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

Vogue 8469, I Love Paris.

This is my Christmas dress, very easy vogue 8469.  Vogue was right on the mark when they classified this as very easy pattern. I made View B the shorter version, I love that the skirt finished exactly were I wanted it too without any alterations. There is a first time for everything! 

I made it up with Michael Miller's "Eiffel Tower" fabric that I was receiving for Christmas, from my darling husband. I picked it naturally. He he.

I made it in a record time of 3 hours from tracing/ cutting to sewing, in my last class 2 weeks ago. I only had the hemming and zip left to do at home, which I left till 10pm on Christmas eve. So the zip could be better as I rushed it slightly, I have plans to put in a longer zip as I feel the 16 inch is a little too short. So it really only took about 4.5 hours, the last 1.5 hours I mucked around a lot, I was cooking as well as sewing. I can be Suzy home maker when the mood strikes.
I have to say I am very happy with how it turned out with one exception. My exception is I had to take the dress in so much at the waist when putting the zip in, it was so baggy the first time and the second it was too tight! The third time was a charm. I wore it with a belt in the morning, by the end of lunch it was off! Its a very good fit and I'm proud of myself for giving it a go. I think I'll make this dress again in a different fabric.

I should state that I originally saw the fabric from Rachel's blog, she inspired me to buy it when I saw it online. I feel slightly bad that I keep copying her ideas, but as they say imitation is the highest form of flattery! Thanks Rachel, for having great style. 

I saw that the print comes in soft pink and black, should I get some to make a skirt or just leave it?

I found this sweet necklace in equip! It compliments the dress perfectly.



Lily white legs.



 Have a safe new year everyone! Stay safe in this crazy holiday time.
Thanks for reading.
Kat