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

Burda 6853 Completed (for now..)

The lovely Iris (Iristrend on Instagram) recently asked me to post a picture on my blog of this finished Burda pattern that she also completed (you can find her blog here).  I am planning on getting better pictures (weather permitting) but here it is, all finished on the hanger!

Front of the dress

Detail of the fake pockets (I do so wish they were real!)

Detail of the elbow dart.

Side of the dress

I am so pleased with how it turned out!  Putting on all the vintage trim by hand was a lot of work, but I definitely think it was worth it in the end.  I hope to write more about it, but we'll see how the rest of the semester goes!

Until next time,

-The Gretchen

Simplicity 1254 Completed

A finished product, you say? How can this be?  I know; it's insane!  But I have decided to post a few of my projects I made before my blog or I just neglected to blog about.  And now I have evidence that I do get some things done! Ha!  I can't comment too much on what I did with the patterns and how I did it (I never kept track!) but I'll try to include as much information as I can.  Mostly, I hope this gives you a better feel for how some of these patterns look in real life.

Anyways, explanation done, here is Simplicity 1254!  I completed this about three weeks ago and never put anything up (so silly!).  You can find the pattern on the Simplicity website here.  This is the finished garment: 

Simplicity 1254, View B

It made up quite lovely and I'm thrilled with the result.  A few things I recall while making this pattern:

1.  The hips are very wide, so you may want to size them down.

2.  The sleeves are on the shorter side; I didn't hem mine at all and they're still a smidge short.

3.  The hood is much smaller than it looks; it's not really functional but more for show.

4.  The zipper was really easy to put in!

Overall, I'd say it would be smart to make some sort of muslin before to avoid any fitting issues.  But it's a really fun, really easy pattern!  I would highly recommend it for a beginning sewer.  I might go back and check what size I cut everything out, but if you have any specific questions, let me know.

Until next time!

-The Gretchen

Burda 6853 Beginning

Hello!

I'm back!  Yes, I haven't posted the finished product of my Christmas dress, I had to leave for college before I got around to it.  But I swear it's done!  Pictures will come eventually! I have since moved on, as you may have guessed, to Burda 6853 (you can find it online here). This is what the pattern looks like:

The pattern!

I'll be doing view "B".  I absolutely fell in love when I saw it!  I love how Chanel inspired it is while also being youthful (hence Burda "young," haha).  Here's a picture of some classic Chanel suits, for reference (and so you don't think I'm a total nutcase!):

The suits!

The pattern definitely isn't an exact replication, but in my mind it takes the idea of the classic suit in a different direction.  I love the black trim and clean lines of the original, but I also love the pleats of the pattern!

Now onto my work....

The Materials

I chose this bluish-greenish-grayish wool (if you can think of a more exact name for the color, let me know!) from JoAnn Fabrics.  I absolutely loved the weight and unique color; perfect for the winter season.

I initially had some trouble deciding on trim.  The trim on the pattern cover is quite wide and I thought it looked considerably wider than the 3/4 in. trim called for.  I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for at the store so I ended up buying this 1 1/2 in. Project Runway-inspired trim:

It's nice, but I soon discovered that it was way too wide!  I should've known, but I was so excited to get started.  I ended up icks-naying that and bought this trim from Etsy:

I haven't gotten it in the mail yet, but I'm hopeful!  It's 1 inch wide and supposedly vintage, which always makes me happy.  I wasn't sure how I felt about the open chain concept and being able to see the fabric underneath (not very Chanel).  But in the end I decided that it was such a unique trim along with being the only one I liked, so it was worth the risk.

Finally, the buttons:

Just your sort of run-of-the mill, classic gold buttons.

Cutting and Fitting

I don't have too much to say about cutting out or fitting.  Burda usually does an excellent job sizing its garments to the way I like them to fit on me (they run very true to size).  I cut out the bust a size 8 and my hips a size 10.  From what I've made so far, it fits like a dream!

Construction

Once again, not too much to say.  The directions are relatively straightforward and I had no issues.  But pleating can be tedious!  It's worth it in the end, but keep in mind if you've never pleated or are ironing-adverse, you may be in for quite a learning curve.

 I understitched the collar even though the directions don't tell you to.  My lining was flipping outside, so if you have that problem, understitiching may help!

And then there's putting on the trim...  I couldn't figure out when to do that, but I found that the very last direction is to put all the trim on after the garment is constructed (other than the trim on the pockets).  I didn't really want to do that, partially because I don't want to see the trim stitching on my lining.  I've halted construction until I get the trim, but here it is so far:

The threads on the bottom are basting to keep the pleats in place!

I've put together the body of the dress and attached the lining to the neck, but not the arm holes.  I've also put together the sleeves but not attached them yet. And I put in my label!

So gratifying to get it in!! Officially mine!

That's it!  I'll be posting pictures of the finished product after I get my trim, but if you have any questions in the meantime, let me know.

Until next time!

-The Gretchen