Vogue 1268 Teal Velvet Guy Larouche Dress

I love Vogue's designer patterns. Not only do they allow you to make designer clothes yourself, but they also teach you sewing techniques that you wouldn't ordinarily encounter. It always amazes me how many steps and pattern pieces Vogue patterns have.

This Vogue Pattern designed by Guy Larouche was one of my favorite in the last catalog.

This is my wearable muslin. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with this fabric that I bought for $1 per yard years ago. I thought the two were a nice match. Sorry that I didn't iron the velvet, but I didn't even realize how wrinkled it was until after I saw the pics myself. I have mixed feelings about this dress as you will read below.

Pattern Description:
Very loose-fitting, lined, wrap dress has pleated, blouson bodice, shaped front hemline, snap closing and long sleeves with cuffs folded-back.

Pattern Sizing:
AA(6-8-10-12), D5(12-14-16-18-20)
Fabric Used:
Velvet - I must say that I am torn on my choice of fabric. I like the velvet and the color, however, I can see how a heavier weight faux suede could lay better in the skirt area. However, I do wonder how the heavier weight faux suede would wear around the waist area, as I think the velvet is a little poofy.

Cost to Make: Time to Make:
$8. Found the fabric on the $1 at Walmart years ago when they had a $1. Vogue was $4. Also needed snaps.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern?
Yes it really did. This was my first time using fabric with a nap (a direction) and I think it came out well.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, I had no points of confusions.

What did you particularly like about this pattern?
I liked the simplicity; yet it was still different if you catch my drift.

What did you dislike about the pattern?
In the end, I dislike all the poofiness around the waist area. Especially in the front. I am fine with it in the back. Also I have to pin together the breast area bc this area is very loose and you will definitely show all your goods if you don't do something. Also be sure to get very good snaps and sew them in very well. I used small ones since this was a muslin and they did pop a couple of times :).

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made?
None.

Would you recommend it to others?
Take a good look at the waist area before deciding if you want to make this one. It is quite poofy. The low v-neck can be dealt with quite easily, but not the poofy waist.

Conclusion:
I have a love-hate relationship going on with this dress. I sincerely love it and hate it all at the same time. I can't quite point out why. Its like that front waist area just doesn't lay right to me. I can play with it and get it to lay just right and then I love it! Then I move around like a normal person and its not laying right again. Maybe I am being too much of a perfectionist. I will try the dress with a belt and see if that can pull me all the way over to the love side of this relationship.

McCalls 6400 Asymmetrical Mosaic Top

I was so tempted to make this top is a solid color. My rule is (generally) the more complex the design, the simplier the fabric pattern; ie: complex designs look best in solid colors. Conversely, The more complex the fabric's pattern, the simplier the design should be.

Well, this time I broke both rules. I used a somewhat complex fabric pattern on a somewhat complex top design. I think the results were perfect and goes to show that there are NO hard and fast rules when it comes to fashion! In the end, I decided that perhaps the design of this shirt wasn't as complicated as I thought which is why it holds the fabric's pattern well.

Description:

Close fitting asymmetrical top

Pattern Sizing:

 Y(XSmall-Small-Medium), ZZ(Large-XLarge-XXLarge)

Fabric Used:

ITY Knit from Fabric Mart

Cost to Make: Time to Make:

About $8 (1 yard of fabric and $1 pattern). It took maybe 2 hours total.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern?

Yes!

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Very easy. There are one two pieces (three is you make one arm long sleeved like I did).

What did you particularly like about this pattern?

I liked the two sleeve lengths.

What did you dislike about the pattern?

After making it, it was a little too asymmetrical. It almost borders on that....did she do that on purpose or was that an accident line. You kind of get that vibe if you look at the pic with my arms spread out. In some ways you can feel the shirt twisting around your body which adds to the 'was this an accident' feeling that I had. However, I don't plan to walk around with my arms sticking out so I should be fine.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made?

None.

Would you recommend it to others?

If you like wearing things slightly different than the norm, then go for it.

Conclusion:

I think it makes a great addition to any wardrobe. Gives you that 'oh that's different' top. Very quick to make and can lend itself to several fabrics.

Butterick 5185 - Red Cheetah Side Twist Top

While peruszing through online clothing catalogs, I saw this beauty:

Cache.com

I immediately thought of this ITY knit that I had in my stash from Fabric Mart


Fabric Mart

and Butterick 5185


Butterick 5185



About $8 and 4 hours later I had a nice shirt to wear to work or on the weekends. I already have multiple pant and skirt bottoms to wear with this top and during the shoulder months, I could even pair this top with a nice pair of shorts.

Pattern Description:

Close-fitting, pullover, hip or below-hip length top has surplice front, forming knot and asymmetrical side front opening. All garments have narrow hem finishing. A: sleeveless. B: below elbow length sleeve. C: sleeve cap.

Pattern Sizing: BB(8-10-12-14), FF(16-18-20-22)

Fabric Used: ITY Knit

Cost to Make: $6 for fabric (1 yard) and $1 for pattern (Joanns $1 sale)

Time to Make: About 4 hours total; mainly because I am slow at doing narrow hems and the entire hem and sleeves are done with narrow hems.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very!

What did you particularly like about this pattern? I liked the side twist and hi-lo hem

What did you dislike about the pattern? Not a thing!

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made? I made two minor adjustments. First, I stitched the side slit closed. On me, the opening was quite high and with low-waisted pants, this showed my stomach. So I just laid the top over the bottom and stitched along the previous hem line. I didn't stitch all the way down, so there is still a slight opening at the bottom. Second, I stitched the top of the vneck closed. I do this so that my breast are properly covered and have no chance of spilling out during the day. I can also bend over without showing all the goods. I actually do this to all my vneck tops; even store-bought ones. 

Would you recommend it to others? Most definitely. It is easy!

Conclusion: Great addition to any wardrobe and can be maid from a wide range of stretch fabrics...from super casual to dressy.