a good fit--even thought I tend to wear my slacks a bit loose.  

The top is another story....  I love peplum tops and this one is really cute.  However, I'm not sure that a "full-busted" girl should wear a jewel neckline w/embroidery.  It just seems like waaaaaaaay too much fabric happening above the waist to cover "the girls!"  Perhaps it just me, but a few times I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and thought I saw a "bright pink version of the Michelin Man driving an ice cream truck...."  It's just a whole lot of pink moving at one time!  LOL!!! 

Print/embroidery detail

Revisiting New Look 6150...

I just love this top!  By the time the Sew Your Own Wardrobe challenge is complete, I will have many in my collection.  The next colors will be black, off white, and purple!!! 

Challenge intro:  http://sewyourownwardrobeforayearchallenge.blogspot.com/2013/04/and-sew-it-begins.html

Front

Shoulder detail

Side gatherings

Making Progress--Simplicity 1699

Loving the peplum top....

Butterick 5682 complete

My first pair of jeans complete!  It was a 3-day project....  I loved every moment of it.

Pattern Description: At waist, fitted jeans; five options--slim leg, straight leg, boot cut, flared leg and straight leg w/hook and eye closure. I cut the boot cut view 
Pattern Sizing: 16-18-20-22 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes! 

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes...I think they were.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The design is easy to follow and the fit works out great. 

Fabric Used: I used a stretch denim (10 oz). 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: This was my first pair of jeans. Consequently, I cut them a size larger to ensure they would fit. In the end, my seam allowance was almost 2". I realized I could cut the correct size and still have one inch seams in the stretch denim. I followed Lisa's tutorial at Sew On and Sew On to make the back pockets. That worked out great. My blog contains more info on: 
Pocket Details
Zipper Details 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Absolutely! In fact, I plan to make several of the views in a few more colors. I also love doing all of the topstitching. However, I'm not a fan of topstitching thread. It jams in the machine and you only get 60 yds on a spool. What a rip off!!! I wound two bobbins and had just enough thread for the pocket details. I might try an embroidery thread next time. Despite that, I love this pattern and appreciate the "rise" at the waistline. Vogue has a similar pattern with a straight leg and boot cut option; however, the rise is 2" below the waistline. Frankly, I'd end up giving "muffin top" a whole new dynamic if I used that pattern.

Uhh...Quite possibly my new favorite thing!

I'm having sew much fun on these jeans they might be my new favorite garment to sew!  They have come together well.  I'm in the process of fitting and preparing to attach the waistband.  I've been digitally documenting every detail.  I love the topstitching details.  I chose a funky twill for the pocket lining.  Even the zipper details came together nicely....  More pics later showcasing the hem and once the fit is finalized

Pockets details

Zipper details

Rear view before sides seams are sewn...

Initial steps on Butterick 5682--Denim pockets

I started on the indigo jeans....  First, I must give a huge SHOUT OUT to Lisa at Sew On and Sew On for her jean pocket tutorial.  I followed her counsel on construction.  The guide sheet takes you a different route.  I used one of the decorative stitches on my machine with a jeans topstitching thread.  I'm not a huge fan of how the thread performs in the machine.  However, I love the look of it.  

Lessons learned so far:

• Use a woven fusible interfacing on the pocket wherever there might be decorative stitching.  It keeps the thread from bunching and tangling
• Go slow...decorative stitches are a nightmare to rip out
• I'm gonna love making jeans!  

On the cutting room table...

Sew...I'll be busy working on these projects over the next few weeks:

Butterick 5682--my first pair of jeans. I've chosen an indigo denim (looks black to me). It's a 10oz denim with just a bit of stretch. The project will expose me to new techniques and may find me using my embroidery features of my machine.  I started working on this one today, and I'm so excited!!!  

Simplicity 1699--I've had a pink/fuschia linen blend with a coordinating embroidered piece in my stash for a long time. This is finally the season.... This peplum top and pants should be adorable as Spring makes its entry!

Butterick 5382--I love the neckline of this dress. I cut it in a blue knit that may not have enough stretch. I may have to find someone it will actually fit when it's all over. I have a two-way stretch stand standing for the do-over just in case I'm "stitch-slapped" during the first round! ��

New Look 6150--I had great success on this one the first go 'round. This time I have a delicious red knit.... It's a blue red--my favorite.