Tuesday, September 6, 2011

It's Been Awhile

 We've had a busy summer:  a wedding in California, visiting family, meaning Jakob of course, and having computer issues, all of which pushed blogging to the bottom of the list.  I did do a little sewing after the wedding outfit and spent a lot of time cleaning up the sewing room, moving summer fabrics into the closet, moving  fall fabrics out and planning my fall sewing. 
I made the ubiquitous Vogue 1250 like so many others.  The biggest issue I encountered with this was getting it enlarged to fit my hips and then getting it to fit on the fabric.  I ended up cutting it on the cross grain.  If I make this again I think I'll resort to creating a side seam.
To refresh your memory, this is what it looks like on the tall, skinny model,

This is what it looks like on me.  That's Lily by the way wanting in on the picture taking. We adopted her in June from Arf or the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons.  I highly recommend them if you are looking for a dog on Long Island. 

Anyway, back to sewing.  I won't do a review of this; there are lots of reviews out there already, but I will show you what I did to make it fit my hips.  Even thinner people complained that it ran snug in the hips so I was cautious.  First I made an fba adding a dart, which I think that you can just make out.  Then I copied the side hip dart and put it aside.  After slitting the side seam and adding the room I needed I taped it  in place positioning the point of the dart with the center of my addition.  It worked and I have enough room for it to fit nicely.  It did however no longer fit the width of my fabric, so I cut it on the cross grain.  The fabric is a rayon knit from Emmaonesock that while thin was very easy to work with.  It didn't roll at all.  Nice quality as always from EOS.



The second piece I worked on was this top from Hot Patterns Riviera Cote D'Azur knit dress, tunic and top.  I made the top.  I love it.  I wish I'd made it earlier in the season because the dress would have been the perfect summer piece.

Description: V neck knit top with center front and back seams. The cf is gathered to a facing piece at the bust and then sewn together.  I didn't make an fba on this.

Fabric: A rayon knit from Mood that was printed and then overprinted(the black) to make a border print along one edge.  I again resorted to cutting it on the crossgrain.  I did not buy enough to put the print at the top as I originally planned, but this worked out well.

Instructions: Minimal, but this is so easy they are fine.
Pattern alterations: all I did was to shorten this a bit.

This   is an easy top and comfortable to wear.  The neckline is a bit low, but my bust is low so there's not a lot of cleavage showing.  I am comfortable with this, but if your bust is higher or you don't like low necklines, I'd consider raising it a bit.
If you live in the southern hemisphere, I'd really think about making not only the top but the dress.  Perfect pattern for hot summers.


What am I working on now?  Jeans, finally.  I have a pair of rtw jeans that are too tight but when they fit, they fit well.  When I took KK's moulage class he suggested that I copy  and grade them up.  I've done that and  I am fitting them now, but I'll leave that for my next post.  I will however leave you with a picture of Jakob.






21 comments:

  1. A very warm welcome back. Thanks so much for your informative post on Vogue 1250 which I just ordered during yesterday's sale. It looks great on you. I appreciate your comment that the hip fits snugly - something I need to look out for. Amazing how patterns from the same company fit differently. Nice to have advance warning on this one. Mimi

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  2. What a lovely 1250! I finished one this weekend, and adore the pattern, if only for it's breeze elegance. That fabric is great, I tried spotting the dart you added, but it's lost among the wonderfully crazy print.

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  3. I'm chuffed you're back! Great picture of Jacob. I've never considered v1250 because of my pear shape. I figured it was an "easy" pattern that would not be easy for me. Your version looks good, no pulling in the hips at all.

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  4. First lets start with the important stuff - your grandson is adorable and getting soooooo big!

    I've made 5 V1250 and after my first version, I added side seams...it just fits better that way.

    Can't wait to see your jeans!

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  5. I love how you added the width in 1250. I have stepped back from this one as well because of my ample pear. You've shown me how to make it work.
    You look wonderful in both outfits.

    I was worried Irene had done you in or something and am glad to hear you are back in the sewing room.

    Jakob is positively prescious. Great shot, Nancy.

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  6. Nancy, you look great. Goodness, Jakob is growing like a weed and so adorable. Me lurves pictures of him.

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  7. Just sent you an e-mail telling you I missed your posts, and then going to the reader I see you posted. Great pictures, of course especially of Jakob. The dress is good, and I LOVE the top. Great on you.

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  8. Dress AND top look great on you, nice work and thanks for the post.

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  9. The dress looks great on you! Nice job!

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  10. How cute is Jakob? I love your version of 1250. I have the pattern but have yet to make it up. I may need more room in the hips too!

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  11. It's been a while, but you certainly came back styling!

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  12. Vogue 1250 looks fantastic on you. Welcome back!

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  13. These are great outfits nancy, I really love the python print fabric you used for the top. Lily looks very cute and your house looks gorgeous too!

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  14. I've just made Vogue 1250 for myself. This pattern just looks great on all comers. I love your fabric choice.

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  15. Nancy - love your style here. Tell us about the wedding - PICTURES!!!! We want PICTURES!!!

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  16. Nancy you look great in your dress & your top!

    I have made 2 muslins of the HP top and so far still have issues getting a good fit. Yours looks amazing on you.
    Mermie

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  17. Great dress. I was going to tell you that Carolyn put side seams in this pattern (her dress is beautiful) but she already did it herself. I have to get this pattern.

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  18. Both the dress and top look great on you. The colors in the prints are so flattering. Cute grandson!

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  19. Great garment. Nancy thank you so much for posting the adjustments for the Vogue 1250. I'm planning on making another version with sleeves and was thinking about doing a FBA.

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  20. Great shot of Jakob. Congratulations on having a new dog in your life.

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  21. LOVE the fabric of the dress. The dress pattern is super cool. I love the drapes on the model but I would have been hesitant about the draping on our larger busts but the smaller neckline draping you did looks awesome.

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