Tessuti Fave Top

My second top for Faye’s sew-a-long is the Tessuti Fave Top (free downloadable pattern at Tessuti Fabrics out of Australia).  

I first saw this pattern back in 2010 when Christina made it up, but at the time, I was not into downloadable patterns yet.  I wanted to make something up quick and easy since there was not a lot of time left on the sew-a-long.  This pattern is a one size fits all and the download is only 25 pages.  It is WELL worth all the taping you have to do.  There are only two pattern pieces to this top and from all the different Fave tops I’ve seen made up on the internet, and there are quite a few, it is flattering on everyone.  

Even though it worked out for me as this was a muslin to check for fitting and any modification needed, the only thing I would change for myself is to make the sleeves a little bigger.  My upper arms are a little on the thick side from all the weight lifting I did when I was younger so I need to make allowances for that, but otherwise, I love this top and see a few more of these in my future.  

I’m all about the comfort these days, especially on my days off and this is a top that you can either dress up or wear casually on the weekends just working around the house or doing errands.  I can even see myself lengthening this baby to a dress pattern to lounge around the house in. 

In addition to making this top last night, I decided to do a refashion as well to go along with it.  The skirt that is in this picture originally was a calf length skirt (Sorry I didn't take any pictures before cutting.  Sometimes I jump in before thinking) that I purchased years ago.  It was so long ago that I don't recall when I bought it, but I do know it was purchased between 1995 and the early 2000's.  I was never crazy about the fit (how it hugged my legs from the knees down) and last night it popped out at me and said, "make he shorter, so I did.  It was quicker than making one and now we are both happy, and my skirt will no longer just be sitting in a pile of clothes that I no longer wear, but am not ready to get rid of.

Linda, thank you for another successful sew-a-long.  It could not have come along at a better time as always.  I look forward to them and even though I was only able to get 2 tops completed, it's 2 more than I had before.  You rock!!!!!!  I also had a chance to look at all the lovely tops that were made by the other ladies and my blouse/top list is getting longer.  There were a few I saw that I know I have the patterns to in my stash, so you know I need to get busy.  Thank for all for the great comments that you all have been leaving me.  I hope the rest of your week goes by quickly.

Happy Crafting!!!

Simplicity 1716

As they say, better late than never.  I signed up for Faye’s 2013 Essential Top Challenge.  

 
I had high hopes that I would sew a top last weekend, but I was still finishing up a boxing skirt for a co-worker who had a boxing match Friday night. (more on that in my next post).  I’m glad Linda extended the date until Wednesday (couldn't you have extended it until the weekend?? ;).  I have high hopes that I can get another top/blouse finished by then, but if not, one and done ain’t bad either. I always enjoy doing her sew-a-longs because it helps me to focus on one thing and then just bump them out.
The first top I decided to start with for Faye’s challenge is Simplicity 1716, View B with a short sleeve.  
 

I purchased this pattern back in the fall not knowing if I could pull this one off or not, and I was not disappointed. 

The minute I finished it, my mother told me I had to make another one in a solid color, the dress version and one for her so she could wear it when going out.  

The directions are very easy to follow and as long as you have all the proper markings on your pieces before sewing, you shouldn't have any problems making this blouse.  

What makes this top is the design feature on the front of the bodice.

Another nice feature is the ruching at the back neckline area.  


This is done by sewing a piece of  3 1/4 inch elastic to the back of the neck.

 

I made size 14, and realized afterwards that I could have gone down to the 12 as this top fits a little loosely.  I'm thinking this is because there is a tunic and dress version to this pattern and you use the same pattern piece for all three garments.  I'm thinking in drafting the pattern, ease for the tunic and dress were taken into consideration. 

The only thing that I would change in the construction process is that before sewing the back neckline down to start making the cowl, I would serge the whole neckline edge first, so that you have a complete serged neckline if you own an overlocker.  The instructions don’t tell you to do this and if you follow their instructions, half of your neckline will be unfinished (the front of the cowl)  The fabric used for this top was a designer knit I picked up from Jomar.

 If you have not looked at this pattern, please do.  

It is a very flattering top and it’s a nice addition to anyone's wardrobe.  

Very different.  

I don't know if I'll get to them but the other tops I have in mind and am still planning on getting done are 


Vogue 8747

 
New Look 6150

 
Burda 9-2010 #114 (still need to trace) Has been on my list for over a year and the fabric is sitting and waiting.

Burda 9-2010 #109 (still need to trace) This has also been on my list for over a year and the fabric is waiting.

Burda 9-2011 #128 (traced) I just got the fabric for this but want to muslin it first as the fabric for this will be tricky.

The Lily Skirt

Back in January I had the pleasure of test sewing the Yalta top for Lena.

I liked it so much that when Lena emailed me letting me know that she was coming out with her second pattern Lily,

                                                       (This picture is courtesy of Lena)
Here's my version.

I quickly jumped on the bandwagon and said I wanted to test sew this pattern as well.  Lily is the answer to that Marilyn Monroe skirt that likes to fly away when a breeze catches it.  Lily is a downloadable pattern of a 6 gore skirt.

The pattern consists of 48 pages that you have to tape together.  For those of you that have never worked with a downloadable pattern before, it's a breeze.  You just need some scotch tape.  Lena's patterns are very well drafted and her instructions are simple and easy to understand.  The 48 pages make up the actual skirt

and the lining pieces as well.

The fabric used for this pattern is chiffon.  Some of you might be a little afraid to work with that fabric, but you just have to jump in and try it.  There are ways to tame the slide.  To get this baby put together I interfaced both sides of the skirt where the zipper would be inserted.  That will help with the wear and tear of the skirt since as time goes by the zipper is a little stronger than the fabric.  Interfacing will help the skirt hold up longer.  I also serged all the seams.

 I interfaced the waistband of the skirt since I couldn't find my fusible tape.

That helps with any fraying and makes the waistband a little more sturdier.  I also applied some hem tape at the waistband area as well.  I wanted my waistband a little more stronger.

The end result give the waistband edge a nice clean finish.

 Here are a picture of the lining.

I liked working with this pattern because it enabled me to do some stash busting and to create something that is perfect to ring this Spring season in.

I know I can't wear it yet because it hasn't warmed up enough yet, but it gives me something to look forward to.  I'm counting the days.

Thank you and Some Side Sewing

I wanted to thank everyone for all the wonderful comments they left me on the Olivia Gown.  I really enjoyed the whole process of making it and then seeing it come to fruition.  I definitely see more of these types of projects in my future.  They really get the creative juices flowing.  Here are a couple of professional pictures that were taken that night from the gala photographer.

On another note I have some good news that also came from this gala, one of our regulars that comes and sees us happen to be at the gala and really liked my gown.  Her daughter is getting married next year and last weekend she asked me if I would make her gown for her daughter's wedding.  I was in complete shock.  I saw her again last night and she confirmed with me again, so, it looks like I'm going to be doing a making sewing project.  I will add that I have sewn for her once before and she loved what I make for her so since this is a second piece, I think it's safe to say I have a permanent customer.

Of late, I've not done any sewing for me as we finally got our house rented out and my husband and I had to rush and get some renovations done at the house.  Our tenants were suppose to move in until April but when they told their landlady they were leaving, she kicked them out.  We basically got a month and a half worth of work done in two weeks.  This is basically why I've been a little incognito of late.

I have been sewing for others.  I had to make an underskirt for a flower girl dress

and a garter for the bride.

Hopefully I'll have some action pictures after the wedding which is next weekend.  The pictures above were taken with my iphone.  That's all I have for now.  I hope everyone had a fabulous crafty weekend.

The Olivia Dress Part 2

To continue where I left off, I traced the front, front side, back and back side pieces.  I did half of a muslin to see the fit of the bodice and what alterations needed to be made.  From the first muslin I estimated that I had to cut down the length of the front piece bodice and add 2 inches to the width. 

After that was done I then added 5 inches to the length of all the pieces as this bodice originally had a peplum.  I then made another muslin of the bodice to check for fit and it looked about right.

The original fabric from the picture has the red lace with the nude underlay.  Since I could not find that, I just used a  black scalloped lace with black charmeuse underneath.  I originally wanted to do a sweetheart cut-out on the bodice, but I decided to go with the full coverage under the lace.  I also liked the coverage that it gaves as well.  This is how the bodice finally turned out.

Originally I had the bodice sewn up a little more, but was told by Karen and another co-worker that I needed to undo it a little to get the look of the original inspiration picture.  I'm realizing now that Olivia Thirlby does not have as much cleavage as I do, but I made it work in the end and double-sided body tape was my bestfriend last night. 

It helped keep the girls in and I didn't have any Janet Jackson moments.  Every woman should have some in their private arsenal for those special occasions.   

Next up was the skirt. Originally I was going to do a tea length with a godet in the back.  This next picture was my inspiration.

I got a call during the week thank goodness before I cut the skirt out and was told the event was black tie optional so I was able to turn my tea length idea into a full length skirt.  As I said in my last post I was going to use McCall 3830, but in the end could not figure out where I put the pattern so I used Burda 7576. 

 With a little tweaking, because the skirt is very form fitted and a little help from this book by Colette Wolff, 

I was able to work it out.  If you don't have this book in your sewing library, get it.  It is amazing and full of a wealth of information.  Here's the back of the skirt with my godet. 

This is the final dress in all of her glory and I did get quite a few compliments. 

It was nice to stray from the norm when it comes to traditional gowns.

Enjoy your Sunday, I'm going to get some food shopping done and catch up on my chores from yesterday.  Have a great week!!

The Olivia Dress, Part 1

I have to sing for a dinner/dance next weekend and was toldby my band mate that the function is formal and I have to wear all black.  For this, a new dress was in order as mydresses tend to be on the more colorful side. I first went to Fabric Warehouse a couple of weeks ago.  They were having a 50% off sale on fabric andI stocked up on a few nicer pieces of black fabric with this dress in mind asinspiration that I saw on Sown Brooklyn’s blog.  

I then changed my mind last week and decided to go the easyway out and just sew a dress straight from a pattern and decided on Gertie’spattern that came out through Butterick, B5814. I even cut the pattern pieces apart.   

Last weekend I was doing some online surfing and cameacross this picture of Olivia Thirlby wearing this dress in the August 2012issue of Vanity Fair and fell in love.  I don't have a picture of the whole dress, but I figure if I can at least get the top of this dress as close as possible and pull it off, it will be a winner.

Plus it gives me a chance to see how my skills are at trying to do a re-creation/replica.  I did not have any black lace in stash with ascalloped edge so I went to Joann Fabrics on a whim hoping that they would havewhat I was looking for.  To my delightthey had lace on sale in every color I needed with a scalloped edge except forblack.  I pulled the white lace off ofthe shelf proceeded to the cutting counter and had the woman cut 4 yards of thepolyester lace.  I then proceeded to thedying section and picked up iDye for polyester fabric. 

An hour later and a little bit of stirring, this is what I got.

  

 I went to my stash of Burdas and looked through them to seeif there was anything I could use to help me re-create this dress.  I decided to work with the bodice of BWOF 7-2011 #140. 

 I plan onincorporating my TNT McCall skirtpattern 3830 with the top portion of this dress. 

 I should hopefully be able tomatch the darts up from the skirt with the princess seams of the bodice.  That's all I have for now, but I can tell you I got quite a bit done this weekend.  Two muslins and some pattern altering, I have the bodice pretty much done and it looks fantastic  I have to cut the skirt pieces out and attach everything.  I'm trying to make sure I document with pictures my progress as I'm going along.  I'll check in during the week with another post so you can see the progress.  Mr. D saw me checking the fit of my bodice and likes it a lot.  I hope you do too.