First Blouse done

 So I am finish my first top/blouse of the year/challenge and I am pleased with it. It went together pretty quickly which is something I like, quick gratification.





I already have my next variation planned but before than I have a few other things I want to make. Now the review.

Pattern Description: Misses tops with B,C,or D cup with different trims.

Pattern Sizing: I made a size 12 with D cup

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

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes they are very easy. There really is nothing complicated about this pattern.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? There is nothing I really disliked other than not having sleeves

Fabric Used: I used a cotton satin, which I think is the same as cotton sateen but its lighter than the sateen I'm use to this is more of a blouse weight not a bottom weight.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: The only thing I did was add sleeves to make it more of a blouse than a woven Tee. I also widen the upper back by 1/2 inch and lowered the bust dart by 1 inch.
Also I tried the facing technique found in High Fashion Sewing Secrets from the World's Best Designers


Conclusion: Nice easy pattern to help build your wardrobe as you can see by the 60+ reviews and best pattern of 2010 award.

The facing

Finishing this blouse took a little longer than expected due to a bad stomach virus that had me in bed all day yesterday and then today my 3 year old son and 2 year daughter decided to take a hot chili pepper and rub it in their eyes, lets just say I don't think they even want to see another chili pepper again. No amount of water was making them feel better. It took about an hour before the crying stopped.

This is a sneak peak at my next 4 items, a mini wardrobe that with some of it mixed in my SWAP.  The two on the left are cotton knits, the next is a cotton sateen and the last is a regular cotton. The Sateen is going to be the challenge as it is only 2 yards and I want to make a maxi skirt out of it.

Until next time happy sewing

First Item of My Challenge

 So I have started on my personal challenge and also SWAP with Simplicity 2599. Even though it is not a size14 it still fits me pretty good. I now know I need a swayback adjustment, I just need to know how to do it. Before I make another blouse from this pattern I plan on making the adjustment the best I can.

 For my first blouse I'm using a red and white cotton satin that I got here in Saudi Arabia. So far it washed well and pressed like a dream. I was able to get all of my pieces on two meters. I'm still getting use the meter thing here, I always have to remind myself not to say yards when I'm ordering something. Anyway I'm still debating if I want to put the ruffles on the front of this one. When I did in the muslin it just did not look right to me. I don't know if it was the bib look or something else. But when I look at them on the ones that others have done it looks so nice. Maybe its just me, I'm not use to wearing a style like that. So my pieces are cut I'm hoping this will take me no more than two sessions to get it done at the same time I am NOT going to rush it.

Until next time happy sewing...

 

Time To Get Started

 Simplicity 2599 muslin is done. Its not a perfect fit but I am ready to start making a few tops with it.  I think I am going to replace the facing with bias binding as I think this will look a little better. I may also try to give it some waist shaping as it looks a little too boxy.

As you can see I added sleeves. It was quite simple, I just morphed the short sleeve with the sleeve of Simplicity 2586. I then added a cuff to one and simply hemmed the other to see which I like. I like both I guess it just depends on which one I want for each design.

 So after I finished with fitting the simplicity I went straight to fitting McCall's 5138. This was a bit more work since it doesn't have the cup sizes. So after tissue fitting I ended up widening the upper back half inch (1 inch total) and adding a 2 inch FBA. Then I had to lower the bust dart 1 inch. Once again I have a pretty good fit but not perfect yet. I will the perfect fit an on going process.

So I have started on my first top for McCall's 5138 and already have run into a problem. My bust dart is  very pointy and its not  pretty. After searching the boards on patternreview I decided to try pressing them on my ham. I'm not sure if this has helped or not since I just pressed them and I let is sit and cool.  I'm hoping that after a night of rest it will be much better.

Until next time happy sewing... 

Working Simplicity 2599

 So Simplicity 2614 just is not going to work out for me, the bust portion needs to be lowered and the upper back is too tight and lower back there is like a pool of fabric. Its is just too much for a top I don't think I'll make a lot of. So once again I visited Simplicity 2599, its like the third time I have gone to this pattern in the last two weeks, so far it has the best starting point being a size twelve with a D-cup. I already had a muslin sewn up and I remember that I loved the fit of it even with out any alterations even tho it clearly needs some. So all in all I think this is the best I have come across in my small pattern stash.

 Just as you can see here, the back pools on me. I don't know if this is from a swayback or large derrie  that is causing it. Also it is on the bias so I don't know if that is playing a factor in the pooling and if so how do I alter it, is it the same as something on the grain? I'm taking all of this as a learning experience but I know that this top is not one that I want to spend a lot of time on if I don't see me making it up that much.

 So back to Simplicity 2599. Since I already had a muslin of the pattern unaltered, I wore it around the house for a few hours doing house work and working with my kids and so far these are the adjustments I made, I lowered the bust dart one inch, add a half in to the upper back and add one inch to the hip area. So I'm hoping to get time this weekend and sew up the new muslin and see how it fits.

I really have to keep the goal in mind because using all of this time for just working with patterns and no clothes to show is a bit downing. But once I have a good pattern to work with there is no limit to what I can do with it, I know I may still need to alter later but I just want a good starting point. I just have to take everything as a learning experience and take it one step at a time. So my goal this weekend is to sew up my new muslin and record my findings.

Until next time happy sewing...