Vogue 1250

Vogue 1250....What an awesome pattern.  So fast to whip up, only 3 pattern pieces, and such great results!  Many bloggers and sewists alike have raved about it.  In fact, you can find 102 reviews of this pattern here!  I like the cap sleeves, cowl neckline, length, and excellent fit that did not require any alterations.  I can't believe it took me so long to try this pattern, but I am glad I finally did.

For my version I used an ITY knit (polyester/lycra) from Hart's Fabrics.  When I first saw this knit it reminded me of a starry night, but one of my sons pointed out that it also looks like a snow storm.  For the longest time I couldn't figure out how to use this knit, but when I took advantage of a recent Vogue pattern sale, I knew I had finally found the right pattern for it.  I think this dress would also look great with a fitted white jacket.  I'm already combing through my stash!

It's Aloha Friday here!  Hope you all have a fantastic weekend.  

Vogue 1247 Complete!

Aloha Online Ohana!

So dear readers...to answer the previous math question of whether we have a line or a ray in the skirt pocket you should have answered, "Need more information."  How many of you got it right?  There was no way to answer the problem without seeing the other side of the line.  It was the bottom figure, the ray!

Oh golly, this is not a math blog, but the angles in the Vogue 1247 blouse must have got me in the mood for arithmetic!

I made the top out of a very delicate and breezy silk/cotton blend (I think) from Gorgeous Fabrics and used all french seams to construct it, just as the pattern instructs.  However, I changed a few things in the design of the top.  I left off the cuffs on the sleeves, and I inserted elastic through a casing in the back, at waist level, to cinch in the top giving it a peplum feel.  In addition to adding the casing and elastic in the back, I made two tucks on the front at the side seams to take in an additional 6 inches of fabric.  I did not like how wide the top was.  In my opinion, it was terribly unflattering on my frame, but with the modifications and initially cutting out a size 8 rather than my usual size 10, I now love the look.  Here is the completed top:

Notice all the angles on the lower portion.  Luckily they all came together into a common vertex.  In the end, I am pleased with my modifications, and will wear this top.  It will also look great with my flowing black linen pants which I just purchased.  Here, I am pairing it with the Vogue 1247 skirt, shown in the previous post, which is made out of a stretch linen, also from Gorgeous Fabrics.  The slight bit of stretch in the linen keeps it from wrinkling as much, from what I can tell.    

 And this is the completed look!

It looks like the elastic casing is not horizontal when you see the back view, but I just failed to pull the right side down a bit before I took the picture.  I basically ran the casing straight across the back at the level of the front horizontal seam.  In the end, I am really glad I made this outfit and very pleased that I took the time to make some modifications to the design, especially with lengthening the skirt!  Into rotation these pieces go!  Up next....V1250.  Can you believe I have not made this yet?!  But I think I finally came across the perfect knit for it.  Stay tuned!

  

Vogue 1247 Progress Report #1

Good News!  I have finished the skirt from Vogue 1247.  As many of you already know, this skirt pattern has detailed instructions for finishing the seams on the inside with bias tape.  There is also a pattern piece which allows you to make your own bias tape.  I did not opt to finish my seams this way, and rather stuck to using my serger.  The good ole serger, perfect for busy moms!  This is what the inside of my skirt looks like:

Here is the front of the skirt with a math memorization card in the the pocket.  Is that a line or a ray? Hmmm.....  

  

Because the finished waist was so small on the size 10, I went ahead and cut out the size 12 skirt.  I'm glad I did.  The waist fits perfectly, and the darts in the front and back give me great shaping, but I did have to straighten the side seams and take out close to 4 inches in the hip area.  It was worth it for the waist to fit so nicely though.  I also added a total of 4 1/2" to the length.  The skirt hits about 2" above my knees.  The invisible zipper went in without a fuss, and all the intersecting seams must have been supernaturally drawn together.  Hallelujah!

Hook and eye closure at the top:

This skirt pattern is a winner!  I love the fit and gentle A-line shape and of course those cool front pockets.  You'll see it modeled in the near future.  I will be working on the top for the next couple of days, and I will be constructing french seams, as Vogue instructs, because my fabric is quite delicate.  So far so good on this pattern!  

PS: Aloha Sue, from Christchurch, New Zealand!  Be sure to check out Kyle's post about fabric shopping in Oahu.  So far, these two places are all I know about, but will let you know if I find out about or hear of any other ones worth visiting.     

Who's on Oahu? A Blogger Meet-Up

Yesterday was a blast!  I "rock hopped" to Oahu to meet, for the first time, a fellow sewing blogger, and we spent the day shopping, eating, and getting to know each other.  What fun!  Some of you probably know her.  It's Kyle from Vacuuming the Lawn!  She's also an active member on PatternReview.com.  Thank you Kyle for driving us to all our destinations.  I would have been a mess trying to drive in all that traffic after living in sedentary Maui for so long!  Relationships are the most important thing in life, and I am grateful we had the opportunity to meet face-to-face.  I hope to visit you again in the future.  

I'd also like to shout out a big Mahalo to Beth from Sunny Gal Studio who told us about Kaimuki Dry Goods in Honolulu.  I loved this fabric store and found some awesome treasures!  I will definitely be back.  They had bali rayons, beautiful linens, gorgeous Japanese cottons, unique knits...I wish they were located on Maui.

This first picture shows a gorgeous deep purple Brussels linen, which is a rayon/linen blend with a beautiful drape; a super soft and drapey cotton/linen, with some stretch, that looks like denim; and a heathered, mango-colored, striped, flannel.  Each of these fabrics feel like heaven.

The second picture is a gorgeous viscose/rayon knit.

The third picture is a Bali rayon print.

Finally, the last fabric is a matte jersey print.

And shouting out a warm Aloha to all of those who tweeted a hello while Kyle and I were shopping!  I hope our roads meet some day!  Have a wonderful week dear friends!

Sneak Peeking and Rock Hopping

Aloha!

Thanks so much for your thoughts on the last outfit.  I am currently working on Vogue 1247.  I've seen a lot of fabulous skirts and tops out there in the sewing blogosphere, and I really want to make this outfit as well. The fabrics I'll be using are a stretch linen in sort of a dark fern green for the skirt and a cotton/silk, if I remember correctly, for the top.  I am lengthening the skirt quite a bit!

On another note, Far asked whether rayon challis is fiddly like silk.  The fabric is fiddly, but I think it is pretty easy to work with because it isn't slippery and it presses well.  It is heaven to wear!  Angie mentioned that it was hard to visualize what the original rayon challis looked like with the white lace pattern on the edge.  I was going to include a photo of it in the previous post, but I forgot.  I wonder what you all think?  I ordered the fabric knowing it included the lace pattern, but from the get-go knew I wouldn't be using it.  It does add an interesting element though; doesn't it?

Finally, for approximately eight hours tomorrow, I am trading my "rock" for another "rock".  I'm so excited!  I'll fill you in on all the details soon!  Aloha!

Simply Simplicity Times 2

Aloha Everyone,

This weekend I was able to dedicate a whole day to sewing.  Yay!  I chose two Simplicity patterns to create the look seen below.  Both patterns are rated easy; they are Simplicity A1849 and Simplicity 1782.  The first pattern is for a knit top with a front twist detail (I first saw this top on Sheila's blog and knew I had to have one!), and the second pattern is for a flowing skirt that has gathering at the center front and center back but is flat on the sides.

The fabric used for the top is a cotton/lycra knit, and I can't remember where I purchased this.  The fabric showcased in the skirt is a border print rayon challis that came from Gorgeous Fabrics.  I did not use the border which was a white lace design.  To me, it just did not match the rest of the fabric, but I loved the color and print combination in the rest of the fabric.

For the skirt I made View E in a size 10, but did not make the slit quite so high.  For the top I made View A in a size 10 with no modifications.  Here are a couple of close up shots of the front of the skirt and top.  

I inserted an invisible zipper instead of a lapped zipper and used the size 12 waistband instead of the size 10.  Although in the future,  I will used the size 10.  The size 12 lowered the waist more than I wanted it to. 

The right front of the top has 3 layers of fabric, so you would not want to use a heavy knit for this pattern.  Definitely use a knit with plenty of stretch and recovery since it is closely fitted.  I love that... no modifications needed to achieve a modern fit!

Here is the complete look:

I plan to wear this a lot.  I just love the skirt fabric and the way it flows and swooshes when I walk!

Hope your week is off to a great start!

New Look 6079 Joyous Jade

Aloha Everyone!

New Look 6079 is a pattern for several A-line skirts in different lengths with different details.  I made view C out of a bright, jade-colored, medium-weight, couture linen from Fabric Mart.  If you've been reading along here for awhile, you know how much I love to make complete outfits.  However, this past week, I happened to be browsing at Macy's and found the perfect knit top to go with this skirt.  I loved how bright it was, but I was also intrigued with the construction, so I purchased the top ($24.98 by cable & gauge).  Later in this post I will show you a picture of the inside of the top in case anyone is curious about how to attempt their own version.  If I find the time, (ha ha ha), I would like to attempt to recreate this knit top myself.

There were no surprises with this pattern.  The instructions would have you insert a lapped zipper at the side seam, but I opted for an invisible one.  There are 3 panels of fabric on the front and three on the back.  I cut a size 10 and took in an extra 1/2" on each of the side seams to give me a better fit.  The pocket flaps on the front are decorative only.  There are no actual pockets in the finished skirt.  The waistband and pocket flaps are interfaced with Pro-Weft Fusible Interfacing from Fashion Sewing Supply.  I love this interfacing for most of my woven projects.

Skirt Front:

Skirt Back:

Skirt Side:

And here is the skirt complemented by the colorful ready-to-wear top!

Bright colors...I think it is an addiction!

...here is a photo of the reverse-side of the knit top in case anyone is curious.  I really like how flat the criss-cross is, which is very different from the top I just finished in the previous post.

Have a glorious Easter weekend Everyone!