Vogue 1282

I made a top and skirt last week:

Calvin and I had to go to a bar mitzvah on Saturday, and of course I needed something nice to wear. I decided on Vogue 1282, out of a grey knit I've had in my stash for, oh, 8ish years. It's some sort of synthetic, and is spongy. I made a size 12 (for reference, my measurements: chest 33.5", bust 39", waist 31", hips 40.5", I'm 5'2"ish and wear a 34E). Both pieces went together really quickly.

The top is only one pattern piece. I added about 1.75" to each side of the CB seam at the hip. I didn't need to add that much -- it fits fine but I think I'd like it a bit snugger so that it bunches up more. The pattern calls for the top to be cut on the bias, which is stupid, because it's out of a knit. I ended up cutting it cross grain, as my fabric was only 45" wide. Since it's a 4 way stretch, cross grain isn't a problem.

After stitching up the CB seam, I tried it on, and needed to take the neckline in. I took it in about .75".

See how nice it lays with that adjustment?

The armholes are finished off with a straight grain strip of fabric. I used a .25" seam allowance, as they would have been a bit low with the standard 5/8" one. I'd heard the neckline was low, so after trying it on I stitched it up another inch. It's still low, but hey, when life gives you curves, flaunt them.

I put lingerie guards to keep the top sitting correctly all the time.

The skirt went together very quickly as well. It's only 2 pieces, 3 if you count the straight grain strip for the elastic waist casing. I shortened it 3" above the split, and I'm thinking I might take it up an inch or so more. There are 4 tucks in the front of the skirt along with multiple tucks in the side back seams.

One more picture of Calvin photobombing me:

Jalie 2449 - otra vez

I really like how this one turned out (goes great with my skirt, no? ~G~). This fabric is some type of poly knit that I bought at The Cutting Table a few years ago. It has less stretch than the rayon knit from Canvasbacks, pictured in the previous post. It feels great on my skin, and shouldn't be too hot to wear, especially on overcast cool days like today. This pattern is a definite winner and will be a staple top. I'll probably make some with a straight hem also.

Jalie 2449

Tomorrow is my monthly pattern club meeting, and we'll be discussing Jalie patterns. Yesterday I made up 2449, the crossover top. I started with a size T, and did a small FBA (1"). Instead of stitching the newly created dart, I just eased it in. I constructed the whole thing, except for the hems, on the serger. I've never done that before, and boy was it fast!

Man, it's hard to take a self-portrait. Overall, I like the style. I'm not sure I like this particular fabric on me that much. I think it's a way cool print (a rayon lycra I picked up at Canvasbacks a few years ago), but probably not the best colors for me. It's REALLY stretchy too. I cut it out again out of a navy/brown poly knit, and I'll stitch that up sometime today. I also have Jalie 2445, and 2327, but I doubt I'll get either of those done by tomorrow in time for the meeting.

If you've never looked at Jalie patterns before, go take a look. They have lots of nice casual sportswear, activewear, and underwear, and every pattern contains EVERY size, from 2T to adult.

Comic Top

for 7 years old, Calvin isn't a bad photographer

I made another top for myself on Monday, and hemmed it yesterday. This is Simplicity 4076 again (also View D), but with long sleeves. I had to shorten them 2 inches. I bought this fabric from Ressy's co-op a few years ago. Isn't it cool? I love comic books (oops, I'm sorry, "graphic novels"). My original plan was to make tops for my boys, but when the fabric came and I saw it was all sparkly and mostly a girl on it, I figured it was for ME. Caleb likes the silver sparkles, but he agrees, he wouldn't wear a shirt with girls all over it. This took 1.75 yards, so I have 2.25 yards left. Any ideas as to what I should do with the extra? I was toying with doing a DVF style wrap dress, finished off with black FOE.

Simplicity 4076, View D

Not the greatest photo, but when your photographer is 7, you take what you can get.

I made this top, sans hems, on Wednesday night. It's Simplicity 4076 (view D), and has been cut out for a while, and after dropping Calvin off at gymnastics, I came home and sewed for the 45 minutes I had before needing to go pick him up. Yes, this top is that fast to make. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out, and will definitely be making some more. I used a size 10 in the shoulders, swinging out to a 16 in the hips. I did a FBA, and then rotated that dart into the center front, where the gathers are. I did a cursory glance at the directions (I've sewn oodles of tees, I don't need no stinkin' directions!), and eliminated the edgestitching on the neckine -- that just ain't gonna work with those gathers.

It's too cold to wear this now (we had flurries yesterday, and I think the high today is supposed to be 47). I'll make some with long sleeves -- though I'm not sure about the belled sleeves in the pattern. Maybe. I also definitely want to do the twist top, and any top with the flutter sleeves would be darling for spring/summer.