sewing for spring StyleArc Daphne Duo

Hey all!  I hope you are enjoying some lovely weather where you are at!  The unseasonably warm weather we've had lately made me want to sew something up for spring.  Well, that being said, right now we are having unseasonably cold weather, so my timing for photos was just perfect. 😒

  

I used two really nice fabrics for this project.  I had other plans but when the fabric arrived and I made a sample garment, I knew that what I envisioned in my head wouldn't happen!

So then the drama of figuring out what would be awesome with these fabrics became my focus.  In fact, I had a completely different fabric chosen for the top but it had too much weight and this needs a gauzy fabric, much like the one I used.  It's also from FM and the color, while a neutral light gray, seems to tone down my bright pink pants!

Doesn't every girl need a bright pink pair of pants?  I think so!

Here are the patterns I used from StyleArc. The Daphne Duo Tunic and Pants Outfit:





Both fabrics behaved exactly as they should for garments such as these.  I used french seams on the top.  The pants I used my serger and regular sewing machine.  I opted to hand hem the pants and the neckline of the top.

The pink suiting fabric has a bit of lycra in it and this fabric is soft yet holds structure.  See those awesome pleats below the knee-line?  They look just like the pattern design.  I didn't have to use a different fabric for the waistline.  Like I said, there is just the right amount of Lycra in the suiting to have these pants slide easily over the hips yet still lie flat at the waistline.  

I made a rear upper leg adjustment that I talked about in this post: pants alteration

I had mentioned I thought that instead of a 1/2" adjustment, I would try a 1/4" and for these pants, it was just what I needed!

               

Thanks so much for reading!  I can't wait for the weather to warm so I can wear these comfortably.  If you want to see what it was really like taking photos, here is a parting shot!  It had been snowing off and on and the wind chill was 14 degrees F.  That's a tad cold!

Thanks for reading!

Sue from Ilove2sew!

A new dress!

So, I've seen so many cute versions of this dress, mainly View C, the one the model is wearing.  

However, being different, wanted to make E, or what I call my all-occasion dress.  

You know what I mean, right?  A dress you can pull out when you need something more than casual, but less than black-tie or formal, that just-right dress?  

                 

So, I decided on view E.  And, I am totally in love!  I must make View C or B because of that adorable collar and side tucks!  

                  

I chose a stretch designer suiting I picked up from one of Fabric Mart's amazing sales.  I know that gray can be rather boring, but I knew that with a classic dress that you can wear just about anywhere (yes, funerals, weddings, job interviews, etc.,) it couldn't be red and I didn't necessarily want black. My other go-to color is gray and so now I own another gray article of clothing.  Maybe I need to branch out a bit?  Maybe winter has been too long in the tundra?  

                   

Fitting this dress required help from DD2.  I cut the dress out using flat-pattern measurements and allowing for some ease.  In some areas, I cut my usual 14, some in between a 14 and 16 and some a 12.  Don't you love multi-sized patterns for that reason?  

After cutting it out, I pinned it on me and DD2 and I went though some repins until we got a much better fit.  In all honesty, if you used a ponte with some stretch and used your regular size or went down a size, it would probably fit great--that is unless you have some fitting challenges like I do.  

                    

The biggest issue with this dress was the swayback adjustment.  I still don't think it is perfect or even close by any means but I do need to move and be able to sit down without feeling like a sausage stuffed into a too small casing.  

                  

Not only did I make a bit more than usual swayback adjustment to the pattern tissue, but I also ended up pulling up the upper back to try and reduce the amount of puddling in the small of the back.  I know I need a much less flat booty, and I am working on that but the amount I pulled on the fabric was sort of astounding to me--more than an inch, not including the swayback adjustment!  Beware!  

   

I decided to line this dress and picked up the funky printed stretch poly blend at JoAnns.  I certainly hope this holds up!  And, more importantly, why didn't I order something to line the dress with when I ordered the fabric?  

       

I do think I have some additional fitting issues to work out--bust and darts, but all in all, I have a very wearable dress.  It  is comfortable and can be worn with different jewelry and accessories.  I do really love the sleeves.

  

                     

And, would you look at that zipper? 

                   

Thanks for reading and yes, I will be making this again!

Sue