Sew long, Cowgirl!

4/14/2013

Simplicity 2614

First off I want to share my current favorite song with you. Jake Bugg performing his song "Broken".

Now to some sewing news. Simplicity 2614 is an out of print pattern, and I cannot recommend it enough.

Here are just a few tops I made from this pattern. As you can see, my favorite is version D. View B and C (without the tie) are definitely on my to-do list for fall. And whoever designed this pattern was a genius! I never had a facing, especially on a V-neck, fit that perfect, even with silky fabrics!

This version is a semi sheer polyester fabric with little black dots on it. Honestly I have no clue what kind of fabric this is. I don't bother writing down what kind of fabric I buy. Only when I buy it do I pay attention to the fiber content etc. This picture also shows the skirt made from some kind of knit fabric.

These two versions are made from Shot Cottons by Kaffe Fassett. Oh my god! That is some of the nicest fabric ever! The colors are astonishing, and sooooo soft with lots of drape. I just want to make everything out of Shot Cottons!

I bought this fabric at JoAnn's. It is for sure one of the nicer fabrics they carry. Such a soft hand and drape, and it feels amazing to wear.

But back to the pattern. First I had some fitting issues, nothing major though. According to my measurement I am a size 12, but a lot of times I have to go down a size because of the amount of ease in these patterns. With this one I traced a 10, and it would fit, but snug around the shoulder/back area. I can wear it, but it is slightly tight. So I traced a size 12 in the back/shoulders grading down to a 10 below the armholes. I used mainly soft draping fabrics, and due to the bias cut it sits perfect all around. In the past I had some issues with seemingly beautiful tops that turned out to look too boxy, even though made up in light fabrics.

The heaviest fabrics I used are Cotton Couture by Michael Miller Fabrics. That is about the heaviest fabric I would recommend. Any other heavier fabric probably wouldn't drape enough and make the top look awful, especially in the back.

The top itself is sewn in an hour or two, depends on how fast one sews.

So far I made 10 tops, and I have some very nice chiffon waiting in my stash to be made up in one :)

4/03/2013

Simplicity 1916

Here is another knit top I finished. Well, so far I only made a wearable muslin. Simplicity 1916.

I made view E, it's the cutest of all the options, in my opinion anyway. I don't car much about flowers or flounces hanging off my wardrobe. But view D and E are really cute. A and C are in consideration as well.

I bought the fabric dirt cheap at a local store. It's quite sheer, but it works for lounging around the house. Another quick and easy top for the summer. More to follow for sure.

Here the back view. The only thing I want to change next time is omitting the seam at the center back. It seems quite unnecessary.

3/31/2013

Simplicity 1716

Here is my first go on Simplicity 1716. I made view F without sleeves.

The fabric is some kind of structured knit. Another fabric from the big pile of fabric I bought last year at the sales section at Denver Fabrics in Denver (not the website). It's a really easy and quick pattern. And the hanging neckline makes for a fancy look. I am not sure, if I will ever be making the tunic or dress version though. Not quite sure if it is a style that fits me. But we will see. I will for sure make another top or two.

I have some jersey in my stash with a nice soft drape, which I will use for view F with the sleeves of view E. I also got a lot of use out of my serger the last couple of weeks with this and a couple of other projects, which I will share in another post.