Thursday, May 26, 2011

KS3408 || Painterly Wrap Dress

Ready for my clean getaway! LOL

I've got a thing for wrap dresses. They're quick, they're easy to throw on when you're making a clean getaway (Diane!! Shocking!), and they always make me look so put-together and stylish. Love that! They also look fantastic with boots, flats AND sandals. A trifecta of footwear!

That being said, I've made three wrap (and faux-wrap) dresses in the past, and until now, was never successful. Either the fabric was wrong, the flippy facings bugged me, the armholes were too low, it gaped in the front skirt area when I sat or I just couldn't keep the darn thing closed in the bodice. Argh. The KS3408 is the first wrap dress pattern I would consider a total, unmitigated success.

Pattern Description: Misses' fitted wrap dresses have a waist seam, a slightly flared skirt, a V-neckline, bust darts, and self-fabric ties. View A has long sleeves and is over-knee length; View B has 3/4 length sleeves and above-knee length. I made View B with even shorter sleeves.


Pattern Sizing: XS - XL. Mine is a Medium, even tho most of my measurements were in the "Large" column. The pattern has enough ease in it to go down a size (with additional alterations). I wanted it to be relatively close fitting.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it did!

Were the instructions easy to follow? Terrifically easy. Kwik Sew does a great job with instructions and diagrams.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love that it has enough walking ease in the skirt to stay closed, the neckline is drafted so it won't gape, even if you don't use clear elastic there. Construction was fast and easy, and, as I have a long torso, I didn't have to add my usual inch to the length of the bodice. (the weight of the skirt pulls it down.) That's a lot of good things in one little pattern.

Fabric Used: ITY Knit from JoAnn

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I have narrow shoulders, so I removed 1/4" from there (didn't alter the sleeve). I did a 1/2" FBA, added 1/2" high round back adjustment and removed 1-1/2" from bodice length so that the seam would fall at my high waist (the skinniest part!). I also doubled the width of the ties and added 10" to the tie length. I might add 10-15" more length next time, as it might be fun to wrap it around another time. Instead of hemming, I used my serger's roll hem feature on the neckline and hem. I'll probably go back and shorten the sleeves even more and roll hem them as well. We'll see...

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? This is, hands down, the best drafted wrap dress pattern I've used. I highly recommend it, and will definitely make it again. (And again, and again.)

Conclusion: I love this dress. If you can get your hands on the OOP pattern, it's a timeless, easy classic piece to add to your wardrobe.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

V1049 (OOP) | The Hunt for the Perfect Boatneck is Over!

I am OBSESSED with boatneck tops! It's such a classic style, and I've been seeing many boatnecks coming up for fall, especially in Oscar de la Renta's collection. So of course, I had to make my own.


Hello, new wardrobe staple!
Pattern Description: Boatneck top with asymetrical hem option.

Pattern Sizing: All

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? It did!

Were the instructions easy to follow? Ridiculously easy. This would be a great beginner sewing project with knits.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? It came together very quickly. I also like that Sandra's pattern has a cut-on facing. (more on this below) I also REALLY like that the top covers my bra straps. Other boatnecks I've tried had necklines that were SO wide, those darn straps always showed. (argh.) I think in future iterations, I'll take off .5" from the CB to avoid the neck gape.

Fabric Used: Polyester knit with spandex from JoAnn.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I didn't like how there are bust darts on both the facing and the top itself. Lining them up was a pain, and if you don't do it exactly right, it shows. I ran a basting stitch where the dart in the lining would go and gathered the material instead. It made for a better finish and doesn't look weird on the outside.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I've already sewed it up twice since shooting this and think it'll be a wardrobe staple come fall. It's so versatile for my wardrobe!

Conclusion: I love this top. This pattern is OOP, but I highly recommend it! Get your paws on it if you love a fabulously drafted boatneck top!



Top Left: Leopard print cardi (thrifted) and trousers.  
Top Right: Cute summer skirt (me-made) and jean jacket.
Bottom Left: With houndstooth skirt (me-made) and jacket.  
Bottom Right: Safari jacket, jeans and new kicky red vinyl shoes (thrifted).

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Count Me IN for Me-Made-June!


'I, Darcidoodle of http://darcidoodle-do.blogspot.com/, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-June '11. I endeavour to wear at least one me-made garment each work day this month. I will also challenge myself to remix if there are repeats for the duration of June 2011.'

Monday, May 2, 2011

S2256 | That Sure Is a Yellow Jacket!

They'll see me coming AND going!
I saw this cute little jacket at Simplicity Fashion Show at the Sewing Expo in Puyallup this last March. This cornea-searing yellow fabric has been in my stash for awhile, originally destined to be an outerwear jacket. Unfortunately for me, the fabric was too thin for outerwear, but not too thin for a cute, springy jacket!

Pattern Description: Misses' unlined jacket in two lengths with neckline and sleeve variations.

Pattern Sizing: 4-22. Mine was a 12 in the bodice, adjusted to a 14 in the hips and waist. Even with flat pattern measuring AND trying on the pattern, this jacket ran LARGE. Like, so large I can't wear it open. :(

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? It did!

Were the instructions easy to follow? They were incredibly easy to navigate.

Front
Back
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the peplum in the back a lot. The front is a little boring without any sort of flounce or collar. I dig it, but not everyone will.

Fabric Used:  Cotton/lycra blend from Fabric.com. The pearl buttons on the front and back are vintage, gifted to me by a good friend.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I really wanted this jacket to be lined. Yellow is a lot like white, in that it's practically see-through if you don't line it. I lined it in lime green bemberg rayon. It shows through a little, so I don't think I'd do that again. I also (wrongly) attempted to bag the lining, but the peplum made the jacket hang wonky in the back. I frogged that, hemmed the lining separately from the  and fashion fabric, and got really well acquainted with swing tacks, which are fun to make! 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would make this again, certainly, although I'd make it a size smaller in the bust.
More versatile than you'd think!
Conclusion: The weather here in the Pacific Northwest can be a little unpredictable, so I'm sure I'll wear this jacket a lot! I'm really digging the bright yellow and chocolate brown combination, and having fun with some colourblocking. (Aqua, anyone? How 'bout PINK?)