The sew along is mid way through - excellent instruction from Tasia, fyi - but I appear to be finished. What can I say? I wanted to see how it would turn out:
I've made View B and it's very lovely. Totally feminine. Dare I say, girly. And while I'm generally not into frills, this has a bit of an edge, IMO.No, you're not just seeing things. It's definitely NOT in cerise silk. Here's the thing: Though I'd made a muslin, I was not ready to use the (irreplaceable) silk on my first go around. Then, happily, last week I just happened to stumble across that lovely floral (which my obnoxious kid calls "granny fabric"), with navy background - can you honestly say you're surprised?? - and it was on sale for $4.00 a yard.
BTW, these are the new denim leggings. I'm wearing an ensemble:
Some thoughts on the garment:- This seems to be my regular refrain these days but I really should have made a size smaller. I've had to take in every seam twice - once on the muslin and again on the finished garment. There's alteration and then there's reconstruction and I've veered dangerously close to the latter.
- The pattern is more intermediate than beginner, IMO. The instructions are very clear, but there are a lot of steps for a simple shell (of course, that's because it's a frilly, simple shell). It's fairly hardcore, IMO, making ruffles with slippy fabric. Not hard, but finicky. If I were a newbie sewist, I'd have a lot of questions. Mind you, that's why sew alongs save the day.
- I don't often sew with patterned fabric. When I do, I lean towards the nebulous, the asymmetric. I don't want to deal with lining up chevrons or dots. I know I can do it, but it's such a pain in the ass. I was concerned that this pattern would be observably mismatched (since I paid no attention to alignment of the flower bunches), but I don't think my fabric (non)alignment is particularly notable.
- Though I succeeded in removing waist bunching on the muslin, the fashion fabric is somehow still to0 long through the waist. Really, if you're long waisted - this is the pattern for you. I imagine it would fit a super tall pear shaped woman fantastically, right out of the envelope.
- My serger was invaluable to me in this process. In the end, after determining the correct seam allowances, I serged over the princess seams to a) reduce bulk and b) finish some pretty fray prone fabric.
- I will definitely make this again - in the size 8, with any required alterations (still more shortening of the waist!). It's a very useful wardrobe piece - a little bit fancy, predominantly simple, good with pants or skirts.
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Utterly fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI think I need to commission you to make me one of those shells! And your booty looks great in those denim leggings!
ReplyDeleteThank you ladies! It's a fun shirt - not like anything I'd ordinarily buy. And the whole thing cost 8 bucks!
ReplyDeletevery pretty!
ReplyDeleteThat's a *really* cute blouse! Even with the "practice" fabric.
ReplyDeleteErika and Deja: Merci beaucoup! It's amazing how much fun one can have with the practice fabric. I should have mentioned that it has much less natural fabric ease (or give) than the cerise silk. Just to make the next fitting job another experiment :-)
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts? You are talented, funny, dedicated, and it is so lovely to see you looking so happy and healthy. But that isn't what you are asking about. I also like the leggings and the blouse is like a breath of fresh spring air.
ReplyDeleteYou look so cute. And you made your outfit -- clever!
ReplyDeleteBel: I love all your thoughts! And you've totally pegged it - the shirt is like a breath of spring (when there is NONE to be found anywhere here). I am so winter-miserable, getting out of bed is a Herculean chore. But this is light and breezy.
ReplyDeleteF: Thank you! It is SO fun to make my own outfit. I love it when someone says: "I like your _____" and I can say: "Thank you! I made it."
I love the word "cerise."
ReplyDeleteThe whole outfit looks great! I love the blouse and I just heard it's now being stocked in the U.K. So I may just have to treat myself.
ReplyDeleteWendy: Isn't it the best!?
ReplyDeleteKatherine: Thank you. You should totally treat yourself to the blouse. I think you'll enjoy it tremendously.
Your kid is so wrong: that fabric is great, and perfect for this blouse.
ReplyDeleteCute outfit - and now I see them on, and with accessories, I 'get' the denim leggings. If I had your legs and butt, and I most certainly don't, I'd sew and wear them too. (I am the mysterious pear.) Nice work!
ReplyDeleteI love it!! The floral fabric is fabulous, not 'granny' at all. You look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, the pattern is somewhere in between beginner and intermediate.. it's hard to classify patterns according to difficulty! Fabric plays such a huge part.
Anyways, lovely work! Your whole outfit is gorgeous and flattering. Well done! Time to tackle the fancy silk version next :)
Love it! You do manage to give the blouse an edge---I think this is the first version I've seen that makes me think I might actually want to make it myself (not that it's not a lovely pattern all around, mind you). It looks great with the jeggings and belt!
ReplyDeleteSewn: I told her your comment and she got all puckery :-)
ReplyDeleteJane: You are too kind (even in your unknowable pear ways :-))
Tasia: Why thank you! Comments from the designer are so fantastic! And I may have to do your lace version next.
Tanit: I know what you mean - it's a very feminine blouse and for those of us who are used to being a bit hard with the soft, it can be unnerving. But I do feel the top will be what you make it. My suede belt gives it an additional dimension. (I mean, just your haircut will edge it up!) I also think that this version (though I have nothing on which to base my opinion) is easier to style. View A looks so elegant - but quite conservative.
Really, really pretty! Great colour on you too LLGxx
ReplyDeleteThis looks great! I've gotten my pattern cut out and stacked it with its intended fabric - a slippery purple polyester. Yum?
ReplyDeleteAnd I've been half-reading blogs (reading headlines on my feedly app and not actually reading the posts) since Christmas - WOW!! Your denim leggings are awesome-o!! I wasn't quite sure what to think of denim leggings... yours are great!
And your pics are great, too - did you take yourself??
LLG: Thank you! I didn't know if this top would suit a large chest, but it seems to be alright!
ReplyDeletePatty: Thanks so much! No way do I take my own photos (of myself). That's just too DIY :-) My husband takes them - which is why they happen so infrequently. There's always something intervening.
Wow, the leggings and blouse look great and you look great wearing them. I love your smiling face in that last photo.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks very nice.
ReplyDeleteOk first thing's first: the blouse is v. v. v. cute - from the pics it looks like it fits you well. Can I ask how much you took out of the waist length? I'm the same anon. who commented about the blouse earlier, and expressed some concern over adjustments. From your pics I can see we have a very similar body type so if you had a problem with waist-bunching, chances are I will too. I've been waiting to cut my fabric until I saw a couple more finished pendrells on the internet. Super cute fabric. Super cute ensemble.
ReplyDeleteAll right SEXY--look at you! I love your whole outfit! Nice work!
ReplyDeleteSusan: Thank you! I like the last shot too :-)
ReplyDeleteD.: Merci!
Anon: I took out 4 inches at the natural waist and, I have to say, I should have removed 5. (At that point, jury's out on whether I'd have to add half an inch at the bottom to be able to turn up the hem at the desired length.) Here's the thing, I'm not likely to make my modified 10 again. Next time I'll make the 8 and when I do, I'm going to compare the 2 patterns (unaltered 8 and me-altered 10). You might be better off to make the 8 from waist depth and other perspectives.
Victoria: Thank you! I'm really happy with both pieces. I feel it's a milestone sewing experience.
ReplyDeleteImpressive!
ReplyDeleteMiss C: Merci!
ReplyDelete