Inspiration...Funnel Neck Top

 I am hoping to get a few items made this year and something similar to this top may just be a step up from a regular t-shirt:

This is the Cross Hatch Stretch Jersey Funnel Neck Tank by Eileen Fisher. Price tag: $138.00.  Details:  mid-weight jersey, sleeveless, funnel neck, three-inch side slits, close at shoulders widser at hem, tencel lyocell with lyrca.

Finding a pattern is not that hard.  I actually knew of one the second I saw the tank.  Here it is:

This is the Edie Top pdf pattern by Seamwork.  It is not a perfect version of the inspiration photo but it is very close.  I suspect that it is closer in the hip than the Eileen Fisher tank.  However, that is an easy fix.

This would be very fun in a shade of pink and I think that there is some hiding in my stash. Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful. 

Happy Stitching!

Itch to Stitch Vikos Muslin 2...

 With my last Vikos muslin, I decided that I had started with the wrong size.  So, I reprinted the pattern using the following sizes - 12 from the bust up, 14 at the waist, 18 at the hip, and 18 at armscye/sleeve.  Here is the pattern work:

I almost enough of the same fabric as the first muslin so I went for it.  I just needed a small piece for the front facing.  Here is the result:

I think the fit in the shoulders look a little bit better.  Yes, I have the shoulder pinned.  I will explain further down.  

With the shoulder pinned, the dart placement looks pretty.  There are some weird wrinkles in the front and I am hoping that is because the shoulder has been pinned up without the sleeve area being dropped the same amount.

This picture shows that the left sleeve is still a bit tight.  I guess I will double check my measurements.  Maybe I need a larger armscye/sleeve.  

The dart placement is acceptable.  This shoulder might not be pinned up as much as the other as my husband did it for me.  

So, I decided to shave off 1/2-inch at the shoulder and moved the armscye down 1/2-inch.  Even though the sleeve on the left side looks very tight, it is actually comfortable.  I wore the muslin around the house for a couple of hours doing normal activities.

I think the third "muslin" will be from wearable fabric.  As, I think it fits fairly well and  it actually get boring stitching the same thing over and over.  My plan is one top and one dress for summer.  

Just for comparison, here is a picture of Muslin 1 and Muslin 2 side by side:

Thoughts?

Once I get this fitted, I should be able to knock off a top in about one hour.  This is a really well drafted top and I really like the look of it.  Take a look at the Itch to Stitch Vikos pdf pattern.

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Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Button Front Maxi Skirt

 A classic every day type skirt is a wonderful thing to have in the classic.  It makes short work of getting dressed in the morning when you do not feel like making a lot of choices.  Here is a nice skirt:

This is the Button-Front Maxi Skirt from J Jill.  Price tag: $89.00.  Details:  100% cotton, sits below waist, pull-on waist, a-line silhouette, machine wash gentle tumble dry low, 33" back length.

When you look at this skirt up close in the front, you would never know this was a pull-on waist.  That front band looks real.  I would think the belt would be neccessary to hide the elastic in the back if you doing a tuck.

I am sure you know that I was not able to find an exact pattern for this skirt.  That would just be too easy.  There is this pattern:

This is the Sawyer Skirt pdf pattern from Seamwork patterns.  It does offer the button-front and the a-line silhouette but not the elastic pull-on waist.  It might be easy to increase the back panels to allow the pull-on silhouette.   You could also take an elastic waist a-line skirt pattern and add a placket.  Here is a tutorial for making a fake placket or a real placket.

Hope you are inspired to create something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Fit & Flare Skirt

 I really like that the longer skirt are showing up again.  Here is an example:

This is the Fit & Flare Twill Skirt from Talbots.  Price tag: $129.00.  Details:  100% cotton, length 30-inches, full, midi-length, hidden side zipper closure, removable belt, machine wash & dry.

I admit that they need to hit in the right spot to look good. So, get out  Ithose measuring tapes and start figuring out where they need to hit for you.  The length of this skirt would probably be best just as the calf is curing down to the ankle.

If you have a straight skirt pattern already fitted, you could use it to make this type of skirt.  Here is a tutorial.  If you would rather have a pattern, then try this one:

This is Butterick 7012.  The skirt would do for the inspiration photo.  It might be a little wider.  This pattern gives you a couple of bonus pieces.

This is Simplicity 9267. This pattern gives you the waist band and the pleats. Very cute skirt.  It could be manipulated to remove the front band and put the zipper on the side.  

Itch to Stitch Vikos Muslin....

 I indulged in this pattern a year ago.  Here are the line drawings: 

This is the Itch to Stitch Vikos Top & Dress pdf pattern.  I love the simplicity of this pattern with two lengths and three sleeve variations there is plenty of options.  I chose a size 14 with DD cup.  I made changes to the pattern following the information the Karina at Pins & Needles provides in her fitting woven tops videos.  Here are the pattern changes:

To the front bodice, I reduced the length from the neckline to the bust point by two inches, then increased by 2 5/8" to move the waist line down.

I matched the changes from the front bodice to the back bodice at the side seams and then reduced the waistline changes at center back from 2 5/8 inches to 1 3/8".  

On the sleeve, I added width at the side seams.  

Digging through the stash produced a light weight woven fabric that I loved the color but knew I would never make anything to wear from it.  Cut everything out and stitched up.  Folks, this is a very easy pattern to stitch.  Once the fitting is good, sewing this could probably be no more than 1 to 1 1/2 hours and I am slow when it comes to sewing.

Here is my first muslin version:

I see a wrinkle that I am not familar with.  The one radiating from mid-armscye to the bust.  I will see if pinning the shoulder makes and changes to that.  I am also wondering if it might be too wide from armscye to armscye above the bust.   

I can see that the dart is a little too high.  I think I need to figure out if it is a bra issue or I need new measurements.  It could be both.  The left sleeve looks like it needs more room and I think I need more belly room. 

Yes, the left arm is definitely needing move space.  Although it does not feel like it needs it with the top on.  I need to figure out the diagonals wrinkles in the mid back.  I am hoping that is not an issue with my pattern alteration.

Definitely need more belly space.  I can not tell what is causing the diagonal lines in the back.  The front is most likely the dart misplacement and maybe needing more dart space.  

Conclusion:

1.  This is a well drafted pattern.

2.  I need to print another pattern so I can give myself more space in the waist and hip.  

3.  Figure out if the dart issue is my bra.  I will be able to see that is some of other summer dresses.  Otherwise, it is an easy fix to move the dart.

I am going to be honest.  If this was a fabric that I was willing to wear, I would probably wear this top as it currently is.  Why?  Because, I can not purchase stuff that fits better.  

The next version will be a size larger in the waist & hips.  I am going to go play with pinning the shoulder at the armscye and see if some of the issue is sloper slope. 

Maybe I should get my husband to help me make a sloper slope template and this issue could be corrected before cutting out.  Just a thought.

If you have any suggestions on my fitting, feel free to leave a comment.  

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Happy Stitching!