DONE! Pattern Review Contest Entry

Sooooo uhmm, remember those plans I uploaded before? Yeah...Never mind those.

In the end, I took out all the things I've sewn since April 1st and spread them out. I started putting together items I thought would work best (and of course that filled the contest requirements of 4 tops + 3 bottoms where all tops match all bottoms, and 2 sewer's choice).

I am very happy with my final wardrobe!!! It took an eternity to take all the photos but I am digging this wardrobe/SWAP type sewing. I want to sew all the things but I want to actually WEAR the dang things! :)

I really wanted a white piece and decided I didn't like the Burda kimono top as much as I thought. It just isn't 'crisp' enough for me. We'll see if I can make it wearable...I was *this* close to sewing a white jacket or vest or cardigan but seriously could not muster up the energy to fiddle with one more pattern. Just COULD NOT.

Since I'd been raiding my UFO box; I pulled out the navy wool jersey M6996 cardigan I cut back in January, which was pinned together in some places but still unsewn. Whipped that puppy up today as one of my "premade" / sewer's choice items. I love how well the dark navy plays with other items!

I named my wardrobe "Work Hard, Play Harder" because I really want to get my wardrobe working well together. I don't mind having some items that are exclusively 'work' or 'play' but I wanted to have a bit more cohesion and I think that I accomplished it!

Here are my combinations; you'll notice some are 'missing', but I only put together outfits that I would ACTUALLY wear.

For the dress there's obviously two options; dress alone plus dress with cardigan.

Since I know I wouldn't wear the loose, floaty NL6110 top with the straight skirt and it's too voluminous to pair with the cardigan, I eliminated those options.

For the grey top (Buda 6911); while the cardigan worked with the black skirt with the other tops, the navy, grey and black did nothing for me together, so I eliminated that option

 For the black/white striped top (M6839):

For the animal print top (M7094):

All of the items have been reviewed here on the blog; I've made M6996 a couple other times so I'm sure there's a review here somewhere :) I cut a size medium. The end :-p

Simplicity 2369

Butterick 5760

New Look 6110

McCall's 6839, Burda 6911, Vogue 1411
McCall's 7094
Style Arc Sandra

My fave looks:

Simplicity 2369 + Unselfish Sewing + My Ramblings...

I've finally reached sewing burnout during my down time! LOL!!! I did a little work on my B6169 jacket yesterday and may finish the lining today, but my 7-months pregnant with twins niece is visiting me today! YAY!

jacket progress

I knew I wanted to make S2369 again, as a dress. Walking past the closet I saw the little care package I had made for my mom and was like, OMG that fabric! THAT FABRIC IS IT!!!!!!

I made zero fit adjustments...with the top I'd sewn smaller seam allowances. This time I used all 5/8" seams and the short sleeves.

I did a serge and fold hem on the sleeves and did a 3/4" double turned hem. On the neckline, I did a 5/8" narrow hem.

Sleeve and neckline 

I did not have a nice buckle in the stash, so I just cut two of the ties out:

L.O.V.E.

Look Ma! No swayback!!!

This dress makes me HAPPY!!! Fabric is OF COURSE from FabricMart...a navy and white ITY that was a dream to sew.

Next up was some printed pants for DD. She'd wanted a pair from Target duplicated

Dear Target: Your print matching here is atrocious...

When I saw this print at FabricMart during a sale on challis I snatched it up. I'd planned on making matching pants for us (Twinsies!!) but I wanted to fight this fabric the entire time and I will not touch it again. Okay, I was thinking I could make a scarf with it...

I cut the waistband on the crossgrain just to not have to deal with attempting more print matching. Gah.

I used Burda 6938, which I used for her shorts before. Size 12, no length adjustments! And DD has a looooonnnnng inseam so keep this in mind.

Lastly, yesterday was the last band concert of the school year. She will be a SENIOR next year! Gah!!! She'll be in 3 bands, playing 2 instruments (baritone and trombone) and will be section leader of one. I was able to get one of her friends to nab a pic of us last night:

I swear it was just yesterday that she was sitting on the kitchen counter gnawing on a chicken leg...

Finished Item: Simplicity 2369

Dress pics and review are coming - promise! I just love it sooo much and think it'll be better served if I take pics on Saturday fully dressed-up. It's such a sweet dress <3

Soooo not like I have any other in progress projects or anything...

I was going to make a knit dress too in case this un-muslined dress didn't work out. S2369 was on the radar and I decided I should make the top first.

This pattern was a PR best of 2010 and now I know why!!


I rough cut the paper pattern on Sunday, ironed it out Monday morning and cut it out Monday afternoon. From cut pattern to hemming was about 2.5 hours. And that was with me having to put it on my dress form thirty-seven times to ensure I was stitching everything correctly. I consider this a quick project!

 

No swayback adjustment needed!!

 

There's a little extra fabric at the bottom of the wrap. I could've stretched it out while hemming...I'll pay attention to that next time.

 

The wrap

 

Pleats are made then the strap is attached. I -heart- the pleats!

This last pic is kind of washed out but you can see the details a little better. Sorry for the bathroom selfies...I was too excited to wait for "real" pics! :)

I decided to cut a size 16 (14 at the neckline/shoulders/top of the raglan sleeves); the finished bust was 39" and I am 39.5". Because I was leery of it being tight, I used 1/2" seams at the back and sides. I think this was a great idea. It fits very nicely and skims the body.

Construction isn't hard...but I've gotten to a point where I just go forward and yeah...this is one where it makes more sense to follow the directions. I swear I pinned this thing to Lily like a thousand times to ensure I wasn't messing up. I even sewed lots of seams on the sewing machine instead of going straight for the serger! I know! ME! :)

I love the fit. Love. Love. Love. I love the wrap. It is not revealing at all. I left the band "out" because I didn't want to show cleavage. But I like it better folded in (like a facing?) and will do that next time.

I was nervous about the flutter sleeve but it really works! I think it's cute on me.

There are no real dislikes; just that the ties are way too long for the top; but that's a preference and is easily changed. I mean, it's tied in a bow and there's a foot of extra tie!  Oh and it's tunic length. I didn't want a tunic so I shortened the pattern 2 inches.

Shortening it in the flat pattern stage was a must because holy cow did I just squeak by with my 1.5 yards of fabric! Whew!! The pattern calls for 1 7/8 I believe for the size 16 and it is needed. It was a little dicey there for a minute and one of my sleeves had to be cut single layer to ensure I could fit it in!

Got a pic!