What Have I Been Sewing? A Review Vogue 8854 & Vogue1376 WARNING: Pic Heavy

My goodness it has been such a long time since I last blogged!  My apologies but being unable to take adequate pictures is the main reason.  I just lost my energy to blog without decent pictures. The other reason is I stay on Instagram too much!!!

Thank you for those still dropping by. I took a few pictures of garments I've sewn lately in all that snow.  You know I love you! Here goes:

VOGUE 1376 - VIEW C (Leggings)

A few months ago, I sewed my first pair of leggings using Today's Fit by Sandra Betzina.  Loved them so much I made another pair in black Scuba Knit and pair with the Vogue top (hard to see). Sorry!

Pattern Description: (Leggings Only) View C:
Close-fitting legging with elasticized waist, no side seams and stitched hems.

Fabric:
Two-way stretch knits- Rayon Spandex, Cotton Spandex.

For two of my pairs, I used a heavy suiting knit with rayon and spandex for warmth and a less closer fit and another pair was made up in Scuba Knit.

Size:  A- J (All sizes in one envelope)

According to the pattern, I should have made a size D which I did with the first pair but chose Size C with this pair and had to take in quite a bit to fit!  Yea

I love these leggings but you can hardly see them in the self-made pictures.
If you have not tried these leggings, I highly recommend them.  The waist band is a turn-down with elastic measuring 1-/34 to 2" width.  I chose to use the 2" knit elastic and are they so ever comfortable and stay in place even when sitting!
You can sew several pairs in one sitting once you get the fit down which is not bad with this pattern.

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For the main garment of this post, I made Vogue 8854.

Cover Stitched Facing and Soutache Braid for the Loop

Balanced the hem by snipping at hem depth and pressing opposite directions before hemming

VOGUE 8854 - VIEW C

This top is just awesome, I tell ya!  It goes together rather quickly.  I glanced over the instruction sheet but decided to go my on route without any problems.

PATTERN DESCRIPTION:  Loose-fitting, pullover tunic which has a collar or hood (View C), shaped hemline, narrow hem, topstitching, snap closing or button and self-loop.

I made View C with the button closing, 2 snaps and  used a No-Iron Soutache Braid rather than making a fabric loop (my preference).  1/2" clear elastic was used to stabilize shoulder seams.

SIZING:  XS-Medium, Lg-XL

Because this top is loose-fitting, I decided to make the Size Small and it fits nicely. I also lengthened the front and Back waist by 1".

FABRIC: Moderate Stretch Knits- Jersey, Sweater Knit.

Fabric in my top was purchased off the Value table at Hancock Fabrics sometime back and is a Textured Bonded Knit with great stretch and recovery.  Butter soft and easy to work with.

Pictures below show the top at different angles worn with the Sandra Betzina leggings. Sorry for the bad pictures!

Below are pictures pre-review for a closer look at the fabric and button detail & techniques.

This top was such a nice change for me.  I used my sewing machine to baste for fit, serge all seams using 4-thread stitch and used the coverstitch machine for all topstitching.  The hem is 5/8 and cover stitched a narrow-left sided 3mm hem.

Well, that is about all for now.  Blogger seems to be doing what it wants tonight.

Until Next Time,

Brenda

Let's Try This Again! Pattern Reviews Included (McCall's 6957 & OOP Vogue 1020)

My goodness it has been a long while since my last post.  My blogging mojo left me but I've been sewing a little here and there.  Issues uploading my photos also caused my mojo to leave, ugh!  While I was not blogging, I was definitely following along with you lovelies who were just creating gorgeous garments.

Summer is almost coming to an end but here in Alabama, it will be sometime before it actually gets cold so to that end, I will continue sewing warm weather clothing.  Pastels are still on for me as they are showing up on the runways for the Fall.  Hooray.

Well, I will do a little show and tell of the garments I have actually sewn, not all, just a couple.  I did venture out and make more dresses this year.  I believe my last post included a couple also.  Well here goes:

First up is McCall's 6957

View D with Modifications

 This is a pullover dress (fitted through the bust) narrow hems and hemline variations and self-belt.

I did make minor adjustments only -shortened the sleeves to 3/4 length, lengthened the bodice by 1-1/2 inches and lengthened the skirt by 23" to accommodate the maxi length I wanted in this dress.  I used a Matte Jersey from my stash.    I have worn this dress only once with the self-belt  but it also looks great with a purchased belt.  Yes, I will make this again and I will also cut this dress off and pair it with a moto jacket and boots for the fall transition.  This is a great pattern and went together rather quickly. BTW, rather than turning the neckline under 5/8" and topstitching, I bound the neckline with a self-binding and coverstitched in place.  This is a great little pattern.

So I didn't get any pictures of me wearing this dress but here it is in all its' loveliness.

Front View - McCall's 6957

Back View - McCall's 6957 - Padding Gone Wrong!

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Okay up next is the OOP Vogue Pattern #1020 that everyone in blogland has made.  Not to be left out, I decided to pull this pattern out of her bin and grab this ITY Knit from my stash and give this little baby a spin.  The fabric, I believe, was purchased from Jo-Ann Fabric sometime ago.  I loved it then and really love it more finally made up!

                  OKAY---The Picture of Pattern Will NOT Load!!!!!

Pattern Description: Misses' Jacket, Top, Dress, Skirt and Pants.

Fabric Suggested: Moderate  Knits Only: Lightweight Wool Jersey, Matte Jersey & Interlock.

Alterations:  I lengthened the bodice by 1-1/2 inches and lengthened the skirt by 2" so that my hem would be 1 inch deep.

This dress is described as close-fitting and it really is.  I love it!  I made top back earlier times.            
This dress is excellent and it turned out better than I had expected and yes I will make this again.
The side ruching was very easy.  I made this in a size 14 even though I could have gone to Size 12.
This dress is the business but I love it and now feel too uncomfortable to wear it because it really shows the curves, lol.  I WILL get my nerves up though afterall, it is my first item for the Fall season.

I omitted the side zipper as the fabric had plenty stretch and I did make my own binding from the fashion fabric for the neckline.  Hems and neckline were finished using the coverstitch machine.  I used a 1/4" clear elastic for the ruching and on each shoulder seam and it was applied as per the pattern instructions with no problems.  I love this dress! Oh, I have said that twice before.

Coverstitched Neckline

Now for the reveal, hold on now, hold on...

Back View

Blurred View

Slyly Showing the Ruching

Better Frontal View

Okay that's it for now. See you tomorrow for more reveals.
Thanks for stopping by and hanging in here with me.

Until Next Time,
Brenda