Seamwork Bertie Muslin Part 1...

Way back in February, I posted about purchasing fabrics for specific projects.  I'm just now getting to the Bertie project.  In February, I wanted to make short sleeves.  I've decided to change that up a bit.  I'm still making Bertie:


However the change will be that I'm making the member bonus with the 3/4 length sleeves with cuffs.  This will make the dress wearable for the upcoming seasons.  Use can see this variation in Seamwork Magazine issue #63 here.

To really get a feel for this pattern, I had to do more detail stitching than I normally would with a muslin.  Here's my shortened version:

The front isn't bad. You can see that I need more space for the bust.  I just need to decide how I'm going to go about adding it.  The "V" is much lower than I want to wear so I will need to figure out the neckline and get it trued. 

 The left side view really starts showing issues.  Definitely need a larger dart.  Might have to add a bit of belly room also.  It also looks like there is too much in the back.  I may need to add a high round back alteration.  I will have to wear the muslin around the house to see about that.  The sleeves appear to fit fairly well.  I didn't feel any tightness.

This view actually shows that the neckline is pulled down and the seams are pulling back.  I can do a quick check on this by adding a piece of maybe an 1 or 1 1/2 down from the neckline.  Until that is resolved, I don't think I can correct anything else.  Generally when I start messing with the shoulder area, I need to remove it at the waist.  That may not be the case with this dress.  I was unable to find a a picture of the back of the this garment in my size range.

I like to do only one muslin per garment but the planned changes my require another version.  Raising the neckline may require removing a little bit of length and I won't know unless I make it.  With luck, I will be able to reuse the majority of this muslin. 

As always, Seamwork is a subscription pattern service.  You can purchase monthly subscription or a yearly subscription.  If you use my Seamwork link, you can get $3.00 off your subscription and I will get a small benefit also. 

Hope you find this information useful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Jacket

Here's is a lovely jacket to consider.  In the right color, this type of jacket could work year round.

This is the Italian Pima Cotton Bi-Stretch Pascal Jacket by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $648.00.  Details:  a-line silhouette, shirt collar, long sleeves, button closure, patch and welt pockets, pick stitch and top stitch detail, hip length. 

I know the color of this jacket is what drew in.  I love the color.  This looks like an aqua to me but it is called jade.  It's a fun color. 

I wouldn't feel comfortable paying so much for a jacket but I would make one and actually have the following jacket planned:

This is the Seamwork Rhett pattern.  It is a work-inspired chore coat.  Doesn't it look a lot like the inspiration photo.  It's missing a few seams but other than that it's pretty close.  This pattern is available either through a subscription or individually.

The line drawings really show what you with the pattern.

About Seamwork - Seamwork is a subscription service either monthly or yearly.  If you use one of the Seamwork links to purchase a subscription you will get $3.00 off.  I also will get a small benefit.

Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Sewing!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 51

Week 51 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 51 here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.  Note: as the series progresses, the chart changes a wee bit.  It should be shown on the weekly posting at the bottom.

Week 51 is a light neutral shorts or capris.  As usually, if shorts or capris aren't part of your wardrobe then make it pants or a skirt.  Don't forget to consider the second layer from Week 50.  This will help with the coordination of your wardrobe.  Here's some items to consider:

This is the line drawing for the Seamwork Dorian shorts.  Seamwork is a pattern subscription service or you can purchase the pattern individually.  By using the provided Seamwork link, you can get $3.00 off your subscription and I will get a small benefit at no additional cost to you.  Check it out.  There is a lot going on once you're a member.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Transitional Cardigan

It won't be long before the seasons start changing again and having a go-to cardigan will be necessary.  Personally, I've been wearing a lot of sleeveless items and having a cardigan available is necessary when you go into shops and medical facilities.  Here's the inspiration photo:

This is the Nic & Zoe Saratoga Cardigan.  Price tag: $178.00. Details - mid-weight, 3/4 sleeves, open front, sits at hip, 24" long.  To me, this also looks like a ribbon on on the hems.  Doesn't it fit the model beautifully?

I'm not willing to spend that much on a cardigan even as beautiful as this one.  Here's an option: 

This is Pamela's Patterns Cool Cardigan Banded Front. This is fairly close to the silhouette of the inspiration pattern.  There are other cardigan patterns at this website also.

Hope your inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 50

Week 50 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe have arrived.  You can find Week 50 here.  The introduction chart is always a good place to start if you are just now bumping into this series.  Note: as the series progresses, the chart changes a wee bit.  It should be shown on the weekly posting at the bottom.

Week 50 is a light weight second layer.  This could be a long sleeve shirt, a cardigan, a wrap.  You get to choose.  This is a good time to perhaps look ahead a little bit at what you may want for the next season.  Here's a few ideas:

This is the Liesl & Co Classic Shirt pattern.  As the name implies, this is a classic button-up shirt pattern but with a little twist.  It has cup sizing which for some can be a wonderful addition to a pattern. 

This is Seamwork Flor pattern.  It is a wrap cardigan that comes in two lengths.  In the right fabric, this could be a perfect item to keep in the car.  Seamwork is a subscription service but you can purchase this pattern separately.  I am an affiliate of Seamwork and if you purchase a subscription through the Seamwork links you will get a $3.00 discount and I will get a small benefit at no additional cost to you.  

Some additional ideas can be found here on a previous post on this subject.  

So, how is your wardrobe turning out?  Have you learned anything from this process?  Something that I have learned is that things don't always work out the way you think that this will.  It was surprising to me whenever I took the items from the 13 weeks and put them together, that they didn't always look great together but somehow I manage to get dressed every day.  Just a couple more weeks and this series will be over.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!