My Second Version of McCall M8240

 

Here is the second version of McCall's M8240.  This time I made it with the full bust adjustment.  This must be the season for stripes.  This is the third garment that I made in recent weeks that is striped. 

Anyway, I would have loved to have this pullover top without darts.  But it fits so much better with them.  This fabric is from my stash.  I purchased it from So Sew Fabrics a few year ago.

Nothing more to say.

First Summer Dress of the Season - McCall's M8449

 

Pattern Description:

Pull over dresses have placket, collar, sleeve and length variations.  View C has front buttons on placket.  Separate optional sash included.  I made view B with modifications

Pattern Sizing:  

8 to 26.  I used size size 16.  I was  lucky that the width across the the bust area had plenty of room.  So no FBA.

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

Yes, it did.  I added buttons to the placket. 

Were the instructions easy to follow?  

The instructions were easy to follow.  Nothing complicated or confusing in them.  My biggest concern was the placket.  It is a focal point of the dress, and it has to be perfect.  I'm happy to say it turned out well.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  

I like the overall style of the dress.  This is the season for shirt dresses.  And this one was perfect for what I had in mind.  No dislikes.

Fabric Used:  

This striped cotton blend came from The Discount Textile Warehouse on West 21st Street in Chicago.  It is tightly woven with a dry hand.  It is wrinkle resistant and the stripes are vibrant.  No issue with sewing this fabrication.


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: 

I made minimum alterations/changes.  As I said above, I like the buttons on the placket.  So I added them to this view.  I added a little width across the upper back.  I didn't have enough fabric to cut the collars in one piece.  For the under collar I created a chevron affect and for the upper collar the stripes are vertical.  No other changes.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  

Yes, I would like to make the sleeveless version.  And yes, I do recommend it to others.  Just take your time making the placket.

Conclusion:  

This was a great start to my summer dress wardrobe.  I'm happy with how it turned out.  It is pictured with a white belt that I purchased.  I really would like to find a wide navy belt to complement this summer dress. 

Happy Sewing!
C  

Question: What Do You Do With All Those Muslins?

 

This is the year of purging.  I'm seriously purging everywhere in my home.  I want to reduce any clutter.  Here is a pile of  muslins that I made over the past few years. It looks like a pile of something worth keeping, but why? I don't need them anymore.  So, I'm throwing them in the trash.  

What do you do with all your muslins?  How long do you keep them?  Do you recycle the fabric? Or just toss them?

Do share.

Happy Sewing!

C

Another Sandra Betzina Pattern - Vogue V1805 Views A and B

 

I reviewed View B of this pattern last month.  Today, I'm posting View A.  This is the View that convinced me to purchase the pattern in the first place.  I love the sleeves and the effect of the stripes.  I thought it was pretty cool.  Stripes going in many directions but somehow are very organized at the same time. The tie was cute too.  It looks very chic.  

My striped fabric has been in my collection for over five years.  I purchased it at Mood Fabrics.  It is soft and has about 40 percent stretch with great recovery.  

The body of the top sewed together the same as View B.,  The sleeves has two pieces: an over and under sleeve.  The over sleeve is gathered to create the balloon affect.  The tie has two separate pieces as well. The pattern suggest a contrasting solid color fabric for the under tie.  I just use the same fabric and turned the stripes in a different direction.  It worked out fine.

In the above photos, I wearing View A with my TNT knit pants Vogue V8859.  I've made these pants at least 15 times.  An great basic pants.

Below, I'm wearing the first top, View B.  It has already become a basic go to staple.

Happy Sewing!

C

It's Been Awhile

Hi Sewing Friends,

It has been awhile since I posted any sewing projects.  A lot has happened in the past month and a half.  Here are some highlights.

Me and one of my sewing students made a trek up to Vogue Fabrics in Evanston to see what we could see and buy.  Lol  

I had an eye procedure to remove a cyst from my right eye.  It had been there for over a year but didn't hurt. What brought me to the ophthalmologist in the first place was I had started seeing floaters in that same eye.  To my surprise, I learned that floaters are a common condition that happens with age.  The eye becomes more fluid over time.  Anyway, the cyst was removed mid March, and it took some time for my eye to heal.  

Other news, my nephew, Christopher wanted to make a turkey dinner, but didn't know how.  I volunteered to teach  him how to roast a turkey, cook collar greens, corn, and make some buttery potatoes.  His meal turned out very well.  We sat down with my daughter and had a lovely dinner.

We had two book club meetings: March and April.  Both books were good, but I like the second the most.

I didn't take any photos of my garments until a month after my eye procedure.  Now, I'm just starting to post me wearing them.  

I'm showcasing Vogue V1937 view A, worn with Vogue V1929 pants. 

Pleated Tunic - Sandra Betzina Vogue V1805

This tunic has been on my to make list for a few years.  I finally made view B earlier to month.  My initial attraction was to view A.  But, I decided to make view B first.  I have a great black and white stripe that I purchased from Mood Fabric some time ago for view A.  More later on that view.  But for now, let's talk about view B.

Pattern Description: Misses' asymmetrical tunic with tie neck, set-in puffed sleeve with stay, fron tuck detailing.  Slim pull-on capri pants with side front pockets and side vent detailing. B: round neck, D: angular back seaming from better fit, purchased piping.

Pattern Sizing:  A - J.  I made view B using sizes E-F.

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

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Yes.  I only glanced at them, because I was making the simplest view of the two tops.  The construction was very much like any typical t-shirt top/tunic.  When I make view A with the tie, I'm sure to pay more attention to the instructions. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  Again, I was drawn to view A.  The draw was the tie, pleats, and the puff sleeves.  I really do not have a dislike.  But I would like to see something more in the back detail of most tops and dresses.

Fabric Used:  I used a jersey knit from the Vogue Fabric warehouse in Evanston.  I recently went there with one of my sewing students.  I'm trying to do better about fabric purchases.  Lol I have so much fabric.  Anyway, this fabric sewed up easy.  For the sleeves, I used the remnant from a recent project.  That fabric was purchased at Walmart.  It is a light weight sweatshirt fabric. Both fabrics were pre-washed and dried.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  No alterations or design changes.  Sewn right from the envelope.  Of course, a little tweaking as I sewed it together.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  Yes, I plan to sew view A very soon.  And yes, I do recommend it to others sewists.

Conclusion:  I really like how this tunic turned out.  It is definitely a wardrobe staple.  I plan to pair it with jeans or a simple pull on pants.  This tunic is a nice alterative to a typical t-shirt top.

Happy Sewing!

C

Tunic Delight - Vogue V1937 - Sandra Betzina

 

Pattern Description:  Misses' Dress and Tunic:  Pleat front A-line dress or tunic with back yoke.  View A has side seam pockets, contrast collar, cuffs and hem facings.  View B has lantern sleeves, contrast upper sleeves, yoke lining and hem facings, stitched to outside.  Purchased trim.

Pattern Sizing:  A - J corresponding measurements included.  I made view B (tunic), and I used sizes E and F.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Yes, it did.  The sleeves were slightly longer on me than on the model.  It could be related to the sizing.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Yes, the instructions were easy to follow.  Sandra Betzina also included some tips for making bust and back adjustments along with some construction tips.  Note:  I still need to tack down the front pleat.  

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I have a few likes:  The lantern sleeves are beautiful; the trim around the neckline and below the yoke, and the contrast at the hem.

No real dislikes.

Fabric Used:  I used an Ankara fabric that I purchased at Djenne Collection on 95th Street.  The contrasting fabric is a basic cotton from JoAnn's. All fabrics pre-washed and dried.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  I made a few small changes:

• I made bias tape for the trim instead a purchasing a fancy trim.  This first tunic was to test the pattern and the design for me.
• The sizing - I tweaked the fit between sizes E and F.
• I added 1/2" across the shoulder blades for prominent shoulder blades.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I think I will make the tunic again in one of the recommended fabrics.  I used a crisper fabric because I was going for more of a dashiki look.  With a crepe or silky fabric the tunic will hang closer to the body and have more drape than my version of it. I also want to make the dress.  And yes, I do recommend it to others.  I do suggest that you should transfer all markings especially on the front of the top.

Conclusion: I enjoyed making this tunic.  It was not difficult to sew and the instructions were good.  The finished top really looks great.  I hope to post pictures of me wearing it soon.

Thanks and Happy Sewing,

Cennetta