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Monday, August 25, 2008

Vogue 8473 - Complete


I've finally completed this project. I wore the dress today (without the jacket). Here's my review:

Pattern Description: Lined, semi-fitted jacket with darts in front and back, notched collar and lapels, back slit opening, two-piece sleeves with slit opening and button closing. Fitted, lined, sleeveless dress with pleated upper front, princess seams, slightly flared, back zipper closing and mid-knee length.

Pattern Sizing:AA(6-8-10-12), EE(14-16-18-20)

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

Were the instructions easy to follow?Yes. The pattern is rated easy but I think a beginner might feel intimidated by all the work involved in making this garment. So an advanced beginner could probably do this because of the lining of the dress and jacket.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?I like the dress. For the jacket, I'm gonna have to go back and stitch the neck edge. The instructions did not include that step, just a lot of understitching. (This is why I didn't wear the jacket because the lining shown around the neck edge and I did not notice this during construction).

Fabric Used:Rayon linen.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:None

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?Perhaps. I like the both the jacket and dress and if I were to make it again, it would be in a different fabric. Something more for casual wear. The fabric I used is for something I'd wear to church (which I did) or out to a special dinner.

Conclusion: I enjoyed working on this project. It was a lot of work though but I like the finished pieces.


I'm not sure what my next project is going to be. I have a few more I'd like to finish up before summer is over. Although next weekend is Labor Day and kind of an official end to the summer season (not calendar wise or weather either though) I am sure we will still have a few hot & humid days ahead and I'll still want to enjoy my cool attire. LOL! Also, I'm still in the process of cleaning out my closets and the things that I make up in the next few days or weeks, will be for next summer, even if I only get to wear them once.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Pantone's Fall Color Forecast

The link below is a Pantone's color report for Fall 2008. I know, I said I was holding off on thinking about Fall for as long as possible. But the colors are rich, vibrant, and exciting to look forward to. LOL Check it out!
http://www.pantone.com/downloads/articles/pdfs/PANTONE-FCR-F08-f.pdf

Monday, August 11, 2008

Hooray Good News!

Today, off to Joann's I go in search of fabric that I purchased last year in the clearance section. Lo and behold, I was able to buy the exact fabric to cut the two pattern pieces that actually needed four instead of just the two I had cut! There was enough on that bolt to make my current outfit and probably something else! It is unbelievable that I could still get the exact fabric and this was in the clearance section! I started to wait until Friday when the clearance fabrics are 50% off, but did not want to take that chance! It would just have been my luck to not find it at all had I waited.
Now to finish up! LOL

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Currently Working On...


I am working on Vogue 8473 in a coral rayon-linen type fabric purchased from Joann's red tag section last year. I did make a mistake however, in not cutting out 4 pieces where it clearly indicates such on the two pattern pieces that are used as facings on the bottom of the jacket front & back. Right now, I am not in a panic mode as I still saw some of the fabric when I last visited the store. I know, unbelievable, right! I'll post on what happens as I have another idea of how to complete my jacket if I can't find a little more of this fabric. YIKES!!

A Few New Patterns!

In the mail this week to add to my pattern collection, Vogue 1062 and 8524. Also, My Notions sent an email that they had a pattern sale, 12 for $12 plus two free! I did not see anything in that category so I checked out their other section which were priced around $4.20 apiece and this is what I got from that. I read somewhere that Neue Mode was discontinuing their pattern production. There is a company in Downers Grove, IL called Sullivan's and I think it was the only place in the US that distributed the patterns for sale when they became unavailable at Hancocks and Vogue Fabrics. They reminded me of Burda because when I first discovered this pattern line years ago, they had no seam allowances and their styles were more on point than the Big 4. (to me). So that's what I have added to my ever growing pattern collection.

New Look 6808





This is my latest project, New Look 6808. View C (?) But it's the same version and color as on the pattern envelope. A coincidence. LOL But I made it to go with the skirt which was done last year but it did not have a lining (don't know what I was thinking when I made it originally! You could see straight through!) But I've added that and this outfit is about ready to go. The skirt is just a simple elastic waist and top-stitched hem. I don't know if you can tell on the picture, but the hem of the top still has pins in it! And I don't know why the closeup picture of the collar/bow is showing up red, LOL! Hmmm

Sunday, August 3, 2008

I Should Probably Just Go To Sleep!


It's after midnight and I just posted two projects on PR and the photos are not correct! I don't know what happened, but I figure I will show here what is right, LOL The top is Vogue 8371 made from a chiffon type print I purchased last year from Fashion Fabric Club. Bias tape is used for the neck and armholes. The hem is topstithced. I serged the seams for that clean finish. The skirt is Simplicity 8831 which is a simple straight skirt, center back zipper, waistband and back slit. I am not sure that this skirt pattern, which has several variations for a top as well, is still available. I made this outfit the night before I left for Dallas, Tx. I wore it on the plane and most of the day. It was very comfortable! The print was to be included as part of the stash reduction contest, but I did not get the chance to submit it in time. Oh well. The skirt fabric was a recent purchase.














The next outfit is a two-piece from McCalls 8272 (a Daphne Maxwell Reid pattern) and Vogue 7184 (not pictured). These are two very out of print patterns. The fabric used is a lightweight gabardine. The top is sleeveless with armhole facings. The button closures are loops and I used some clear buttons that I had in my stash. The skirt is a straight skirt with facings at the waist and a centered back zipper and back slit. All very easy things for quick sewing gratification and instant wearability hahahaha! I have not sewn anything since the pink outfit above. There has not been an opportunity since I've been back home, but I hope to have something to share perhaps by the middle of next week!
Summer is just busy! However, I am glad that I've been able to sew as much as I have.

Since this is August, that means that Fall is just around the corner, but I will still sew a few more summer type outfits because I really do not want to think about Fall or Winter. The latter is just too long of a season around here and I figure there will be plenty of time to make lots of things for that when it gets here. Until then, I'll enjoy the rest of summer. Happy Sewing!