Cashmerette Webster top

Today for you I have another top!  This time, I made the pattern shown below: 

Last summer, I made another one of Jenny's patterns and so love it!  In fact, I loved it so much, I purchased this pattern shortly afterwards.

Here's the first make from this designer: 

And, here's my dress!

I felt like the dress above fit perfectly.  I made the exact same size for the top I am about to show you and while I love my fabric, I'm just not sure about the fit.

See what I mean about the fabric?  I love it! 

The highlight of course is the back.  That's such a fun detail.

Couple of things that are great about this pattern--

No gaping at the armscyes.

The front is low, but not too low.

The length is great!

I love this with my RTW yellow pants.

The curved, longer back hem is nice as well. 

A fast sew.  I am just not entirely sold on the fit.  It's roomy, but maybe I am being too picky.

Thanks for reading!

Sue

True Bias Ogden Cami

Remember when I mentioned I was trying to scrap bust?  Welp, here's another project that does just that!  

This is the Ogden Cami by True Bias.It's been well reviewed and well loved in the sewing community.  Now that I've made one, I can totally see why!  

This has classic styling, looks good on a variety of shapes and sizes and is such a workhorse in your wardrobe!   Image from True Bias site.  

My version is made from Viole.  This fabric is from My Sewing Shoppe in Baton Rouge. I think it is the perfect weight for this.

While this is a bit low-cut, it works for date night or with a little cami or jacket for work.

No side boob shows!  Great little pattern!

I'll be making more!

Sue

Another Olive...

Yep, I made another.  I am trying to do some reorganizing as I my hubby is creating a more light-filled sewing space for me in another room in my home.  This will be a good thing.  There's a spacious closet and the presence of more light is so appealing to me.  

That, however leaves me with a lot to go through to make sure I truly want/need it or do I use it now and get it out of the way.  Some of the remnants are so precious to me that I am trying to use them now so they don't get lost, misplaced, or accidently tossed.  

Today, I made another SA Olive Spliced tee.  I really love how this pattern fits me.  

I am such a sucker for a woven tee.  This can be made from either a knit or a woven.  Patterns that do double duty have a special place in my heart!  

I just adore the navy viole print.  I made a skirt and top from it and when I've worn it, people have stopped me to ask about my outfit. That always makes a sewer happy!

This pattern fits me really well and I can totally see making more in the future, especially with long sleeves for fall.

I was also pleased I had enough to make a bias band for the neckline as I think it is the perfect finishing touch.  This navy print was originally purchased on a trip to see my daughter in Baton Rouge.  The store name is My Sewing Shoppe.

The tealish solid is from my stash.  While this isn't a remnant, the color is perfect.  I can see making a cute little kimono out of it for a light layer this summer.

Closer up of the neckband!

Thanks for reading!

Sue

A little summer sewing...StyleArc Ariel Skirt and Harmony Woven Top

If you've seen my reviews before, you know I am a SA mega fan!  I simply love their patterns.  I was so excited to try this wrap skirt called the Ariel.  Here it is: 

This goes together fast and is so well drafted.  Normally, I shy away from wrap skirts since they tend to be difficult to keep the goods under wrap when walking, but not with this pattern.  This one stays put!  

For my top, I created another Harmony Woven Top, again by StyleArc.  

I am so into flounces these days.  I can hardly believe it but I find them so feminine and cute.  Plus, they are fun to wear.  

Here's my rendition: 

We had a huge rainstorm over night and lots of fog this morning.  Enough of the weather, back to the outfit!

The only deviation for me was to make just one flounce on the top.  I like the double, but since I've already made one of these, and I am working on another, three of the exact same top is a bit much.

For the top, my fit adjustments were to lengthen from the shoulder to the apex, the bust curve, and the back between the shoulder blades and waistline.

For the skirt, I made zero adjustments. 

This fabric!  I purchased it on a recent trip to Baton Rouge to see my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter.  I arrived back home three days ago and whipped this out fairly fast!

This skirt is so comfortable.  It has an elastic waistline for the majority of it with a flat front where the wrap meets.  Plus, check out the flounce!

Close up time!  This is the sleeve.  I love making narrow hems.  I stitch 1/4" from the edge, turn and press, and press again.  It gives me a very precise edge.

Here's the inside of the skirt flounce.  You can see what I mean with the precision.  

The flounce is also edge-stitched or top-stitched in place.  I love that added detail.

Like I mentioned before, I have this top cut out and have begun putting it together for a third.  I just really love it.  I am sure I will make the skirt again as well.  I'd love to have it in a solid.

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Spring and sprung Burda 6912 top!

Are you sick of your winter clothes like I am?  Not that I don't love my clothes, but sometimes you need a change whether it is a new color, texture, style, or all of these!

I found myself needing some new shapes and textures in my life.  On a recent trip to Louisiana to visit DD1, we HAD to find a fabric store...that is a real, live fabric store, not a JoAnn's or Hancocks and we did!  I found two patterns I really liked and so of course I purchased them!

Burda and I have struggled in our relationship.  There have been a few Burda's that have been good for me but I'm not sure why I don't like the finished garments.  It could be the style is for someone much younger and hipper than I am or it could be a lifestyle thing however, when I came across View B of Burda 6912 I thought it was a match.  I love the simple lines and the cool looking shape and peplum.

So, back to my stash I went and found a floral print Swiss dotted Voile I purchased from Fabric Mart. It is a nice quality fabric with great texture, thanks to the dotted Swiss.  I like the lightness of it and thought it would be a great candidate for this top.

The description is simply a semi-fitted blouse and dress.  As you can see, it can be sleeveless or three-quarter sleeves or a dress.  You need less than 2 yards of fabric for the top with sleeves.

All sizes are in one envelope.  I made a size 14 or 40 and am happy with the fit.  

Instructions are minimal but more than adequate for this easy pattern.  There are adequate visuals as well.  This top/dress would be great for beginners as there really isn't anything difficult nor is the fitting tricky.  I made an FBA at the dart by expanding the pattern tissue and lowering the apex by about 1/2".  

Sorry about the back wrinkles, I wore this to work today and should have taken it off and ironed it before taking photos, but it was a long day and well, I really don't like ironing all that much!  

I still have some drag lines at the bust so if I do decide to make this again, I will need to adjust the bust again.

I'm not entirely sure about the proportions of this top.  I feel like the peplum needs to be lengthened or higher up on my waist or something.  

I really didn't feel like making eight button holes, so I used my Kam snap pliers and Got Lux snaps in spring green to create closures on the front.  I like the green and it adds some color and makes the green in the fabric stand out a bit more.  Besides, green is a favorite color of mine! 

See how nice and neat the inside is finished?  I simply serged the edges of the facing at the neck and front edges, turned, pressed, edge stitched to prevent the facings from flipping to the right side, turned, and topstitched with two evenly spaced rows the first being 1.5" from the edge and the second just slightly inside that or closer to the edge of the garment.  I was a little concerned about show through to the right side of the fabric, but for some reason it works with this top--or am I delusional?

I am trying to decide if I like or will be willing to tackle more Burdas but first I need some honest opinions.  What do I do about the proportions?  Is this top okay and just something different than I am used to?  Should the peplum be lengthened?  Shortened?  Help!

As always, thanks for reading!

Sue 

Butterick 5218 Tunic

This is a review for a super easy Misses' top and tunic: loose-fitting, pullover tops A, C, tunics B, D have collar variations, front button closure with front pleat, back gathers, dropped shoulders and sleeve variations.  A has a self belt.  B: sleeve with elastic casing and side slits, C, D patch pockets and long sleeves with inside buttoned tab to hold self-rolled cuffs.  D: side slits.

 

This is a multi-sized pattern and since I knew it is loose-fitting, I made a size smaller than usual.  I also made a variation of the pattern with the sleeves of A and the length of D without the side slits.

So this is an easy rated pattern and it is indeed that!

So here is what I did.  The fabric I used was from Fabric Mart.  It is one of the J Crew's fabrics that was a Fabric of the day so I got it for a great price!

Since my fabric is so sheer and I was worried about my interfacing making it opaque or funny looking, I decided to use silk organza instead.  It worked great!  The organza is lining the collar and front placket area.  I did make the self-belt but hated it on me so I ditched it for this belt.  Also, I really didn't feel confident making button holes on such sheer fabric so I used plastic snaps.  I could have just sewn buttons on the front without the holes.  This top is so loose-fitting that you don't need to unbutton anything.  It slips right over your head!

This top whipped up in a a few hours so if you need an instant gratification project and love the comfort and ease of tunics and leggings, this is for you!  I honestly hated it when I first put it on but after DH stated he didn't think it was 'too bad' and looking at the pictures, he's right.  It isn't too bad, its not my favorite either, but I think I will wear it a few times before moving it out of my closet and making room for something else.

I do recommend this pattern for a fast and easy top.  It does run large, so my advice would be to make it a size smaller (maybe 2).  Carefully choose your fabric as I think it makes or breaks the top.  I am wondering if I should shorten this a bit?  Add some side slits?  Take it in more?  I am very open to suggestions!

Thanks for reading!
Sue