Month of Tops Sew-Along

I have joined Faye's Month of Tops Sew-Along.

I pulled out 18 blouse patterns and narrowed it down to 4 (thinking to myself that I had to be realistic with the time I have remaining to get them done). Here is my run down of patterns, which is subject to changes...*hehe*

I'm starting with New Look 6407, which is a button-down blouse with darts, and sleeve variations. I will be using a poly/cotton fabric in a light blue and tweaking the pattern by lengthening the sleeves and using the sleeve band to create a French Cuff look , possibly extending the band for the right circumference. I checked PR and this blouse was reviewed 51 times... Wowzer!

I like the ruffle on blouse E and will do long sleeves, and again using the sleeve band to mimic french cuffs and the peter pan collar. Also this will be my first time doing ruffles. Any tips would be helpful.
This season I am seeing a lot of blouses with tuck detailing and thinking this blouse would be perfect.

I like the style of this pullover blouse and like the look of it with a vest.

I'm hoping to get started on cutting out NL6407 tonight and narrowing down my fabrics for the rest of the patterns. This is so exciting and looking forward to the other participants lovely creations.

McCalls 5978 Cardigan Take II w/ Issues

I really liked the McCalls 5978 cardigan pattern and decided another one was in order with a lil twist. For the second one I wanted shirring in the back of the jacket and since I'd never done it before, spent a good amount of time reading various how to's on the internet, long discussions with my buddy Andrea on how to proceed, and finally practice shirring pieces.

I used a lightweight nubby woven fleck rust fabric (wow that's a mouthful) from Walmart @ $1.50/yd. Which I think is a wool blend, I machine washed the fabric and laid flat to dry. It yield very little wrinkling, but is scratchy on bare skin, so a lining was definitely in order.

For the shirring part... I shirred 2 pieces of fabric in different widths to determine what width would work best to allow shirring and proper fit. The first attempt was I had added 10" to the whole back and began shirring right below the armpit, well the upper back was totally warp and the bottom of the armhole was wonky. The 2nd attempt, I added just 2" to the whole back and it was too small. Finally the 3rd time around I added 2"to the yoke back and 5" from the underarm to the bottom and measured 7" from the underarm to begin shirring. I did 4 rows of shirring and then attached the front L/R and it fits ok and proceeded with attaching the front facings.
Now that the facings are in place I began working on the lining. I used the pattern pieces adding 2" to the whole back piece then cutting the back, Left front & Right front, seamed the L/R front to the back and attached the lining to facings of the jacket, turned to right side.

However, the issue I am having is get the lining to align along the shoulder where the facing ends and the neckline. I have a lot of puckering going on. I begin sewing the lining at the bottom of the left facing and continuing along the neckline and on to the right facing, but again when I get to the top of the facings the puckering begins. When I tried the jacket on with the lining in place, there is pulling where I baste stitched the lining to the facing.

The last time I bagged a lining was last Spring... What am I doing wrong....uggh

Simplicity 2556 Pic

Investing in Simplicity 2556

Simplicity 2556: Misses Vests with various pattern options

Pattern Sizing: 4-22

Version: A

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? As close as its going to get.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions for the vest were straight forward. However, I had a hard time easing in the side fronts, and frustratingly got it right after several attempts. Then for the life of me couldn't get the lining right. After sewing the lining to the vest and attempting several times to turn the vest right side out, I kept ending up with a twisted mess and finally omitted the lining. It seems I spent a considerable amount of time on this project when I think I shouldn't have (hence Investing in Simplicity 2556...lol)

Might I add, I have done a lining before in this coat and it worked out fine.... still scratching my head on how I couldn't get the lining right in the vest though.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I’d purchased a Vest from The Loft and really liked the look and style and figured I’d sew the next one. Not sure if it was me, but the pattern called for cutting lining pieces for the back, side front & side back, but not for the yoke back. So thinking there was an error in the amount of pieces to be cut for the lining, I cut out the lining piece for the yoke back, sewed the seams and left an opening in one of the side fronts, however as previously stated, I was having major issues with turning the lining and omitted it.

For the armholes and hemline, I serged and folded ¼ to the inside and final stitched, and used blue hem tape along the inside edges.

Oh! How could I forget…. working with pinstripe was a total PITA… again spent a considerable amount of time trying to line up the pattern pieces and to realize that it was not the case....uggh.

Fabric Used: I used a navy blue pinstripe polyester blend fabric.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I cut a size 16, but ended up removing 5/8 from the side seams and noticed after finishing that I should have taken ½” or less from the under arm. I have what appears to be poofing near the front of the armhole, which may be the result of trying the vest on without a blouse under it.

Would you sew it again? Not sure

Conclusion: Have not officially worn it, however, I did try it on with pant & button-down blouse and it looked just ok and the poofiness isn’t so noticeable.

McCalls 5978

McCalls 5978: Misses Cardigans & Top: Cardigans have three-quarter or full length sleeves and stitched hems; cardigan A has purchased lace trim; cardigan B has jewel stones; cardigan C has pearls; cardigan D has self-fabric appliques; sleeveless top E has narrow hem finishing at neck, armhole and lower edges.

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

Were the instructions easy to follow? Very sew friendly.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? There is nothing to dislike... I like the simplicity of the set. I tried my hand at a blind hem, which worked ok for the most part, however, I had a hella time with the needle sinking into the end of the hem line, there was so much bulk due to the bias trim and had to finish off by hand. The shell was a breeze, one pattern piece to create the front and back.

Fabric Used: Burgundy Ponte Knit

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I did not do any of the lace or gem embellishment and opted out of the 5 buttons, instead used an antique clasp. I enclosed the facing with red bias trim instead of serging.

Would you sew it again? I will definitely sew it again and highly recommend it for anyone looking for an ensemble that fits into any wardrobe.

Conclusion: A great set to spice up any garment that has been lingering around waiting for the right pairing.

I Can't Stop B4976ing

Butterick 4976 pattern is becoming my ultimate dress pattern its my third one.. totally love the dress. This dress is perfect for me as a working woman who wants to get away every-now-and-then from the tailored suits. I love the feeling of being comfortable and still confident in this dress. I shied away from dresses for a few years and focused on suits, thinking who needs the hassle of a tight fitting dress and more particularly a dress that's ill-fitting. I made a few shift dresses for the summer, but feel this style of dress best suits me.

For this dress, again I used a medium-weight knit in a deep apricot with a mini houndstooth print. I thought I had enough brown faux-leather to make a belt, thinking it would look great with this dress. I will need to make a trip to the fabric store for some faux-leather... ooo what about faux leather for a contrasting trim... mmm... thinking.... thinking

Ok... back to why I need a few more of these dresses, they are figure flattering to my body, I can wear it casually or semi-formally, a quick & easy outfit to throw on in a hurry. I have a few ideas swimming in my head on what to do for the next one and the next one and the next one....yeah, I know overkill.... but I love the dress...lol

Collar Version

Ruffle Neckline

Border print on sleeve & hem

wide lapel

Cuff sleeves

... sheesh the possibilities are endless