Simplicity 1425 Completed

And just like that, it's finished!  Aside from my goofs, it took very little time and the result is lovely.  Take a look:

I think it's pretty spiffy!

As you may have noticed, I added a bit of overstitching to edges of the cotton.  I had to make a decision between hiding the stitching (which didn't work well with small polka dots) or emphasizing it.  I chose the latter and was so happy with the result, I added some more.  It also helps to keep some of my seams in place; a double win!

Even though this pattern was relatively simple, I still learned a lot.  Firstly, do not use a really hot iron on chiffon.  Or at least the chiffon I used (from JoAnn Fabrics).  It will melt and melted clothing is not cute!  In my defense, I had the iron set on high for the cotton part of the blouse and didn't even think about what havoc it would wreck on the chiffon part.  Fortunately, the little hole it created isn't noticeable (other than to me).  Unfortunately, it is in such a spot that I determined it really isn't worth the effort to completely replace that section.

I also learned, simultaneously in fact, that chiffon is not the easiest material to work with.  It looks lovely, but the fraying (even with zig-zagging and pinking the edges) was quite a challenge.  As was cutting out.  And sewing together.  It was all challenging for me!  I do not think I'll be using chiffon again for anything that is supposed to be tailored or semi-tailored (like a collar) until I've gotten better acquainted with the material, But I'll still use it for draping and gathering.

If I were to make this blouse again, I might use an organza or something else with a bit more body for the collar.  I would also line it, as I mentioned here in my beginning post. My fabric is slightly see-through and the added security would be nice.

Well, until next time.

-The Gretchen

Simplicity 1425 Beginning

What? Two posts in as many days?! Yes! It's true, I was quite industrious this weekend!

Because I had to halt construction on my Burda pattern (that post is here) I started yet another project.  This is the pattern (click here to see it on Simplicity's website):

I'll be doing view B with the sheer collar.  I debated doing view A, but I was worried about the chiffon fabric I chose raveling since I can't serge the edges (college problems!).  I absolutely adore the peplum style, but I have nothing of the sort in my wardrobe!  My neighbors gave me some lovely fabric that I've been dying to use for this pattern.

Materials:

As I mentioned before, my neighbor gifted me with fabric that I set aside to make this months ago.  It's a polka-dotted cotton and I'm tempted to say they're swiss dots?  I hesitate to call it that because I've only seen swiss dot on sheer fabric, but I think it goes for solids, too.  Anyways, each dot is a little velvety and gives the fabric an amazing texture.

The swiss dot is in the foreground and chiffon is in the background

For the sheer collar, I purchased some navy chiffon from JoAnn Fabrics; it matches the dots perfectly!

I have not yet bought the buttons, but they'll probably be navy and small (to match the polka dots).

Cutting Out and Fitting:

This pattern was super easy to cut out.  Not too many pieces and not too much fabric required.  I did use pinking shears to cut the edges since I am currently serger-less. It worked really well for both the cotton and chiffon.

Fitting this was interesting (as fitting always is).  In my Christmas dress post (which you can find here), I mentioned that I cut out my Simplicity pattern a size 6 in the bust and a size 10 at the waist.  I thought that this blouse might fit exactly the same, but alas, I was wrong!  I did not make a muslin this time around (naughty naughty!). To be fair, I had no extra material to  make one here in my dorm.  It was extra stressful not knowing for sure how it would fit, but I ended up just going off my gut, the finished measurements on the pattern pieces, and some good ole' internet digging.  

I ended up cutting out a straight size 6, meaning that all measurements were size 6.   According to the pattern, I should be a size 8 in the bust (I'm 31.5").  I checked the finished measurements and for bust size 8, which was 35".  That's 3.5" of ease! I usually like about 2" of ease at my bust, so that's why I decided on size 6, which has a finished bust measurement of 34" (2.5" of ease).

The pattern also says I should be a size 12 at the waist (I'm 26.5").  My spidey-senses tingling, I though I should check those measurements, too.  For size 12, it's 30.5"!  Wow!  I prefer 1 or 2 inches at the waist, but not 4.  I am, however, beginning to see a trend in Simplicity's sizing, which will definitely help for subsequent projects.  Size 6 at the waist is 27.5" for the finished measurement, which sounded a little small but I did some digging online and I came across the Llaydbird blog (I highly recommend visiting here). She mentions there being extra space in the waist of the pattern.  That made me feel better about making the waist such a tiny size, and so I stuck with the size 6 and cut it out.

Beginning Construction:

This was really straightforward.  I haven't come across any surprises yet and it seems perfect for both the discerning fashionista and beginning sewer.  The only thing I added was zig-zagging to the edges of chiffon.  I had already pinked them, but I wanted to be extra safe!  Here's my progress:

I don't have much more to go, but I have to wait until I get some bias tape to finish it off. I'm loving the results so far and it fits wonderfully (even the waist!).  The only thing I wish I had done was line it, although it doesn't say to in the directions.  My cotton is a wee bit see-through.  I think it'll be fine, you can't see my undergarments so it's not too scandalous.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Until next time,

-The Gretchen