Floral pants from Burda 07/2008

My DD in her Burda pants from an old issue and Sorbetto top.

The line drawing.

The July 2008 issue.

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Taking advantage of the wide leg trend for pants, my DD came across a pattern she loved from an old Burda magazine issue. She and I are both short which makes wide leg pants tricky. This pattern sports a wide waist yoke and stitched down pleats. I added about an inch on the front pattern piece from the crotch point tapering to the knee.  I just cut the seam allowance line to the knee and pull the seam allowance out one inch at the crotch point.  This is a great adjustment for someone with a cylindrical body and heavy upper thighs.  The floral is rayon from Fabrique here in Plano.  It is heavenly.  The top is difficult to see in black. DD had me change the front of the Sorbetto to have a one inch window of lace fabric down the center and 2 small pleats on either side (4 pleats in all).  The black fabric is from the stash and it is a thin crinkly/crepey poly woven.  We have plans for more of these pants, they are just that cute in real life!                                                                                                                    

Hugs and smooches, 

Claire

Ottobre 02/2013 Beckie Dress

Top stitched almost all of the seams. Not such a good idea for adjusting.

 I thought this dress had a nice shape, but the DD thinks she is too young (17yrs) for a sack dress.  I have not hemmed the dress in the photos because she is not so sure about it.
I did take about an inch off the each side from the bottom edge tapering to the waist.  I think she will like the next version better if I also take some fullness from the center panel. I think that you will either be OK with the swingy shape or just not do this pattern.  I am afraid that removing more fullness might actually make the dress worse. What do you think?

We love Pete!

 

 

 

Have a nice weekend!

Ottobre 2/2013 Buttondown and 4th of July Coupon code

Nice simple blouse from Ottobre.

Armhole is a good size.

No alterations to the back or front.

And...the other armhole.

Well, this is just a nice well proportioned sleeveless button down.  I really like the front yoke shape and the just right armholes. I did shorten the length about 2 inches at the waist. I did not do a petite adjustment above the bust for this one. I usually do that for knits.  I made a size 38 and no FBA!  I have lost 10 pounds and I guess it came from up top.  The shorts are just some linen Thurlows that I just cut the pant pattern at the knee and hemmed.  The self inflicted problems that I had on this shirt are placing the front pocket too close to the placket.  This is a thin cotton floral shirt fabric from Fabrique and when I tried to remove the pocket the stitching was very prominent underneath. (Oh well..) I put that sucker back on just where it was!  I wish I had a close up of the pocket and collar. I used the templates and they are soooo nice.  I thought I would use three different seam allowances on this top and some of that was good and others not so.
I used 5/8ths SA on the sides with flat fell seams,
3/8tns SA on the yoke,
1/4 inch SA on the collar, collar stand, and pocket. I should have done 3/8ths on the collar and stand because I think I just needed a little extra room.  There is a portion of my under collar that is not holding so well with the tiny SA, at least it is not noticeable. 
The one major change that I did with this pattern is I used 2 yoke pieces so that I could enclose the seams.
Be sure to check out my slideshows of the templates in use.....

I almost forgot!  If anyone is interested in my rulers or templates from the Etsy shop I am doing a 20% off through July 4th.  It is INDEPENDENCE20

Sewing hugs to you!

Claire

Burda Style Shorts 4-2013 #102

Woops, thread tails!

I made these shorts for my DD a couple of weeks ago. Precious really likes them. The fabric is a net material with random cotton shapes sewn down.  It looks lacey but not really. I made the smallest size for DD. However, she has a cylindrical torso, so I made some adjustments. I added some width to the inner leg, I slashed and spread in the center of her thigh upward and let out the side and front above her hips. These are typical adjustments for her. The one major change that I did on this pattern was to eliminate the fly front and just use an invisible zip on the side.  I am just lazy like that.
The pattern called for a lining fabric used like an underlining. I thought that in no way was I wrestling with slippery lining fabric for a pair of shorts that will probably be only worn one summer. Sooooo, I just used some white poly cotton sheet looking fabric in my overflowing stash as the lining.

Easy squeezy shorts!

Hugs and smooches,

Claire

Ottobre Woman 2/2013 #2 Top

This is made with Juliette knit from my stash.  It is about as heavy as a cotton ponte. It works just fine for this pattern.

I think I need to make the last couple of inches smaller so that it does not ride so low on my hiney.

This is the same pattern with a cotton blend knit from Fabrique! in Plano. It is a thinner knit and drapes well.

I put on the neckband with an unfolded piece of knit and just let the edge curl toward the front. It really turned out cute. I'm not sure the pictures do it justice.

Great pattern! Nice slouchy shaped top for everyday use.  The pattern pieces remind my of a mushroom.

I did a 1/2 inch forward shoulder adjustment and I shortened the waist by one inch.  I would say the only thing to keep in mind with this pattern is to make sure there is some negative ease at the hem because you will want this top to stay up in the caboose area.

Sewing Hugs and Smooches!

Claire

Burdastyle: 2-2013 #113

Ok, This is my favorite top so far. It hides my tummy and butt without being a sack.What is not to love? Changes: I did a forward shoulder adjustment, enlarged the bust area. I just moved the seam allowances over about 3/4inch in the bust area.  It looks like another 1/2 inch would be good. It is hard to tell if it was my sewing or if an increased FBA is needed.  I totally botched putting this thing together. I fiddled with the front until I had it resembling the picture then I sewed it down.  But, good news, Sew Much Fabric out of Houston has a really good review of how to do this water fall in front. http://www.smfdesignsandfriends.blogspot.com/  Just scroll down until you see her yellow fabric and you are there. BTW, Roz has some awesome fabric and she is an amazing seamstress.  I wish I had seen this before I tore into my lovely fabric.
Moral of this story is to try this pattern! (But with Roz's help)

Happy Spring!

Claire

Free Patterns!

I found a site that has several free patterns and I thought I would share.

Here is the link: Print Sew

At the top of their site is where it says, "Free Patterns."

There are several that are very very cute, so be sure to go. I have made Neue Mode before and I really like their instructions.  They do not have seam allowances, but you know I can help you with that (haha).

Have a fun Sunday!!


Claire