I'm BAAACK!

I'm a lousy blogger, I was lousy at journaling when I was a kid too.  Every new year I would start to keep a journal and would faithfully write everyday for about 2 weeks, then 2-3 times a week, then every 2-3 weeks, then nothing, zip, zero, nada.  I wish I had done better with that after reading some of my grandmother's journals, anywhoo.  I have been sewing, just not journaling about it - life you know. Both DH and my parents have been having health issues that take a lot of our free time.

I digress, so back to being a better blogger, back in October I was picked as one of testers for Sewaholic's new Cordova jacket pattern.  It was the first time I have used one of her patterns and gotta say, the experience was ah-ma-zing. Even in the trial stage, the instructions, illustrations, and pattern pieces were great.  Especially the illustrations, which while we're being honest here, I will admit to using more than the written instructions.  I pretty much only read instructions after running into trouble, which I know would eliminate a good bit of operator error, but still.



So this is a great jacket pattern,"fitted with princess seams and features a peplum detail, pleats at the sleeve cap , and a zip front closure." I actually made a muslin for this, before cutting into my good fabric and still I think the shoulders are a tad too big.  It's an easy fix for future makes - at first I thought I would go to a smaller size, but really looking at the pictures I think maybe taking a larger seam allowance in the shoulders and a little additional shaping in the waist should fix it.

I used a silk blend fabric that I got from Casual Elegance fabrics several years ago and acetate lining from Fabric Mart Fabrics.

I did have to shorten the waist,(to be 5'10" I am ridiculously short-waisted) but other than that no changes. As I stated before, I will make a few additional one next time.

 

And my flasher pose - so you can see the lining of course!

 

Just wanted to say, that I am pretty sure that I am not in Tasia's targeted demographic.  I'm guessing I'm older by about 15+ years and I'm not exactly pear-shaped.  I still recommend that you run, not walk to your nearest source of Sewaholic patterns and give this one a try.

Happy Sewing, Suzanne



My first TNT

I think.  This years SWAP is based on sewing basic well fitting patterns.  You can find the rules here.  While I love the idea of SWAP, I generally do not participate because the timing coincides with the most busy, read hectic and crazy, time of my work.  Oh well, I entertain myself by reading along and sewing along when I can, but I have not finished but 1 SWAP since I first read about them 6-7 years ago.

That said, I think I have pretty much perfected a T-shirt pattern. I love a good knit top, so I started with that. My first attempt is using Pamela's Perfect T-shirt, size Med. darted front.  And because I love a knit top, but I don't like plain knit tops, I made it with a boat neck and flared sleeves.

The darts were a little high, not unwearable, but high - which you can't see because the fabric is dark.  So I lowered them on the pattern and tried again.  This time I had in mind a dress inspired by a design I had seen in the Built by Wendy book. The big difference is that she was recommending a twill or linen for hers and I used some ponte knits that I had collected.  The dress works pretty well, but I have to watch which bras I wear with it or the bust points still don't line up quite right.

Front

And the back

The next pattern I tried was the Silhouettes #115 Ann's Top, which I liked.  You can hear the BUT coming can't you?

 I liked the french dart, over to the side, really unobtrusive, but I really liked the way the shoulders on Pamela's Perfect T fit better so...  I copied the shoulders, armholes, and sleeves of Pamela's pattern and merged from the bust down to the Silhouettes pattern.  Since I also liked the longer length and curved hemline of Pamela's pattern I used that too.  And so you have -

Note to self - straighten before picture

A nearly perfect knit top. Although I should have straightened it before I took the picture. My camera and I are still not friends.  I have several ideas for more variations, hopefully I will get time to actually sew them, you know, before I forget them.

Happy Sewing, Suzanne