Monday, April 22, 2013

SewcieTea Outfit Maternity Vogue 1027.

I agonized about what to make for SewcieTea for weeks, as I didn't want to make something that I would only wear once if it was going to be a maternity pattern as I'm in my last few weeks of pregnancy. Fabric choice also played a big part, again I didn't want to use anything special or expensive pretty much for the same reason.

I blathered on to anyone who would listen, and put it out on twitter quite a few times, asking for pattern ideas. I still hadn't decided on Friday night then got out Vogue 1027, after my last day of work two days before SewcieTea.  I cut out roughly 50% of the pattern on that night, until I hurt my back and had to lay down. I finished the cutting in the morning and sewed from till 3.30pm on Saturday. I spent another hour on Sunday morning, fixing little things and clipping all the threads off the dress. It took left that 24 hours to make this dress, I had frequent breaks as Ginger is getting in the way of the sewing machine. Which means it time for him to come out!

If your ever pregnant I highly recommend Vogue 1027. Even if your not pregnant I still highly recommend it. Hats off to Donna Karan (or the person that actually designed this delightful pattern), I made minor adjustments to the pattern, the highlight to be was no FBA was needed, which in my eyes makes it a winner!! It has been well noted on many blogs that this pattern won pattern of the year in 2008 on Pattern Review.  I can see why, oh and yes I love being behind the times.




This is the third time I've made Vogue 1027 and it will not be the last.

Changes I made:
Cut a  size 14
Took 2.5cm off the side seams on each side of the bodice.
Took 2.5 cm at the top of the skirt grading out to 1.5cm seam allowance.
Sway back adjustment of  2cm.
Basted the cross-over bodice piece at 2 or 2.5cm.
Used a twin needle to finish off the neckline and arms.
Left the bottom of the skirt unhemmed.
Left out the pockets.

Why didn't I just cut a 10 or 12 instead of taking such big chunks out you ask? Well, because I thought I needed to allow more room due to pregnancy, however this was so unnecessary as the pattern has a lot of ease and the fabric had more stretch that the two previous versions I have made. Next time whether or not I am pregnant I will cut out a 10 or 12 depending on stretch of the fabric.

The fabric was purchased from Spotlight either very late last year or very early this year, I bought 3 metres, and have over half a metre left.  The fabric has a lovely floral print, is very light and slinky. Some negatives about it, is it almost 100% poly, which made wearing everyday underwear difficult and there is no breath-ability in the fabric. I'm not sure I would make this again in a poly but I am eager for a cotton, bamboo or wool based fabric. Wool jersey fabric is currently calling my name, but I am trying to resist buying more fabric!

All in all, this is one of the best patterns I have worked with, I see myself using this as my tried and tested pattern for many, many years.

Lara made Vogue 1027 to wear to SewcieTea, I love how it turned out for her, I will be adding elastic to the neckline of my next versions as I think it is a tidy finish, and makes the dress sit well. Oh and she hemmed her skirt. Even if I had the time, I haven't had a hem that didn't buckle with a twin needle, any ideas what I am doing wrong?

Pattern Twins!
Photo by Rachel


Julia, Sarah and me.
I had a delightful time at SewcieTea, and I vote we do it twice a year, and visiting various locations around Melbourne. 

It was lovely to meet many new faces and some rather well known ones, like Julia and Lizzie! I'm so glad we all made the effort to be there on the day - it was lovely to talk to everyone. Unfortunately as I was talking so much I actually didn't eat much, I was so disappointed when I realized. 

I saw some absolutely amazing outfits on the day - I actually didn't expect anything less. My top 4 favourite dresses were in no particular order.

Mindy's beautiful yellow vintage vogue pattern, that girl can certainly pull off the vintage look!
Sarah's Eliza Dress, Sarah did that dress justice, she hand basted and everything. Its such a beautiful dress.
Rachel's Liberty dress, all I can say is Wow! The dress is even nicer in person than in photos, and the fit is perfect.
Jenny's red Va Va Voom dress, I couldn't stop looking at it, that dress is gorgeous!!

If you're interested in coming out for Frocktails please keep September the 7th free from 6pm onwards. 
I have almost picked a venue which is located in the heart of the city, which will make transportation options easier. Look out for more concrete information in May, feel free to plan away for the perfect outfit!

We welcome interstate visitors for Frocktails- if you need a lift from the airport I will doing a pick up around 10am on Friday. The ever lovely Amanda from Bimble and Pimble and Kirsty from RocketSew are coming in then as we are making a weekend of it. I plan on having a baby free weekend, Ginger will be 4 months old around that time, I'm so excited! I think Ben is slightly scared.

Thanks for reading.

Kat

27 comments:

  1. I absolutely loved this dress on you! Such a gorgeous colour. And what a bonus that you'll be able to wear it post baby bump!

    I've put 7th Sept in my diary but have yet to put my thinking cap on re. pattern. I have a feeling this is going to be a meetup of epic proportions... I think I'm going to need those cocktails :p

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    1. Excellent! I hope to meet you again before that. :)
      Remember we are a friendly caring bunch, we just talk too much.
      Do you think you'll be at the sewing social anytime soon?
      I would like to make a maxi dress for Frocktails, but we will see what my post baby body looks like soon!

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    2. Hmmm... I was just about to say that I work Saturdays (which I usually do) but it turns out my roster for May has changed! I'm pretty sure I'm not working on the 18th so I might just see you there :) Baby permitting, of course :p

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  2. You look GORGEOUS!! Such a great dress and I'm glad you got it sewn in time. Shame you missed out on the tasty food there - you must go back after bubs is born.
    Unfortunately Frocktails is set for a couple days AFTER my due date so probably not entirely appropriate and/or wise to show up... heh heh. Maybe next year! :)

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    1. Thanks Jacinta! I was feeling great that day, everyone is so lovely to be around. I really kicked myself when I got home re the food, and only one cup of tea!
      I know how you feel about timing, you can be there in spirit. :)
      If it goes well, we'll do it again.

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  3. You are absolutely glowing, Kat! And what a rad frock- do you ever pick average fabric? I think you may be the fabric whisperer!

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    1. Haha Amanda, yes I do, when you come down - I must have you over to fondle the stash!
      Thank you for your lovely compliment, you make my day lady!

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  4. really lovely. what a gorgeous colour! re the hemming, stephC had a lot of tips for hemming knits on the Sewing Cake website - i use a twin needle and whack the tension on the top thread down to about 2 and it avoids the ridging between the lines of sewing you sometimes get.

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    1. Thanks Joanne, I'll check out Steph's site.
      I have done successful twin hemming before just not with this pattern. I will conquer it tho, as I see myself making many more versions!

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  5. You looked stunning! This dress is such a winner, it'll work really well for feeding too!

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    1. That's the plan! Thank you my dear, I loved your dress too!

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  6. Awww, shucks... I vote for twice a year too! Particularly if that means you keep turning out gorgeous frocks like this one ;)
    If you do decide to hem it, it might be best to wait until you no longer have to fit a whole other human underneath, anyway!
    Oh - don't know if you're taking suggestions, but I think 1806 would be perfect for frocktails!

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    1. Well you have to make something even better Mindy! That way I can have the yellow dress! I am EVIL!
      That is an awesome idea not to hem until later, I was thinking about making it just after the knee, as I'm not sure calf length on me is a great look.
      I was thinking of visiting 1806 that night too. If you want to know more details just email me! We'll have to catch up so I can pass on the dress, did I tell you there was no belt?

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  7. You look amazing! That colour is gorgeous on you. I could never pull a dress together 2 days before an event that looks that good. Nice work! I'm hoping to make it to frocktails. I haven't booked anything yet as being on maternity leave still is making funds tight. But fingers crossed I'll get there!

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    1. Hey Kat, I sent you an email. :)I am a human pretzel for you!
      I was actually surprised how nice it looks from the inside as well as the outside, but its a knit which makes it so easy to do on the overlocker.
      Thank you for the nice compliments!!

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  8. that colour looks spectacular on you! love it :-)Can't wait for September....

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    1. Thank you! Me too, what are you planning on making?

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  9. I loved that fabric when I saw it at Spotlight last year! The dress looks brilliant on you - very stylish, considering there is an extra person under there with you :-)

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    1. Its a great pattern, and the fabric photographs so well. Pity its a bit smelly after a while.
      Hopefully the extra person will come out very soon!

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  10. You look/looked absolutely gorgeous! And of course I think that is the perfect dress pattern. What a lovely group of photos of you too! Re the hem - I always use double sided fusible tape like Vliesofix T10 or Lite Steam a Seam to secure the hem in place before stitching it with a twin needle. That seems to work quite well - it stops it from stretching out when I sew. When I'm organised I also actually practice first on some scraps so that I can adjust the tension as needed. I don't actually mind a bit of a ridge between the two rows of stitching, as long as it is fairly small. Now I need to start planning what to wear to Frocktails - can't wait to see what you come up with!

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    1. I hope it was ok to put your photo up - I completely forgot to ask. :) Sorry!
      I did do a twin needle hem on my purple version which was poly, however it was such a poor job that I unpicked it all, I played with the tension quite a bit on scraps and it didn't seem to help, I now realise it was too high. I too don't mind the ridging if it is small enough. Where do you buy Vliesofix T10 from?
      As it will be the start of spring, I was thinking a silk maxi dress but we will see. I'm not leaving it to the last minute this time.

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  11. naww such gorgeous photos! And a fabulous dress pattern to boot. Was that fabric truly a poly from Spotty?? You sure know how to spot em! :) Hope to see you soon xx

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  12. Thanks beautiful! It was certainly from Spotty! I debated over that and another one, glad I picked this one. I'm sure we'll catch up soon. :)

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  13. Your dress was a real stand-out for me and you looked like a glowing mamma. Perfect fabric choice too, even if it was poly!

    It was so lovely meeting you and I'm looking forward to catching up with our babies! :)

    P.s. - I'm so in for September xx

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  14. Beautiful dress! Looks like a very versatile pattern and will be great when you are a mummy too. Might have to get this one. Only a few weeks to go! Very exciting! Wishing you a positive birth experience and a healthy bub.

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