Hack-o-rama (Vogue 8877): Part two

(Continued from previous post)

 Making the top a size smaller did mean that there is a wrinkle/fold that occurs at times under my armpit pointing to my bust point (aka nipple). 
Maybe making it a size bigger would have eliminated this or perhaps it's a characteristic of woven dolman sleeves?? To be honest I'm not sure, but I'm guessing in a fitted style top bust darts would have sorted this out.
Hacking back the sleeve length created the new problem of the entire side of my bra being seen when I raise my arm(s). I didn't think about it at the time but maybe if I had made the sleeve opening a bit narrower it might have helped avoid this gaposis.

Luckily this problem was pretty easily solved by wearing a singlet underneath. I was thinking of making a bandeau out of skin tone fabric to enable me to wear this top in summer but I have found (after the first wearing) that the blue/white print has all the breathability of a shower curtain, so it will be moved to the sping/autumn/winter wear pile. No problems about wearing it with a singlet then!

Another issue I have with the pattern is the stated suitable fabrics:
Not the actual fabrics themselves... but the fact that they don't suggest what is best to use where. 
After making this first top up - and this is purely my personal opinion- I think you would have much better results with a woven fabric for the yoke and a stretch knit below. This - I imagine- would give you a lot more range of movement with the dolman sleeve style of cut and maybe look more flattering/less wrinkly in general.

I finished all the armhole, neckhole and hem edges with self made bias binding from the blue/white print fabric.
On making the bias binding: please note, this synthetic fabric was VERY slinky. Originally I planned to make the bias binding using my new whiz-bang super-dooper bias binding machine, but such was the "slink" factor of the fabric that the strips distorted to 3/4 of the original width and were unable to be folded by the machine. 
If I use a fabric like this again I will know to cut it a bit wider to accomodate this distortation.

I ended up just folding the long fabric strip in two, ironing it and kind of fussing/fadangling it into proper  place while stitching and turning it as a  facing. This ended up being a rather labourous task over several nights (my sewing time is rather limited) but I took it slow and steady, using lots of pins and stopping when I felt too tired. 
In hindsight I'm glad I did this, I think a nice bias binding facing gives a lovely finish to garments and not rushing it enables a more "polished" finish.

So overall how do I feel about this pattern? A little bit let down (I have pretty high expectations for the "Very easy Vogue" line) and a bit unsure if I will make it again. I don't mind my finished top at all, the more I wear it the more I like it.  It's easy and uncomplicated to wear and I think in a different fabric combination it might be a bit more "user friendly" and workable in my wardrobe.
 But (like always) there are so many other patterns waiting a turn in my stash and that I would love to have a go at, so who knows what might end up on the cutting table next...

Til then

Happy Sewing!!!

Kate :)
 

Burda Plus WOF jean's are done- finally!

Posting this pic up as I haven't had a chance to take one of these jeans on. I know that really, seeing these on a hanger, tells you not much about how the fit/style of the pattern is in real life,or how well they are made.
 Please be assured that I WILL try to remedy that soon!

Sooo what can I say? These are MUCH looser than anticipated- honestly I can say the requirement for stretch fabric was completely unwarranted in this instance as I have taken so much off centre back and side seams.

Multiple stitching lines as I tried to take in the side seams.

And below is the centre back seam which i had to take in nearly an inch at the top:

All I can think is that the measurement I'm working off have changed since I had them taken a fair while ago after surgery to my abdomen (yeah I know lazy- this has proven to me that you need to check your measurements before you sew!). I *think* I may have gone down a little in my abdomen measurement due to post-surgery swelling subsiding and organs maybe going where they are supposed to be (I'm not going to say that too loud just in case I'm totally wrong)!

OK so next on my list -after pics of jeans on - is remeasuring my hips/waist area. Let's hope the tape measure has some good news for me ;)

Kate :)

Seafarer Tops

A while back I gave a sneak peek (and here too) of something I was pattern testing for Sew Much Ado. This pattern has since been released as the "Seafarer top" , basically it's a knit dolmain-style tee with a woven fabric pocket. Very cute...and a easy as anything to sew!!! I think this would make a great first project OR if (like me) you are looking for something quick and easy to sew, well this is your pattern! 

Normally I add at least 10 -15cm to any pattern but for this one it was not necessary!!! I did add the extra for the garments pictured but really it was not necessary- the tops could have happily done without (strategic bunching of fabric used in places). Of course if you are short waisted you might need to alter the pattern but this is the first time EVER I have not needed to change the length to fit me sooo sorry one happy camper here! 

Ok so enough yakking and on to the pics...

Large deco floral print in front of mulberry (neighbour's plant coming over fence) bush

Front on in different light

On a hanger (my preference over actually modelling BUT it probably doesn't give you as much technical information right?)

Flat- see the simple design :)

Shiny metallic woven pocket. LOVE this detail.

Number two version- made with an Italian knit bought from Janome Balcatta. Pocket recycled from a silk/cotton blend Portman's top.

...another view...

...and I added this one cos I think my neck looks better here- oh vanity!!!

So the floral top was just turned and twin needle stitched hems but for the grey cherry blossum print I actually used the arm bands options. I think in a slightly heavier knit the option with arm bands would make a great inter-seasonal (or Perth weather) garment.

This is a little GEM of a pattern, don't be fooled by the simplicity of the style- this will be something you want to wear day in and day out. 

So everyone...

Happy Sewing :) :) xx

Kate x

Pattern testing : The Eucalypt dress & Cascade skirt (Megan Nielsen patterns)

DD's photobomb..or why you don't use your kids wardrobe mirror for pics!

So awhile ago I signed up to be a pattern tester for Megan Nielsen's new Breakwater collection. It's just occurred to me that although the patterns have now been released for over a month I haven't written about them yet!

Megan was very lovely in letting me pick which pattern's I would test from the collection; I chose the Eucalpyt dress and Cascade skirt as these looked like the ones that would be easiest for me to sew in the time I had available.

I must say that out of the two the Eucalypt is my hands down favorite, for sheer "summer wardrobe staple"-ness.
The Eucalypt fills a serious hole that has been gaping in my wardrobe - and sewing pattern collection - for too long. Want a simple 2 piece pattern not cut on the bias with no darts or closures? Want something easy to throw on that doesn't look like it belongs only on the beach? Something you can dress up or down? Well then go the Eucalypt! I have great plans to make many many more Eucalypt dresses (it has a tank option as well), even contemplating making it up in a thicker fabric or sweater knit so I can wear it over tights and a long sleeve top in winter. Seriously comfy dress that still has the style factor. 
I must say that not being a fan of my upper thighs I did lengthen the pattern by a good 15cm, come summer though I may try making up a shorter version for around the pool (as a coverup). I also cant wait to make up the tank top version. I think this pattern could easily lend itself to a myriad of fabric and seamline (by using the optional centre front seam or adding more) variations.

 

 Don't get me wrong- I love the Cascade skirt: it drapes beautifully (as another tester said you have to trust the grainlines of the skirt, I was seriously scratching my head over one of them BUT it does all make sense in the end) and looks awesome on everyone I've seen so far. At this point in time the Cascade is probably an item that I would only need to have 1 or 2 of in my wardrobe. If I was child free and going out to nice places for dinners and lunches (um my life 5 years ago) then this skirt would be ideal, but my current slobbing-around-at-home/housewife/mother/occasional coffee with friends lifestyle?: the Eucalypt -for me- works perfectly.

So below is a few pics I did up to show my Cascade and Eucalypt. You can tell how uncomfortable I am with "posing" for shots, something to work on (I guess):

Posing...

...posing...

...posing (OK this is getting painful)...

Ah natural pose! - and how I wear my Eucalypt in real life :)

And the shots that turned up on Megan Nielsen's blog are here....

Happy Sewing!!!

Kate xx