The sum of the parts

This is one of those projects made up using a pattern that I wasn't sure I liked, in combination with a fabric that I was not sure whether or not I liked.  And guess what?  I've ended up with a  shirt that I'm not sure whether or not I like.

I bought the pattern because I wanted to see the construction, as I am thinking of making a bikini with a twist front.  The pattern is Butterick 4789.

I should qualify that I did like the fabric, but the print repeat was  not placed as I wanted for the original project.  That is one of the pitfalls of buying on-line.  If you were in the store, you could say, actually, add on 50 cm so I can include that bit of the repeat.

I didn't read the reviews at PR (all 35 of them!) before I made the top (because I cut it out the day the fabric arrived, whilst watching the Ita Buttrose Australian Story).  I later saw that there was quite a bit of discussion regarding the fit and the "wad" of fabric below the twist.  My two cents is that bustier women look good with a close fit, but flat chested gals, like myself, look better with a looser fit, allowing the fabric to drape, as a feature (given that there is no cleavage to feature!).  Each to their own, of course.  I remember similar grumbles about the fit of another Butterick twist top I made.

I cut a Sz 14, instead of my usual 12, because I was being lazy about the cutting and thought that I could make adjustments later.  Well, I didn't make any adjustments, not even my almost-always-required forward shoulder adjustments, so I am wondering if, being a designer pattern, the standard sloper was not used and a forward shoulder had already been included in the design?.

Bouncing Balls Wrap

I have whipped up another version of the Butterick 5454 wrap dress.  It is such a quick pattern.  I did shorten the bodice a little on this one.  I helped a friend make a wrap dress so this is the 3rd time for this pattern...it is unlike me to get economical with patterns, but I wanted a more wash 'n wear version of this dress.

The fabric is a viscose knit from Tessuti.  The graphic print is a bit of a change for me.  I almost feel like I got dressed from somebody else's wardrobe.  A photographer friend told me that the fabric would be hard to photograph.  It is a bit hard to tell, but the "balls" are all black and white striped.  (BTW Tessuti have Liberty knits in...I didn't even know that Liberty made knits.  Check them out.)

I am wearing the dress over some pants I made before I started blogging.  The pattern is Vogue alice + olivia 2907.  I made the version with side tabs and buttons, which look great, but nobody has ever seen them because I don't tuck my shirts in.  I remember being quite excited when I found the fabric.  I had previously purchased a brown pinstripe denim from Kerryn's fabric world for $30/m.  On holidays in Adelaide, I found the same fabric in charcoal for $6/m.  Worth the bunfight it took to go fabric shopping!

Anyway, must dash off to work now, in my new dress.

Butterick Wrap Dress

I'm feeling pretty happy with myself and my new dress...only I can't decide how to wear it...black side to front or white side to front.  What do you think? 

The fabric:  A nylon lycra print from EmmaOneSock.  Nylon lycra is not the best fabric for my climate, and it seems to snag very easily, but the print is just gorgeous, isn't it?  

The pattern:  I had every intention of using the renown Vogue 8379.  I had it sitting in front of my computer, as I was checking out all the 58 pattern reviews and was thinking that I would like to reduce the width of the skirt.  Then a friend came to borrow my computer and I haven't seen it since.  I don't know if I accidently packed it up in a book when I cleared space at the desk or if I took it away to study whilst she was at the computer.  I searched high and low for 3 days, then Butterick had a $3 pattern sale and I decided that I liked Butterick 5454.  I'm sure that the Vogue will turn up some day???

This one made up pretty quickly.  I got the pattern out yesterday, thinking that I would just work out what changes I needed to make.  That was easier than I thought, so I traced off the pattern, and lay it out on my fabric, seeing as there was a brief moment of clear space in our living room yesterday.  After school I started stitching it up and this morning there was only a bit of binding and the hem to go.  I thought I could get it done before making lunches, then someone reminded me that it was their turn to bring cakes to work.  A batch of cupcakes later and I had just 10 minutes  to spare.  Dress completed and on my way to school when I noticed that I had only hemmed one sleeve!  Not to mention all the mess in the kitchen that still awaits me.

I took a photo of my pattern layout, just in case it helps anyone else with a print that changes from selvedge to selvedge.  The only tricky bit was getting the back skirt side seams to match the front skirt side seams without putting a seam in the back skirt. 

I'm so chuffed with actually completing a garment so quickly that I would like to make the pattern up again before I put it away.

Twist-top Mock-up

I made a mock up of Butterick 5283 View C, using remnants somebody had given me, because I could not follow the instructions just by reading them.  This week I got my overlocker and coverstitch machine serviced, and I thought I would test them out by finishing off my mock-up.

I bought this pattern, thinking it would great to use if you needed to re-vamp an oversized t-shirt...you know, the ones you have to wear to support a footy team or the like.  I laid it out over one shirt and couldn't get the pieces to quite work, but I haven't given up on this idea yet.

I did make some pattern changes.  The pattern suggests cutting two fronts and sewing them right sides together, turning out before attaching to the back.  I don't think this is necessary, if you bind the centre front neckline edges before twisting.  I didn't actually bind the edges, just turned them over, after the twist, given that this is going to be back-yard wear.

I like the shaping of the shirt, with the extended shoulder and close fit through the hips (well, on me, I didn't do my usual grading out over the hips).