Finished! Burda 07/2016 #117

First, here is the shortened Style Arc Susan skirt. I LOVE IT NOW! This length is perfect! I removed 4.5" all around. I opted not to hem because 1) knit 2) full skirt 3) print 4) lazy. I decided that I could always go back and hem if I find the unfinished hem bothers me. It probably won't. Reminder: I cut a size 14, used 1/4" side seams instead of 3/8" and used 1/2" elastic in a casing. I love the movement in this skirt.

My remote died and DD had to take the pics which interrupted couch time :-p Paired here with a simple cami and my latest J.Crew Factory blazer (I bought it in coral and navy and love them! 100% linen and fully lined).

I realized the print didn't "randomize" as much as I thought it would. Oops!

Burda Challenge - July!

I mentioned a couple (or 3) posts ago that I fell in love with this pattern when arianamaniacs on PR sewed it up sans the crazy neck wrap-around straps. And then she pointed out that it's a petite pattern and I was a goner. 

I sewed a 20/21 as per usual -- 20 (40) at the neckline and armholes and 21 (42) for the rest. 

I did a 3/4" wedge on the back skirt piece and a 1/2" swayback adjustment. Next time, I'll adjust the dart position. 

I really love the silhouette. Front bodice and skirt, back bodice and skirt with an integrated side panel. The only issue with this is that the zipper goes in the seam between the back piece and the side panel. It is near impossible to zip it alone unless you're super duper flexible. I'm not that flexible. 

I made one mistake - on regular Burda patterns I never add hem allowances so I didn't add it here. But it's already petite! I'll add allowance next time. Here, I've serged and turned up a 3/4" hem.

Invisible zipper, just to the left of the back strap. So awkward.

Insides are serged. I placed the strap after everything was all done. As you can see, I just topstitched it in place. It works for me. If I were intending this to be a bit dressier I would have added the bodice lining (probably even a full lining) which would encase the strap.

But I didn't want to line the sateen. 

I opted for black bias tape to finish the neckline and single armhole. Works just fine for me to have this topstitched. As long as it's nice and neat (thanks walking foot!), a casual garment is okay to have visible stitching IMO.

On the next version (I think I can own this as an LBD too!) I will widen the strap. I have like 5 of the same bra and placed the strap wearing one. But as you can see it's just too iffy to be sure it covers front and back at all times. On some photos it was covered but on most it isn't. I'll make that an inch wider for full coverage. 

I've had a rough week so I'm now completely unsure about getting the wedding guest dress done. We shall see.

July Wrap-up and August Plans

Seriously...it's August? Already?!

This month I sewed 14.5 yards

• Vogue 9056 top in black & white striped ponte - 1 yard
• Jalie 2921 tops in printed ITY and blue modal jersey - 2 yards total
• New Look 6301 dress in printed jersey - 2.5 yards
• Butterick 6060 skirt in navy and white suiting - 1.25 yards
• Burda 6732 dress in pink linen - 2.5 yards
• Burda 7/2016 #117 dress in print sateen - 1.75 yards (review to come!)
• Burda 8/2016 #135 pants in grey pinstriped suiting - 2.25
• Kwik Sew 4113 skort in grey and pink activewear - 1.25 yards (review to come!)

Favorite: Hmmm. I have to go with the wrap dress! 

FAIL: The Butterick skirt, for sure. I actually ended up wearing V9056 one day and it's not as bad as I felt initially. I just have to wear something slim on bottom.

Accomplishments: I sewed my first Jalie! I also sewed my first activewear pattern! Well, I sewed the swimsuit but this is like - eek! I was JUST saying that I didn't want to sew activewear. Sheesh. I am making a top too but may have to scrap the original plan. 

August Plans

*Matching top to my Kwik Sew skort

I LOVE IT!!!!!!

*Vogue 1447 dress for the wedding

In this rosey pink silk (crepe? SR Harris doesn't label weave) and pewter lace combo

This silk is a little more sheer than the original one I wanted (9 whole days passed before I made it back there and I couldn't find it). However, the dress has the the 'dress' layer (the silk), the lace, and a lining. So I think it'll be fine. I'll be skipping the piping. And, I have to figure out what to do for the straps. The straps pictured are purchased.

Well, all that assumes the muslin works out!  

*August Fabric Mart project - I'm making a bomber jacket - finally!!

Because I am traveling for the wedding and then the next weekend my daughter moves into her dorm room, I am not so sure I'll get to these but they're on the radar before I begin my fall sewing!

*Burda 6732 version 2 in this printed rayon challis (2nd from the top)

L-to-R: floral challis, suiting with heavy metallic threads woven through, print on navy poly blouseweight woven, challis for B6732, sateen panel

*August Burda Project: Though I could "cheat" and call my pants my August Burda...I do want to sew the simple knit top. Images aren't all up on Burdastyle.com yet.

I am so behind on blogging projects! I've been doing so many things that's NOT taking photos :) I may have posts every couple days at the start of this month so bear with me. I have to blog:

1. McCall's 6886 dress (sewed in JUNE!)
2. Finished Style Arc Susan skirt
3. Burda 7/2016 dress
4. Kwik Sew 4113 skort (which will probably wait until I make the matching top)

As much as I want to play in my new arrivals, I'd better get going on the wedding guest dress. I have 12 days which should be fine. Right? RIGHT?!? :-p