New Vogues, My Picks

It's a cool, rainy fall day here on Bittersweet Lane.  I'm so excited that fall has finally arrived.  Just 4 days ago the temps were in the 90s but those seem to be behind us now according to the weather man.  In a way it's a shame because I just finished a top (Vogue 8078)  I need to show that's definitely a summer top but I guess it will wait for next spring for more wear.

On to fall though and the new Vogue patterns!  This is a rather small release I thought and I didn't find much that excited me. 

Vogue 1527

This one is a Paco Peralta design featuring a beautiful coat, tie blouse and skirt.  The coat is gorgeous, but the skirt is what I would sew from this pattern.

Vogue 9227

I love this collection of knit tops.  I plan on purchasing this pattern for sure but can't decide which view I like the most they're all so cute.

Vogue 1525

I can't make up my mind yet if I really like this one or hate this one.  I do hate the pants,  They just hang.  On me they'd look like balloon drawers.   But the top has interesting stitching lines that give it shape and drape.  So it's a real possibility.  I'll check it out as others make it and see what it looks like on a real person.

The rest of the collection just didn't appeal to me or fit in my lifestyle.  Would that I had a place to wear some of those more glamourous outfits. 

What appealed to you and what's on your must sew list?  Happy sewing plans!

Vogue 8817, The Textured Top

I have had a picture of a multi-textured top on my inspiration board for over a year.  It's a white top with multiple sections and each section is a different texture of the same white.  Love it.  Want it.  Must make it mine.  Vogue 8817 view B looked like it would give me what I envisioned.

I set about finding appropriate fabrics and finally found them in an ivory colorway. 

The knit jacquard is from Fabric Mart--it was a dream to sew with.  The jersey knit--almost too thin to use--and the lace were from Fashion Fabrics Club.  I used the jacquard on the bodice and main back panel.  The lace was used on the sleeves, stomach panel and upper back panel.  The jersey was used for the side panels, and underneath the lace on the stomach and back panels. 

I cut this as a size 18 and it was huge!  I ended up raising it at the shoulders, bringing up the neckline and armholes.  I also had to take in quite a bit at the princess seams on both front and back.  By the

time I got done sewing and re-sewing this top, I'd make it twice! 

  If I ever do make it again, I'll go down to a size 16 and raise the neckline.  It sits rather low for my taste and age.  It was a booger bear to make, but I love it dearly now.  It fits nicely and is just what I envisioned.  I can now take that inspiration picture down from the board.

Do you have an inspiration board in your sewing area?  And do you move out the accomplished for a new dream once you create it?  Happy sewing and chasing the dream!

Simplicity 1698--The Geometric Skirt.

Simplicity 1698 is one of those simple wardrobe patterns.  It features a top, jacket and  two styles of long skirts.  I made the tulip skirt.  Actually, this is the second time I've made this skirt.

I cut a size 18 plus an extra 1/2 inch at the waist and hip since I'm a little larger this time around.  I also shortened it an inch.  This is such a quick sew!  Just 2 front pieces and 1 back piece and you're done except for the rather extensive hemming.  The first time I made it from a very stretchy ITY and lettuce-edged the hem and it came out great.  This time though I hemmed it all and serged the seams.

I used an ITY knit from Fabric Mart in a geometric design featuring brown, red, yellow, orange and cream.  When I bought it I thought top, but when I got it I saw the brown ran in vertical stripes so I decided skirt but wanted some shape to it, too.  Simplicity 1698 filled the bill.  With it's elastic waist its super comfy to wear, too. Always a consideration at my age--I don't have to be uncomfortable for fashion anymore.   I figure with it's color scheme it should take me through summer and well into fall.  (Maybe winter, too, with boots.)   It's pictured here with Vogue 8817, soon to be blogged. 

 Speaking of fall, Happy Fall, y'all and happy sewing!

Vogue 9176--The Pleated Jacket

I know its been a long time since I've blogged but at least I've been busy with sewing.  I'll try to catch you up on my projects over the two weeks.  It is National Sewing Month after all.

First up is Vogue 9176, the pleated jacket in the bottom right hand corner; view A.

It's a loose-fitting, unlined jacket with self facings on the front, a yoke across the back shoulders with lovely pleats draping from the yoke in back.  I just fell in love with this pattern and purchased it right away when it came out.  Those pleats were love at first sight. Then I saw the recommended fabrics and got a little intimated: chiffon or georgette for the back panel. I've not sewn with these delicate, sheer, slippery fabrics.  Especially with pleats.  So, it sat. 

Then one day, Fabric Mart had a sale on some ivory blouse-weight polyester georgette.  It was a sign that the jackets time had come.   I decided to use the georgette for the body of the jacket and then found some matching chiffon for the back and sleeves.  The vision was coming to life.

The georgette was actually not too difficult to use.  It just required good pinning and careful stitching.  No speeding here.  French seams were used since it was still rather sheer.

 I was really afraid of the pleats, especially with the slippery chiffon.  But I worried needlessly.  The pleats were marked carefully, pinned well and sewn s-l-o-w-l-y.  I think they came out very well.

After wearing it, I find the sleeves are a tad tight.  I cut a size 18 and usually Vogues run large on me, but this one could do with a little more wiggle room in the shoulders as well.  Does that stop me from wearing?  Hell, no.  I worked hard on the jacket and it's not so snug that it stresses the seams. 

I also purchased enough of the georgette for a matching tank top, but that project tanked!  I made it on the old Burdette while I was waiting for the new Brother to arrive.  I should have waited, however the project would still have been an epic fail just not a sloppy looking one.  I used Simplicity 2599

without any embellishment.  It came out HUGE and just wonky looking.  So I scrapped it and happened to find a satin tank while thrifting that looks fabulous with the jacket.  It's in the pictures. I think the satin adds to the play of textures in the jacket.

Next up, another ivory color project, a top!  Happy sewing til then!