tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38727821474948558232024-03-10T20:22:47.826-07:00happilycaffeinatedMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.comBlogger225125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-23672843747388316742016-04-08T10:32:00.003-07:002016-04-08T10:32:49.847-07:00AWOL SewjoGah. I hadn't realized that it's been nearly two months since I've posted anything here. I have gotten a few messages and emails wondering where I've been, and I thank everyone who has sent those.<br />
<br />
The truth is that I've been dealing with Life for the past few months and a disturbing lack of sewjo. The lack of sewjo has killed any desire that I've had to blog about sewing, and with my nearly non-existent free time, I've been writing about other non-sewing related things (not writing on a blog or anything, though).<br />
<br />
I am really hoping that this is all just temporary, but in the past few months, I've been dealing with the following things:<br />
<ul>
<li>My preschool-aged daughter has started getting up a lot earlier in the morning than she used to. If you'll recall, I used to get up and sew before work in the morning. That hasn't been happening because I'm usually putting on my "mommy hat" as soon as I'm waking up these days. </li>
<li>Husband has turned into a gym rat and typically goes in the evening after I get home from work. This means that I need to be a mommy after work and thus, there goes any evening time that I had to sew.</li>
<li>Husband also had surgery related to his chronic acid reflux issue, so there's been that, too.</li>
<li>And here's the big one: My mom moved up to the Seattle area and lives about 10 minutes away from us now. (If you've been following my blog for a while, you might recall that we lost my dad to cancer about a year ago.) Having her so close by and trying to help her adjust and keep her spirits up has been a learning experience. Yes, I know that I need to set some boundaries, but I'm still not yet sure what boundaries I'm comfortable with yet.</li>
</ul>
On a related note to the last item, I've started a personal writing project related to my dad and what we went through with his illness. It's something that I've felt like I needed to do for a while but wasn't emotionally ready to tackle until recently. I may or may not seek to do anything with it beyond letting it sit in Google docs--I'm really hoping to put a humorous spin on some topics that people don't really talk about publicly (at least in the US). We'll see.<br />
<br />
So that's the deal with me. I am still trying to sew a bit here and there, but it's going monumentally slow, which is frustrating. I've been working on the same shirtdress (from a McCall's pattern) for the past month. I have finished a few things that I haven't photographed or blogged--my favorite of which has been the Blank Slate Rivage Raglan (okay, I was a tester for that one), which I love because it has the PERFECT amount of easy--not too baggy and not too tight. Sometimes you hit a homerun with a simple pattern!<br />
<br />
I am hoping that when my life calms down a bit and I figure out what sort of time management adjustments I need to make, my sewing will become more inspired and I will want to start blogging again. In the meantime, I am still writing my occasional posts over at the Curvy Sewing Collective, which I know that many of you follow. :)<br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-8884462899842119902016-02-12T16:12:00.003-08:002016-02-12T16:13:00.105-08:00This Week in Patterns (And Other News) (12-Feb-2016)So of course, the next week after I decide that I'm going to scale back my pattern roundup posts, due to releases slowing down, we actually get a fairly interesting crop of new patterns. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<h2>
Panic on the Streets of London</h2>
Before I launch into the patterns, I just want to give a heads up that my husband and I will be taking our first child-free vacation fairly soon and staying in London for a week. We'll have TripAdvisor and Rick Steves to help us out, but we welcome any suggestions/recommendations. We're staying in the Earl's Court neighborhood (<i>"Do you smile...when you think about Earl's Court?"</i>), and yes, there will be fabric shopping and a trip to the V&A. I've been to London before, but it's been 15 years since my last visit, and I wasn't sewing yet on that last trip.<br />
<h2>
New Patterns</h2>
After a fairly big lull in indie releases for the past month or so, we've got five new releases this week--all indies:<br />
<ul>
<li>By Hand London </li>
<li>Grainline Studios</li>
<li>HotPatterns </li>
<li>Paprika Patterns</li>
<li>StyleArc</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://byhandlondon.com/products/sarah-shirt-pdf-sewing-pattern" target="_blank">By Hand London: Sarah Shirt</a><br />
<br />
I will easily admit that my personal aesthetic and By Hand London's typical party dress aesthetic are usually miles apart...but I think that this shirt is actually really cute. And it's a separate! Obviously, you'd need a really drapey fabric to avoid the tent effect on this, but overall, I think it's a cutesy shirt that isn't vomit inducingly twee.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_cRz_9Ld6dAnvNQK38XUM5JVmG_2b8SnR9wjr9k7htjH6GNC4ZSwui5Ivq0Y9p40bY8HyoD54gz9roh55ml0S8aqT99uHyu40Zn1ok311o0TYgJF4nCYdtYvNdbZfhoyjJ1WMVCJ78el/s1600/BHL_SarahShirt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_cRz_9Ld6dAnvNQK38XUM5JVmG_2b8SnR9wjr9k7htjH6GNC4ZSwui5Ivq0Y9p40bY8HyoD54gz9roh55ml0S8aqT99uHyu40Zn1ok311o0TYgJF4nCYdtYvNdbZfhoyjJ1WMVCJ78el/s400/BHL_SarahShirt.png" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BHL -Sarah Shirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<a href="http://shop.grainlinestudio.com/collections/tops/products/archer-popover-variation-pack" target="_blank">Grainline Studios: Archer Popover Expansion pack</a><br />
<br />
I love the trend of "expansion packs" that we've been seeing recently with indie patterns. What a great way to get more mileage out of a pattern that you've already worked out the fit for, right?<br />
<br />
Popover-style shirts have been pretty popular in women's RTW for the past few years, and I don't see any reason for them to go away any time soon, especially given the 90's influence that's been popular in fashion and will probably remain so. There have been a few tutorials floating around online on how to turn a traditional button-down shirt into a popover style, but the Archer expansion pack is reasonably priced and eliminates the drafting work of doing it yourself. Plus, it includes traditional tower-style sleeve plackets--a modification that many people ended up making to their Archers, anyway. If I had ever gotten around to fitting the Archer, I'd be all over this.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4f-KznW01hyE36IhhU6EDBbq5lOSoqWZH1XUf2PTdrqXl1Kzfx_VAPYgoNNeL_jYJbd1n-072mD0kWq0X0KHcjp_bSS1MT5Tg9ei91bdczL-5KDgYc8RcHCyaibcsnPf87fs5gvD4x6P/s1600/GrainlineArcherPopover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4f-KznW01hyE36IhhU6EDBbq5lOSoqWZH1XUf2PTdrqXl1Kzfx_VAPYgoNNeL_jYJbd1n-072mD0kWq0X0KHcjp_bSS1MT5Tg9ei91bdczL-5KDgYc8RcHCyaibcsnPf87fs5gvD4x6P/s400/GrainlineArcherPopover.png" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grainline - Archer popover expansion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.hotpatterns.com/hp-1200-athleisure-layer-cake-t/" target="_blank">HotPatterns: Athleisure Layer Cake tee</a><br />
<br />
HotPatterns' latest top pattern is inspired by an Anthropologie design and incorporates the draped neckline style that we're starting to see pop up a lot in RTW. It has faux layers incorporated to give a layered look without the bulk. I love the neckline on this one--I like the idea of making up the body of the shirt in a French Terry and then using lighterweight knits for the layered element.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipI50PJ3ELl1GkIk__9eg1XMlkgg5SCvXhRayC58DWGzYT2ztJ-9Kf2dKdRnZSBJSYV-xrIvILzOep1Ssv1fRXqui92SAGJjLzi4cRCrdyriMMG9aGbmiZyGo-1EFX4vigvnziVgt8glG6/s1600/HP_Athleisure_LayerCake.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipI50PJ3ELl1GkIk__9eg1XMlkgg5SCvXhRayC58DWGzYT2ztJ-9Kf2dKdRnZSBJSYV-xrIvILzOep1Ssv1fRXqui92SAGJjLzi4cRCrdyriMMG9aGbmiZyGo-1EFX4vigvnziVgt8glG6/s400/HP_Athleisure_LayerCake.png" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HotPatterns - Layer Cake tee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
(Psst...a little bird told me that the Curvy Sewing Collective will be running a giveaway for this pattern, starting tomorrow (Saturday) morning.)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.paprikapatterns.com/shop/opal-cardigan/" target="_blank">Paprika Patterns: Opal Cardigan</a><br />
<br />
Lisa from Paprika Patterns is back with another practical-basic-with-a-twist pattern. This time, it's an open-front cardigan pattern with three different length options. You know those coatigans that have been back in style for the past year-ish? Here's your pattern for one.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDm0CJBhyphenhyphenA2Ea8lHK6Qu5wsg_C9cSN8iba97LSGvy7oeaaJfFOsWp366ptLXws-veG49y6uvUSz7LMXTOHfNZB80P5F5K1-N0x5sr4ixz2ZXk-PKlqoBBcNrHtTrXEwLZNH-bhxUcwUQQL/s1600/PaprikaOpal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDm0CJBhyphenhyphenA2Ea8lHK6Qu5wsg_C9cSN8iba97LSGvy7oeaaJfFOsWp366ptLXws-veG49y6uvUSz7LMXTOHfNZB80P5F5K1-N0x5sr4ixz2ZXk-PKlqoBBcNrHtTrXEwLZNH-bhxUcwUQQL/s400/PaprikaOpal.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paprika Patterns - Opal Cardigan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=2&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=911&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=42" target="_blank">StyleArc: Beth Pants</a><br />
<br />
According to StyleArc, the Beth stretch woven pants are essentially an update on StyleArc's popular Barb woven stretch pant with a few more design details. This one might be worth picking up if you don't already have the Barb in your pattern stash.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFnO4fPF9vcktlteF0l8NOEWcwTIum4iptpdUGVFX7uM16GjVHhQTMMUDlmilGr-qB_KQZnq-J1CKymsXGE6luJdJFJ7U_Q24_bIcKVAw7B63PUOMBN9FRKV3_3JvE4ukMsPaYmnXNCue/s1600/BETH-PANT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFnO4fPF9vcktlteF0l8NOEWcwTIum4iptpdUGVFX7uM16GjVHhQTMMUDlmilGr-qB_KQZnq-J1CKymsXGE6luJdJFJ7U_Q24_bIcKVAw7B63PUOMBN9FRKV3_3JvE4ukMsPaYmnXNCue/s400/BETH-PANT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Beth pant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
<br />
So this was a pretty nice little group of patterns this week, wasn't it? Will any of these be going into your pattern stash?<br />
<br />
Also, if you've got recommendations/suggestions for London, please leave them. Obviously, I'll be hitting Shaukut and window shopping at Liberty of London, but I'd love to hear what your favorite fabrics stores are there. I will be accompanying DH to not one but two Premiere League Football matches while we're there, so I've got some leverage for fabric-related activities. ;)<br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-36778836330923789192016-02-05T13:14:00.000-08:002016-02-05T13:14:21.640-08:00This Week in Patterns (5-Feb-2016)Sorry about not posting for a few weeks, but the pattern releases have been trickling in this winter. I'm seriously considering scaling back this post series to an every-other-week (or even once-monthly) frequency while things are somewhat slow in terms of new patterns.<br />
<br />
Since the last post in this series, we've had new releases from the following companies:<br />
<ul>
<li>Butterick </li>
<li>Colette/Seamwork Magazine </li>
<li>Kwik Sew</li>
<li>Sew Over It</li>
<li>StyleArc </li>
</ul>
<a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/new-sewing-patterns-pages-147.php" target="_blank">Butterick: Spring 2016 collection</a><br />
<br />
First up, we have the Butterick 2016 spring patterns, which were released yesterday. Overall, I think that this is a pretty solid collection, with something for everyone. However, nearly ever garment is made up in a print, so you really have to drill down into the individual web pages for the technical drawings to see what's going on with most of these. Here are a few that caught my eye:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b6333-products-50983.php?page_id=147" target="_blank">B6333: Misses' shirtdress</a><br />
<br />
Hey, it's a shirtdress that's really similar to the ever-popular McCalls M6696, but without the back poof of the McCall's and WITH shoulder princess seams instead of darts. Yes, I will be picking this up at the next Butterick sale.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgU10dD93_HDaq4iNOKOmHKY5zptn7OrKIwQq0vFMwmX6Z9KO9zAn8VcyF0GeDVQLiZAySINOPCC4kjCkIsoi2hM30GrCeXGyFX2bmR13-bf7cQr7NVCiR3w61oCZyd5ZqQV5qJLWYXV0/s1600/B6333.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgU10dD93_HDaq4iNOKOmHKY5zptn7OrKIwQq0vFMwmX6Z9KO9zAn8VcyF0GeDVQLiZAySINOPCC4kjCkIsoi2hM30GrCeXGyFX2bmR13-bf7cQr7NVCiR3w61oCZyd5ZqQV5qJLWYXV0/s400/B6333.png" width="381" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B6333</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b6322-products-50972.php?page_id=147" target="_blank">B6322: Misses' Ruched Corset-style Dress (Patterns by Gertie)</a><br />
<br />
Gertie clearly took her recent dirndl obsession a step further by designing this dirndl-inspired dress for Butterick's spring collection. I actually think that this is super cute, but this dress would never work on my boobtastic figure. Design-wise, though, it's youthful, and should be flattering on non-busty figures, and it's a fun, unique design.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisotEENt_3A4KL-Xlx5_9spUpd1c5qQ502w66Uz2WvD0XMMeiZ_MmqyGaYqbzhR6qZ2UNMpJMGnRD4h9_LqvJyNxcXaq-C8kIV_ppAICnT-wW-J8Z8B4ffc1NGMlFKJQicO61fNhcaabCf/s1600/B6322.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisotEENt_3A4KL-Xlx5_9spUpd1c5qQ502w66Uz2WvD0XMMeiZ_MmqyGaYqbzhR6qZ2UNMpJMGnRD4h9_LqvJyNxcXaq-C8kIV_ppAICnT-wW-J8Z8B4ffc1NGMlFKJQicO61fNhcaabCf/s400/B6322.png" width="381" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B6322</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b6323-products-50973.php?page_id=147" target="_blank">B6323: Misses' One-Shoulder Dress (Patterns by Gertie)</a><br />
<br />
Further evidence that Gertie has something against boobs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzSRe_El7HlpyepSfXrE0De7xaxOyK8Wx4QmxfcZML7Wa0DLQQjpq6K5_8KZ8Xmw5l8xPI_C-Db-y2ONLyxR0-53MXBTms0r1n-sFhPSXiEiS7-SVF4aEt4AU10dQzalRSV79Eure0KvX/s1600/B6323.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzSRe_El7HlpyepSfXrE0De7xaxOyK8Wx4QmxfcZML7Wa0DLQQjpq6K5_8KZ8Xmw5l8xPI_C-Db-y2ONLyxR0-53MXBTms0r1n-sFhPSXiEiS7-SVF4aEt4AU10dQzalRSV79Eure0KvX/s400/B6323.png" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B6323</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b6321-products-50971.php?page_id=147" target="_blank">B6321: Misses' Square Neck Dresses (Lisette)</a><br />
<br />
If you get rid of the boob flaps, B6321 is a cute dress.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_jfSxS9ISfVqGtwlCeiH26jpNh0JYeq-rXO97K2rUo4_v7TKejlmFYbnc2jxziEuavy6NVzkO3LAGKoPd_OFs-Tu7ZCNICVYz59Zh7AYp4ZuzOqQSL9BMyVAwwkhiOghlhVQQfPXo2VI/s1600/B6321.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_jfSxS9ISfVqGtwlCeiH26jpNh0JYeq-rXO97K2rUo4_v7TKejlmFYbnc2jxziEuavy6NVzkO3LAGKoPd_OFs-Tu7ZCNICVYz59Zh7AYp4ZuzOqQSL9BMyVAwwkhiOghlhVQQfPXo2VI/s400/B6321.png" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B6321</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b6320-products-50970.php?page_id=147" target="_blank">B6320: Misses' Sweetheart Neckline Dress and Jumpsuit</a><br />
<br />
The jumpsuit view of this is similar to a romper that I've seen pop up on Modcloth. It's a cute design, although with those defined "cups", I can't see this being particularly large-bust friendly, if you're over a D-cup. Yes, you could FBA/enlarge the cups, but that will throw off the proportions of the look.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQHsg_67JUHvvJVh5A1sWQ7_LGrWHxP5HD3fBqk47ZWbtqeFIZ0Bc2KLp4CoGyadBeJnqBl7QceOFuV83rU1U2jQC2XfUGYT9k9oEkc-UZmkeWxVTODjeCDMuiL2iNVs03VU7EK9FHCKe/s1600/B6320.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQHsg_67JUHvvJVh5A1sWQ7_LGrWHxP5HD3fBqk47ZWbtqeFIZ0Bc2KLp4CoGyadBeJnqBl7QceOFuV83rU1U2jQC2XfUGYT9k9oEkc-UZmkeWxVTODjeCDMuiL2iNVs03VU7EK9FHCKe/s400/B6320.png" width="381" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B6320</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b6331-products-50981.php?page_id=147" target="_blank">B6331: Misses' Trench Jacket and Pants </a><br />
<br />
I LOVE this trench jacket from Lisette. I have plenty of basic pant patterns and have generally found the Big 4 crotch curve to not be a good fit for me, but these would probably work well for others.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcF7Iy34exEsSZlT00ZSo2COVN3h6NGvQdD82zQ41FNYdm1QT_KP4_RNM22zP13Wfzxa0s2aQS1hrduHMCnovN2c-x_MeV49Ife-TPAABtVm10MteXwZVqEuL4uoEmGs7LdRHeQUgW4p9/s1600/B6331.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcF7Iy34exEsSZlT00ZSo2COVN3h6NGvQdD82zQ41FNYdm1QT_KP4_RNM22zP13Wfzxa0s2aQS1hrduHMCnovN2c-x_MeV49Ife-TPAABtVm10MteXwZVqEuL4uoEmGs7LdRHeQUgW4p9/s400/B6331.png" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B6331</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://www.seamwork.com/issues/2016/02" target="_blank">Colette/Seamwork Magazine: February 2016 Issue</a><br />
<br />
The theme for February is "The Intimate Issue", which isn't surprising given that many organizations/companies/whatever go with a lingerie theme for February. (Heck, over at the <a href="http://curvysewingcollective.com/" target="_blank">Curvy Sewing Collective</a>, we chose February for our lingerie-themed month.) <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.seamwork.com/catalog/almada" target="_blank">Seamwork: Almada Robe</a><br />
<br />
First up is a robe with an interesting, if possibly not particularly practical sleeve design:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPScPjs_b9YVn0VKt7K5KBvrloA-kh2w1B1CYiYbzZ74X-elwIAfiIhvaBe86KAoV0stJiu6FniRZZESo1gILNzGahwZDzsiRu_8boYmmEMZ-jjhG9lEEKh43o7QE5oBvKcsvL18nj3LSh/s1600/Seamwork_Almada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPScPjs_b9YVn0VKt7K5KBvrloA-kh2w1B1CYiYbzZ74X-elwIAfiIhvaBe86KAoV0stJiu6FniRZZESo1gILNzGahwZDzsiRu_8boYmmEMZ-jjhG9lEEKh43o7QE5oBvKcsvL18nj3LSh/s640/Seamwork_Almada.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seamwork - Almada robe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.seamwork.com/catalog/lisbon" target="_blank">Seamwork: Lisbon Slip/Nightie</a><br />
<br />
The Lisbon is a princess seamed (!) bias slip or nightie with an optional modesty panel. With my giant boobs, traditional slips or nighties without an underbust seam tend to hang off of me like a tent, so I'm intrigued by this one.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBLDyqROlaSY89z-rbXIswkE9TvR-P_Y-jTcwKIjZfmugDvXOH5iGpXXz2Hyg-5kJdXeP5DENEUWIR0reQAqoiAKGqoPzdERgZJDN4XyOCeo_7I0OxWm8ffBXy85z9_R4M2CJJliy8Bnl/s1600/Seamwork_Lisbon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBLDyqROlaSY89z-rbXIswkE9TvR-P_Y-jTcwKIjZfmugDvXOH5iGpXXz2Hyg-5kJdXeP5DENEUWIR0reQAqoiAKGqoPzdERgZJDN4XyOCeo_7I0OxWm8ffBXy85z9_R4M2CJJliy8Bnl/s640/Seamwork_Lisbon.png" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seamwork - Lisbon slip/nightie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
</ul>
<a href="http://kwiksew.mccall.com/new-patterns-pages-3013.php" target="_blank">Kwik Sew: Spring 2016 Release</a><br />
<br />
We had a small release for spring from Kwik Sew this past week. Of the 20 patterns included in the release, only 10 of them are for adult women (the rest are crafts or children's patterns). Of those 10, most look either somewhat dated by a few years or like patterns that you could easily find in other catalogs. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://kwiksew.mccall.com/k4155-products-50937.php?page_id=3013" target="_blank">K4155</a><br />
<br />
The one pattern that did jump out at me was K4155, a princess seamed shirtdress with a gored 1/4-circle skirt:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3RvVf1MtOfSSxr3OiI2dpQ8PYlBxHk_D2GFnWSF8fVeAKLjfK5-uc-dAAVWMfhs03iM_fEq290ECaVZJpcZlg53KpQYOsOnlKlezpfmbB8MxUCpdLZdvJGPm1VE-eDn3jnzE-PMPGZ2B/s1600/K4155.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3RvVf1MtOfSSxr3OiI2dpQ8PYlBxHk_D2GFnWSF8fVeAKLjfK5-uc-dAAVWMfhs03iM_fEq290ECaVZJpcZlg53KpQYOsOnlKlezpfmbB8MxUCpdLZdvJGPm1VE-eDn3jnzE-PMPGZ2B/s320/K4155.png" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K4155</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://shop.sewoverit.co.uk/collections/dressmaking-patterns/products/tulip-skirt-pdf-sewing-pattern" target="_blank">Sew Over It: Tulip Skirt</a><br />
<br />
On-the-rise British pattern company Sew Over It released a new skirt PDF pattern recently. This one is for a tulip-style skirt and is appropriately named "Tulip Skirt":<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_i3u0_mryzeRx1bQe3ENsQZ9WeUgu9r1yQZxpjaqAY5zz9H9Ms-mePOOCJ2-EduaJ_U5h1R8pEs-IecZiHXI3cOL45M6nkZvPIvKQgMfu7sMityxeygMdW7flLuvUGQtlBVnd4D5NRPMd/s1600/Tulip_Skirt_new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_i3u0_mryzeRx1bQe3ENsQZ9WeUgu9r1yQZxpjaqAY5zz9H9Ms-mePOOCJ2-EduaJ_U5h1R8pEs-IecZiHXI3cOL45M6nkZvPIvKQgMfu7sMityxeygMdW7flLuvUGQtlBVnd4D5NRPMd/s400/Tulip_Skirt_new.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sew Over It - Tulip Skirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>StyleArc: Februrary 2016 Release</b><br />
<br />
It's a new month, so we have new StyleArc patterns available.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=6&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=906&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41" target="_blank">StyleArc: Alegra Coat/Jacket</a><br />
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The Alegra is a cocoon-style jacket or coat with raglan sleeves. Put this one in the category of "I think that the design is interesting, but I'm not sure that I could wear it."<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21O8_GF4xBQYEQ35-9nE4U0qNEXY07QxYppLUhTU_MDF9TGOqWISWW266ib_V4dPS49MbpblErsoakdIMDvgT1hD-A1CYTS_UyFtp3_wsL4tJf9Q5I51Ihugi4NhJ1I6NhiYTs7Ze0CPc/s1600/ALEGRA-JACKET-COAT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21O8_GF4xBQYEQ35-9nE4U0qNEXY07QxYppLUhTU_MDF9TGOqWISWW266ib_V4dPS49MbpblErsoakdIMDvgT1hD-A1CYTS_UyFtp3_wsL4tJf9Q5I51Ihugi4NhJ1I6NhiYTs7Ze0CPc/s400/ALEGRA-JACKET-COAT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Alegra jacket/coat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=2&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=905&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=42" target="_blank">StyleArc: Talia woven pant (freebie option)</a><br />
<br />
The Talia is a straight-legged woven pull-on pant with optional welt pockets and elastic in the back part of the waistband. This looks like it could be a really useful pattern, and it's one of the freebie choices for the month of February if you purchase at least one other StyleArc paper pattern.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMA3yWGlP7Z2wGa5Z0REZALq2TK7ncINHiMrv1VpoFE6TRYgOTirsqZMOrn77AMJmVcQOT_ny7LouEwsHD_Q64kYXPhbWsqpNgSJbkdrayq-aTZhVhudOAGmIccScho9kHK-JnChncfA38/s1600/TALIA-PANT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMA3yWGlP7Z2wGa5Z0REZALq2TK7ncINHiMrv1VpoFE6TRYgOTirsqZMOrn77AMJmVcQOT_ny7LouEwsHD_Q64kYXPhbWsqpNgSJbkdrayq-aTZhVhudOAGmIccScho9kHK-JnChncfA38/s400/TALIA-PANT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Talia pant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=3&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=904&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=43" target="_blank">StyleArc: Allison Skirt</a><br />
<br />
The Allison is an elastic waist skirt with inverted pleats at its gores. I really like this skirt--it's cute and looks like it would be swishy and comfortable. If I were to place an order this month, it'd be a tough decision for me between the Talia pant and the Allison.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mlJbl_Y0YrvwjiDmosJ6ANQnl0c_ZY95Sm8fnSXfLyf3QRQlDN78ItnyVaDtL5taI1ELVSpUM4ZUrMMocUPbXaG3n6XzErD5nLxLtp22InrrofbqGoJbpgS0JdV2c4rYiB_CRjRB88uW/s1600/ALLISON.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mlJbl_Y0YrvwjiDmosJ6ANQnl0c_ZY95Sm8fnSXfLyf3QRQlDN78ItnyVaDtL5taI1ELVSpUM4ZUrMMocUPbXaG3n6XzErD5nLxLtp22InrrofbqGoJbpgS0JdV2c4rYiB_CRjRB88uW/s400/ALLISON.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Allison skirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
So those are the big releases of the past few weeks, as they've come trickling in. Would anyone be heartbroken if I scaled back the frequency of this roundup series, given that we're not being inundated with the flood of new patterns that we were a year or two ago? Also, what are your picks from this batch?<br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-14855526472520197192016-01-15T12:29:00.002-08:002016-01-15T12:30:07.474-08:00Friday Housekeeping from 2015, etc. (15-Jan-2016)I don't have a pattern roundup post this week because we only saw one major new pattern release and an expansion pack (that I'm aware of). So, instead of a pattern roundup, I'm writing a housekeeping post. I've got a handful of projects from 2015 that I never actually blogged here. I had every intention of blogging them here, but at this point, they just feel like a lead weight around my neck. Consider this post mostly just a logging post for my own purposes.<br />
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<a href="http://www.decadesofstyle.com/collections/decades-everyday/products/no-103-threes-a-charm-jacket" target="_blank">Decades of Style: Decades Everyday - Three's a Charm Jacket</a><br />
<br />
Before I get into the project log, I just want to give a heads up about the one new pattern that I saw released this week. If you follow them on social media, Decades of Style has been teasing their new unlined jacket pattern for a while, and this past week, it was finally released. It's also 20% off (use code JANUARY20) until the end of the month.<br />
<br />
I love this and snapped it up. Decades of Style (and particularly the Decades Everyday line) get such great reviews from curvy sewists, and this simple jacket looks both like it should be easy to make and super versatile. You get the structure of a jacket, a nice open neckline, but none of the fussy jacket details.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2V6JQYBRGz8k4VgyEnDJzRO5ogrQSVU7u8hG4dYt2CQds4FKnkBYNDMkhy55CElJC0DIBFipA4getg6WOtG1NZsYoSxO5p0z78kciZ8p0Y4g65af0ZlRWQc5NX9FskRW7HnbhWwP1m3FV/s1600/DecadesEveryday_3saCharm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2V6JQYBRGz8k4VgyEnDJzRO5ogrQSVU7u8hG4dYt2CQds4FKnkBYNDMkhy55CElJC0DIBFipA4getg6WOtG1NZsYoSxO5p0z78kciZ8p0Y4g65af0ZlRWQc5NX9FskRW7HnbhWwP1m3FV/s400/DecadesEveryday_3saCharm.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decades Everyday - Three's a Charm Jacket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://sewingmuse.com/products/jenna-cardi-expansion-pack" target="_blank">Muse Patterns: Jenna Expansion Pack</a><br />
<br />
Kat from Muse just released an expansion pack for her popular Jenna cardigan. The expansion pack gives an open neckline option (yay!) or the option of a Peter Pan collar. The open neckline option is actually a cardigan that I had in my head (with the shoulder ruching), so it's nice to see that Kat has drafted this for me now without having to try to hack it myself.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcDrTkBTdwK83_ALMSSBHmfvAOPLUCbU7s8ENjJ6rRuGctVFA3NV0ipdbXfK3rOZFYuxC2cWJZwzK9qZcy96IwGPC6yZSrPPaqB3tNv-gMke-C2MYODsKoy_7UF8L2NddD3wbeLL4jvuF/s1600/Muse_Jenna_Expansion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcDrTkBTdwK83_ALMSSBHmfvAOPLUCbU7s8ENjJ6rRuGctVFA3NV0ipdbXfK3rOZFYuxC2cWJZwzK9qZcy96IwGPC6yZSrPPaqB3tNv-gMke-C2MYODsKoy_7UF8L2NddD3wbeLL4jvuF/s400/Muse_Jenna_Expansion.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muse Patterns - Jenna Expansion pack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://curvysewingcollective.com/pattern-review-blank-slate-denver-tunic/" target="_blank">Finished Project (from months ago): Blank Slate Denver Tunic</a><br />
<br />
If you follow me on the Curvy Sewing Collective, I wrote this up back in October (ugh), with plans to do a more comprehensive post about my alterations, etc, over here. Clearly, I never got around to that follow-up post. After having this tunic in my wardrobe for a few months now, I can easily say that I love it. That cotton-lycra jersey is SO soft, and it hasn't been pilling at all yet.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLY50Pq7AKZQgIYJCaE4QhM9g-dAaD-m3GL2HnNx7kUsUpB2BGmZx7AbjFsGokXoKmVXVgZgmsOXqVxHzeNahENZCRR0aDzFWZSGyG20ARGg1c-njw_2gYMxxir0G5etshzB6HYU2QiI-/s1600/BlankSlate_Denver_front1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLY50Pq7AKZQgIYJCaE4QhM9g-dAaD-m3GL2HnNx7kUsUpB2BGmZx7AbjFsGokXoKmVXVgZgmsOXqVxHzeNahENZCRR0aDzFWZSGyG20ARGg1c-njw_2gYMxxir0G5etshzB6HYU2QiI-/s400/BlankSlate_Denver_front1.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blank Slate Denver Tunic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://blog.fabricmartfabrics.com/2015/12/made-by-fabricista-diy-designer-pajamas.html" target="_blank">Closet Case Files - Carolyn Pajamas</a><br />
<br />
I made a set of Closet Case Files Carolyn Pajamas as my December project for FabricMart. I try to keep my posts over there fairly light and non-technical and didn't go much into my alterations for the pattern, which I had intended to do over here. Given that I finished these PJs nearly a month ago, trying to reconstruct my construction process just seems like a monumental task at this point, so I'm going to just let this one go.<br />
<br />
I love these pajamas a ton and have been wearing them several times a week. I absolutely expect to make this pattern a few more times, and I'll try to share my alterations, etc, with you on the next pass when the info is more fresh in my brain. In a nutshell, this was a really fun pattern, and I found the fit to be expected per the sizing chart.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKdND3w7gMrSiSBYoWibAzX82_zZPaA7GFri-ZE_Aq3LRhycYkc8GWUE7SLdxF85kh6WP2hrZDOgVFMINOYEmOyYfJfpuffhZemwqIMSttF80rAjV88Pc0vv5IyR2shekG5CHjCjIJE6e/s1600/Carolyn_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKdND3w7gMrSiSBYoWibAzX82_zZPaA7GFri-ZE_Aq3LRhycYkc8GWUE7SLdxF85kh6WP2hrZDOgVFMINOYEmOyYfJfpuffhZemwqIMSttF80rAjV88Pc0vv5IyR2shekG5CHjCjIJE6e/s640/Carolyn_front.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closet Case Files - Carolyn Pajamas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Blank Slate - Pocket PJs<br />
<br />
The Pocket PJs were Eva's Christmas pajamas this year. She's been hugely into Thomas the Tank Engine for the past year or so, so I made these from jammies from two different prints of Thomas-themed quilting cotton. I've used <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/06/finished-unselfish-project-blank-slate.html" target="_blank">Blank Slate's Pocket PJ pattern for Eva before</a> and really liked it, so it was a no-brainer for me to pull out this PDF again. She's grown out of the Pocket PJs that I made her last summer, so I made the new pair in a 4T rather than the 3T that I used last time. Yay for PDF patterns and just printing off a new size as your child grows!<br />
<br />
Because she's Eva, and she never stops moving for photos, I don't have any decent modeled shots, so here are a couple of tormenting-the-cat modeled shots and a couple of flat shots.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7e2sS3CeCM48PMrEkOUBTtqLbV1nK7Gn1aAcS9MKJM8gPjFFI8d3_U3qU3kqo6N6piyOnDWs4F9qa_4c7tDCS7wxfFp24Wtdo4JAjjzSeMXYhkaqOzSsMt5_-CGO4EtRiempuvKNNz5z/s1600/BlankSlate_PocketPJs_Thomas2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7e2sS3CeCM48PMrEkOUBTtqLbV1nK7Gn1aAcS9MKJM8gPjFFI8d3_U3qU3kqo6N6piyOnDWs4F9qa_4c7tDCS7wxfFp24Wtdo4JAjjzSeMXYhkaqOzSsMt5_-CGO4EtRiempuvKNNz5z/s400/BlankSlate_PocketPJs_Thomas2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blank Slate Pocket PJs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUgfMNhe-6lgqhK1t8k6xGKKX4YFoRwq-0LO6GxAinP_7wAmKhdCORnUtuxgQWalku2zy8NiQUzdpVH0-DxiM4-_C94sYI1ucaJY4_KyMLACs1JQkqg4SOCL0KmlXoXCfmON-f7MAsPkP/s1600/BlankSlate_PocketPJs_Thomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUgfMNhe-6lgqhK1t8k6xGKKX4YFoRwq-0LO6GxAinP_7wAmKhdCORnUtuxgQWalku2zy8NiQUzdpVH0-DxiM4-_C94sYI1ucaJY4_KyMLACs1JQkqg4SOCL0KmlXoXCfmON-f7MAsPkP/s400/BlankSlate_PocketPJs_Thomas.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blank Slate Pocket PJs + petting the cat with a thing of dental floss</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zB0TXuz0E9yLkenBTj9ZU2NSdndiix5Ssm7lVkuCGckU3EFfm1qEzl8oDZAx_-z95Bon75uNb1PsBkWnPcLtD9W29fCMGFJ2PV8o4gladq_f1UpLoNxnqqAqPqXVS7YCckUIB4z3cwqa/s1600/BlankSlate_PocketPJs_Thomas_flat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zB0TXuz0E9yLkenBTj9ZU2NSdndiix5Ssm7lVkuCGckU3EFfm1qEzl8oDZAx_-z95Bon75uNb1PsBkWnPcLtD9W29fCMGFJ2PV8o4gladq_f1UpLoNxnqqAqPqXVS7YCckUIB4z3cwqa/s400/BlankSlate_PocketPJs_Thomas_flat2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail shot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNY8VdjzcXFS0YdNiuKAYkO3M_wTLe4Vs0q_kEGTFVgBN_s9dEVxB4fxpTLCrXCr1Fy-rrkOy-BHh9g_zSbCsUYAQXJ4KdKIj1JRN6HCetVUE66drzh0PfUwrPjcBc-gASUsrrs9e57i5R/s1600/BlankSlate_PocketPJs_Thomas_flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNY8VdjzcXFS0YdNiuKAYkO3M_wTLe4Vs0q_kEGTFVgBN_s9dEVxB4fxpTLCrXCr1Fy-rrkOy-BHh9g_zSbCsUYAQXJ4KdKIj1JRN6HCetVUE66drzh0PfUwrPjcBc-gASUsrrs9e57i5R/s400/BlankSlate_PocketPJs_Thomas_flat.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full set - flat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
It feels good to get caught up and to not have those posts hanging over my head. Things just got so busy around here at the end of the year that my personal blog was one thing that I had to let slip a bit.<br />
<br />
On top of that, after going through a big year-end-push, my sewjo has been seriously AWOL. To try to not let it slide too much, I'm currently working on the SBCC Pinot Pants (a yoga-style pant) and one of the new HotPatterns sweatshirts. Cozy is a good thing in January.<br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-25679338495861836742016-01-08T11:38:00.001-08:002016-01-08T11:38:08.808-08:00This Week in Patterns (8-Jan-2016)First pattern roundup of the new year! Not surprisingly, we've got several batches of new patterns to go through.<br />
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<ul>
<li>Colette/Seamwork</li>
<li>Simplicity </li>
<li>StyleArc</li>
<li>Vogue</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.seamwork.com/issues/2016/01" target="_blank">Colette/Seamwork: January 2016 Issue ("The Body Issue")</a><br />
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Colette's Seamwork magazine this month has an "activewear" theme. For the two Seamwork patterns this month, we get an exercise top and exercise pants.<br />
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<a href="https://www.seamwork.com/catalog/aires" target="_blank">Seamwork: Aires Exercise Tights</a><br />
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The Aires Exercise tights are notable less for design and more for the fact that they include a crotch gusset for easier movement and are available in a 3XL (56" or 142cm hip size). Off the top of my head, this is the largest size range for a commercial pattern for actual exercise tights. (If you're a plus sized sewist, you might have found that it's nearly as difficult to find plus sized activewear sewing patterns as it is to find plus sized activewear in RTW.) I'm really glad to see that there's finally a pattern to fill this niche. Sure, there's some gratuitous piecing/color-blocking here, but I could see this being quite a useful pattern for many of us.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtCMZVyJoHGIVf0s3TlKt7P9stFwtmBR94BAhrhI-6DSNQ6U8mE_8Ws40sJaJHWG6diqcuFLk4jHxQ5TU3kxX0L0ho6PXHdG9EiTu1L-trdClJyGF1fRh1tKxjuw9wiqqYjvURLDvBVtH/s1600/Seamwork_Aires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtCMZVyJoHGIVf0s3TlKt7P9stFwtmBR94BAhrhI-6DSNQ6U8mE_8Ws40sJaJHWG6diqcuFLk4jHxQ5TU3kxX0L0ho6PXHdG9EiTu1L-trdClJyGF1fRh1tKxjuw9wiqqYjvURLDvBVtH/s400/Seamwork_Aires.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seamwork - Aires exercise tights</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://www.seamwork.com/catalog/rio" target="_blank">Seamwork: Rio Tee</a><br />
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The Rio is a hi-low tee that can be used in activewear. I don't have much to say about this one way or another--it doesn't really fill a niche the way that the Aires does, but I guess Seamwork needed to release a second pattern this month.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7B3mdcDPrM2Zvt3XMe4sW4nrVu1AvQ74sm_Zg52zWTiEPVYpSDtd6On0IiWcwWSCWJepBqZZm_hr7ISMi-BrgkW1cWxZs6WaejlsiZ339Dp-cGmrz3wgCqg40m3Z4LACraql10Fc-sFe/s1600/Seamwork_Rio.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7B3mdcDPrM2Zvt3XMe4sW4nrVu1AvQ74sm_Zg52zWTiEPVYpSDtd6On0IiWcwWSCWJepBqZZm_hr7ISMi-BrgkW1cWxZs6WaejlsiZ339Dp-cGmrz3wgCqg40m3Z4LACraql10Fc-sFe/s400/Seamwork_Rio.png" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seamwork - Rio tee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/patterns/patternsbycatalog.pl?patterncompanyid=45&catalog=Jan-2016" target="_blank">Simplicity: Spring 2016 release</a><br />
<br />
I'm linking to Pattern Review's version of this batch of patterns because the Simplicity website is nearly completely unusable right now. As far as I can tell, these patterns aren't even up there yet, even though they're available through PR and in some big box stores. I do like some of the patterns in this batch and will probably buy them at a future JoAnn's sale.<br />
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<a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/76945" target="_blank">Simplicity 8047: Amazing Fit Dress</a><br />
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It's Simplicity's take on the over-crop-top trend that we're starting to see for Spring. We'll see it again in the new StyleArc patterns. I like this option--it's a way to do the crop top trend (if you're a trend person) without showing skin, if that's something that you tend to avoid (like I do).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvZm-9g7lu00deRVrDTPHBBq6X0ik1OWj9jeeiXYnyBGAK_Xxgc04dmEb794ogsff5PwC28bYH_1JcKv235jvpooGsj0JlNjb-HVPF0BhghodVsrhE1BnwsAC8lZ1Iw0teNJ8lo50kcr9/s1600/Simplicity_8047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvZm-9g7lu00deRVrDTPHBBq6X0ik1OWj9jeeiXYnyBGAK_Xxgc04dmEb794ogsff5PwC28bYH_1JcKv235jvpooGsj0JlNjb-HVPF0BhghodVsrhE1BnwsAC8lZ1Iw0teNJ8lo50kcr9/s400/Simplicity_8047.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simplicity 8047</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/76951" target="_blank">Simplicity 8053: Misses' shirts</a><br />
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Hey, it's a Grainline Archer shirt, but with shoulder princess seams AND cup sizes up to a DD! There's even an open v-neck option, similar to Colette's Aster shirt. This one looks like a great wardrobe basic pattern to me.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyf3UPxYctmuHUV8w7M5MZqjVIFdSbN_0wjODdrn8-O5Di4QCpml-UhXUvoIMA7a9t37273bEeXxKP9XCRGnz47Ti8iCo8nrbb_kOKXG9d_Oxh4WFAOqgELJO19sk4VUwt5zT2QTmTVFI9/s1600/Simplicity_8053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyf3UPxYctmuHUV8w7M5MZqjVIFdSbN_0wjODdrn8-O5Di4QCpml-UhXUvoIMA7a9t37273bEeXxKP9XCRGnz47Ti8iCo8nrbb_kOKXG9d_Oxh4WFAOqgELJO19sk4VUwt5zT2QTmTVFI9/s400/Simplicity_8053.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simplicity 8053</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/76948" target="_blank">Simplicity 8050: 40's dress reissue</a><br />
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I haven't watched Agent Carter, but I'm seeing a lot of people online saying that this pattern is a call to that character's costuming. I'm going to assume that's the case with Simplicity, but having not even seen the show, I still love this dress as a standalone pattern.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZTZ9RrLktoC_ml-blmRojf4_Up03XhKHPXMbrYAKXReIT1nQl6bs1RxHRbDhiZ_740ekCiuIjnWenNpAggsasT0dzARC_hMqndMq6jFWOzViJ7woje4gijV4-Mhp4LTIDgE9C9RT1swe/s1600/Simplicity_8050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZTZ9RrLktoC_ml-blmRojf4_Up03XhKHPXMbrYAKXReIT1nQl6bs1RxHRbDhiZ_740ekCiuIjnWenNpAggsasT0dzARC_hMqndMq6jFWOzViJ7woje4gijV4-Mhp4LTIDgE9C9RT1swe/s400/Simplicity_8050.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simplicity 8050</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/76948" target="_blank">Simplicity 8074: Misses' Costumes</a><br />
<br />
So, here we've got a couple of different takes on Sand Snakes costumes (interesting, considering how poorly those characters translated from the Song of Ice and Fire books to HBO's Game of Thrones), and what's that hidden in the back over on the right? Is that an unlicensed (and probably rushed into production after the trailer was released) Rey costume from The Force Awakens? On a related note, if my daughter wants to be BB-8 for Halloween next year, does that give me an excuse to dress my husband up as Kylo Ren?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmndKlKTFTAp6xinlEnoChM0cBjsaC8CD7V5oLMx6DZl4-oc3AmNWKLXZ6vfEkGNaasuGJzfKEBd5LIMi8WyqNBzqzaJcfdo473Gtr3hMWk7oXwtN8WLmKJn4XKvKTlz7x87FAE7_RKLDz/s1600/Simplicity_8074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmndKlKTFTAp6xinlEnoChM0cBjsaC8CD7V5oLMx6DZl4-oc3AmNWKLXZ6vfEkGNaasuGJzfKEBd5LIMi8WyqNBzqzaJcfdo473Gtr3hMWk7oXwtN8WLmKJn4XKvKTlz7x87FAE7_RKLDz/s400/Simplicity_8074.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simplicity 8074</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/" target="_blank">StyleArc: January 2016 release</a><br />
<br />
With StyleArc drifting towards a minimalist, boxy aesthetic for many of their recent releases, it's nice to see this new group of patterns for January. Most of these patterns capitalize on current trends, and when combined, could even be used to make a capsule wardrobe. Additionally, for January, in addition to the monthly freebie that StyleArc always offers (this month, it's the Kendall knit top), if you buy two of the new patterns, you can select a third for free. So, doing the math, that's four patterns for the price of two.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=7&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=898&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=44" target="_blank">StyleArc: Crystal Over-shirt</a><br />
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The assymmetrical hem on this one is starting to feel a little dated, but other than that (which could easily be altered), this is both a really unique and wearable design. The back detail is unexpected and fun.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NxZDKBrvszagvlV2YMC7LOM_I_4Yn3PC_dvN820B1CUczZlnuO-vpQKCII2B-E8mnG8TywYrfrEIwPuAWubM07efaByEmiqJYrHwXtnjViRhMgIlIcF5-AIENNvvFJW40xs-8dgclE_Z/s1600/CRYSTAL-OVERSHIRT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NxZDKBrvszagvlV2YMC7LOM_I_4Yn3PC_dvN820B1CUczZlnuO-vpQKCII2B-E8mnG8TywYrfrEIwPuAWubM07efaByEmiqJYrHwXtnjViRhMgIlIcF5-AIENNvvFJW40xs-8dgclE_Z/s400/CRYSTAL-OVERSHIRT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Crystal over-shirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=8&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=897&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45" target="_blank">StyleArc: Kendall Knit Top (January Freebie)</a><br />
<br />
The Kendall is a nice basic knit top with a draped shawl collar. It's also the "official" freebie for the month of January, if you buy any other paper patterns this month. It's not the world's most exciting design, but it's definitely one that you could get a lot of mileage and wear out of with different fabrics. Not bad for a freebie.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWf4cy7uBUT_w0qkmzYlxmCv8AHXi54fsqRDtmNZ4FNbz_RVEmcaKitejN25Ly1ZKSeJEmSVmVq0ujjfYBMvuirV008wIpxgGBKoA30suAsCCnghTgG1WWFzELVRtHZMVUSKZ08F1gNWwD/s1600/KENDALL-TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWf4cy7uBUT_w0qkmzYlxmCv8AHXi54fsqRDtmNZ4FNbz_RVEmcaKitejN25Ly1ZKSeJEmSVmVq0ujjfYBMvuirV008wIpxgGBKoA30suAsCCnghTgG1WWFzELVRtHZMVUSKZ08F1gNWwD/s320/KENDALL-TOP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Kendall knit top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=8&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=896&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45" target="_blank">Madison Top</a><br />
<br />
The Madison is a trapeze-shaped raglan-sleeved top that be made up either in a knit or a stable woven. This is probably my least favorite pattern out of the January bunch in that it's the least interesting (to me). Again, like the other patterns this month, it's certainly a fine basic, though.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6pjZv3jJw0wg1tymk0qwnoCKqXEBVhIVWdVe4OVprURDudUbhxpfk3WPBZ0rOQwtsFshtcKBWEaTN6tw8ZKoPdgy5twAseIjnKp9eBGSfRtivfUOaFjD4eu41VInC4_TS258uYgeykas/s1600/MADISON-TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6pjZv3jJw0wg1tymk0qwnoCKqXEBVhIVWdVe4OVprURDudUbhxpfk3WPBZ0rOQwtsFshtcKBWEaTN6tw8ZKoPdgy5twAseIjnKp9eBGSfRtivfUOaFjD4eu41VInC4_TS258uYgeykas/s400/MADISON-TOP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Madison top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=3&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=895&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=43" target="_blank">Taylor Knit Skirt</a><br />
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The Taylor is a pull-on knit skirt with a split hem. From the line drawings, it almost gives the effect of a faux wrap skirt. I like this one--it's a fun design and looks like it would be comfortable and easy to make and wear.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKSu2M7XT0G8arZEUZdCPfRniq2VOEHkfBVMv7ofhSEXLed6g-wwfGccC4UlLf5hg4rCYQH3_YwzdvK18e_IX_odC2MDC3OM4CROVXanSy1ULDQxzhAXFflZh-Z27uXiicDSw9hrNuyb4/s1600/TAYLOR-SKIRT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKSu2M7XT0G8arZEUZdCPfRniq2VOEHkfBVMv7ofhSEXLed6g-wwfGccC4UlLf5hg4rCYQH3_YwzdvK18e_IX_odC2MDC3OM4CROVXanSy1ULDQxzhAXFflZh-Z27uXiicDSw9hrNuyb4/s400/TAYLOR-SKIRT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Taylor knit skirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=8&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=894&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45" target="_blank">StyleArc: Kylie Knit Top</a><br />
<br />
The Kylie knit top has an overlay to mimic the appearance of the crop tops that were everywhere last year, but with its underlayer, will show less skin than a traditional crop. I love the design of this one, although with the boxy overlayer, I'm doubtful as to how it would look on my own busty figure.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO29-SMxEvviBBy2ZX4_1cB16qR4uVqsoZzVeuqrK9oMHcDrFc2vnAOZ05oBt8iZMJvf0u3VoQ1wcBet5wwTZ9gzysg0EjwwY9oOao6Doq3Y7Vy34MZzvXeoaKU0LuwgjySeF8dz_OPL9s/s1600/KYLIE-TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO29-SMxEvviBBy2ZX4_1cB16qR4uVqsoZzVeuqrK9oMHcDrFc2vnAOZ05oBt8iZMJvf0u3VoQ1wcBet5wwTZ9gzysg0EjwwY9oOao6Doq3Y7Vy34MZzvXeoaKU0LuwgjySeF8dz_OPL9s/s400/KYLIE-TOP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Kylie Knit Top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=8&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=894&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45" target="_blank">Vogue Patterns: Spring 2015 release</a><br />
<br />
I know that I've made this confession before, but I'll make it again. It's hard for me to do Vogue recaps because Vogue patterns, while often having interesting details, are so far outside of my own personal style aesthetic. I know that I've seen a lot of positive comments about this collection in other online sewing communities, but I largely reacted to it with a shrug--there are a LOT of boxy and/or artsy-type designs in this batch that aren't anywhere close to the clothing that I wear. That said, here are the picks that I found most interesting:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v1488-products-50904.php?page_id=174" target="_blank">V1488: DKNY Shirtdress</a><br />
<br />
This wrap-tie is an interesting way to bring some shape to this shirtdress. This could be cute and fun to wear in the summer. Realistically, it's probably the only pattern in this collection that I could realistically see myself buying.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oieq76zp0qznwQSp_OohCnmRTFizuA28pl9lLA-LRjjpBray426sY08ho7-xUJI380WoB1oyeSH6rDDwrh3EC0TPlG7YBtn3jS2MxDWzqy78GFQyF7I7JE5xeGK9pRGihG1xR7T8E4Rw/s1600/V1488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oieq76zp0qznwQSp_OohCnmRTFizuA28pl9lLA-LRjjpBray426sY08ho7-xUJI380WoB1oyeSH6rDDwrh3EC0TPlG7YBtn3jS2MxDWzqy78GFQyF7I7JE5xeGK9pRGihG1xR7T8E4Rw/s400/V1488.jpg" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">V1488</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v9168-products-50913.php?page_id=174" target="_blank">V9168: Misses Flutter Sleeve Dress, Belt, and Slip</a><br />
<br />
In its maxi-length (as shown), this dress is a bit too Laura Ashley for me. But imagine it shortened to, say, knee-length, and I think it could be really cute. I'm intrigued by the sheer-dress-over-slip concept, too.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8sicZ_Mbrwqmep0SR9vKxPUELEsqnmJH2kX8J9kbjhvQgca2OJ5G46tbJTRn4F25Dq-oSHCuernH9BZs9r-bwYCkZiyJQkByuMJsVOzI6i47NE8wUZ4uKPAPkqEy36sb2euHhL9Bxpor/s1600/V9168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8sicZ_Mbrwqmep0SR9vKxPUELEsqnmJH2kX8J9kbjhvQgca2OJ5G46tbJTRn4F25Dq-oSHCuernH9BZs9r-bwYCkZiyJQkByuMJsVOzI6i47NE8wUZ4uKPAPkqEy36sb2euHhL9Bxpor/s400/V9168.jpg" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">V9168</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v1494-products-50910.php?page_id=174" target="_blank">V1494: Sandra Betzina Coat and Vest</a><br />
<br />
I'm not normally a big fan of Sandra Betzina's designs (again, they're fine; they're just not my style at all), but I do really like the interesting seaming on this coat and vest pattern.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7Q-ePYQW1r-FCollnVylwt4UQ36J9arIFMkoTStSrZEX8YSpRTjONVCbI3qdhizMFvoa559fft4ZNeDhB_X22Jd1vMYyiu-EmHgL4B0o-2bDQLe4nUSJydbgRQL-Akeze0QWK_7T70Ip/s1600/V1494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7Q-ePYQW1r-FCollnVylwt4UQ36J9arIFMkoTStSrZEX8YSpRTjONVCbI3qdhizMFvoa559fft4ZNeDhB_X22Jd1vMYyiu-EmHgL4B0o-2bDQLe4nUSJydbgRQL-Akeze0QWK_7T70Ip/s400/V1494.jpg" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">V1494</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
So that's this weeks' patterns. I'm tempted to order a few of those StyleArcs--particularly with the 4-for-the-price-of-2 deal that they have going for the January patterns. Beyond that, I can see myself picking up the shoulder-princess-seamed button-up from Simplicity and that 40's dress (just to have...because it's awesome). I think I'm at the point where I'd probably collect Star Wars costume patterns just for the sake of having them, but I'd be shocked if we don't see some actual officially licensed ones in the coming months--especially with Simplicity having the license for Disney's other costume patterns. Your thoughts/favorites?<br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-81937391400575233932016-01-05T12:38:00.001-08:002016-01-05T12:38:23.107-08:00Top 5 Reflections and Goals from 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG96c9EZU0B8luALXLB2kyh-WJYYoKDdVwXRzQOeQX0qLwDbeSs4NOkWj3Vix9jYD24LApIKiNQMlLsa3kl1m26HgCiSeGE1S0sRSRiw8Tp64oNQiJZ6hkNZSyDAlJnBnNreEU41ISGG2/s1600/top-5-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG96c9EZU0B8luALXLB2kyh-WJYYoKDdVwXRzQOeQX0qLwDbeSs4NOkWj3Vix9jYD24LApIKiNQMlLsa3kl1m26HgCiSeGE1S0sRSRiw8Tp64oNQiJZ6hkNZSyDAlJnBnNreEU41ISGG2/s320/top-5-8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Boy, I really am dragging this Top 5 thing out, aren't I? To be fair, though, I think I've done a "goals" post every year that I've been regularly blogging. This one is a little late this year due to a particularly busy end-of-year run of posting over at the <a href="http://curvysewingcollective.com/" target="_blank">Curvy Sewing Collective</a> and life getting in the way. <br />
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Top 5 (6?) Reflections from 2015's goals</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
I didn't use the "Top 5" format to set my sewing goals last year, and from going through my post, it looks like I set six actual sewing goals for myself last year. Here's <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/01/goooooooals-looking-back-2014-and.html" target="_blank">my post from last year</a>, where I reflected back on 2014 and set my goals for 2015.<br />
<br />
How did I do?<br />
<br />
<b><i>6. Finish that damn winter coat.</i></b><br />
<br />
The "damn winter coat" in question was my <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/01/finished-project-simplicity-1254-leanne.html" target="_blank">Simplicity Leanne Marshall coat</a> (<a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/12/top-5-or-so-hits-and-misses-of-2015.html" target="_blank">ultimately categorized as a "miss" by me</a>). I may not have worn the finished coat much, but I did finish it, at least. I did end up pattern testing the <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/11/finished-project-closet-case-files.html" target="_blank">CCF Clare Coat</a>, which I'm much happier with and which has been getting worn a fair amount on non-rainy days. <br />
<br />
<i><b>5. Fabric stash goal: Shop my stash first, shop local for wovens, and quality over quantity.</b></i><br />
<br />
I didn't track things to quantify this, but I feel like I generally did this. Discovering Japanese cottons this past year was a huge factor in my progress towards quality-over-quantity. Shopping local more was certainly helped by an office move to a location right off the bus line that stops very close to two of my favorite local indie stores.<br />
<br />
<i><b>4. Sew a water-resistant jacket with a hood. </b></i><br />
<br />
Yeah, no. This was a carry-over goal from 2014, and it didn't happen in 2015, either. Without making too many excuses, there are a few reasons why this hasn't happened yet:<br />
<ol>
<li>Up until December, we were having a really warm, dry year. Not having much need for said jacket certainly didn't help my motivation to actually sew the jacket.</li>
<li>Lack of commercial pattern options. Have you looked for a jacket like this? Then narrow the available options down to one that's available in a plus size range. There just aren't a whole lot of choices out there. Yes, I know that everyone loves the Sewaholic Minoru; I like it, too, but I am the exact opposite of the shape that Tasia drafts for AND outside of her size range. I can't imagine what a headache it would be to alter that pattern to fit.</li>
<li>Related to #2, I sort of have an idea in my head as far as what I want in a jacket, and of the few options out there, they're all missing some key feature. The closest is <a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/sporty-hooded-jacket-plus-size-112011" target="_blank">this BurdaStyle jacket </a>from a few years ago, but A) I'm hesitant to tackle a garment type that I don't have a ton of experience in with Burda's notably sparse instructions and B) it has cut-on sleeves, and I don't know how I'd feel about that. I do have the pattern--I should get off my butt and at least muslin it.</li>
</ol>
<i><b>3. Jeans! Jeans! Jeans!</b></i><br />
<br />
I'm not sure how to score myself on this one. I made two pairs of <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/11/finished-project-stylearc-misty-jeans-v2.html" target="_blank">StyleArc Misty jeans</a>, which I love and wear all the time, AND they fit pretty decently. However, they're pull-on jeans, and not "real" jeans. In the "real" jeans department, I made a lot of progress with a Burda Plus pattern, but I'm still tweaking the fit a little bit. Partial credit?<br />
<br />
<i><b>2. Fit and sew a button-down blouse.</b></i><br />
<br />
Done, thanks to the <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/09/finished-project-blank-slate-marigold.html" target="_blank">Blank Slate Marigold pattern</a>. I've also muslined the Blank Slate Novelista and had a successful pattern test of another button-down shirt, which you'll be seeing when the pattern is released. I'm comfortable marking this one as "accomplished", but you'll be seeing more shirtmaking from me in 2016, as well.<br />
<br />
<i><b>1. Watch and complete the relevant projects for at least two of my Craftsy classes.</b></i><br />
<br />
Partial credit on this one. I watched Kathleen Cheetham's plus size pant fitting class the whole way through and have been incorporating some of the adjustments that I learned from the class into my pant-fitting. I started watching numerous other classes but then got "Ooh Shiney!-ed" away from them. When I set this goal, I specifically had completion of Beverly Johnson's bra-making class and one or more of Suzy Furrer's sloper classes in mind, and while I started each of them (and found them interesting and engaging), in both cases I got distracted by other projects and didn't complete them.<br />
<h2>
<br /></h2>
<h2>
Top 5 Goals for 2016</h2>
<br />
<br />
I'm a list-checker. Goals help motivate me. Here are the top 5 sewing goals that I want to accomplish in 2016:<br />
<br />
<i><b>5. Finally sew that rain jacket.</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
I'm carrying this one over again because it's a gaping hole in my closet. I need just get on with it and make something from an existing pattern and stop waiting for my "perfect pattern" to be released. If that pattern ever is released, there's no rule that says I can't make a second jacket.<br />
<br />
<i><b>4. Sew Eva's Halloween costume.</b></i><br />
<br />
This was a goal in 2014 and should have been a goal in 2015, but I forgot to put it on the list. My mom used to sew my Halloween costume every year, and I want to carry on that tradition with my own daughter. However, for the past two years, the costumes that she's chosen (Elsa from Frozen and "a blue robot") have been major undertakings. As of right now, she says that for next Halloween, she either wants to be Elsa again (of course, 2014's dress no longer fits) or wants to be BB-8 from Star Wars--I can only imagine what a huge project turning a 4-year-old into a ball-shaped droid will be.<br />
<br />
<i><b>3. Finish Beverly Johnson's two bra-making classes from Craftsy and start sewing my own bras.</b></i><br />
<br />
I am SO OVER paying $70+ each for RTW bras, and my current batch of RTW bras have seen better days. I would have hopped on the bra-making bandwagon of the past year or so sooner, but there aren't a ton of pattern options out there for large band and large cup sizes (I'll be writing more about this over at the CSC next month). I dropped a bunch of Christmas money on bra-making supplies, and I'm really hoping to develop a TNT bra pattern for myself this year that I can use to adapt to whatever style I want to make.<br />
<br />
<i><b>2. Start sewing my own underwear.</b></i><br />
<br />
For years, I've worn Lane Bryant's underwear, usually purchased online. With my last few batches, though, I've noticed a lot of inconsistency in fit (even in the same size) and in the quality/type of elastic used. Everyone says that sewing your own underwear is fast (once you have a TNT pattern) and is a great use of scraps. I'm tired of paying $30 for a set of 5 new panties and finding out that only 2 of the pairs are actually comfortable to wear.<br />
<br />
<i><b>1. Develop skirt and bodice slopers for myself.</b></i><br />
<br />
Like many others, I have Suzy Furrer's Craftsy skirt and bodice sloper classes sitting in my Craftsy queue. I would really like to start developing sloper patterns for myself. Now, I have read various places that while her skirt sloper drafting method work for most women, the bodice sloper is a lot trickier, especially if your measurements are outside of the industry standard norm. (My upper body measurements are light years away from the industry standard norm.) I'm going to give Suzy's classes a try first, since they are generally well-reviewed, but I'm looking at other options if her methods don't work for my uber-busty figure.<br />
<br />
So that's it for my goals for this year. I think they're doable (I hope). How about you--are you setting sewing goals for yourself for 2016?Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-27385146569430477352015-12-31T15:56:00.002-08:002016-01-05T10:59:27.683-08:00Top 5 Misses and Hits of 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcvKjGlYgzAaa1mUZD4veJeo9ufGOoX003xpmnoCRRQWRgcNAVfbW3-ItDvl_ZwzRj9Noq9pTnNZdIFmoNV9SM4w7D09hydrRU5iBW2HkmqvqhYvFfeZH5OnTwQAtT5puQBIn0oi6FP2c/s1600/top-5-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcvKjGlYgzAaa1mUZD4veJeo9ufGOoX003xpmnoCRRQWRgcNAVfbW3-ItDvl_ZwzRj9Noq9pTnNZdIFmoNV9SM4w7D09hydrRU5iBW2HkmqvqhYvFfeZH5OnTwQAtT5puQBIn0oi6FP2c/s320/top-5-8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Yeah, I'm a little late to the party here, but I was busy with a lot of recent writing over at the <a href="http://curvysewingcollective.com/" target="_blank">CSC</a>, plus there was a health crisis with a close family member that killed my sewing and writing time. Late to the party or not, though, I wanted to write this post both for myself and for anyone who might be interested--I know that I love reading year-end roundups on others' blogs.<br />
<br />
Also, in case you've been looking for pattern roundups the past few weeks, I haven't written any--only because things have been very quiet on the pattern release front. <br />
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Top 5 Misses</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
Let's start with the "misses". Truth be told, I didn't have many outright misses this year--I've gotten a lot better about muslining, and that definitely prevented a few disasters. I'm also not going to call anything that's any sort of a muslin a "miss", so that eliminates several experiments that didn't work out. Most of my "misses" therefore fall into that category because for one reason or another, the garment just didn't get worn much.<br />
<br />
5. <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/04/everybody-loves-raglans-or-finished.html" target="_blank">Simplicity 1317: Raglan-sleeved top</a><br />
<br />
I hesitated to put this one on my list because it was the first thing that I sewed after my dad died last spring. But, if we're going to be objective, I didn't wear this a whole lot. The sleeve proportions are weird, and let's face it--a short-sleeved sweatshirt is only going to get worn in transitional weather.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRqX-9TfehdOlkvbThRQdmDrKwWj8r7xnWVeQLfqOpKOpnu4Df7ScP3l_dce8pH8qv_MdPlq2Iq7s-am2m6ag4yl7Tp7QwIUNAlgyM3-nz9-epDYyYY_e3zkAJiRKBHoy1bDNqWNJMeGD/s1600/Simp_1317_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRqX-9TfehdOlkvbThRQdmDrKwWj8r7xnWVeQLfqOpKOpnu4Df7ScP3l_dce8pH8qv_MdPlq2Iq7s-am2m6ag4yl7Tp7QwIUNAlgyM3-nz9-epDYyYY_e3zkAJiRKBHoy1bDNqWNJMeGD/s400/Simp_1317_front.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simplicity 1317</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
4. <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/11/finished-project-hotpatterns-1169.html" target="_blank">HotPatterns Peasant Blouse - silk version</a><br />
<br />
This one is up here strictly for fabric choice. I love the double gauze version that I made...the silk version? Not so much. Or maybe I'm just still not over the trauma of working with that georgette yet. In any case, it hasn't been worn much.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgHtydRummMu1k-NJ7WoY6oNVB-1Yz_QDNQ3C3tpZBh1H54Q_HtDLCaGWHZLuw6f6jhrFDcvVNEhX2dtODW9iAOlHMmoM7HjXwd0806YAwuXXsMnzqCZk8hdc872Q3PKxGqbN5nqpStvB/s1600/HP_Peasant_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgHtydRummMu1k-NJ7WoY6oNVB-1Yz_QDNQ3C3tpZBh1H54Q_HtDLCaGWHZLuw6f6jhrFDcvVNEhX2dtODW9iAOlHMmoM7HjXwd0806YAwuXXsMnzqCZk8hdc872Q3PKxGqbN5nqpStvB/s400/HP_Peasant_front.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HP - Peasant Blouse (silk version)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
3. <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/01/finished-project-simplicity-1254-leanne.html" target="_blank">Simplicity 1254: Leanne Marshall coat</a><br />
<br />
*sigh* After all of the work that I put into this, I really hate that it ended up on this list. But the truth of the matter is that by the time I finished it, the weather wasn't really cold enough to wear it, and then I sewed up the Closet Case Files Clare Coat as a pattern tester back in August/September, and the Clare is the coat that I reach for. The Clare is just a better-made coat; the Leanne Marshall coat was a learning experience.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9rDREuxarNbzhGWkffDrm3iDKEdpasHXSehqNPAXr9uMMJ1awdjqXN0842EKp4o8oaM3-julfIJzOeVIhoEX8CVvY6tenGL0NcaObj7zDi4faS4aLg38uTOT9tAX5Kvx1hMj1xt2-Dpf/s1600/Simp1254_Coat_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9rDREuxarNbzhGWkffDrm3iDKEdpasHXSehqNPAXr9uMMJ1awdjqXN0842EKp4o8oaM3-julfIJzOeVIhoEX8CVvY6tenGL0NcaObj7zDi4faS4aLg38uTOT9tAX5Kvx1hMj1xt2-Dpf/s400/Simp1254_Coat_front.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simplicity 1254: Leanne Marshall coat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2. <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/08/finished-project-burdastyle-plus.html" target="_blank">BurdaStyle Plus "Vintage Chic" dress</a><br />
<br />
File this one under "I should have made a muslin". I think that this pattern has a lot of potential for me, but because I didn't muslin it first, there are <i>just enough</i> things off with the fit that this dress was only worn a few times before ending up in the back of my closet as the weather got cold. Maybe it would get worn more in the winter if I had made one of the coordinating cardigans that I had planned to make, but that hasn't happened yet.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU7D0XZkE6PiVQvT_F6X1e7TIZRkaIxf-MRU35oR7tQ9rQybqTFAbdeXJdK_yoFn8AuPl2VEDptaYuZxbQmqs4zP-P0cVyZw7eAS6OH9QS5U8aWHeXxM4zHIX0YyNf2FBu_f5zuyuov41/s1600/Burda_BR_dress_front1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHU7D0XZkE6PiVQvT_F6X1e7TIZRkaIxf-MRU35oR7tQ9rQybqTFAbdeXJdK_yoFn8AuPl2VEDptaYuZxbQmqs4zP-P0cVyZw7eAS6OH9QS5U8aWHeXxM4zHIX0YyNf2FBu_f5zuyuov41/s400/Burda_BR_dress_front1.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BurdaStyle "Vintage Chic" dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
1. <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/08/finished-project-hotpatterns-1191-fast.html" target="_blank">HotPatterns Trilogy Top</a><br />
<br />
Oof. File this one under "Hubris, lots of hubris" AND "You really, really should have made a muslin." I wasted two yards of good double gauze fabric thinking that I could outdesign the pattern designer, and I lost. The comedy of errors that was this top is detailed in <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/08/finished-project-hotpatterns-1191-fast.html" target="_blank">my blog post about it</a>. The best thing about this top is that the worst parts of it are easily hidden under a jacket, so I've been able to at least get some wear out of it that way.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGBp4pktGHgfAi1qH-6DevuBwPAlyKTYtGdgNXeEofryGnclVWx_zTQAfJ7JzIuYRxCZvTFxyRi330DDNuhiUljCzK9WkZXyqejuBA279fCe4taRTDbGghkoJo5WukS3xbiEVpKicsuY_/s1600/HP_Trilogy_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGBp4pktGHgfAi1qH-6DevuBwPAlyKTYtGdgNXeEofryGnclVWx_zTQAfJ7JzIuYRxCZvTFxyRi330DDNuhiUljCzK9WkZXyqejuBA279fCe4taRTDbGghkoJo5WukS3xbiEVpKicsuY_/s640/HP_Trilogy_3.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HP Trilogy top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
Top 5 Hits</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
In happier news, I had a REALLY hard time narrowing this list down to 5. It turns out that I made a lot of garments this past year that I wear a lot, so I'm really happy about that. My purple Appleton dress, Burda pants, and CCF Clare Coat barely missed the cut on this list, so I want to call those out as honorable mentions. <br />
<br />
5. <a href="http://blog.fabricmartfabrics.com/2015/12/made-by-fabricista-diy-designer-pajamas.html" target="_blank">Closet Case Files: Carolyn Pajamas</a><br />
<br />
Yeah, I know, I haven't actually even blogged these yet, outside of my project post for FabricMart, but I LOVE them. I loved this pattern--these were so much fun to make! You can read a little about them over on the FabricMart blog, and when I get the chance, I'll write up a more detailed post here and go more into depth on my pattern alterations.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3xvW-coNcEeXgqyFSnZ7L5PHuBkX4fvA8X9TUQhXtqcokQSQSke6houOgEmZt1kDejOVC1BvrbMSIgWyPsBqC9Rnaj-5X1j-L5Wk3mjP-SImlr6gyDYJwI_WExXjhAVnpH5-sL2WkpqU/s1600/Carolyn_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3xvW-coNcEeXgqyFSnZ7L5PHuBkX4fvA8X9TUQhXtqcokQSQSke6houOgEmZt1kDejOVC1BvrbMSIgWyPsBqC9Rnaj-5X1j-L5Wk3mjP-SImlr6gyDYJwI_WExXjhAVnpH5-sL2WkpqU/s640/Carolyn_front.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CCF - Carolyn Pajamas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
4. <a href="http://curvysewingcollective.com/pattern-review-blank-slate-denver-tunic/" target="_blank">Blank Slate Denver Tunic</a><br />
<br />
Yeah, I know, I haven't blogged this one here yet, either. I did <a href="http://curvysewingcollective.com/pattern-review-blank-slate-denver-tunic/" target="_blank">blog it over at the CSC</a>. I was on the fence about this one when I first made it, but it's turned out to be a wear-every-wash-cycle garment, and I get a lot of compliments on it. Everyone seems to love the fabric--especially the contrasting cowl. I know that I love wearing the fabric--it's really soft and has held up well to machine washing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vtLKibReS2Fln1enVFs0EnvpKGdj6wNC5IMq1ViAL-2xHUTrkT3je3WiOFnAHW0clgYkgqbzn9rbkPWi5vvvCMGwl8lBRZCrZzijFvOEZUQORUDPGurrLIxifTitWvcNnTye3d2HALhz/s1600/BlankSlate_Denver_front3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vtLKibReS2Fln1enVFs0EnvpKGdj6wNC5IMq1ViAL-2xHUTrkT3je3WiOFnAHW0clgYkgqbzn9rbkPWi5vvvCMGwl8lBRZCrZzijFvOEZUQORUDPGurrLIxifTitWvcNnTye3d2HALhz/s640/BlankSlate_Denver_front3.jpg" width="603" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blank Slate Patterns - Denver tunic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
3. <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/07/finished-project-blank-slate-marigold.html" target="_blank">Blank Slate Marigold Dress</a><br />
<br />
I love this dress. I wore it a ton this past summer, and I'm sure that I'll wear it a ton when the weather warms. I'm happy with the fit, and the fabric (a rayon poplin) was a perfect match for the pattern. Love the no-gape pockets, too!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3PFS-YThoHxVlCk-JxSaIJ5yhlFm14iSzG1dwZob83fMWXtbGhLlv3cg9oG8IlMM7pw0fHzaInBO6QuKLe95RVn0b-Shr2n_5E1jUHB0mpOCWRzSa0KISehTkjNvFhwnxJujykmvx5fo/s1600/BS_Marigold_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3PFS-YThoHxVlCk-JxSaIJ5yhlFm14iSzG1dwZob83fMWXtbGhLlv3cg9oG8IlMM7pw0fHzaInBO6QuKLe95RVn0b-Shr2n_5E1jUHB0mpOCWRzSa0KISehTkjNvFhwnxJujykmvx5fo/s640/BS_Marigold_front.jpg" width="342" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blank Slate - Marigold Dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/06/finished-project-hotpatterns-1169.html" target="_blank">2. HotPatterns Refined Peasant Blouse (Double gauze version)</a><br />
<br />
A hit in one fabric and a miss in another. I'll be making this fabric again, but sticking to double gauze for it from here on out.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLOp9sNGNMQjoikEqiwf_oJPdaHlhfsL3OjNYa_POspNoZyzs4_yx8VnqjVGwqaSyL_f6j8umlMkN9XXNQuyOeDgFHvdQiO-Q2zMCFDbarB155xnsnqT5U7rU-vUTbvMC7bdKFNWuBb1h/s1600/HP_peasant_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLOp9sNGNMQjoikEqiwf_oJPdaHlhfsL3OjNYa_POspNoZyzs4_yx8VnqjVGwqaSyL_f6j8umlMkN9XXNQuyOeDgFHvdQiO-Q2zMCFDbarB155xnsnqT5U7rU-vUTbvMC7bdKFNWuBb1h/s400/HP_peasant_front.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HotPatterns Refined Peasant Blouse (double gauze)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
1. <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/11/finished-project-stylearc-misty-jeans-v2.html" target="_blank">StyleArc Misty Jeans</a><br />
<br />
I've made two pairs of these and wear them Every. Wash. Cycle. The fit is a little better on the second pair (with the white topstitching), but I love both pairs of jeans that I've made from this pattern. They're so comfortable that it's ridiculous. Expect to continue to see more of these on this blog in 2016.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27WsziERmHPKBGxCfDZSgjeMvx3MjEFGeVkyJRHZOAHk2ro1R3JhxAwgbcILmm5ipISBHlxGhZ0UpRkOQE8KGj24r1_G2u26iXSb5kKYACvLbZRFIJ0oDwpOyUFJ9eMbHHzFFK9AuPQXm/s1600/Misty2_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27WsziERmHPKBGxCfDZSgjeMvx3MjEFGeVkyJRHZOAHk2ro1R3JhxAwgbcILmm5ipISBHlxGhZ0UpRkOQE8KGj24r1_G2u26iXSb5kKYACvLbZRFIJ0oDwpOyUFJ9eMbHHzFFK9AuPQXm/s400/Misty2_full.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc Misty jeans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In my next post, I'll talk about how I did on the goals that I set for myself last year and set some new goals for 2016. If the post isn't too long at that point, I'll also talk about my non-sewing highlights for 2015.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-50892246623370399932015-12-18T19:06:00.001-08:002015-12-18T19:06:55.592-08:00This Week in Patterns (18-Dec-2015)We had a fairly quiet week in pattern releases this past week, as many people start to wind things down for the holiday season. Here's who released patterns this past week (okay, the McCall's release was really last week):<br />
<ul>
<li>McCall's</li>
<li>StyleArc </li>
</ul>
<a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/new-sewing-patterns-pages-96.php" target="_blank">McCall's: Early Spring 2016 Collection </a><br />
<br />
If you click the link to this collection on McCall's website, you'll find a whole lot of boring prom dress patterns at the top. Or, at least, I find prom dress patterns boring since I'm not sewing for a 16-year-old girl. Beyond that, the rest of the collection is mostly inoffensive--there's nothing as bad as the <a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m7295-products-50763.php?page_id=5940" target="_blank">laughable ruffled leggings</a> from their previous release, but also not much to get excited about. The patterns that I'm listing here are the few that caught my eye for one reason or another.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m7314-products-50852.php?page_id=96" target="_blank">M7314: Misses' Shirtdresses</a><br />
<br />
It looks like McCall's is following up their perennially popular <a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6696-products-44752.php?page_id=5681" target="_blank">M6696 shirtdress</a> with cup sizes with another shirtdress pattern with cup sizes. The new version has a curved waist and the button placket stops at the waist seam. It also only has waist darts instead of bust-and-waist darts, which should actually make for an easier FBA, if you're like me and still need one even on a D-cup pattern piece.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLCrQvcvbPMcBmC4IfzxJ8RkMgdu7A4mWTRzFJgVosnVMAM1B5mt2Yifpz03fEu-QLzFZxojStq4-VI54tSsCkIrfucKNqmyoK7QLKKDyRfZS6wJnNiBpDYiyotfknS61umKMI7lcK9kw/s1600/M7314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLCrQvcvbPMcBmC4IfzxJ8RkMgdu7A4mWTRzFJgVosnVMAM1B5mt2Yifpz03fEu-QLzFZxojStq4-VI54tSsCkIrfucKNqmyoK7QLKKDyRfZS6wJnNiBpDYiyotfknS61umKMI7lcK9kw/s400/M7314.jpg" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M7314</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m7319-products-50857.php?page_id=96" target="_blank">M7319: Misses' Gathered Waist Dresses</a><br />
<br />
This dress is really cute, fairly unique, and should look good on most figure types. This one will be on my "must have" list.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7kAXqANZLnZ5dB9zpQCfxUG7-nte8q74zKxNm8RUnFKwDDmzA3dhW-vgda9XydKbCbvJIIEOYfCp89dwOm0yDiQ0nEbDED9ja1u7xC3vj9V5toTCShZubbzYROPYCPcunHiHQg3m2IW5/s1600/M7319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7kAXqANZLnZ5dB9zpQCfxUG7-nte8q74zKxNm8RUnFKwDDmzA3dhW-vgda9XydKbCbvJIIEOYfCp89dwOm0yDiQ0nEbDED9ja1u7xC3vj9V5toTCShZubbzYROPYCPcunHiHQg3m2IW5/s400/M7319.jpg" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M7319</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m7330-products-50868.php?page_id=96" target="_blank">M7330: Misses' Button-up Jumpsuits and Rompers</a><br />
<br />
This collection has a button-up romper/jumpsuit pattern that's a little more sporty-looking than the drapier jumpsuit patterns that we've largely been seeing. I think that this could be cute in the right fabric, but in the wrong fabric, you'll risk looking like a zookeeper or an auto mechanic.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXGvqJBbfAUUDF5NF8rHXW0KscxDZTinCDJ1ONFcpNQZGWnyqo4i36fIEB07aus7HRQDJC3Z0Hc3_k6cJK72i2iIii4RNSCVW6mEjiF-ZKP1xm_0iqUZbGXUHsWxgoSwHvcitUzsqNCfY/s1600/M7330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXGvqJBbfAUUDF5NF8rHXW0KscxDZTinCDJ1ONFcpNQZGWnyqo4i36fIEB07aus7HRQDJC3Z0Hc3_k6cJK72i2iIii4RNSCVW6mEjiF-ZKP1xm_0iqUZbGXUHsWxgoSwHvcitUzsqNCfY/s400/M7330.jpg" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M7330</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m7341-products-50733.php?page_id=96" target="_blank">M7341: Yaya Han Zippered Bodysuit</a><br />
<br />
I'm not a cosplay person, but I do appreciate the fact that this collection includes a true plus size bodysuit pattern. You could use this pattern as the basis for a lot of different costumes, AND it's available in a truly expansive size range. With the popularity of cosplay, I can imagine that McCall's will sell quite a few of these.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTRalfZAvqNQWXWlMppnwzpHtVoJfxdZXd8_Zu5v4WJXm7pJJWJ85Untb6PNX7wczLIH9BLKry7h3cC-k5NRTgLNfWax5Tcc8eGaJmT6JO7XWNdEfh39RaB6lYi8Elh8nqyZZzod2ZYmh/s1600/M7341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTRalfZAvqNQWXWlMppnwzpHtVoJfxdZXd8_Zu5v4WJXm7pJJWJ85Untb6PNX7wczLIH9BLKry7h3cC-k5NRTgLNfWax5Tcc8eGaJmT6JO7XWNdEfh39RaB6lYi8Elh8nqyZZzod2ZYmh/s400/M7341.jpg" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M7341</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=5&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=893&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=39" target="_blank">StyleArc: Cameron Dress</a><br />
<br />
The Cameron dress is the sort of throw-on and go dress that usually makes a great instant gratification project. I could see where someone might think of this dress as a sack with an elastic waist, but I have more faith in StyleArc's drafting than that. I made a similar dress (the HotPatterns Uptown Downtown dress) and got a lot of wear out of that for a few years. I like the wrap option on the skirt of the StyleArc, too, which is something that sets it apart from similar patterns.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQ44SFZ6t3mRBZ_Vgf-1XAHLl_4Lzivyab9mbQTRpXBE9tWCQrjH4gn4CSjNOuJRNyp5iHtEkmLVIivTI4JL3BIhqCgdXdTktdSAWfxE3z5qOPYBKcXagtaeQSfvfH-uWwqorADLIJ_c8/s1600/CAMERON-DRESS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQ44SFZ6t3mRBZ_Vgf-1XAHLl_4Lzivyab9mbQTRpXBE9tWCQrjH4gn4CSjNOuJRNyp5iHtEkmLVIivTI4JL3BIhqCgdXdTktdSAWfxE3z5qOPYBKcXagtaeQSfvfH-uWwqorADLIJ_c8/s400/CAMERON-DRESS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Cameron Dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
So, I'll probably pick up that McCall's crossover dress on sale, and I could see myself getting the StyleArc dress at some point, but that's probably about it for now. Thoughts?<br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-14617306679639202542015-12-11T10:42:00.001-08:002015-12-11T10:42:42.921-08:00This Week (and Last) in Patterns (aka Sweatshirtpalooza!) (11-Dec-2015)If by any chance you were wondering about my absence last week, I had been knocked on my butt by the respiratory virus that's been going around. I could barely get out of bed, so writing any sort of blog post was out of the question. No post last week means that we've got twice as much ground to cover this week, and we have had quite a few new releases these past two weeks.<br />
<br />
<b>Late Breaking News:</b> Yes, I did see that the Early Spring (!) McCall's were published last night, but given that we didn't have a roundup post last week, I don't want to delay today's post to get them in. There's a bunch of re-hash-y prom dresses in this batch, but I did see a few cute everyday items from the one pass that I've made through the collection so far. We'll cover those next week.<br />
<br />
Do you like interesting sweatshirts? I do. And if you do like sweatshirts, you should be pretty thrilled with these past two weeks because we've had FOUR different unique sweatshirt patterns released. We also had a lot of other things released, too. Here's the list of companies with new releases in the past two weeks:<br />
<ul>
<li>Baste + Gather</li>
<li>Cashmerette </li>
<li>Colette Patterns</li>
<li>Colette Seamwork Magazine</li>
<li>HotPatterns</li>
<li>Itch to Stitch </li>
<li>Paprika Patterns</li>
<li>SBCC Patterns</li>
<li>StyleArc Patterns</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://www.basteandgather.com/shop/birkin-flares" target="_blank">Baste + Gather: Birkin Flares</a><br />
<br />
After seeing many teaser pics on Instagram and a few related blog posts even, Lauren of Baste + Gather has finally released her flared jean pattern. Lauren's jeans are a high-waisted retro-style flare and have been getting a lot of positive comments from testers.<br />
<br />
I like them, but I'd have to grade up a few sizes for these, plus, I somewhat recently bought flared jeans patterns from Burda and HotPatterns. (Although if StyleArc put out a flared jeans pattern, I'd snap it up in a heartbeat.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANOO94YmbEIhkq2y0CpX8XpFBolK2hDhqk3wRpe3XKXBid_YacfkVV-TjAqb8lZg3FwrnX-7NQ4ZKlYuppoQ8zGfKiKy0mabnzoqIdIoMQqu04MV7TPGHD0IT_WWkiiUKbqY5Qgp5bhmV/s1600/BG_BirkinFlares.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANOO94YmbEIhkq2y0CpX8XpFBolK2hDhqk3wRpe3XKXBid_YacfkVV-TjAqb8lZg3FwrnX-7NQ4ZKlYuppoQ8zGfKiKy0mabnzoqIdIoMQqu04MV7TPGHD0IT_WWkiiUKbqY5Qgp5bhmV/s400/BG_BirkinFlares.png" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baste + Gather: Birkin Flares</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://shop.cashmerette.com/products/washington-dress-printed-pattern" target="_blank">Cashmerette Patterns: Washington Dress</a><br />
<br />
My fellow <a href="http://curvysewingcollective.com/" target="_blank">Curvy Sewing Collective</a> Editor Jenny from Cashmerette released her second pattern last week! Like her first pattern, the Appleton dress, the Washington Dress is designed for curvy figures--up to a size 28 and with three sets of cup sizes: C/D, E/F, G/H. The Washington dress combines a knit top, stable knit hip yoke, and woven skirt to give lots of design and color-blocking possibilities.<br />
<br />
I pattern tested this dress and have seen some of the tester photos. I won't show my tester version because I should have sized up (use your judgment as far as how comfortable you are with negative ease, when choosing a size), but I'll say that proportions and color-blocking choices are the key to getting a killer version of this dress. If you're looking to get a slimming hourglass shape out of this dress, you'll want to choose a hip yoke fabric that's darker in color--like a black or a navy. I made my tester version using a neoprene remnant for the skirt, and I really liked how the skirt portion came out, so if you're wondering about that, I say go for it!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gRAKruxKo49zdaAkRuQkjg3ROXwn1e9cISjRWPMSozP4q7JM-DoGZr56vBq_PkaKv5GZtLlUSVHOhdvFaP-bRjk7wEoulSLSWaL0e0hm3nRAxY58IJFybdWwLKmlJWk2zry6DrltwvFE/s1600/Cashmerette_Washington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gRAKruxKo49zdaAkRuQkjg3ROXwn1e9cISjRWPMSozP4q7JM-DoGZr56vBq_PkaKv5GZtLlUSVHOhdvFaP-bRjk7wEoulSLSWaL0e0hm3nRAxY58IJFybdWwLKmlJWk2zry6DrltwvFE/s640/Cashmerette_Washington.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cashmerette - Washington dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://www.colettepatterns.com/catalog/phoebe" target="_blank">Colette Patterns: Phoebe Sheath Dress</a><br />
<br />
Relatively soon after releasing the Wren knit surplice dress, Colette has released another pattern--this time a sheath dress with an A-line skirt.<br />
<br />
My reaction? Meh. I appreciate the diversity of the models used for the photo shoot, but I don't feel like the dress fits or flatters the larger model all that well. In fact, if you click through to the product page, you can see that the gray sample has a bust dart (not shown in the line drawing) in addition to the princess seams. Why not just do a princess seam FBA to get a better fit? Also, for both models, why not extend that front panel all the way over to the princess seam? It just looks odd where it ends.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHNz34_0bzgUfZzmw1LRq0xXDLLN6IZd7VPveZDS6YRSgkMawBJPXe7QxHnlfLNqL4gMxTUkK7VG3DLLJpIwBx3pZ_rzDfkdAHPT9fwkaLqJL-8Sr2inbFWChuCekZ55p5jPUqhTKd4wQ/s1600/Colette_Phoebe.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHNz34_0bzgUfZzmw1LRq0xXDLLN6IZd7VPveZDS6YRSgkMawBJPXe7QxHnlfLNqL4gMxTUkK7VG3DLLJpIwBx3pZ_rzDfkdAHPT9fwkaLqJL-8Sr2inbFWChuCekZ55p5jPUqhTKd4wQ/s640/Colette_Phoebe.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colette - Phoebe dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.seamwork.com/issues/2015/12" target="_blank">Colette Seamwork: December 2015 Issue</a><br />
<br />
The theme for the December issue of Seamwork magazine is "Appreciation". I'm not entirely sure what that means, but it does include a mixed bag of two new patterns.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.seamwork.com/catalog/brooklyn" target="_blank">Seamwork: Brooklyn Skirt</a><br />
<br />
Ok, THIS is the type of pattern that I had originally hoped would be included in Seamwork. It's a basic pattern but with an interesting attention getting detail: a half-circle skirt with a DEEP front pleat. I know that I've seen similar skirts pop up on Burda from time to time (and StyleArc also has a deep-pleat skirt in their catalog), but having the Colette version available saves you from having to hunt through Burda's dense online catalog or hunt down back issues of their magazine. So yeah, I like this skirt.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxE6mUY5rja4e9hAyeXdafnCsjvPW9MqPglgVNZzVqKTJOV3hvMBlXEWyNEowb7Fcc6I631_o5Zjr8H0VaU0KXgq8AnLpaAUyMhsf9Vx6jWM7ylNXOI4AB2FuXmBoMw_2_RajhSJ6shK1/s1600/ColetteSeamwork_Brooklyn.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxE6mUY5rja4e9hAyeXdafnCsjvPW9MqPglgVNZzVqKTJOV3hvMBlXEWyNEowb7Fcc6I631_o5Zjr8H0VaU0KXgq8AnLpaAUyMhsf9Vx6jWM7ylNXOI4AB2FuXmBoMw_2_RajhSJ6shK1/s400/ColetteSeamwork_Brooklyn.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colette Seamwork - Brooklyn skirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.seamwork.com/catalog/york" target="_blank">Seamwork: York Blouse</a><br />
<br />
The York is an unremarkable and inoffensive woven t-shirt-style blouse. It's got a boatneck and 3/4-length sleeves.<br />
<br />
Most notable...I didn't get a screen shot in time, but the initial photos that were up for this blouse were BAD. The sample was badly sewn and the fit on the model was terrible--with bust darts that ended several inches below the actual bust of the model. I have giant droopy boobs, though, so maybe that would be a good sign for trying to fit myself?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnZuA1S3UhE7wCiBLXaLoWmgq3EZZYswajgWb0W4EiB7eH9nUM9z5ugs4tFg-77N1PmblzikJ7cV_4VOShfFzEwMflEHSvzG5mJehj2OuaOKF9kOiUmgLgR6OvWIhKtZR24MwiZDLsV6y/s1600/ColetteSeamwork_York.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnZuA1S3UhE7wCiBLXaLoWmgq3EZZYswajgWb0W4EiB7eH9nUM9z5ugs4tFg-77N1PmblzikJ7cV_4VOShfFzEwMflEHSvzG5mJehj2OuaOKF9kOiUmgLgR6OvWIhKtZR24MwiZDLsV6y/s400/ColetteSeamwork_York.png" width="373" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colette Seamwork - York Blouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.hotpatterns.com/hp-1182-athleisure-pretzel-sweatshirt/" target="_blank">HotPatterns 1182: Athleisure Pretzel Sweatshirt</a><br />
<br />
We've now reached the first (and probably my favorite) of the four new sweatshirt patterns that debuted in the past week. The Pretzel Sweatshirt features a twist hem in front and looks like the perfect cozy top to throw on over jeans. I can't wait to have this made up and hopefully join my Paprika Jasper (unblogged) and <a href="http://curvysewingcollective.com/pattern-review-blank-slate-denver-tunic/" target="_blank">Blank Slate Denver</a> comfy tops in near-constant wardrobe rotation.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWjl8q7Rgql_jrvB2ppmmyoCHmGwPfcbrKe56XeuX6uI_C6NGJ653o2et7qvqY6FzM_VIF-XceRiTGIxXKnktf2VXX_mrujAr3GhGY9q7kw9QJTopw8-buJllG8AZ2tpbbHmBSS7ioDmP/s1600/HP_Pretzel.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWjl8q7Rgql_jrvB2ppmmyoCHmGwPfcbrKe56XeuX6uI_C6NGJ653o2et7qvqY6FzM_VIF-XceRiTGIxXKnktf2VXX_mrujAr3GhGY9q7kw9QJTopw8-buJllG8AZ2tpbbHmBSS7ioDmP/s400/HP_Pretzel.png" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HotPatterns - Pretzel sweatshirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.hotpatterns.com/hp-1199-fast-fabulous-halcyon-sweatshirt/" target="_blank">HotPatterns 1199: Fast & Fabulous Halcyon Sweatshirt</a><br />
<br />
HotPatterns released a second sweatshirt pattern last week--the Halcyon sweatshirt. I like the deep v-neck and cross-over detail on this one. I'm not sure how I feel about the super dropped shoulder here, but again, this looks like a great layering piece on a cold, rainy day (like we've been having constantly for the past few weeks here in the PNW--I take back all of my complaints about a lack of rain)!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9KOtbsMiAhy-81OdrBKzVYLjvtJFvu34gIKjJCVrCK8eaJrr7i8ojJbGL3Al0GiHlkw_NPwOybv7nuzErrVSxFrsFpwyaWkC_0tCPPt7jXULelCjg-MafC-bIC4z3eeJd5ZTXKwcsO5Y/s1600/HP_Halcyon_sweatshirt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9KOtbsMiAhy-81OdrBKzVYLjvtJFvu34gIKjJCVrCK8eaJrr7i8ojJbGL3Al0GiHlkw_NPwOybv7nuzErrVSxFrsFpwyaWkC_0tCPPt7jXULelCjg-MafC-bIC4z3eeJd5ZTXKwcsO5Y/s400/HP_Halcyon_sweatshirt.png" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HotPatterns - Halcyon Sweatshirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://itch-to-stitch.com/product/liana-stretch-jeans-digital-sewing-pattern-pdf/" target="_blank">Itch to Stitch: Liana Stretch Jeans</a><br />
<br />
Lost in some of the bigger name releases of the past two weeks, the relatively new but very prolific patternmaker Itch-to-Stitch released three new patterns for basics. The first of these is the Liana stretch jean, which have options for a straight, skinny, or flared leg. I think that these jeans are a fantastic idea--fit your crotch/butt area once, then swap in whatever leg you want to use. Honestly, I'm surprised that we're not hearing more buzz about these--the tester versions look good for the most part, and the size range for the pattern is fairly inclusive (better than the Birkin Flares).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErFwVPy0-FhynXotU51h7nWCmCoK3VzQ2tzCQGSPQVpxk87H7CEUW2tvQCVy2eJ0BkIH7O59IRvabaZRRwQjV5ZNs3c_hgsGJpeVqb_dBzqhDffwLkDmf_uksGK_ioFF41ZMvTlsGb8aO/s1600/ItS_LianaJeans.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErFwVPy0-FhynXotU51h7nWCmCoK3VzQ2tzCQGSPQVpxk87H7CEUW2tvQCVy2eJ0BkIH7O59IRvabaZRRwQjV5ZNs3c_hgsGJpeVqb_dBzqhDffwLkDmf_uksGK_ioFF41ZMvTlsGb8aO/s400/ItS_LianaJeans.png" width="342" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Itch to Stitch - Liana stretch jeans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://itch-to-stitch.com/product/mila-shirt-digital-sewing-pattern-pdf/#!prettyPhoto" target="_blank">Itch to Stitch: Mila Shirt</a><br />
<br />
The Mila shirt is one of those placket-style shirts that's been everywhere in RTW for the past few years. There are a few similar patterns out there (<a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-12333-misses-shirts-with-sleeve-and-length-options.aspx" target="_blank">New Look 6474</a> comes to mind), but the Mila has classic shirt details and is geared more towards flannels and shirting, whereas the New Look and other similar patterns seem like they're more geared towards lightweight and/or sheer fabric. The Mila also has cup sizes up to DD, so that's a nice feature, too.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEnp8bdakC08c2zofwmL8pe7ktjrEczOIzffLl4BQIt2-fvOer6pSNzlwS1rmkJh6MXa_SRrmS7md_JZJcaPL2dnJCzasA_wSvT-l5nvrnT4_qn1uXUh0NXgL2J5-QykozSs0W4FpBzKv/s1600/ItS_MilaShirt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEnp8bdakC08c2zofwmL8pe7ktjrEczOIzffLl4BQIt2-fvOer6pSNzlwS1rmkJh6MXa_SRrmS7md_JZJcaPL2dnJCzasA_wSvT-l5nvrnT4_qn1uXUh0NXgL2J5-QykozSs0W4FpBzKv/s400/ItS_MilaShirt.png" width="343" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Itch to Stitch - Mila Shirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://itch-to-stitch.com/product/irena-knit-top-digital-sewing-pattern-pdf/" target="_blank">Itch to Stitch: Irena Top</a><br />
<br />
The third and final pattern in this batch is the Irena top: a knit pullover top meant for layering. I like the design of this one, but I'm not sure how well it would work on someone with a large bust. None of the tester photos that went out with the newsletter showed the top on anyone particularly busty, if I recall. So, this is a wait-and-see for me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZ8aM5l77V7qW6C_0KtUfO6H4awQuYCP8olgVps14OxeV23wLdaLuNZdpKokvOLAZXd7iuhsmCC4J1ll4DU9HvtLEN32knrGzF0FQ-e1duZwsdAUhhBn78n5KSjRTIeWQQlg5VNT449FJ/s1600/ItS_IrenaTop.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZ8aM5l77V7qW6C_0KtUfO6H4awQuYCP8olgVps14OxeV23wLdaLuNZdpKokvOLAZXd7iuhsmCC4J1ll4DU9HvtLEN32knrGzF0FQ-e1duZwsdAUhhBn78n5KSjRTIeWQQlg5VNT449FJ/s400/ItS_IrenaTop.png" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Itch to Stitch: Irena top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.paprikapatterns.com/shop/zircon-sweaterdress/" target="_blank">Paprika Patterns: Zircon Sweater/Dress</a><br />
<br />
Following up last year's popular Jasper sweater/dress, Lisa from Paprika patterns has released another sweater/dress--this time without pockets but with an interesting inset yoke and hem detail. I think it's a pretty cool-looking sweatshirt; I love that yoke detail. My local JoAnn's (of all places) has a bunch of quilted knits and double-sided knits right now, which I think would be perfect for this.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcJPvw1ugXhs_f40AlqwNJ7KEdTWrTUmom6SDYLLwYUaSgo5k-W9POr0kU17Zo6WzXeX7NjhlnTVfayghrLhDjx1CZN2ooRAOXGg4BgYBFFkta38bB7FeV2_8k3hmIxTtkOLfqI0GY14K/s1600/Paprika_Zircon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcJPvw1ugXhs_f40AlqwNJ7KEdTWrTUmom6SDYLLwYUaSgo5k-W9POr0kU17Zo6WzXeX7NjhlnTVfayghrLhDjx1CZN2ooRAOXGg4BgYBFFkta38bB7FeV2_8k3hmIxTtkOLfqI0GY14K/s640/Paprika_Zircon.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paprika Patterns - Zircon Sweater/Dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.sbccpatterns.com/products/brooklyn-hoodie" target="_blank">SBCC Patterns: Brooklyn Hoodie</a><br />
<br />
So, this is an interesting pattern. Betsy from SBCC wanted to take the oversized look that's currently in style, but draft this hoodie so that it would be proportionate with a petite woman's figure. It's got dropped shoulders and roomy at the chest, but more fitted through the sleeves and torso. I've had success with SBCC patterns, and I like the idea of this hoodie.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6nc5ZBV-g1jUk1xACM3Fkqjbfb9tEu9gSKZtGX3g_qWpLyUDwUy3sVl_SxC_0oJzEI3755DgibCTewo2Xd5t2iR-beB1lvWt4Mw0yZx1pikAxIC_Fs8DB8ueiRrdTSMv9dvf7Ot7hmbV/s1600/SBCC_BrooklynHoodie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6nc5ZBV-g1jUk1xACM3Fkqjbfb9tEu9gSKZtGX3g_qWpLyUDwUy3sVl_SxC_0oJzEI3755DgibCTewo2Xd5t2iR-beB1lvWt4Mw0yZx1pikAxIC_Fs8DB8ueiRrdTSMv9dvf7Ot7hmbV/s400/SBCC_BrooklynHoodie.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SBCC - Brooklyn hoodie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
StyleArc: December 2015 Release<br />
<br />
With the flood of other new patterns this month, StyleArc's December releases would be pretty easy to overlook. They're not bad, by any means, but we saw more interesting releases from some other companies, IMO. As they've been doing the past few months, if you order a paper pattern from StyleArc, you get a choice of a new pattern (the Maris top) or an older pattern (the <a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=2&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=889&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=42" target="_blank">Peta pant</a>) as your freebie pattern for the month.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=8&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=888&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45" target="_blank">StyleArc: Kaye Tunic</a><br />
<br />
It's a drapey tunic with drapey side pockets. It's fine, but there isn't much to say about it. Or maybe I'm just fatigued from going through so many patterns at this point.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpHJPJ4_7jTPAHEJgZGUJtnWkvOK75l0Y3-XFnym1z-2RGTn17dPt6TfJa2KIH0TJ8JZK-pSt-1FRPhMNBd8Utqq2YS-PCD76vaNypx1GPpZY7iXS1jqB_GlFRwJ0RgaWHbrixDk8lJOB/s1600/KAYE-TUNIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpHJPJ4_7jTPAHEJgZGUJtnWkvOK75l0Y3-XFnym1z-2RGTn17dPt6TfJa2KIH0TJ8JZK-pSt-1FRPhMNBd8Utqq2YS-PCD76vaNypx1GPpZY7iXS1jqB_GlFRwJ0RgaWHbrixDk8lJOB/s400/KAYE-TUNIC.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Kaye Tunic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=8&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=887&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45" target="_blank">StyleArc: Maris Top (Freebie option)</a><br />
<br />
It's a drapey top with design and color-blocking options. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuLxkJa7rk-wZBaH0a2lD9MdEa-4GLRQWJp8jMmHwk3l5yuVNo9OPFOvXtfbKKMOUyfRrhTgxXn1of2SIuUnfDNi3LDRH0dwHdakp4h-JxN8mEdOmDksbi1gBhYerUEfGeLImdEoptB61/s1600/MARIS-TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuLxkJa7rk-wZBaH0a2lD9MdEa-4GLRQWJp8jMmHwk3l5yuVNo9OPFOvXtfbKKMOUyfRrhTgxXn1of2SIuUnfDNi3LDRH0dwHdakp4h-JxN8mEdOmDksbi1gBhYerUEfGeLImdEoptB61/s400/MARIS-TOP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Maris top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Final Thoughts</h3>
After barely having bought any patterns in the past few months, I went on a pattern buying binge these past two weeks. Far too many patterns screamed "Layer up with me! I'm cozy and comfortable" while we've been mired in a really rainy stretch here in Seattle. (Hint: Most of the ones that I bought were sweatshirt patterns.)<br />
<br />
Was there anything that you particularly loved or hated these past two weeks?<br />
<br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-25069133003960657022015-11-30T12:09:00.000-08:002015-11-30T12:09:23.686-08:00Finished Project: StyleArc - Misty Jeans (v2)I just did something that I almost NEVER do: I made the same pattern twice in one month. Seriously, I consider a pattern to be a big winner when I keep it in my "queue" pile and don't put it away after finishing it, but diving right into a second version is pretty much unheard of for me. However, I've been wearing my first pair of Misty jeans so much (and also wanted to make some fitting tweaks) that I wanted to get another pair into my wardrobe ASAP.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iimb6pM88H6ew3cr4IHoSZ7jjb2WODReSUg8M51hhSeLymnJDxapeC5JMna1Etdz54PjWrFU9RLJU_pZgG1hR0sjKB7kzpRLcbVPf3AEQC6NX3Goy2gMyR6cis0ZlWvpJ6eTWwjE87CK/s1600/Misty2_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iimb6pM88H6ew3cr4IHoSZ7jjb2WODReSUg8M51hhSeLymnJDxapeC5JMna1Etdz54PjWrFU9RLJU_pZgG1hR0sjKB7kzpRLcbVPf3AEQC6NX3Goy2gMyR6cis0ZlWvpJ6eTWwjE87CK/s400/Misty2_full.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc Misty Jeans - v2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the basic pattern review, you can read <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/11/finished-project-stylearc-misty-jeans.html" target="_blank">the post that I wrote about the first pair that I made</a>. I'll use this post to cover the changes that I made for this pair, and will post a few side-by-side pics to compare the fit of each pair.<br />
<br />
To start, I added functional pockets this time around and got a little fancier with the top-stitching, using white top-stitching thread. Out of the envelope, the front pockets are only a mock pocket with a facing and no pocket bag. I realize that by design, this is meant to cut down on bulk in front, but I really like having a place where I can quickly stick my phone at times. And if you know me, you know that function wins out over bulk reduction every time.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjce42r96wGhdZUpJ4ENf41AMaCLx4EADXxAeynzgBoJ14IFPDA92_98QrVb9uCfTw7elKMNcIsdWFRTi2um4PvF8runI70ZpRBDE5ongpd28W4ZRWUol0TMHK1AkW0VxCPoak2_FXSOD_t/s1600/Misty2_frontdetail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjce42r96wGhdZUpJ4ENf41AMaCLx4EADXxAeynzgBoJ14IFPDA92_98QrVb9uCfTw7elKMNcIsdWFRTi2um4PvF8runI70ZpRBDE5ongpd28W4ZRWUol0TMHK1AkW0VxCPoak2_FXSOD_t/s400/Misty2_frontdetail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Functional front pocket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSD8seoufqR_cRfdmtS35mUL8W5_DgEAthzkZYZtI5MZaNR5Gn2MepWjIxDUFZg1ONk-5QPi-CTU9vZb0-PkFZdOa1JmoAEfEku4-j39FRoZdxLIogZCf8b4dbK3-ttqDhcLoiLgd9zOCD/s1600/Misty2_backdetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSD8seoufqR_cRfdmtS35mUL8W5_DgEAthzkZYZtI5MZaNR5Gn2MepWjIxDUFZg1ONk-5QPi-CTU9vZb0-PkFZdOa1JmoAEfEku4-j39FRoZdxLIogZCf8b4dbK3-ttqDhcLoiLgd9zOCD/s400/Misty2_backdetail.jpg" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back topstitching and pockets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So let's take a better look at the fit on these. I used the exact same denim (I'd bought a 5-yard cut) as I did for the first pair, but I made a few new pattern alterations this time around:<br />
<ul>
<li>Shortened the jeans by 1" above the knee and another 1" below the knee.</li>
<li>Did a 1/2" full tummy adjustment using Kathleen Cheetham's method.</li>
<li>Added a 1" wedge at the CB seam (to give more vertical length), tapering to nothing at the side seam.</li>
<li>Did a 1/2" knock knee alteration (this was meant to get rid of the "X" wrinkles at my knees in back using Sandra Betzina's method. (There were a handful of different ways to do this alteration I found through searching the internet. Sandra's seemed the easiest, so I figured I'd try her method first.)</li>
<li>Moved the back pockets in and up a touch. </li>
</ul>
Let's see how the new jeans compare to the previous pair from the front. Note that I've lightened these photos to better show the wrinkles/details:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcd3nFjUE7N2XFmOrieNP6UmKfhLFW053thdcFVn1ZGxS_1OYi5JffvgJaTo-o13pJ2ajuHKtKWh4i_HrH98sZ5KEh2ISBgWjBDkis2ZNzmo25qreCL45hRUWgPHnZ0EW4TDmUOlhTEgC/s1600/Misty_front_side_by_side.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcd3nFjUE7N2XFmOrieNP6UmKfhLFW053thdcFVn1ZGxS_1OYi5JffvgJaTo-o13pJ2ajuHKtKWh4i_HrH98sZ5KEh2ISBgWjBDkis2ZNzmo25qreCL45hRUWgPHnZ0EW4TDmUOlhTEgC/s640/Misty_front_side_by_side.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Misty jeans on the left; Old pair on the right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As you can see, the length alteration that I made took care of a lot of the wrinkles around the knees that you can see in the old pair (on the right). My shirt is covering the area where I was getting the "tummy pull" distortion on the right, but that is fixed now, too. I do think that the CF/crotch might be slightly too long now, and I might shorten that by a touch the next time that I make these. Overall, I feel like the fit from the front is an improvement.<br />
<br />
And here's how they look from the back:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQKpuE4eu43TFelpuotwMQwolXwz8zsvqFNN5YsQ0Gct81ojCtww3pjiHUmOfMuh6ifj8Qw9yD4-LwfYrcFxG2FDZLrjuecl7Vhcz1TiyVNe6Q41ymNQ9yawEZh6PZzO_kM92rxZ58sX_/s1600/Misty_back_side_by_side.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQKpuE4eu43TFelpuotwMQwolXwz8zsvqFNN5YsQ0Gct81ojCtww3pjiHUmOfMuh6ifj8Qw9yD4-LwfYrcFxG2FDZLrjuecl7Vhcz1TiyVNe6Q41ymNQ9yawEZh6PZzO_kM92rxZ58sX_/s640/Misty_back_side_by_side.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Misty Jeans on the left; Old pair on the right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There's definitely an improvement in that the knock knee wrinkles aren't nearly as pronounced in the new pair. I wonder how much of the improvement is do to the length fixes that I made in this pair, but in any case, the new pair looks better. The back pockets also look better in the new pair. Some of the knock knee alterations also incorporate a bit of a full inner thigh adjustment, and from looking at these photos, I think that would be worth trying for my next pair.<br />
<br />
So...I'm getting there. These still aren't quite at the point where I'd just buy a cut of stretch denim and sew them up straight off of my TNT pattern pieces, but I'm pretty happy with my progress. I am sure that you will continue to see more posts from me about new pairs of Misty jeans in the coming months!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-768992921682999552015-11-28T11:08:00.000-08:002015-11-28T11:08:44.686-08:00This Week in Patterns (27-Nov-2015)I'm doing an abridged version of my roundup post this week as here in the US, we are in the middle of a long, Thanksgiving holiday weekend.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.happythanksgivingday.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Clipart-and-Crafts-Thanksgiving-Clip-Art-free.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.happythanksgivingday.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Clipart-and-Crafts-Thanksgiving-Clip-Art-free.png" height="320" width="308" /></a></div>
Cutting to the chase, here are links to what we saw released this past week:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/hotel-bar-6-new-plus-size-patterns" target="_blank">BurdaStyle Plus: Hotel Bar (December 2015 collection)</a> - A collection of little black dresses (LBDs) that I might find more interesting if I had any place to wear a LBD. At least they're not shapeless sacks, right?</li>
<li><a href="http://www.paulinealicepatterns.com/seda-dress" target="_blank">Pauline Alice: Seda Dress</a> - Cute 50's-inspired dress with the option of being off-the-shoulder or with a contrast yoke (for those of us who can't go braless or wear strapless bras). I love that she was thoughtful enough to include that option for those of us who are more...endowed. The samples in the photo are too large on the model, IMO, but I like the design of the dress, and like many of her designs, I wish they were available in a larger size range.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=8&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=886&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45" target="_blank">StyleArc: Hedy Designer Dress</a> - Asian-design-inspired unstructured dress with interesting construction details. It's a cool design, but I don't think I could wear it.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/255731568/style-arc-mimi-g-collab-maya-dress?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">StyleArc and MimiG Collaboration: Maya Dress</a> - This pattern appears to only be available in PDF download format via StyleArc's Etsy shop. Not sure what the deal with this is, considering that I've never seen a formal announcement about it. The Style is certainly more MimiG than StyleArc. Hmmm...</li>
</ul>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-42072717451954204152015-11-23T11:29:00.000-08:002015-11-23T11:29:12.896-08:00Finished Project: HotPatterns 1169 Classix Nouveau Refined Peasant Blouse (v2)Ever since I made my original version of <a href="http://www.hotpatterns.com/hp1169-classix-nouveau-refined-peasant-blouse/" target="_blank">HotPatterns Refined Peasant Blouse</a> last summer, I've been wanting to add another one to my closet. I've been wearing the <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/06/finished-project-hotpatterns-1169.html" target="_blank">first version</a> that I made nearly every wash cycle. However, I got a bit hung up on fabric choice for the next version. I absolutely love the cotton double gauze that I used the first time and have been very tempted to make a the second version using the exact same fabric in a different colorway, but that seems kind of boring, doesn't it? <br />
<br />
I recently joined the <a href="http://blog.fabricmartfabrics.com/" target="_blank">FabricMart Fabricista blogging group</a>, and you'll see me blogging a few projects over there over the next few months. For my first project for them, I wanted to use a pattern that I was fairly comfortable with but choose a fabric that had some "wow factor". I'm a little afraid of sewing with silk (so slippery!), but I felt like making the HP peasant blouse pattern up in a silk fabric would check both of my requirements boxes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ama7kus_7T0I9aIiZFSVU_bzkBHcbE9uBLL9JZYI4VE4V-ZOcRi_7rJxDcFc-EAxN-oWaLIK_a2XxrfRqHDntM8uRB_nvoWt1FR-SjLDA_BZHJYccNQhgk6iJqDDmcJ50xy2pRTufKe9/s1600/HP_Peasant_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ama7kus_7T0I9aIiZFSVU_bzkBHcbE9uBLL9JZYI4VE4V-ZOcRi_7rJxDcFc-EAxN-oWaLIK_a2XxrfRqHDntM8uRB_nvoWt1FR-SjLDA_BZHJYccNQhgk6iJqDDmcJ50xy2pRTufKe9/s400/HP_Peasant_front.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HotPatterns - Refined Peasant Blouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj2rLMB34eTzC9npVXl3hH4fer-rfApFPDuBk3gjY12k85wxSdQ3WTw4Mu5fZcEiITD-8JKuK8Czy7nYcCBNegyMEUEYyTfPQnC2RqAlOA5EPcAOuzWguVK67lhGpMnq8tRNQjXBfrVgd/s1600/HP_Peasant_back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj2rLMB34eTzC9npVXl3hH4fer-rfApFPDuBk3gjY12k85wxSdQ3WTw4Mu5fZcEiITD-8JKuK8Czy7nYcCBNegyMEUEYyTfPQnC2RqAlOA5EPcAOuzWguVK67lhGpMnq8tRNQjXBfrVgd/s400/HP_Peasant_back.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HP Peasant - back view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've already reviewed this pattern before, so I won't do an in-depth review in this post, but I will talk a bit about the fabric and construction choices that I made for this version.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/06/finished-project-hotpatterns-1169.html" target="_blank">Original review/post for the HP Peasant Blouse pattern</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Gs0pFGxcobZ2-ilF0yPkmxt3j2LX7jW2GuiDqDwQfdHexb9KqBb9gA7cf9jLb0iJglAxKcKfUQVVjJbEFwBZrzfESEaPVfCIhPWczwqN-5-9w8teAmk77Pgptt4RPJKy6OcWtPja46SP/s1600/HP_peasant.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Gs0pFGxcobZ2-ilF0yPkmxt3j2LX7jW2GuiDqDwQfdHexb9KqBb9gA7cf9jLb0iJglAxKcKfUQVVjJbEFwBZrzfESEaPVfCIhPWczwqN-5-9w8teAmk77Pgptt4RPJKy6OcWtPja46SP/s400/HP_peasant.png" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refined Peasant Blouse - envelope</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The fabric that I used was a cranberry-colored silk double georgette. I felt that it would be a good choice for both its drapiness and ability to handle the tons of gathering that's in the neckline for this blouse. On the other hand, like you'd expect from a drapey silk, this fabric was as slippery and wiggly as heck. I thought about stabilizing it with a starch or a gelatin, but have read enough horror stories online about how difficult it can be to wash those out afterwards that I was wary. (If you have any suggestions for how to stabilize a wiggly silk in a way that washes out easily, I'd love to hear them.)<br />
<br />
Surprisingly (to me), the fabric pressed extremely well, and if I made a pressing error, it was also easy to steam the miss-pressing right out of the fabric. I wasn't expecting a fabric as wiggly as this to press as nicely as it did. On top of that, the fabric also raveled less than I had expected.<br />
<br />
Here's a closeup view of my gathered neckline:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHtfutG8k7t3cTmoapk6QdqYzQmyRSkM-bQKokinOWY0wIJort_M_27ZyJUHiPWFoYOEDK3eSihO4Z6oYlAs7pduyng7WoouQVXtYAx87R5Alyw4YyfjLzYHpM2VKPrqshS8vL23CVC96/s1600/HP_Peasant_front_flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHtfutG8k7t3cTmoapk6QdqYzQmyRSkM-bQKokinOWY0wIJort_M_27ZyJUHiPWFoYOEDK3eSihO4Z6oYlAs7pduyng7WoouQVXtYAx87R5Alyw4YyfjLzYHpM2VKPrqshS8vL23CVC96/s400/HP_Peasant_front_flat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refined Peasant Blouse - gathered neckline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I wanted the insides of this blouse to be clean-finished, so I used French seams as my seam finishing method:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnwpXwiruETFwcX8zeRTL5KsB78j5Q-cDZOjW2BB19PQXGSyJIQn-oQxGHLDkLFuhuyGlN04M3dHH4E0uBCm_NJUgXaX6Hfd_eFBhx6LId1R5hddO4Msl5tzqgEHLyWlKDPerH9310ytB/s1600/HP_Peasant_French_Seams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnwpXwiruETFwcX8zeRTL5KsB78j5Q-cDZOjW2BB19PQXGSyJIQn-oQxGHLDkLFuhuyGlN04M3dHH4E0uBCm_NJUgXaX6Hfd_eFBhx6LId1R5hddO4Msl5tzqgEHLyWlKDPerH9310ytB/s400/HP_Peasant_French_Seams.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French seams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I only made one additional fit alteration to the pattern for this version--I gave myself a little more room in the wrist cuffs because I found them a bit snug on my first version.<br />
<br />
Now, in a lesson of how different fabrics behave differently with the same pattern, I had done an FBA (rotated into the neck gathers) for the first version. I didn't necessarily need the additional width that this gave, but I was concerned about the blouse riding up in front if I didn't add extra length there. I think that this alteration worked well in my reasonably-drapey-but-firm cotton double gauze. However, in my super-drapey-not-at-all-firm double georgette, you can see that I'm getting a wrinkle at the bust indicating that there's perhaps too much fabric there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyBcXtTzdJnVsHJhTgEstk_LF9cHfw_BIpyCYK_1UPbnc4SwaWyHqbW3NEESgcksMs_MAmwcYO9bmT41I8mmN-vm4OYRqOPMwtBzzjgsR_q_1j0b3jOFmaDoL5MCgomE_tk-7y2px9QmT/s1600/HP_Peasant_twee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyBcXtTzdJnVsHJhTgEstk_LF9cHfw_BIpyCYK_1UPbnc4SwaWyHqbW3NEESgcksMs_MAmwcYO9bmT41I8mmN-vm4OYRqOPMwtBzzjgsR_q_1j0b3jOFmaDoL5MCgomE_tk-7y2px9QmT/s400/HP_Peasant_twee.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GOMI-worthy twee pose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Given that I've already altered the master paper pattern, I think I'll be sticking with fabrics with not <i>quite</i> as much drape for future versions--like doing another double gauze version or perhaps a cotton voile or lawn.<br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-56137026925351073802015-11-20T11:06:00.002-08:002015-11-20T11:06:21.981-08:00This Week in Patterns (20-Nov-2015)Happy Friday, everyone! We've got a short round-up this week, which is probably a bit of a relief for both you and me considering that I squeezed in two project posts over the course of the past week.<br />
<br />
This week, we have new releases from two companies:<br />
<ul>
<li>Closet Case Files</li>
<li>StyleArc</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://www.store.closetcasefiles.com/products/clare-coat-pattern-print" target="_blank">Closet Case Files: Clare Coat</a><br />
<br />
We've already spent a fair amount of time discussing the newest Closet Case Files pattern release on <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/11/finished-project-closet-case-files.html" target="_blank">my blog post where I talked about testing this pattern</a>. But, in case you missed or skipped that post, the gist of it is that the pattern gets a big thumbs up from me. It's a really great pattern in a lot of ways for inexperienced coat sewists, and it's got two pretty stylish views even if you don't need the hand-holding.<br />
<br />
I'd love to see some more patterns like this one, both to help expand my own and others' skill sets and to give us the confidence to lose the training wheels on the interesting coat patterns offered by other pattern makers who trend to more sparse instructions.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3G2e9dedPWBBqMlQi01kjNkc0TLDPtOa1gM8dVSh9fb_utQq9nuTLLbVgZ38FFFm-yzYxBspx4Y9vw1ANJX2Hmgp5ZQQvwZIEDr0C-ISImSN2OdatZ45CHsI2OOiVwLRfLhDl_shcEPP1/s1600/CCF_Clare_env.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3G2e9dedPWBBqMlQi01kjNkc0TLDPtOa1gM8dVSh9fb_utQq9nuTLLbVgZ38FFFm-yzYxBspx4Y9vw1ANJX2Hmgp5ZQQvwZIEDr0C-ISImSN2OdatZ45CHsI2OOiVwLRfLhDl_shcEPP1/s400/CCF_Clare_env.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CCF - Clare Coat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=3&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=885&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=43" target="_blank">StyleArc: Design Contest Winner Patterns - Hampton Crush Collection</a><br />
<br />
Earlier this week, StyleArc released a trio of new patterns, one of which was the winner of the pattern design competition that StyleArc hosted on Instagram a while back. You can see all of the contest entries on Instagram:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/stylearcdesigner/">https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/stylearcdesigner/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=8&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=882&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45" target="_blank">StyleArc: Vicki Top</a><br />
<br />
First up is the Vicki Top, a breezey swing top with armhole darts. This pattern is free with the purchase of the collection as a discounted bundle. As is so often the case with StyleArc, the sewn up sample on the product page is much more appealing than the line drawing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjru6wXBSAuSMBKvcy9TRLB8YYmRfVtRv_69cgE0E_jUKzmPQAH4n9wDUJFfiiuxi-Y5AecKx8GiqVzJPnSPj1ChuGsrMFVDoBWTFgADRa9pnw8Xr6XbXzvJllVmg8M4K76ZLa4rdS3Mh6I/s1600/VICKI-TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjru6wXBSAuSMBKvcy9TRLB8YYmRfVtRv_69cgE0E_jUKzmPQAH4n9wDUJFfiiuxi-Y5AecKx8GiqVzJPnSPj1ChuGsrMFVDoBWTFgADRa9pnw8Xr6XbXzvJllVmg8M4K76ZLa4rdS3Mh6I/s400/VICKI-TOP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Vicki Top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=3&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=884&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=43" target="_blank">StyleArc: Emily Skirt</a><br />
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I'm not sure how this skirt would look on someone with a tummy, like me, but I quite like the design itself:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVxCWeKahaqLgjJSreefAZ73z5yxg1_b5olVM_WQknl3GA-1D_0SzHwi9ynfyasbAtQ4wrcQDCiBWsVYsNuSFePeQVRAgE2GYvhZgC2v9sCQe1236kQXcROainDM6SuIMnbnzPaQvVXtz/s1600/EMILY-SKIRT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVxCWeKahaqLgjJSreefAZ73z5yxg1_b5olVM_WQknl3GA-1D_0SzHwi9ynfyasbAtQ4wrcQDCiBWsVYsNuSFePeQVRAgE2GYvhZgC2v9sCQe1236kQXcROainDM6SuIMnbnzPaQvVXtz/s400/EMILY-SKIRT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Emily skirt</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=2&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=883&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=42" target="_blank">StyleArc: Christia Pant</a><br />
<br />
The Christia is a woven pull-on pant. It's a fine enough pant, but I'm a little disappointed that this was the design winner when, IMO, there were more interesting designs submitted. On the other hand, interesting takes on a pull-on pant seem to be the bread-and-butter of StyleArc, so maybe it shouldn't be a surprise that this won. It's fine, but as someone with a tummy, I'm leery of the pleats.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yqNlnlG-zrbWpwCQ0QxZ9X1yFXPv1_gasbvn01_oJs4yvv-nIUCLg8PW4kfw7n6mNa6n2l8MmGXikK_9C1_D0w81lofhyphenhyphen6XyE12fFyp2DK8RCLED6azu4drnudAku_quA3k5KoeCLgDD/s1600/CHRISTIA-PANT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yqNlnlG-zrbWpwCQ0QxZ9X1yFXPv1_gasbvn01_oJs4yvv-nIUCLg8PW4kfw7n6mNa6n2l8MmGXikK_9C1_D0w81lofhyphenhyphen6XyE12fFyp2DK8RCLED6azu4drnudAku_quA3k5KoeCLgDD/s400/CHRISTIA-PANT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Christia pull-on pant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
I've already made the Clare Coat and have the paper pattern on its way. I can see the appeal of the StyleArc patterns, but I don't feel like they're the best style choices for my figure. What are your thoughts? Like, love, or hate anything? <br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-33966212022337118092015-11-18T17:55:00.000-08:002015-11-18T17:55:19.906-08:00Finished Project: StyleArc - Misty JeansI've had the pattern for the <a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=736&category_id=2&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=42" target="_blank">StyleArc Misty pull-on jeans</a> in my stash for about six months now, but I'd been on the fence as to whether to try that pattern or the similar <a href="https://jalie.com/jalie3461-eleonore-pull-on-jeans" target="_blank">Jalie Eleanor jeans</a>, if I were to dive into the waters of pull-on jeans. (I'd purchased the Jalie jeans, too, because they include both my daughter's and my size jeans all in one envelope.) However, when Alicia of Pandora Sews announced that she was hosting a <a href="http://pandorasews.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-style-arc-misty-stretch-pull-on.html" target="_blank">curvy sewalong for the Misty jeans</a>, I knew that I wanted to take part and finally get my Mistys sewn up.<br />
<br />
It's been great seeing so many curvy sewists of many shapes and sizes post their progress on these jeans on Instagram over the past month, so here's my take on the pattern:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-TGkIyJmiUqQF_o7Y7m0k9RJYtNJzPO6g8SRCOprJ1Y-71VlMCU63T7HpVqri6cCtN-4wo3CEkQ9tGZJmmr0Z0LNsHTtFHO9fKSPdgOE3x9rtt6B6wEtwLm3Zv1-bA0XrxVnKaRwk-WI/s1600/Misty_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-TGkIyJmiUqQF_o7Y7m0k9RJYtNJzPO6g8SRCOprJ1Y-71VlMCU63T7HpVqri6cCtN-4wo3CEkQ9tGZJmmr0Z0LNsHTtFHO9fKSPdgOE3x9rtt6B6wEtwLm3Zv1-bA0XrxVnKaRwk-WI/s400/Misty_full.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Misty jeans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Misty jean is designed for stretch denim (StyleArc recommends denim with at least 3% spandex), has mock front pockets, a mock front fly, and an elastic waistband.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKH4uAMSumc_QM3FsaFeCywgxv6XoaKOC_8IUsYsGgl-gbLs9lRbUq2HCpL5hHqZbNC6bdjHyZrpNpEDkJSGFXp8cSdJRViZUzaagVqa9_5CDgcCqcxxgYH5i06zSUKemWla-NXVt8yU7/s1600/MISTY-JEAN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKH4uAMSumc_QM3FsaFeCywgxv6XoaKOC_8IUsYsGgl-gbLs9lRbUq2HCpL5hHqZbNC6bdjHyZrpNpEDkJSGFXp8cSdJRViZUzaagVqa9_5CDgcCqcxxgYH5i06zSUKemWla-NXVt8yU7/s400/MISTY-JEAN.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Misty jean line drawing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I feel guilty liking how these fit and feel as much as I do. I mean, they're elastic-waist jeans! My husband saw the waistband and said, "You're wearing Mom Jeans!"<br />
<br />
Out of the envelope (with a few minor changes), though I feel like these are a better fit than the "real" Burda jeans that I've been working out the fit on off and on over the past few months. The Mistys aren't perfect, but they're a few minor pattern alterations away from giving me the fit that I'm looking for, I think.<br />
<br />
For comparison, here are the first two versions of my Burda jeans:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijbDqY9a1jOYC-gf6m3seNremnhMNDAcySMaG11hp1raMMOpEbGrTW8ap-t27ITL3a4QogfpWTsEqCeaGcpjffyRRDhvJVepydLhiV77UxbVsIc6zDNw4EEktgiV_QYcLJ7DVmLucGVsM/s1600/Burda6951_back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijbDqY9a1jOYC-gf6m3seNremnhMNDAcySMaG11hp1raMMOpEbGrTW8ap-t27ITL3a4QogfpWTsEqCeaGcpjffyRRDhvJVepydLhiV77UxbVsIc6zDNw4EEktgiV_QYcLJ7DVmLucGVsM/s400/Burda6951_back.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burda v1 - the wearable muslin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNHD9OzoaatzHX-dhj75DmI1fu9vCuP1aMyzX8p2yY1g6xmzL3S0__7O_fQ_L7mbzfSbrS7tfebu6JlLNJa7czS0V25uiZ-vzpvc5EfpUS2LcEX_foSAd3UaJpsN7dZsQ5ZihAa3a7YHN/s1600/B6951_back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNHD9OzoaatzHX-dhj75DmI1fu9vCuP1aMyzX8p2yY1g6xmzL3S0__7O_fQ_L7mbzfSbrS7tfebu6JlLNJa7czS0V25uiZ-vzpvc5EfpUS2LcEX_foSAd3UaJpsN7dZsQ5ZihAa3a7YHN/s640/B6951_back.jpg" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burda v2 -- better</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And here are my Mistys, with the only adjustment being adding a bit at the high hip:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFm2ucP1_7vtrlKGQ-phAtR1HAjayYXoIAc-CRsyNxmrPABavoU5Mv1PVq7rRr3Ca5sY7ZJ7A-xF9vpy9N0q7a_6Nagxf0VfmhpyT1lPa02_PFHZIfzW-Qu70xCzXbN2r_0XxrDJhtgVy4/s1600/Misty_back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFm2ucP1_7vtrlKGQ-phAtR1HAjayYXoIAc-CRsyNxmrPABavoU5Mv1PVq7rRr3Ca5sY7ZJ7A-xF9vpy9N0q7a_6Nagxf0VfmhpyT1lPa02_PFHZIfzW-Qu70xCzXbN2r_0XxrDJhtgVy4/s400/Misty_back.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Misty jeans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've clearly still got the knock knee wrinkles, but the other wrinkles between my knee and butt are gone. I do need to add a touch to the length of the CB seam and play around some more with the pocket placement, but I'm pretty happy with these for a first pass.<br />
<br />
Here's the view from the front. I see a little bit of pulling through the tummy, so I'll probably do a small full tummy adjustment on my next pair of these.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0jk-vdc1gifgLs10iXkxNTpZ_z_2Qq3r_zgCuUWW2bHb1u4FRwDZBNyJmoRahgfElhNDEVWaWciOeGoxOfUUk_VsxWBNt1cfsztQhcWPQFCUXf7aXXz1aKVEBSPF_-BhawgwKMapQ80Z/s1600/Misty_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0jk-vdc1gifgLs10iXkxNTpZ_z_2Qq3r_zgCuUWW2bHb1u4FRwDZBNyJmoRahgfElhNDEVWaWciOeGoxOfUUk_VsxWBNt1cfsztQhcWPQFCUXf7aXXz1aKVEBSPF_-BhawgwKMapQ80Z/s400/Misty_front.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Misty jeans- front</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
Fabric and Notions Used</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
I used the following fabric and notions for my jeans:<br />
<ul>
<li>
<b>Fabric</b>: Stretch denim purchased ages ago from fabric.com. I bought this back when everyone was making the Jalie stretch jeans that I never made.</li>
<li><b>Elastic</b>: 1.5" pro-stretch elastic (the pattern calls for an odd size--I felt this was close enough) from <a href="https://www.fashionsewingsupply.com/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=49&osCsid=032839fb0d5e6007336c4bf4140c612d" target="_blank">Fashion Sewing Supply</a>.</li>
<li><b>Thread</b>: Gutermann jeans top-stitching thread for the top-stitching; regular Gutermann thread in the bobbin and for all of the seams. </li>
</ul>
Here you can see my top-stitching in all of its glory:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUe_ETtWfBydNTYGV1GFhJZqaZfcQZOvQ8JCtxk4MzObYBDDlIPL6MSTruFJ8_B7OWPFwESeK_kq0napKrJescSFw6nX8w9_pUq-81gpbAHQbflJeYlTXmxkWpW99e5eyUubIUZlrc2wz/s1600/Misty_back_flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUe_ETtWfBydNTYGV1GFhJZqaZfcQZOvQ8JCtxk4MzObYBDDlIPL6MSTruFJ8_B7OWPFwESeK_kq0napKrJescSFw6nX8w9_pUq-81gpbAHQbflJeYlTXmxkWpW99e5eyUubIUZlrc2wz/s400/Misty_back_flat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top-stitching - back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7g9U_dCMmAtbmoFuQT8RGlebDs2edQGphH999mRyIIOavHB-AwthF0pSjteEjnu9DmSvlQGCugAmSddtaudO_7BV6d3Sc459i89mQFO_MF4wQOvIWsB14V9PHhOEv3JD9BRWdEuMcZvF/s1600/Misty_front_flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7g9U_dCMmAtbmoFuQT8RGlebDs2edQGphH999mRyIIOavHB-AwthF0pSjteEjnu9DmSvlQGCugAmSddtaudO_7BV6d3Sc459i89mQFO_MF4wQOvIWsB14V9PHhOEv3JD9BRWdEuMcZvF/s400/Misty_front_flat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top-stitching -front</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2>
PDF Assembly</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
N/A. I used the paper pattern.<br />
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Pattern Drafting, Sizing, and Alterations</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<br />
This pattern is available in on the StyleArc website in StyleArc sizes 4-30, which corresponds to 32.6-61" (83cm - 154cm) hips. Additionally, StyleArc has extended sizing up to a size 38 available in their <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/245722168/misty-stretch-pull-on-jean-sizes-34-36?ref=shop_home_active_7&ga_search_query=misty" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>.<br />
<br />
I sewed a size 22 with about 2" added to the high hip/waist area.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Pattern Instructions</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
StyleArc is known for its brief instructions, and this pattern is no exception. However, these jeans are so easy to construct that I didn't really need them. If you do need more comprehensive instructions, refer to Alicia's sewalong.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://pandorasews.blogspot.com/search/label/Misty%20Jeans%20Sewalong" target="_blank">Misty Jeans Sewalong</a> <br />
<br />
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
I like these way more than I thought I would. Next time, I'll make the pattern adjustments that I previously described and want to play around with altering the pockets to make them functional. These jeans are soooooo comfortable and they're nearly as fast to construct as a pair of yoga pants; I will definitely be making more of them.<br />
<br />
This pair even earned one of my closely-rationed StyleArc labels:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2e3hBJiLNp10jYYA60TOhi2wZqtlRm6cbMNO1u29m4zM_Eb6VffQFjqDqN_xX-mVBzSIiqVmB4Zkw6tRlQSnTX6G6tAhNxGTDAit61OqHlNbCHYa5kAJRVH6q4lfw-c08-W7Vt4S_WPl/s1600/Misty_label.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2e3hBJiLNp10jYYA60TOhi2wZqtlRm6cbMNO1u29m4zM_Eb6VffQFjqDqN_xX-mVBzSIiqVmB4Zkw6tRlQSnTX6G6tAhNxGTDAit61OqHlNbCHYa5kAJRVH6q4lfw-c08-W7Vt4S_WPl/s400/Misty_label.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My StyleArc label</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-33235913076992416092015-11-17T10:55:00.002-08:002015-11-17T10:55:57.757-08:00Finished Project: Closet Case Files - Clare Coat (Tester Version)I have been <i>dying</i> to talk about this coat project. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you could probably tell that based on all of the hints that I'd been dropping about a really well-done coat pattern that I tested with really great instructions. Drumroll...it was the <a href="http://www.store.closetcasefiles.com/products/clare-coat-pattern-print" target="_blank">Closet Case Files Clare Coat</a>:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVVv298-fUhCCkmXaUCztneiyH4pMl6VoZTEwTRqku4-2ylk2tT73ItfH2LkSw-KjltKogpjxttW9Wfp7buMQaDNMXxnhjzMaLfi0-iqhVfQx-R3XUVJtN5rn0xQro9IU-a9hvAde_a4_/s1600/ClareFront2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVVv298-fUhCCkmXaUCztneiyH4pMl6VoZTEwTRqku4-2ylk2tT73ItfH2LkSw-KjltKogpjxttW9Wfp7buMQaDNMXxnhjzMaLfi0-iqhVfQx-R3XUVJtN5rn0xQro9IU-a9hvAde_a4_/s640/ClareFront2.jpg" width="390" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closet Case Files - Clare Coat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Apologies for the crappy lighting here; I took these photos a while back (note the sandals and lack of tights on my legs), early in the morning. I've wanted to re-do this photo shoot, but if you follow weather in the Pacific Northwest at all, you'll know that we've had an awful lot of rain these past few weeks. (I finally snagged ~10 minutes of non-raininess to photography my StyleArc Misty jeans this morning...which I finished over a week ago and have worn several times.)<br />
<br />
First off, let's get a couple of things out of the way. Yes, I pattern tested this coat and therefore received the pattern for free. However, I wasn't asked to blog about this pattern and all of the opinions that I express are mine, blah, blah, blah. And I'm just going to be blunt here; I love this coat. I loved working on this coat, and I'm really happy with how it turned out.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcoYlXeLchBZcMVA4Dg2N8NITEWLGnb9zxdr6cKdaryKVWcPFTFb59DXyDoApZIOH_9IXunWdWUijgmkduxxpXyM4O6SPWA5FjiNdBXFzrMDgLngMjC9TITF1NNxYkTWZqlEMdkLHHevU/s1600/Clare_SideZipper.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcoYlXeLchBZcMVA4Dg2N8NITEWLGnb9zxdr6cKdaryKVWcPFTFb59DXyDoApZIOH_9IXunWdWUijgmkduxxpXyM4O6SPWA5FjiNdBXFzrMDgLngMjC9TITF1NNxYkTWZqlEMdkLHHevU/s640/Clare_SideZipper.jpg" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare Coat - Side with Zipper<u><br /></u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now let me go on a mini-rant: In blog posts and in the comments sections on other people's blogs, I have two pet peeves that I lament on a semi-regular basis:<br />
<ol>
<li>The lack of details in the instructions for commercial coat sewing patterns. I found this horribly frustrating last year when <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/01/finished-project-simplicity-1254-leanne.html" target="_blank">I sewed my first coat</a>. As a newbie coat sewist, you don't know what you don't know. The Big 4 patterns that I've looked over typically tell you to interface the collar and the facings, and that's about it. There's nothing about back stays, interfacing the hem, or adding interfacing anywhere else that might give your coat the structure that it needs to actually look good. (When I look at the coat I sewed last year, I suspect that it would have benefited greatly from an interfaced hem...which I didn't do because I didn't know that I should do it.) We can cobble together tips from books and online sources, but I had yet to see a pattern that actually walks you through the process of making a coat.</li>
<li>So many indie patterns are really basic and beginner-oriented. When you look to the brands that carry more detailed and more advanced patterns (e.g. StyleArc, BurdaStyle), the instructions often leave something to be desired. Where are the Intermediate or Intermediate-to-Advanced patterns with the detailed instructions that could help a sewist advance her skills? </li>
</ol>
Whether intentional or not, this pattern addresses both of those issues. I feel like Heather was really smart choosing an untailored coat style like this one for her first coat pattern--we dip our toe into things like adding support to the garment, but we don't have to worry about lapels, roll lines, pad stitching, or many of the other things that might make coat-making seem intimidating. <br />
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
But it's $18!</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
I know that a lot of you are interested in this pattern but probably want to hear more about it before pulling the trigger. I've already seen a few comments online expressing hesitation at the price ($18 USD).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4R1aiDfBBTsDbwDzuAxJ000C4Pr-rruH2aGpIxuwSzh81lv_Lrpy1qHJf7g6Q2a7rMTN5q1eBpUS-SydDOsfX7vMCT5bzhehdicewbNdqUp_Q1m_IzBN_dcxRDwAzGdj5vQT1e5AxYy6_/s1600/CCF_Clare_env.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4R1aiDfBBTsDbwDzuAxJ000C4Pr-rruH2aGpIxuwSzh81lv_Lrpy1qHJf7g6Q2a7rMTN5q1eBpUS-SydDOsfX7vMCT5bzhehdicewbNdqUp_Q1m_IzBN_dcxRDwAzGdj5vQT1e5AxYy6_/s400/CCF_Clare_env.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CCF - Clare Coat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
IMO, if you like the style of the coat, this pattern is totally worth the $18 investment. And while I technically received the pattern for free, I kind of freaked out over the number of pages to print/tape in the standard PDF version and wound up taking it to a copy shop. So yeah, I've already paid over $18 for this pattern (and will be receiving a free copy of the print pattern), and I'm totally fine with that. Here's what you get for your $18:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Two distinctly different coat views. The two views do share a few pattern pieces, but where the views diverge (other than length), you get separate pieces.</li>
<li>Separate lining pieces. None of this having to remember to take an inch off the bottom of the bodice pieces, etc. It's done for you.</li>
<li>Separate INTERFACING pieces. Yes, you read that correctly. This pattern includes separate interfacing pieces for the coat front, shoulders, zipper area, hem, etc. </li>
<li>Two-piece raglan sleeves. Yay! </li>
<li>Really great instructions. Constructing this coat was a joy. If you're looking to expand your skill set, View A (the one with the zipper) includes clear instructions for constructing welt pockets, when and where to grade/clip your seams, inserting an exposed zipper with a zipper shield, and bagging your lining. (View B is a bit simpler, so if you don't want to tackle those detail, you don't have to, and you'll still get a nice-looking coat.)</li>
</ul>
Here are a few details/construction shots of my coat: <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2_Ywj4jh3LUqlgU0Gnwlx1DbhiC5yLcigy7kIkud2GHBIlbnatHT1aklG6cUA6Msz1FBSS6KakioACBsEmMQQZ8i1cTZUWMLiHc8cturGjUXVzKqyaDxOIoi9ASsnZmml6WqxGq-Rp05/s1600/Clare_Const_Zipper.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2_Ywj4jh3LUqlgU0Gnwlx1DbhiC5yLcigy7kIkud2GHBIlbnatHT1aklG6cUA6Msz1FBSS6KakioACBsEmMQQZ8i1cTZUWMLiHc8cturGjUXVzKqyaDxOIoi9ASsnZmml6WqxGq-Rp05/s400/Clare_Const_Zipper.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare Coat - Zipper shield<u><br /></u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TBPL74YT_9vGh2TdhcGiQWeNjDE7no5iorf-Oxx5y-m256aBZP7JKTsLBv0QQpJCSvvxnd7Sy-e92Yl5lMka-NZ-NrmnbjBkE2mihQmGI4yinOr_iY4zf0B5lPczQmaZ9oMyvyCbvQgh/s1600/Clare_Const_LinedCorner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TBPL74YT_9vGh2TdhcGiQWeNjDE7no5iorf-Oxx5y-m256aBZP7JKTsLBv0QQpJCSvvxnd7Sy-e92Yl5lMka-NZ-NrmnbjBkE2mihQmGI4yinOr_iY4zf0B5lPczQmaZ9oMyvyCbvQgh/s400/Clare_Const_LinedCorner.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare Coat - Neatly bagged lining</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVM7Lm7ZCW8QaXxhxuSpv5QJHvayEQXAswF29H1tsRDzhY6kWmmseBLHcaZdBRMVvdqClyfs9m0K-uC9oAIYp_6PMPUKHS-Me4eQgSiXvq8A0hUZxM_B_u4BIJWWKayyC7VBTaOFrFL5UZ/s1600/Clare_Const_Welt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVM7Lm7ZCW8QaXxhxuSpv5QJHvayEQXAswF29H1tsRDzhY6kWmmseBLHcaZdBRMVvdqClyfs9m0K-uC9oAIYp_6PMPUKHS-Me4eQgSiXvq8A0hUZxM_B_u4BIJWWKayyC7VBTaOFrFL5UZ/s400/Clare_Const_Welt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare Coat - My awesome welt pockets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I realize that I might sound like a commercial for this pattern, but I wasn't asked to write this. I simply feel very strongly that we need more of this type of pattern and fewer boxy woven t-shirt patterns from the indies. I truly feel like Heather knocked it out of the park with this pattern.<br />
<br />
On a side note, Heather gave us the choice of sewing View B or View A
for testing. I was completely torn as to which view I wanted to make
(really liking both views is a big reason why I threw my hat in the ring
for testing on this one). I ended up going with View A because I
decided that I really liked the zipper and also wanted to try out the
welt pocket instructions. <br />
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Fabric and Notions Used</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
I used the following fabric and notions for my coat:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Shell</b>: Wool tweed coating from my stash, originally purchased from (now-closed) Fashionista Fabrics. It's quite warm but also quite bulky. This fabric had been sitting waiting in my stash for me to tackle a coat without a ton of seaming, and it felt like a great match for this pattern.</li>
<li><b>Lining</b>: Poly charmeuse purchased years ago from <a href="http://gorgeousfabrics.com/" target="_blank">Gorgeous Fabrics</a>.</li>
<li><b>Interfacing</b>: Medium-weft fusible interfacing from <a href="https://www.fashionsewingsupply.com/" target="_blank">Fashion Sewing Supply</a>.</li>
<li><b>Zipper</b>: Custom-shortened separating zipper from <a href="http://www.zipperstop.com/product/ykk-7-aluminum-separating/" target="_blank">Zipperstop</a>. (Pattern testers were given a fair amount of lead time on this coat to source supplies, and I wanted to use a nice zipper.)</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfacYkZSNT-UfR3VyK5g9WpehTAuVofsnZhiy6NjmlrK6fErL2spu2yFfteqjw9CrAJ7vem9qxRAmxdE8DQvpgRHNgXcw8w-_MjKV4zpia9Fsc0bXY-sfUAkXkhY21hcvghceXgXAUL6Nt/s1600/Clare_SideZipper_outtake.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfacYkZSNT-UfR3VyK5g9WpehTAuVofsnZhiy6NjmlrK6fErL2spu2yFfteqjw9CrAJ7vem9qxRAmxdE8DQvpgRHNgXcw8w-_MjKV4zpia9Fsc0bXY-sfUAkXkhY21hcvghceXgXAUL6Nt/s640/Clare_SideZipper_outtake.jpg" width="496" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out my sweet zipper!<u><br /></u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
PDF Assembly</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
The test version of the pattern had 80 pages to tape and assemble. (Note that not all pages were used for all views.) I saw that and promptly sent my pattern to a copy shop to have it printed. The copy shop version printed without issue.<br />
<br />
Unless shipping is a major concern or you love taping PDF patterns, you'll probably want to pay a few dollars extra and go for the print version of this pattern.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Pattern Drafting, Sizing, and Alterations</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<br />
This pattern is available in Closet Case Files sizes 0-20, ranging from a 31" bust/33" hip (79cm/84cm) to a 46" bust/48" hip (117cm/122cm). I'm a little outside of the size range but wanted to keep my pattern alterations to a minimum, so I sewed a size 20 and added a touch to the size 20 seam allowances throughout the body of the coat. I'm actually really happy with the final amount of ease in my coat, but it is riding up a little in front, indicating that I probably should have done some sort of length-only FBA. (This is to be expected, considering my very large bust.)<br />
<br />
You can see that it gets slightly hung up on my rear high hip in back, but that's an easy fit issue to fix in future versions.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-j3erTziiU0333PUQlTCTbaE8YK-OaKiwpAT8qOmbvNsgFZFCJ835mrGgR3C5tFmTmBA2pDmJswsSyO2PMwTSICfzKCI4AMJUlGmJCLaVQw6VAKqxDf7KXwlpkWiDq6JJRt1FFF-ydyfK/s1600/ClareBack.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-j3erTziiU0333PUQlTCTbaE8YK-OaKiwpAT8qOmbvNsgFZFCJ835mrGgR3C5tFmTmBA2pDmJswsSyO2PMwTSICfzKCI4AMJUlGmJCLaVQw6VAKqxDf7KXwlpkWiDq6JJRt1FFF-ydyfK/s640/ClareBack.jpg" width="408" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare Coat - back view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I really like the ease-of-movement that I get from the two-piece raglan
sleeves. I did not need to do a full bicep adjustment on this pattern,
so that was nice. I can easily drive and take my laptop bag on and off
this coat without feeling like my movement is restricted.<br />
<br />
I found the pattern to be very well-drafted. There was a small error in one of the sleeve lining pieces that the testers caught, but that is supposed to be corrected for the final version. You might notice a slight twist in my raglan sleeve in some shots--this was also corrected for the final pattern. In addition to the sleeve, Heather altered the draft of the collar piece in View A from the test version so that the collar would stand up better.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusvQ0G74Jr1za-fXeFRyZRWO6TTtZva97zrdQJTB48zk_UzkMhhxp_CP772V9lZXXkKJSOiHC32SIyVs-pygzp7yRJYVNj1KmB7JIYnHaZy7GQcBUauw4Q66yGron7_3xKlLAnNlFhWFp/s1600/Clare_LiningFlash1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusvQ0G74Jr1za-fXeFRyZRWO6TTtZva97zrdQJTB48zk_UzkMhhxp_CP772V9lZXXkKJSOiHC32SIyVs-pygzp7yRJYVNj1KmB7JIYnHaZy7GQcBUauw4Q66yGron7_3xKlLAnNlFhWFp/s640/Clare_LiningFlash1.jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lining shot.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
You might notice that I reversed the side of the coat where the zipper opening is. That's due to a combination of user error (I cut one of my pieces wrong) and personal preference (for asymmetric things, I prefer to have the opening on the right side because I'm right-handed). <br />
<br />
Another alteration I did was to add a coat loop at the back so that I could easily hang the coat up on our rack at work:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvRM1ocEj4Tgebp9jRQpFr4SPauxne73awNxo47rjY2Tr-kxOb9PxJZEO3tu05b4NRaOs7dCla50RHMzWK2SxO0T9lKesQDh-oB4dBgFpsF9S5E5YtYS_Of_Z4AvC68o9ulHjHQ__p6pL/s1600/Clare_Const_CoatLoop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvRM1ocEj4Tgebp9jRQpFr4SPauxne73awNxo47rjY2Tr-kxOb9PxJZEO3tu05b4NRaOs7dCla50RHMzWK2SxO0T9lKesQDh-oB4dBgFpsF9S5E5YtYS_Of_Z4AvC68o9ulHjHQ__p6pL/s400/Clare_Const_CoatLoop.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My added coat loop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
Pattern Instructions</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
The instructions for this pattern are pretty great; I found them to include just-the-right-amount of detail for a newbie coat sewist. They tell you "sew the bust darts" without holding your hand (I'd assume that if you're sewing a coat, you know how to sew darts) but then go into detail on sewing the welt pockets and bagging the coat lining. <br />
<br />
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
Can you tell that I love this pattern? I realize that the style isn't for everyone. Yes, a more open neckline would "suit" my large/large-busted figure more than View A's neckline zipper, but I don't care; I like it. And if I want to break up the large expanse of fabric, all I have to do is throw a scarf around my neck. Problem solved. Would I sew it again? I don't need another version of View A, given that it's pretty distinctive, but I would like to sew View B, which I think is really cute, too. I love the idea of doing View B in a bright color (like Heather's sample of View A), so I think I'll keep an eye out for an appropriate wool for that version.<br />
<br />
<br />
So that's my take on the tester version of the Clare Coat. Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments section!Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-38460644960559761672015-11-13T11:00:00.001-08:002015-11-13T11:56:36.427-08:00This Week in Patterns (13-Nov-2015)I don't have much of a roundup this week because there weren't any actual releases. I do have a few pattern-related updates to share, though.<br />
<ul>
<li>Blank Slate Patterns </li>
<li>Curvy Sewing Collective</li>
<li>HotPatterns </li>
<li>Sinbad & Sailor</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://blankslatepatterns.com/products/denver-tunic-and-dress" target="_blank">Blank Slate Patterns: Denver Tunic and Dress</a><br />
<br />
The Blank Slate Denver Tunic and Dress pattern, which <a href="http://curvysewingcollective.com/pattern-review-blank-slate-denver-tunic/" target="_blank">I reviewed over at the CSC</a>, is now available as a stand-alone pattern and no longer requires purchase of the whole bundle.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpJal0NMj2WfAcjA9DZGpnrXKxpdkdYix8BY7L5C56Dg0_EXy48bwAYECn_MiJCH-shR7nXc6XoPKrxGiQqyxoH9oDQk0TqG28krr4CgLwbYFlGt9ZpoGnaoNyTr6g4c8c4Yfc8I4myyy/s1600/BlankSlate_Denver_env.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpJal0NMj2WfAcjA9DZGpnrXKxpdkdYix8BY7L5C56Dg0_EXy48bwAYECn_MiJCH-shR7nXc6XoPKrxGiQqyxoH9oDQk0TqG28krr4CgLwbYFlGt9ZpoGnaoNyTr6g4c8c4Yfc8I4myyy/s400/BlankSlate_Denver_env.png" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blank Slate - Denver tunic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I will say that I've really been loving this tunic--it gets worn nearly every wash cycle. I never actually put the pattern away after my last version because I really want to make another one soon, although I'm still on the fence as to whether I want to make another tunic first or try the flared dress view for my next one. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://curvysewingcollective.com/nominate-your-favorite-curvy-patterns-of-2015/" target="_blank">Curvy Sewing Collective: Nominate Your Favorite Curvy Patterns of 2015</a><br />
<br />
Of course, I'm going to plug my own poll. <br />
<br />
Over at the CSC, we're going to be doing a year-end roundup of our readers' favorite patterns. To narrow down the voting for the final poll, though, we're soliciting nominations first.<br />
<br />
As someone with access to the data, I will say that in some of the categories the nomination voting is VERY close. So please, if you have a favorite pattern or two that you want to see get some recognition, please nominate it to ensure that it makes the cut for the final vote. You don't have to vote for every category, either--just vote for the ones that you want:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://curvysewingcollective.com/nominate-your-favorite-curvy-patterns-of-2015/" target="_blank">Curvy Pattern Nominations Poll</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hotpatterns.com/hp-1097-boudoir-of-bliss-bel-air-lounging-pyjamas/" target="_blank">HotPatterns: Boudoir of Bliss - Bel-Air Lounging Pajama Limited Re-issue</a><br />
<br />
On the HotPatterns Facebook group earlier this week, a member posted a picture of luxurious-looking vintage-inspired pajamas and asked Trudy if she could draft something like that. The picture wasn't terribly different from the Out-of-Print (OOP) Bel-Air pajamas that HotPatterns put out a while back (~ 6 years ago, if I remember correctly). When a number of members chimed in their disappointment that the pattern was out of print, Trudy offered to do a very limited print run for a re-issue of the pattern.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzCaUoR5OX4Yf3zpnrTRx_bCJTA-INXnebN_H-hEPOaCs4uKbLDEb8Kj6FLjnk-NWJX6tM52HmmxrOTW7v4Y4E7JSCccgkA_bveFfiEBB7QRtY35QBizGFG2g6PAmQJSmfHt8AmfhXBVA/s1600/HP_BelAir.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzCaUoR5OX4Yf3zpnrTRx_bCJTA-INXnebN_H-hEPOaCs4uKbLDEb8Kj6FLjnk-NWJX6tM52HmmxrOTW7v4Y4E7JSCccgkA_bveFfiEBB7QRtY35QBizGFG2g6PAmQJSmfHt8AmfhXBVA/s400/HP_BelAir.png" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HotPatterns - Bel Air Lounging Pajamas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
My understanding is that there are only a few copies left, but if you missed the pattern the first time, it's now available again for a short time, so here's your chance! (I actually own a copy of this from back when it was originally in print but haven't yet made them up.)<br />
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<a href="http://www.sinbadandsailor.com/shutting-shop/" target="_blank">Sinbad & Sailor: Shop Closing Announcement</a><br />
<br />
London-based indie pattern maker Hannah of Sinbad & Sailor announced this week that she'd be closing up shop at the end of the year. I've seen her patterns some around the SBC but I haven't ever featured S&S patterns in my weekly posts due to both the lack of recent releases and S&S's limited size range. If you have previously purchased but not downloaded any patterns from S&S, Hannah advises you to download and save your patterns before the shop closes. <br />
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
That's it for now! Any thoughts or questions on this week's updates? <br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-25916762932269843782015-11-11T16:09:00.002-08:002015-11-11T16:09:54.276-08:00Finished Project: Blank Slate Patterns - Fiesta Frock (Tester Version)To those my readers who wonder why I don't sew more for my daughter...muahahahaha... After <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/11/finished-project-mccalls-6814-childrens.html" target="_blank">last week's robot costume post</a>, this week's dress post, I still have yet another unblogged dress that I made for my daughter (ages ago, it feels like) that I haven't managed to get photos of yet. Of course, then if you consider that I haven't photographed my recently-finished<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=736&category_id=2&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=42" target="_blank"> StyleArc Misty Jeans</a> yet, written up the <a href="http://curvysewingcollective.com/pattern-review-blank-slate-denver-tunic/" target="_blank">Blank Slate Denver Tunic</a> on my own blog for my own record, or blogged the coat pattern that I tested back in September...yikes, that's a lot of unblogged projects.<br />
<br />
Anyway, after the robot costume insanity, I needed a palate cleanser project. I lucked out in that Melissa from Blank Slate put out a call for testers for her new girls' party dress pattern, which I fell in love with from the sample photo. This pattern was a very easy sew with no fitting involved, and I think that the final dress is adorable.<br />
<br />
Here it is...the <a href="http://blankslatepatterns.com/collections/girls-1/products/fiesta-frock" target="_blank">Blank Slate Fiesta Frock</a>!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSWAvqAu7-PSQJaVWdd6302T3Be85HjIG4g1BTYwBuf81RguMeT1b9FFSlNlaDAqm3NmCMsrEU3FFXKBEf76grNIE7o3FTpRj2njm4Ls2c2CXPZcwn4Em3BVc0X5mQqFlA6ltBTro2dzB/s1600/BlankSlate_Fiesta_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSWAvqAu7-PSQJaVWdd6302T3Be85HjIG4g1BTYwBuf81RguMeT1b9FFSlNlaDAqm3NmCMsrEU3FFXKBEf76grNIE7o3FTpRj2njm4Ls2c2CXPZcwn4Em3BVc0X5mQqFlA6ltBTro2dzB/s400/BlankSlate_Fiesta_front.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blank Slate - Fiesta Frock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You can see that the line drawing is pretty accurate:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Lvn8cl_FomB0tMXTKtoISJKf2o-H76cc6zA4Ezj5oF4jZKKg6i9i_MBfWcngrLf4B1bxAvzytyUa3i6VACpIxep_yECf1Gx6JrS3uWgqEzI0TOeV-kzmcFZkiyB8FjC3ta25Bfw9YyV5/s1600/BlankSlate_Fiesta_line.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Lvn8cl_FomB0tMXTKtoISJKf2o-H76cc6zA4Ezj5oF4jZKKg6i9i_MBfWcngrLf4B1bxAvzytyUa3i6VACpIxep_yECf1Gx6JrS3uWgqEzI0TOeV-kzmcFZkiyB8FjC3ta25Bfw9YyV5/s320/BlankSlate_Fiesta_line.png" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiesta Frock line drawing</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I love how the final dress turned out, and given how easy it was to sew, I'm planning to use this pattern for Eva's holiday dress this year.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Fabric and Notions Used</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
I used the following fabric and notions for this dress:<br />
<ul>
<li>The main fabric is actually a Mickey Mouse quilting cotton, originally purchased to make a set of pajamas for Eva. I probably wouldn't have chosen this fabric for this dress; however, the skirt is a bit of a fabric hog (but it TWIRLS), and none of my dress-length cuts of fabric for Eva in my stash would have been enough fabric. Eva has been bugging me for a Mickey Mouse dress for a while, so I figured that I'd give her her way this time.</li>
<li>Collar and sleeve binding: a scrap of white cotton shirting from Gorgeous Fabrics</li>
<li>Buttons and bias binding (for the neckline) purchased from JoAnn's.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6gSqgX4aRE1UZPID3oU8sO-0JxJPSIeSp0q21oJLNMjRfoeH8At73BDa8gRyvAN-OScLYAKaZLdkiWX0MFkAJ7ghsQP_0zc_Qhe0kKragi6eZKNJQlAy9NBOsaiazmbfeHJQPq45BixQ/s1600/BlankSlate_Fiesta_collar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6gSqgX4aRE1UZPID3oU8sO-0JxJPSIeSp0q21oJLNMjRfoeH8At73BDa8gRyvAN-OScLYAKaZLdkiWX0MFkAJ7ghsQP_0zc_Qhe0kKragi6eZKNJQlAy9NBOsaiazmbfeHJQPq45BixQ/s400/BlankSlate_Fiesta_collar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faux Peter Pan collar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2>
PDF Assembly and Pattern Drafting</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<br />The PDF for this pattern went together smoothly. One thing that I liked is that although the skirt is just a gathered rectangle, Melissa gives you the option of either printing/taping the pattern piece or drafting it yourself from the dimensions that she gives. I'm a printer-and-taper, so that's what I did.<br />
<br />
I ran into no drafting issues, even though this was technically the test version of the pattern.<br />
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Pattern Sizing, and Alterations</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<br />
This pattern is available in girls' sizes NB-10, so it covers a really wide age span. Eva's measurements best fit the size 3T, so that's what I sewed. I didn't make any fit alterations, and I'm happy with the off-the-printer fit.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzNubctSHR98JOr2BdrQ7hSN0mUVSg9oF8ldX9KkTzRyp_qaSV4W4vcZFycLb4KcwJ7lf6a0ISDYC4w_jHdqxeGxM-KzkK6i3VHJeouni5DkQiMukanZ0lwMS6IkJW20qBUHOTSx66Ek5/s1600/BlankSlate_Fiesta_back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzNubctSHR98JOr2BdrQ7hSN0mUVSg9oF8ldX9KkTzRyp_qaSV4W4vcZFycLb4KcwJ7lf6a0ISDYC4w_jHdqxeGxM-KzkK6i3VHJeouni5DkQiMukanZ0lwMS6IkJW20qBUHOTSx66Ek5/s400/BlankSlate_Fiesta_back.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiesta Frock - back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Pattern Instructions</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<br />
Even though this was just the test version of the pattern, I only ran into really, really minor nitpicky things with the instructions, which should be fixed in the final version. (We're talking about a couple of typos here.) I hadn't seen the included method of binding the sleeve hem/sewing the side seams before, but it was easy to do and made for a nice finish. Melissa's method should be much easier, especially for the smaller sizes, than trying to attach the binding in the round on a small sleeve opening.<br />
<br />
I'd rate this as a solidly "Advanced Beginner" pattern from a difficulty standpoint.<br />
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
It's so nice to have a project where everything goes smoothly, especially after a difficult one like the robot costume. Of course, Eva loves it--she finally got her "Mickey" dress, and it comes with a big twirly skirt!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs32CuYjqEWpk7fBF7kMWeyLh0insLJXDe0qFGuPHf4WtMEVdXrbFzjOWcoJkjnhuxsHtkIbVFXBcvX9oL8YgTZ60lj9JjrbXvz75PwiAS_fYe4k_4BojDNG7MF0wK30raz_1WHk4V5KM-/s1600/BlankSlate_Fiesta_twirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs32CuYjqEWpk7fBF7kMWeyLh0insLJXDe0qFGuPHf4WtMEVdXrbFzjOWcoJkjnhuxsHtkIbVFXBcvX9oL8YgTZ60lj9JjrbXvz75PwiAS_fYe4k_4BojDNG7MF0wK30raz_1WHk4V5KM-/s400/BlankSlate_Fiesta_twirl.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twirl!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-22487131964960351042015-11-06T11:01:00.001-08:002015-11-06T11:01:18.415-08:00This Week in Patterns (6-Nov-2015)Can you believe that it's November already? I've been making good headway on my sewing goals for fall, but I can tell that a number of the garments that I'd planned to make (and still plan to make) won't get sewn until 2016. And, of course, there's always bright and shiny new patterns to be a distraction, right?<br />
<br />
With the start of the new month, we've got new offerings from the following pattern companies this week:<br />
<ul>
<li>Colette - Seamwork magazine</li>
<li>HotPatterns </li>
<li>StyleArc</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.seamwork.com/issues/2015/11" target="_blank">Colette Seamwork - November 2015 Issue</a><br />
<br />
Colette is billing this month's issue of Seamwork as "the warmth issue", and its articles this month are largely geared towards the cozy sewing that many of us love. The two new patterns reflect this theme.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.seamwork.com/catalog/camden" target="_blank">Seamwork - Camden Cape</a><br />
<br />
I really like this cape. It looks so chic and cozy, and unlike a surprising number of cape patterns, this one is actually lined. Now, I wouldn't have a hope of sewing this up in the advertised time frame of 3 hours, but I will happily happily HAPPILY take more interesting patterns like this one that are really pushing the "quick and easy" Seamwork mantra over another boring woven t-shirt.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXs1LIWMSF5PLpBP5YXEUOfbNWV4uys1Kix1ZY9mrlj3W3Y8_iAHmXQWeLB8XqyPKkTj-eMFL6fDb6TMJfxqgmI7cRV055yFWipnDNp2NZ7kBWujBfo7facDntPvL6-axWEkFjPqSKXqy/s1600/Seamwork_Camden.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXs1LIWMSF5PLpBP5YXEUOfbNWV4uys1Kix1ZY9mrlj3W3Y8_iAHmXQWeLB8XqyPKkTj-eMFL6fDb6TMJfxqgmI7cRV055yFWipnDNp2NZ7kBWujBfo7facDntPvL6-axWEkFjPqSKXqy/s400/Seamwork_Camden.png" width="368" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seamwork - Camden cape</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.seamwork.com/catalog/wembley" target="_blank">Seamwork - Wembley Cardigan</a><br />
<br />
Unlike the Camden cape, the Wembley cardigan seems like more of a throwaway pattern. The samples all look a bit odd where the two sets of bands meet up, and I've got more interesting cardigan patterns already in my pattern stash.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDl-SQncs_OI__ppkWisjNGyNQNNm4AXL98XjRYhVfrV5Amka6EANfRgwhs4nV2mDa3zE8MS-1kwOW4WOUq2KxwJGTZ8NUDDWoLSahQCYkZuh6T0xnOWnbSjb6sYb1lUzQuUPEJxjjknR3/s1600/Seamwork_Wembley.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDl-SQncs_OI__ppkWisjNGyNQNNm4AXL98XjRYhVfrV5Amka6EANfRgwhs4nV2mDa3zE8MS-1kwOW4WOUq2KxwJGTZ8NUDDWoLSahQCYkZuh6T0xnOWnbSjb6sYb1lUzQuUPEJxjjknR3/s400/Seamwork_Wembley.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seamwork - Wembley cardigan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.hotpatterns.com/hp-1198-fast-fabulous-diorella-t-shirt-blouse/" target="_blank">HotPatterns: Fast & Fabulous Diorella T-shirt blouse</a><br />
<br />
I'll admit that at very first glance when I opened the email announcement, I sort of scratched my head at HotPatterns' new release. "Um, that looks awfully similar to last summer's <a href="http://www.hotpatterns.com/hp-1191-fast-fabulous-trilogy-shift-dress-tunic-top/" target="_blank">HP Trilogy Top</a> pattern," but then I looked a little closer, saw the back detail, and went "Oh!"...and then read the pattern description, which explains how this pattern is designed for a mix of knits and wovens and went "OH!" And yes, I know that I'm a bit of a HotPatterns fangurl, but I do really like this one, especially since it has the option of cut-on cap or long sleeves. There are a lot of fun design options here:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggjMWYR1PjuLDMhIEYmZASyjKZAAz0C1K4Kc_mtkuJ2O4srZ-NzRCMqxyhPuNZn0tS1ef9Bl67WrtJ1i91rDEjo0xXWw6XWqhNJtZUtgFfigSb4Y-83hU8pfNNzwVn72r7W2Qk0u7ew75/s1600/HP_F%2526FDiorella.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggjMWYR1PjuLDMhIEYmZASyjKZAAz0C1K4Kc_mtkuJ2O4srZ-NzRCMqxyhPuNZn0tS1ef9Bl67WrtJ1i91rDEjo0xXWw6XWqhNJtZUtgFfigSb4Y-83hU8pfNNzwVn72r7W2Qk0u7ew75/s400/HP_F%2526FDiorella.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HotPatterns - Diorella T-shirt blouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
StyleArc: November 2015 release<br />
<br />
This month's StyleArc offerings are fairly interesting, even if they're not all particularly my style. As they've done in recent months, StyleArc is offering two choices for a free pattern with the purchase of at least one other printed pattern this month. Also as they've done in recent months, one freebie choice is new (the Nora) and the other is an older, basic pattern (the <a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=440&category_id=8&keyword=abby&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45" target="_blank">Abby cardigan</a>).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=6&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=879&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41" target="_blank">Violet Knit Jacket</a><br />
<br />
The Violet knit jacket is a cocoon shape and promises some interesting construction. I think that this one would be really fun to make, although I don't know how this shape would translate to someone with a large bust.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_a39OAnoLYDjPapnSoWCQ0gTyZ8dHtYo-m8sf2shtbk6UCpj1Bd1ERR5lk2rXCjhzesKHv89oH6_7JVKJRcqinhjbYaMgeie9LVN_9awj6b6pLhopBjpqV1ni3V7hoNz6Gh3bCIhwI_kw/s1600/VIOLET-JACKET.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_a39OAnoLYDjPapnSoWCQ0gTyZ8dHtYo-m8sf2shtbk6UCpj1Bd1ERR5lk2rXCjhzesKHv89oH6_7JVKJRcqinhjbYaMgeie9LVN_9awj6b6pLhopBjpqV1ni3V7hoNz6Gh3bCIhwI_kw/s400/VIOLET-JACKET.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Violet knit jacket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=2&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=878&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=42" target="_blank">Ebony Woven Pant</a><br />
<br />
These remind me of the wrapover pant style that pops up in BurdaStyle every so often, but without the dropped crotch that usually accompanies the Burda versions. The StyleArc take appears more wearable to me, at least from the line drawing. I've always been intrigued by this style but have never tried a pair myself. I think I'd want to see these on a curvy body before pulling the trigger, but I'm kind of tempted on this one.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Uaby7vToj7-K2Cyewr2LEoLn64j4HRqbjBt9AjSB2OxChJLolT6xXKHCBOj12QjsZdSQmg__Ld-G5yFPpwMgPAvlZQ3nz_H03_b5gswKpa7RGdqkQEIc4-cVT9vvDg3ng-PJ0uA7hKFf/s1600/EBONY-PANT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Uaby7vToj7-K2Cyewr2LEoLn64j4HRqbjBt9AjSB2OxChJLolT6xXKHCBOj12QjsZdSQmg__Ld-G5yFPpwMgPAvlZQ3nz_H03_b5gswKpa7RGdqkQEIc4-cVT9vvDg3ng-PJ0uA7hKFf/s400/EBONY-PANT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Ebony woven pant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=5&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=877&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=39" target="_blank">Nora Woven Tunic/Dress (freebie for November)</a><br />
<br />
The Nora is all about the neckline. The twisted neckline on this pattern is much easier to discern and looks more interesting in the sample photos on StyleArc's website and that StyleArc recently teased on Instagram. The boxy shape wouldn't work for me, but I like the neckline.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYxnASKdDDK-jupkCsr-SnJtAdAPinI-O9hz4L2pSjhCFLzJjT_tORoISXPa9K6VOeswpYfBjdSjObEszzAyY3upsekqYilW_Rz5_5ktuuPQWC_vDvwB08Hqs7vc_fASZBk-J2QYAU0aD/s1600/NORA-TUNIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYxnASKdDDK-jupkCsr-SnJtAdAPinI-O9hz4L2pSjhCFLzJjT_tORoISXPa9K6VOeswpYfBjdSjObEszzAyY3upsekqYilW_Rz5_5ktuuPQWC_vDvwB08Hqs7vc_fASZBk-J2QYAU0aD/s400/NORA-TUNIC.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Nora Tunic/Dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
The only must-have this week is the new HotPatterns blouse, but I'll be keeping an eye out for how those new StyleArcs look on a larger and/or curvy figure. I actually really like that Seamwork cape, too, but day-to-day separates are up higher on my sewing priority list right now.<br />
<br />
So...likes and dislikes of this past week? ;)<br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-74461127906326368052015-11-04T14:22:00.001-08:002015-11-04T14:22:57.577-08:00Finished Project: McCall's 6814 - Children's costumesYou know it's a bad sign for a sewing project when you have to Google one of the notions from the pattern notion list because you've never heard of it before.<br />
<br />
For the record, "headliner fabric" is a soft, spongy foam-like "fabric" that is typically used in upholstery. Also, it's a bitch to sew, and I hope to never have to deal with the stuff again.<br />
<br />
Anyway, backing up a few steps, my 3-year-old daughter wanted to be a robot for Halloween this year. Specifically, she wanted to be a blue robot. I really, really tried to push her towards the <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-12507-childs-wonder-woman-supergirl-batgirl-costumes.aspx" target="_blank">DC superhero costumes put out by Simplicity</a>, but 3-year-olds know what they want, and Eva wanted to be a blue robot. I'd vaguely remembered seeing a robot costume pattern on the McCall's website and wound up ordering the recently out-of-print <a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6814-products-47123.php?page_id=990" target="_blank">McCall's 6814.</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3o3A6DsmRSuLvsNa-GXO0SoijkaHLFtxnQzYPdJYchD_wHSpFmgqxO7xumqgOhEKb74LvMVefHA2avTygfxm8vC3OVDtB3PWcRtMNRDujEeyNT6oR0ZPLHsO_fE3-2zec-a1tqO3iAdG/s1600/M6814_env.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3o3A6DsmRSuLvsNa-GXO0SoijkaHLFtxnQzYPdJYchD_wHSpFmgqxO7xumqgOhEKb74LvMVefHA2avTygfxm8vC3OVDtB3PWcRtMNRDujEeyNT6oR0ZPLHsO_fE3-2zec-a1tqO3iAdG/s640/M6814_env.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McCall's 6814</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Note that the robot looks suspiciously similar to the robot Plex from Yo Gabba Gabba (a former favorite tv show of Eva's):<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1CSpUW8pWiKiCSZhbWrSwRH-dxvTQ-zlH9SN0GOahyphenhyphenyWEy2lIpmhPbUr1sjHgdFiK-MrHJNIcXnMdK8dymD8E5bMHUnXefQ7ST_pUI00b0en-P3ZZnwJ252Fv5d-Pmgy6-N4Fixlq6Nn/s1600/Plex.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1CSpUW8pWiKiCSZhbWrSwRH-dxvTQ-zlH9SN0GOahyphenhyphenyWEy2lIpmhPbUr1sjHgdFiK-MrHJNIcXnMdK8dymD8E5bMHUnXefQ7ST_pUI00b0en-P3ZZnwJ252Fv5d-Pmgy6-N4Fixlq6Nn/s400/Plex.png" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plex from Yo Gabba Gabba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Several trips to JoAnn's, $65 on fabric and notions, and many hours of work later, Eva had her blue robot costume:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_SphABJ_H361k4sVus3ma0e1XC0WH8_azsH6kW6aNynPDyTxsPtZbI_keeUbXwE1yywTmEstWAHhkpO8rZVzD4-dQtqVpTOATSDCjg41o37N5ZyQ3oUxRVsJuFs_Igs9LzSs4_o2wJj2/s1600/Eva_blue_robot1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_SphABJ_H361k4sVus3ma0e1XC0WH8_azsH6kW6aNynPDyTxsPtZbI_keeUbXwE1yywTmEstWAHhkpO8rZVzD4-dQtqVpTOATSDCjg41o37N5ZyQ3oUxRVsJuFs_Igs9LzSs4_o2wJj2/s640/Eva_blue_robot1.jpg" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva in her robot facepaint, post-office-Halloween party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Given the labor effort and expense that went into this costume, I probably shouldn't be too surprised that I couldn't find any reviews for the pattern on PatternReview or on sewing blogs. This costume was a case where it would have been really helpful to have found a previous review or some tips or <i>anything</i> to help out with some of the tricky bits.<br />
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Fabric and Notions Used</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
Oh boy...you know you're in for a marathon when the pattern envelope splits the notions list between the actual envelope and the paper instructions inside. If you want to tackle this costume, here's the supply list that you'll be buying:<br />
<ul>
<li>Fabric for the jumpsuit (in my case, I used a lightweight poly silver lame that shredded if you so much as looked at it).</li>
<li>12" zipper for the jumpsuit</li>
<li>Poly crepe-backed satin for the vest and helmet</li>
<li>Headliner fabric to interline the vest and helmet pieces</li>
<li>A variety of felt squares for the gear and button appliques</li>
<li>Paper-backed fusible webbing to fuse the applique pieces to the vest</li>
<li>Velcro (for the vest closure)</li>
<li>Foam (the disks on the helmet are foam disks wrapped in the silver lame fabric)</li>
<li>3 pipe cleaners</li>
<li>1 pom-pom</li>
</ul>
Oh, and to attach the lame-covered-foam disks, pipe cleaners, and pom-pom to the helmet, I had to buy one of these: <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNAmLGjRG0VGUU-HK8L98eQptRzEgcQMeUomJp56L5EAtBE26VVeqZYmXFvc98LXSLLlvR4Y8tuh3c7FF0RKem3jlbM15ms0SjBbo-DZqnts5KaqmdEoKvreUDLfKIk43XUZ8TdXqbKLB/s1600/gluegun.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNAmLGjRG0VGUU-HK8L98eQptRzEgcQMeUomJp56L5EAtBE26VVeqZYmXFvc98LXSLLlvR4Y8tuh3c7FF0RKem3jlbM15ms0SjBbo-DZqnts5KaqmdEoKvreUDLfKIk43XUZ8TdXqbKLB/s400/gluegun.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I now own a hot glue gun. Is that "Mom" enough for ya?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
I omitted the window screen from the helmet for the sake of not obstructing visibility (this is also why the helmet is somewhat collapsing on itself).<br />
<br />
<h2>
Pattern Drafting, Sizing, and Alterations</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<br />
This pattern is available in McCall's childrens' sizes 2-8. Eva should be a size 3 based on the size chart. I considered sizing down because of the huge amount of ease that Big 4 children's patterns are known for, but I'm glad that I didn't. The jumpsuit would have been too short on her had I sized down; go with the size chart and/or your usual RTW size for your child with this one.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Pattern Instructions</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
Oy. The pattern instructions are enough to get the job done, but they don't really point out any "gotchas" for working with these materials. The headliner fabric is a nightmare to work with, and they have you underline all of the outer pieces for the vest and helmet with it. This stuff squishes and stretches all over the place. There must be an easier way to underline your "fashion" fabric with this (I did machine basting), but I have no clue what that would be. There was no way that I was going to hand-baste all of those pieces for a kids' Halloween costume. Also, the seams involving the headliner fabric are all horribly puckered. No one said anything about it, but I was glad that this costume wasn't an entry on Project Runway.<br />
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
While this project was a huge pain that took forever to sew, but Eva loved it, and that's what counts. She got to wear it to her preschool Halloween party, trick-or-treating at my office, and trick-or-treating around our neighborhood.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgxGkPEFtxdtKaaf4MGcbcPtUG3suF9h7_31-m9T9Co1e51IgEWmze1u3v5qQBYYPl31Zpv-vediVa3IOL04mTVYIdyD8KINUbfVV1YPrnV2t-w3KhLNFN8tcEByt9VrQ_xkLTHuWtkuf/s1600/Eva_blue_robot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgxGkPEFtxdtKaaf4MGcbcPtUG3suF9h7_31-m9T9Co1e51IgEWmze1u3v5qQBYYPl31Zpv-vediVa3IOL04mTVYIdyD8KINUbfVV1YPrnV2t-w3KhLNFN8tcEByt9VrQ_xkLTHuWtkuf/s400/Eva_blue_robot.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"My name is Eva. I am a robot."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Would I make this costume again? Hell, no. Would I recommend it...well, there aren't a whole lot of other robot costumes out there that don't involve an aluminum foil covered box, so there's that. If you are asked to make a robot costume, this pattern will likely result in a happy child, and that's the important part.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_SphABJ_H361k4sVus3ma0e1XC0WH8_azsH6kW6aNynPDyTxsPtZbI_keeUbXwE1yywTmEstWAHhkpO8rZVzD4-dQtqVpTOATSDCjg41o37N5ZyQ3oUxRVsJuFs_Igs9LzSs4_o2wJj2/s1600/Eva_blue_robot1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-6050561857312712472015-10-30T10:30:00.000-07:002015-10-30T10:30:09.632-07:00This Week in Patterns (30-Oct-2015)Happy almost Halloween! I am so far behind on my project blogging, it's not even funny. Over at the CSC, I've been busy working on a few things that I hope you'll all like, or at least find entertaining, and that's been eating up a lot of my blogging time.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, we have a LOT of new patterns! This week, we had releases from the following pattern companies:<br />
<ul>
<li>Blank Slate Patterns</li>
<li>Butterick </li>
<li>Muse Patterns</li>
<li>New Look </li>
<li>Simplicity </li>
</ul>
<a href="http://blankslatepatterns.com/collections/women/products/novelista-shirt" target="_blank">Blank Slate Patterns: Novelista Shirt</a><br />
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Disclaimer: I tested this pattern and received a free copy of it, so my opinions (which are my own) are based off of my testing experience with this pattern.<br />
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A lot of people love the <a href="http://shop.grainlinestudio.com/collections/tops/products/archer-button-up-shirt" target="_blank">Grainline Archer</a> shirt, but I also know that a lot of people feel that it's too boxy and would prefer a shirt with the same details but more shaping. Here's the shirt pattern that you've been looking for--the Blank Slate Novelista:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DZts5Bqke_zW3eKTWAx5_lSvEizVPQchveggvU8ABtYQqarJppjLdgElSHLchYe6rqxskQ92ZZU5CJBtBkMTruymmOfF0-h6XlonyAq0nP2WHYmxYFk0IGoH-a7GJO861z9cZhtac8cv/s1600/BlankSlate_Novelista_env.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DZts5Bqke_zW3eKTWAx5_lSvEizVPQchveggvU8ABtYQqarJppjLdgElSHLchYe6rqxskQ92ZZU5CJBtBkMTruymmOfF0-h6XlonyAq0nP2WHYmxYFk0IGoH-a7GJO861z9cZhtac8cv/s400/BlankSlate_Novelista_env.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blank Slate - Novelista shirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0bapuK9IYJSOTjMJGRdH9x45NSckZ_dSmnt72V2asCz5gqTfZGy_jypePiHHlsNfU25JZddLon4F7D-n9VVoLgbrOuQaoIWoAAt-fW-VjeBCiNW2U1G0XT3sgIdYNMB8ovrqodUHQmEN/s1600/linedrawingsNovelistarevised_grande.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0bapuK9IYJSOTjMJGRdH9x45NSckZ_dSmnt72V2asCz5gqTfZGy_jypePiHHlsNfU25JZddLon4F7D-n9VVoLgbrOuQaoIWoAAt-fW-VjeBCiNW2U1G0XT3sgIdYNMB8ovrqodUHQmEN/s400/linedrawingsNovelistarevised_grande.png" width="352" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blank Slate- Novelista (line drawings)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You can't necessarily tell from the line drawings and sample photos, but the Novelista has the classic shirt details that a lot of blouse patterns lack: sleeve plackets (long sleeved version), a yoke, and a collar-with-stand. I'm really excited about this pattern, and you'll be seeing my version of it once I've had a chance to sew up a non-muslin/non-test version.<br />
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<a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/new-sewing-patterns-pages-147.php" target="_blank">Butterick: Holiday/Winter 2015</a><br />
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Butterick was the last of the Big 4 to release its winter collection. This collection is heavy on sleep- and loungewear, so if that's your thing to sew, you'll probably find a few patterns in this batch to add to your shopping list.<br />
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<a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b6285-products-50797.php?page_id=147" target="_blank">B6285: Gertie Top and Skirt</a><br />
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I'm only calling out this Gertie pattern, which to me is otherwise uninteresting, because it strongly resembles the <a href="http://shop.sewingcake.com/products/0169-pavlova" target="_blank">Cake Pavlova pattern</a> from a few years ago. Gertie's skirt is pleated, and the Pavlova is a circle skirt, but those are the biggest differences that I'm seeing.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKw4vadWe_KU5OMDyMzjhQ3az-2Z3jnkz0Fb3uOGPgnfGST39sx88lb1bD_p8sTMt11uDjNy1E2iuD6S-FeXNOrJz1OjbbaTN0HEbsgtntrfJrSidcc-Xbap4fJu6Z1GMBlhND2CEDrm_R/s1600/B6285.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKw4vadWe_KU5OMDyMzjhQ3az-2Z3jnkz0Fb3uOGPgnfGST39sx88lb1bD_p8sTMt11uDjNy1E2iuD6S-FeXNOrJz1OjbbaTN0HEbsgtntrfJrSidcc-Xbap4fJu6Z1GMBlhND2CEDrm_R/s400/B6285.png" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B6285</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b6282-products-50794.php?page_id=147" target="_blank">B6282: Retro Dress and Belt</a><br />
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This retro shirtdress is cute:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAW7_RGKMoxsqgQ8zTJd8muRieBeZ692iuP6KjJzFqoAXSk2nWBT3Qsfu2Xvx1cpMTtyKHK2nOSRvzzacoTNiIi8_GJYQRqJL1ZwelbsiHqXvO2ubbFWEjhAYVAPIpqiGNrGohdgZs-lP/s1600/B6282.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAW7_RGKMoxsqgQ8zTJd8muRieBeZ692iuP6KjJzFqoAXSk2nWBT3Qsfu2Xvx1cpMTtyKHK2nOSRvzzacoTNiIi8_GJYQRqJL1ZwelbsiHqXvO2ubbFWEjhAYVAPIpqiGNrGohdgZs-lP/s400/B6282.png" width="381" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B6282</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b6288-products-50800.php?page_id=147" target="_blank">B6288: Misses' Shirt</a><br />
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This blouse has an interesting back detail, which is nearly entirely obscured by the fabric choice of the sample, although you can see it in the line drawing.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ57Imt9zNpPAkgpWe4G8tx1RgK9TM7_vjaCeBEv-PcLueG8_wKt3dgyl0c3vIT5hqoomq9bY1uTgRKJIFJSdgAzMvPs9XDl1DuReWbnj7_Dge9RF5HCLEILvJNfENXvaiTt6fJmzfbadk/s1600/B6288.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ57Imt9zNpPAkgpWe4G8tx1RgK9TM7_vjaCeBEv-PcLueG8_wKt3dgyl0c3vIT5hqoomq9bY1uTgRKJIFJSdgAzMvPs9XDl1DuReWbnj7_Dge9RF5HCLEILvJNfENXvaiTt6fJmzfbadk/s400/B6288.png" width="377" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B6288</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b6301-products-50813.php?page_id=147" target="_blank">B6031: Maternity Vest, Coat, and Belt</a><br />
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I had to pick this pattern just because it's the first pattern that I've seen for a babywearing jacket, period. I see RTW versions of these all over the MLS Sounders games that my family attends. These weren't a thing, really, even three years ago when my daughter was a baby, but I love the idea of it and would have wanted one of these if they had been around. There's a maternity view for the pre-baby mom, too.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7skmvxnm6LskyWK2WIZt648i3KvGUZKIS-1Yqg3F6fBcASxa9eH4cpusrrvyrlWgjMkWC-8sHWYB4t-a5fqk4dDjbk2fTPOVq91eGWKJQlfUqLZzshwPxI1j1BMlf93Di0Z1ZNX5dQZj_/s1600/B6301.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7skmvxnm6LskyWK2WIZt648i3KvGUZKIS-1Yqg3F6fBcASxa9eH4cpusrrvyrlWgjMkWC-8sHWYB4t-a5fqk4dDjbk2fTPOVq91eGWKJQlfUqLZzshwPxI1j1BMlf93Di0Z1ZNX5dQZj_/s400/B6301.png" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B6301</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b6296-products-50808.php?page_id=147" target="_blank">B6292: Lisette Pajamas</a><br />
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This is Liesl's (of Oliver & S and Lisette patterns) take on classic pajamas. They're quite similar to the <a href="http://store.closetcasefiles.com/products/carolyn-pajamas" target="_blank">Closet Case Files Carolyn Pajamas</a> in that both patterns have similar details: piping, pockets, and both long and short views.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI38ciwEI4_G0klP8o-VjeR46NCsNKiNS12ov5gxDncndLlkUH2Hx20H2btKZwSt8_yPyTwm3IY84NGZ2cW5mgOF0oShhu3EH4ZiZXDVMoqB1_oCXrt9dGyksNoihaGUT0ofSr-VxslaXB/s1600/B6296.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI38ciwEI4_G0klP8o-VjeR46NCsNKiNS12ov5gxDncndLlkUH2Hx20H2btKZwSt8_yPyTwm3IY84NGZ2cW5mgOF0oShhu3EH4ZiZXDVMoqB1_oCXrt9dGyksNoihaGUT0ofSr-VxslaXB/s400/B6296.png" width="377" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B6296</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://sewingmuse.com/products/tahi-skirt-and-shrug" target="_blank">Muse: Tahi Skirt and Shrug</a><br />
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Along with the Blank Slate Novelista, we have another entry in the category of Patterns That Fill a Glaring Hole in Current Pattern Catalogs--this time from Muse Patterns. Kat's new pattern includes a shrug and a skirt with four different views of various fullnesses and lengths. The maxi- view is exactly what I had in mind this past summer when I was trying to find a pattern for an interesting maxi-skirt that wasn't the <a href="http://www.sewaholicpatterns.com/gabriola-skirt/" target="_blank">Sewaholic Gabriola</a>. I really like all four views of the skirt, although I think I prefer the flared versions slightly. I'd never personally sew the shrug (shrugs and large busts don't mix, in my experience), but it's a nice pattern extra to include for most women.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8YcH_NG_T_8M59tIGoRCEz55ozRH6HELgwEBYIosfYtfegJ-JWmY_sfgjluafCqioFsyhGd6IiD1ZXCGMo5JknKuACa26RC3ynO4J2a-cKCXDX4SjQOe-A_SvNO1j2qwwIQ2aLmpg0sg/s1600/Muse_Tahi.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8YcH_NG_T_8M59tIGoRCEz55ozRH6HELgwEBYIosfYtfegJ-JWmY_sfgjluafCqioFsyhGd6IiD1ZXCGMo5JknKuACa26RC3ynO4J2a-cKCXDX4SjQOe-A_SvNO1j2qwwIQ2aLmpg0sg/s640/Muse_Tahi.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muse - Tahi skirt and shrug</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.simplicity.com/c-1251-new-patterns.aspx" target="_blank">New Look: Winter 2015</a><br />
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Whereas the previous release from New Look appeared to be made up entirely of refreshed and reissued patterns, the Winter release includes entirely new patterns, as far as I can tell. (Please correct me on this in the comments, if I'm wrong.) Not a whole lot of it excites me, but there are a few decent basics in the group. Here are the two patterns that stood out the most to me:<br />
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<a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-12656-misses-draped-jacket.aspx" target="_blank">New Look 6417</a><br />
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This cardigan/jacket/coat is similar to the popular <a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=573&category_id=6&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41" target="_blank">StyleArc Harper jacket</a>. I've been seeing this style around town for the past year or so, and it's surprisingly wearable on a lot of different body types. If I didn't already own the StyleArc, I'd probably pick up the New Look version.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcm0Ut4quPsXzg_nreUQ08AZFh3TP1oeHMQO_oCVmlyC0GBqcnPZhHXlI5MCuDfScsiwh80o28-LIePAqVmwVsGLJNhSZVFIOt3fxTzRpVJ60Cuk56BnDnBRiEOzT1n87Oi_RUG_0J3Ya/s1600/NewLook6417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcm0Ut4quPsXzg_nreUQ08AZFh3TP1oeHMQO_oCVmlyC0GBqcnPZhHXlI5MCuDfScsiwh80o28-LIePAqVmwVsGLJNhSZVFIOt3fxTzRpVJ60Cuk56BnDnBRiEOzT1n87Oi_RUG_0J3Ya/s400/NewLook6417.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Look 6417</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-12660-misses-tunic-pants-and-skirt.aspx" target="_blank">New Look 6421</a><br />
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I think that the color used in the sample is hideous, but this pattern includes a nice princess seamed shift-style tunic and cigarette pants. There's also a basic pencil skirt pattern, if for some reason, you need one and don't already have one.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjb50v-_tsYZu3boNW8D-2CPTHCbkNxOUDOigOvAKiAyYbpyaY5Pb26pm-dujGE5C86BFnt9CUMpcz4GUue2gq00DzZONbvuuXbkkBcyTY5tlL5fOMtiaRPpzoeuWzKzai6xC-gEK8RVe/s1600/NewLook6421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjb50v-_tsYZu3boNW8D-2CPTHCbkNxOUDOigOvAKiAyYbpyaY5Pb26pm-dujGE5C86BFnt9CUMpcz4GUue2gq00DzZONbvuuXbkkBcyTY5tlL5fOMtiaRPpzoeuWzKzai6xC-gEK8RVe/s400/NewLook6421.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Look 6421</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://www.simplicity.com/c-1201-new-patterns.aspx" target="_blank">Simplicity: Winter/Holiday 2015</a><br />
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The online reaction to Simplicity's Winter/Holiday collection this year has been mostly "meh", but I feel like there are a few gems in here. Overall, this collection certainly grabs me more than McCall's and Vogue's Winter/Holiday releases. There are definitely a few in this bunch that I'll be picking up at a future JoAnn's sale. The Vintage offerings are particularly strong this time around, IMO, but that could be my own bias because I'm one of those odd people who actually likes some 70's fashions.<br />
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<a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/75828" target="_blank">Simplicity 8019: 1970's Vintage Skirts</a><br />
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First up is this A-line gored button-down skirt. I had a rayon challis skirt from Express like this in college--another time that the 70's were a big fashion influence. I loved that skirt. And I got really excited when I saw Bowfinger because Heather Graham was wearing the same skirt that I owned. In any case, this seems like a no-brainer to pick up when it's on sale.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_KV_e_X8d0WZ_AKxjAyZWuEIikJ1pSKD8UO25MHvFHu6iFQmWCDWCae65fC62vCRGfodSWVmu3g7AP7_uPqjjTkZ5Z97UIyIqzVSixER44teMStIxLZik8VoS3_Tu-z_50Jj-t1STArt/s1600/Simplicity8019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_KV_e_X8d0WZ_AKxjAyZWuEIikJ1pSKD8UO25MHvFHu6iFQmWCDWCae65fC62vCRGfodSWVmu3g7AP7_uPqjjTkZ5Z97UIyIqzVSixER44teMStIxLZik8VoS3_Tu-z_50Jj-t1STArt/s400/Simplicity8019.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simplicity 8019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-12616-misses-vintage-1970s-dresses.aspx" target="_blank">Simplicity 8013: 1970's Vintage Dresses</a><br />
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This woven wrap dress pattern is unbelievably 70's-tastic in a very awesome way. It kind of makes me want to curl up on the couch with a glass of Riunite and watch Love Story.<br />
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I have no idea where I'd wear this, but I think I need to buy this pattern just for the sake of owning it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrXy92I-lsCNpRQlLSCOI6M-47-zt-ZyQRSRnQfv57Tn6FM16zAFrW2stDMSa4OfklsQ9SrvNjj16xF2WdMZyt7s2bfcNiIUdbyxeheD_KPlpUikjKofQbLITW8Wvy0SQw4iPE7v4quCD/s1600/Simplicity8013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrXy92I-lsCNpRQlLSCOI6M-47-zt-ZyQRSRnQfv57Tn6FM16zAFrW2stDMSa4OfklsQ9SrvNjj16xF2WdMZyt7s2bfcNiIUdbyxeheD_KPlpUikjKofQbLITW8Wvy0SQw4iPE7v4quCD/s400/Simplicity8013.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simplicity 8013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/75823" target="_blank">Simplicity 8014: Misses' Shirt Dresses</a><br />
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Can a person own too many shirt dress patterns? I don't think so. This one is kind of similar to the famous <a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6696-products-44752.php?page_id=96" target="_blank">McCall's 6696</a> (aka "Mary's shirtdress"), but the Simplicity has an option for a partial circle skirt and an option for a shirdress without a waist seam. Like the McCall's the Simplicity has some cup size options, too.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7XogOC1wbKOGvCkuOFeaisSxdXtrQtpqd7Ncq4q3xF8u6R9OxztVOi-ecTyjcRcaRJwo4Bue1zDPtLA_juDgHbceygVgt4qJVXk7s2wJgMRCdYhqDssPwMJp6fCfV6FolZwl2ZPzc4gi/s1600/Simplicity8014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7XogOC1wbKOGvCkuOFeaisSxdXtrQtpqd7Ncq4q3xF8u6R9OxztVOi-ecTyjcRcaRJwo4Bue1zDPtLA_juDgHbceygVgt4qJVXk7s2wJgMRCdYhqDssPwMJp6fCfV6FolZwl2ZPzc4gi/s400/Simplicity8014.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simplicity 8014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-12637-animal-stuffies.aspx" target="_blank">Simplicity 8034: Animal Stuffies</a><br />
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I am so not usually a craft person, but the stuffed unicorn here is way too cute.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LMYFk7S8qI9avxE36R7UO9hCRTiX-S4ozZw4Z6_IA7g2U9nABpdQGxqsKWK9XdmYddPN9u-biIKRZtYx-rgBhzLlrFEwcw8fn2T_zgi3O8TmIfkLQ1aFSRHFrZ7f-WMsryAxF219VdEO/s1600/Simplicity8034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LMYFk7S8qI9avxE36R7UO9hCRTiX-S4ozZw4Z6_IA7g2U9nABpdQGxqsKWK9XdmYddPN9u-biIKRZtYx-rgBhzLlrFEwcw8fn2T_zgi3O8TmIfkLQ1aFSRHFrZ7f-WMsryAxF219VdEO/s400/Simplicity8034.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simplicity 8034</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-12630-childs-and-girls-sportswear-pattern.aspx" target="_blank">Simplicity 8027: Girls' Sportswear pattern</a><br />
<br />
OMG, a girls' moto jacket pattern! And my daughter is big enough for it! I am so making this. In addition to the adorable moto jacket, there are some really useful everyday coordinates in this envelope, too. There isn't a piece in this bunch that I wouldn't sew or dress my daughter in.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0EVds-aBXkGLaIuPWkZ27d3jCNBJXXQmPqbcHCyfmsdXg-8m5RmKhH6rWS4HhZgAB8EYHzE4GjtSShBx_RY5R_eye09YM4xYTI26PKvQgMUHrgH6fvqLfRme40Lfq7zbUyLccZgRknNY/s1600/Simplicity8027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0EVds-aBXkGLaIuPWkZ27d3jCNBJXXQmPqbcHCyfmsdXg-8m5RmKhH6rWS4HhZgAB8EYHzE4GjtSShBx_RY5R_eye09YM4xYTI26PKvQgMUHrgH6fvqLfRme40Lfq7zbUyLccZgRknNY/s400/Simplicity8027.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simplicity 8027</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
There was a lot to like this week, IMO. If you're looking for an Archer with more shaping, the Blank Slate Novelista is your pattern. I also really like Muse's new skirt pattern--enough that I ordered it right away while it was still on sale. There aren't any must-haves for me out of the Butterick or New Look collections, but from Simplicity, I want the girls' moto jacket, 70's wrap dress, and the shirtdress.<br />
<br />
What were your favorites this week?<br />
<br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-72240748123871839762015-10-23T10:58:00.002-07:002015-10-23T10:58:38.522-07:00This Week in Patterns (23-Oct-2015)We had a pretty interesting week of new patterns this week, including a couple of major indie releases and a new BurdaStyle Plus collection. Here are the new entries:<br />
<ul>
<li>BurdaStyle Plus </li>
<li>Colette Patterns</li>
<li>Pauline-Alice</li>
<li>Peekaboo Patterns</li>
<li>StyleArc </li>
</ul>
<a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/canal-walks-10-new-plus-size-patterns" target="_blank">BurdaStyle (Plus): November 2015 collection (Canal Walks)</a><br />
<br />
I've been so impressed with BurdaStyle's plus collections as of late that I recently spent a chunk of birthday money on a trial subscription (after not having subscribed in ~5 years). While maybe not as outstanding as the September 2015 collection, November's collection has a few pieces that are right up my alley.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/cuffed-culottes-plus-size-112015?utm_source=burdastyle.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=bs-tta-bl-151022-CanalWalksCollection130" target="_blank">11-2015 #130: Cuffed Culottes</a><br />
<br />
First up is a completely unremarkable pair of culottes. Can you even call these culottes--they don't really have any of the volume associated with culottes and look like long shorts or short capris to me. This is probably the worst design out of this group.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGRgVhnuPzxzCual5qvDDYpzTIkxiBI55rNsSXPAwXTeO3TAmsWyxcJNTIM_J1WkAdETbXE_vEd2sRQoOk8tWTVs-AfSxqVeEKhs8zt_j7lQQIhE23TxKfUxJ3qlxBCrB3s3vEIj9Tiem/s1600/Burda_Culottes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGRgVhnuPzxzCual5qvDDYpzTIkxiBI55rNsSXPAwXTeO3TAmsWyxcJNTIM_J1WkAdETbXE_vEd2sRQoOk8tWTVs-AfSxqVeEKhs8zt_j7lQQIhE23TxKfUxJ3qlxBCrB3s3vEIj9Tiem/s400/Burda_Culottes.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11-2015 #130: Cuffed culottes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/button-up-blouse-plus-size-112015?utm_source=burdastyle.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=bs-tta-bl-151022-CanalWalksCollection129" target="_blank">11-2015 #129: Button Up Blouse</a><br />
<br />
Up next is a nice basic: a darted button-up blouse. I think that this could be a nice alternative to the Grainline Archer for those of us who wear larger sizes. Note that the Burda (unlike the Archer) has a bust dart for shaping.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefegDQ0wq2F86tpcCuEbVM8N1AX5p_Vmaw9h9NnXjF5LuJiBLrxYtxSu7Y29_-8pIUTvl2fXbkg8EKHQsPVf0Ge6pim55Gu8hDXhcVO5uU7uh631_pS9j0VFWCVZPeKUrUxqikV14wXwj/s1600/Burda_Buttondown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefegDQ0wq2F86tpcCuEbVM8N1AX5p_Vmaw9h9NnXjF5LuJiBLrxYtxSu7Y29_-8pIUTvl2fXbkg8EKHQsPVf0Ge6pim55Gu8hDXhcVO5uU7uh631_pS9j0VFWCVZPeKUrUxqikV14wXwj/s400/Burda_Buttondown.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11-2015 #129: Button up blouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/shirt-dress-plus-size-112015?utm_source=burdastyle.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=bs-tta-bl-151022-CanalWalksCollection128B" target="_blank">11-2015 #128A & B: Shirt Dress and Tunic</a><br />
<br />
Next up are my two favorite pieces of the collection--a retro-inspired shirt dress and tunic. I love the gathered shoulders, open neckline, and tie option on these.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2JoGhMrpme3lspBaLRIXOx0q6WivK_eD6fHTUFALy85POB86kQQ8Imr23SINAkmZbpmYBkqu5tlMPNHzkGSTyfQ5Sg1BzeMPL3Uvyr_OSFZHKuIGfQ3N_zxkDELozkErgJ0SA90_vZol/s1600/Burda_Shirtdress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2JoGhMrpme3lspBaLRIXOx0q6WivK_eD6fHTUFALy85POB86kQQ8Imr23SINAkmZbpmYBkqu5tlMPNHzkGSTyfQ5Sg1BzeMPL3Uvyr_OSFZHKuIGfQ3N_zxkDELozkErgJ0SA90_vZol/s400/Burda_Shirtdress.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11-2015 #128A: Shirtdress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNG9uhUjqeqPfrw9lQo-V_G0Y_rUvxVjZFoO4OB5fDfthtRhGa2dmnVsVq6JbpxnBDdWiEBZXZSTggDkk_-H1QA9MAfa8K_xj8MjC1jVpe36iODQ8HgnpkT_1dysqNZOXhsJFyWQh_FkAP/s1600/Burda_Shirttunic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNG9uhUjqeqPfrw9lQo-V_G0Y_rUvxVjZFoO4OB5fDfthtRhGa2dmnVsVq6JbpxnBDdWiEBZXZSTggDkk_-H1QA9MAfa8K_xj8MjC1jVpe36iODQ8HgnpkT_1dysqNZOXhsJFyWQh_FkAP/s400/Burda_Shirttunic.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11-2015 #128B: Tunic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/long-sleeve-dress-plus-size-112015?utm_source=burdastyle.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=bs-tta-bl-151022-CanalWalksCollection127" target="_blank">11-2015 #127: Long Sleeve Dress, Skirt with Flounce, Pencil Skirt</a><br />
<br />
This collection has three views that all use variations on the same skirt pattern. There's a long-sleeved dress, a skirt with a flounce, and a plain pencil skirt (which I'm not including a photo of because...it's a pencil skirt and we all know what that looks like).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQU9HeUDEP32UJLHWagC9KcwijPjZlNXnOJo-TAuYBjrkieEC2wsFeHhsnYxpkJWTmBzyCF5PInx0R9ShJfWQjzkEly0o1RCt5J2l9xBoaeWvLOuOc1BthyNcASymy-3DF3O8phnZUCFWh/s1600/Burda_Dressflounce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQU9HeUDEP32UJLHWagC9KcwijPjZlNXnOJo-TAuYBjrkieEC2wsFeHhsnYxpkJWTmBzyCF5PInx0R9ShJfWQjzkEly0o1RCt5J2l9xBoaeWvLOuOc1BthyNcASymy-3DF3O8phnZUCFWh/s400/Burda_Dressflounce.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11-2015: #127: Long sleeved dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7Y3q6RTUAAPbzaBF339DMxt3W_DTeWbP2mLQDSAja_fgAmFVY2FqU4nUHWBQN4-jN5WYYYAzZnCTKWN2zeCRTCH-ibC9MhZivLuKDFdEqFGrVdoIyV9t81LRAcXscve1O32aW9-O5GIA/s1600/Burda_skirtflounce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7Y3q6RTUAAPbzaBF339DMxt3W_DTeWbP2mLQDSAja_fgAmFVY2FqU4nUHWBQN4-jN5WYYYAzZnCTKWN2zeCRTCH-ibC9MhZivLuKDFdEqFGrVdoIyV9t81LRAcXscve1O32aW9-O5GIA/s400/Burda_skirtflounce.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11-2015 #126: Pencil skirt with ruffle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/long-pea-coat-plus-size-112015?utm_source=burdastyle.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=bs-tta-bl-151022-CanalWalksCollection124" target="_blank">11-2105: #124 Long Pea Coat</a><br />
<br />
Finally, we have a coat and jacket pattern that uses the same base pattern. I'm not a huge fan of the lack of shaping here, but I do think that it's a sharp-looking coat and jacket, and it has nice details. The coat has an optional removable fur collar.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiFmRd6qMVIs9haHqeJSauXcw0YPqMziSYPGZhAO6RXGfRdKOLnnKbxCmfzFLjjLQ2_jRnhimPNLWQEJ2wmc_XZMwo57H3v6M7zef-Q1CNkzPaHR65mITvASyAC0JzizbR17_tOezTEhd/s1600/Burda_coat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiFmRd6qMVIs9haHqeJSauXcw0YPqMziSYPGZhAO6RXGfRdKOLnnKbxCmfzFLjjLQ2_jRnhimPNLWQEJ2wmc_XZMwo57H3v6M7zef-Q1CNkzPaHR65mITvASyAC0JzizbR17_tOezTEhd/s400/Burda_coat.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11-2015: #124: Long pea coat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggErcSjpfe56AQbWgqhwXfHe-pPTe7xknv8MjRGj8c9DtK13RcGszdRP9XkNBj3oMSJDQb956AB40CrfRHSiLpqFSBjmBGjhx8sGeqof-wYlgW-_ePkf2JDzt2ffFKLZLl3jcjGgw1YiGP/s1600/Burda_jacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggErcSjpfe56AQbWgqhwXfHe-pPTe7xknv8MjRGj8c9DtK13RcGszdRP9XkNBj3oMSJDQb956AB40CrfRHSiLpqFSBjmBGjhx8sGeqof-wYlgW-_ePkf2JDzt2ffFKLZLl3jcjGgw1YiGP/s400/Burda_jacket.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11-2015 #122: Belted jacket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.colettepatterns.com/catalog/wren" target="_blank">Colette Patterns: Wren Dress</a><br />
<br />
We <i>finally</i> have our latest non-Seamwork release from Colette Patterns, and it's a knit surplice/faux-wrap dress. It's a pretty enough dress, but I'm a little wrap dress'ed out at the moment. The gathered front bands are a nice detail, and I like that it comes with two different choices of skirts. As far as whether I'd purchase it, though, I think I'll wait to see some reviews and how it looks on a curvy figure first.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQupvtv8RcsRGLMho3M4zFM5vz8nRelxT6l7bIOg6TiTnD5B-PFbg4OMMhyphenhyphensVNtfpkYO9vhDi5pIwFc7MrE0hvhKQvJNYh8oyQbg4ylHzV_hczB7K5Wzb7IbeNIT6s-QVR99L67sUcWOsR/s1600/Colette_Wren.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQupvtv8RcsRGLMho3M4zFM5vz8nRelxT6l7bIOg6TiTnD5B-PFbg4OMMhyphenhyphensVNtfpkYO9vhDi5pIwFc7MrE0hvhKQvJNYh8oyQbg4ylHzV_hczB7K5Wzb7IbeNIT6s-QVR99L67sUcWOsR/s400/Colette_Wren.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colette - Wren dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.paulinealicepatterns.com/rosari-skirt" target="_blank">Pauline-Alice: Rosari Skirt</a><br />
<br />
OMG, this is such a cute skirt! Love the 70's vibe and the different length and pocket options. Yes, you could find a similar skirt in a vintage pattern, but this one has a decent (not great) size range, and the PDF is only 8,00€.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlVPtIQFHQI-E60qgLs1vI5d4hGKgYojnTkXlqBiIQmoTCVWxE4BhhAkkDxy7uuICl1iJLg21k_9_tyf75ZnKnY80vAaPUu-xBRJKksD1lchKjLpj7yiZiFzzNN895-P8trr5rDd8Blor/s1600/PaulineAlice_Rosario.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlVPtIQFHQI-E60qgLs1vI5d4hGKgYojnTkXlqBiIQmoTCVWxE4BhhAkkDxy7uuICl1iJLg21k_9_tyf75ZnKnY80vAaPUu-xBRJKksD1lchKjLpj7yiZiFzzNN895-P8trr5rDd8Blor/s640/PaulineAlice_Rosario.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pauline Alice - Rosari skirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.peekaboopatternshop.com/bristol-button-up/" target="_blank">Peekaboo Patterns: Bristol Button-up</a><br />
<br />
I haven't typically included Peekaboo patterns in these roundups because the early women's designs in this line all had similar alternative patterns that were available many other places (e.g. a raglan tee), the samples appeared to have fit issues, and they lacked line drawings. They still lack line drawings, but to give credit where it's due, Amy released a cute hoodie with an asymmetrical zipper a little while back that's been getting rave reviews, and now she's released a shirt-jacket that's a fun 90's callback: the Bristol Button-up.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20QP4OldgcJgQOMmBl58ppfKdMZLc1iVSmt51Tg2XS2ZxoqY-N0IEPbdLvTwpwc-eJ8FhXoEvXCI1TpqIAI5A6XzUZppzh9ahoVd9RVMsM1ivZdG_UwDa_1v-_hDJNVO9NnATyqHqGHJ-/s1600/Peekaboo_Bristol.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20QP4OldgcJgQOMmBl58ppfKdMZLc1iVSmt51Tg2XS2ZxoqY-N0IEPbdLvTwpwc-eJ8FhXoEvXCI1TpqIAI5A6XzUZppzh9ahoVd9RVMsM1ivZdG_UwDa_1v-_hDJNVO9NnATyqHqGHJ-/s400/Peekaboo_Bristol.png" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peekaboo - Bristol button-up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Remember those flannel shirts with the knit hood? That's what this is. I had a neighbor in the dorms who used to wear one of these all the time. The main things that I remember about him were that shirt and the fact that he used to play Wolfenstein at all hours, blasting the sound over the speakers from his IBM 386. ("Guten Tag!") This pattern comes in sizes from an XXS-XXXL and is fairly reasonably priced for an indie. (And if you question whether these are actually coming back in style, there's a kids' version of this shirt in the December Burda preview.)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=5&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=874&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=39" target="_blank">StyleArc: Louisa Dress/Top</a><br />
<br />
I'm either in an unusually good mood, or there have been some really cool patterns released this week. The latest from StyleArc also falls into the "want" category.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibA4X8B_ghX6eli2UAxvfZ5-nw1Ss3AlcD131zLLVsSK8L8kTi__nLhGESPksSO1U1H0P0Nzn8xlUkJqBymd3AP-KLEZnEcM8rB0CH0VREwusHNUjuVfirfrgS3mEDWFZm2bBron-mA0O-/s1600/LOUISA-DRESS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibA4X8B_ghX6eli2UAxvfZ5-nw1Ss3AlcD131zLLVsSK8L8kTi__nLhGESPksSO1U1H0P0Nzn8xlUkJqBymd3AP-KLEZnEcM8rB0CH0VREwusHNUjuVfirfrgS3mEDWFZm2bBron-mA0O-/s400/LOUISA-DRESS.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Louisa top/Dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I love the seaming/darts and how they open up into pleats to make a full-skirted dress. On the other hand, I know that that neckline (when zipped) isn't going to work for me, so I'll wait to see a review or two on this one to make sure that the zipper can be worn semi-open to give more of a v-neck-style neckline. <br />
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
What were your favorites out of this week? Mine are actually the Burda Plus shirtdress (no surprise there) and the new Peekaboo Bristol (I'm wearing Doc Martens while I type that, BTW) AND I really like the Pauline Alice skirt. I quite like the StyleArc dress, too, but think I'll need to see it made up a few times first. <br />
<br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-34594661948256028172015-10-16T10:58:00.002-07:002015-10-16T10:58:20.366-07:00This Week in Patterns (16-Oct-2015)We had a fairly quiet week on the pattern release front this past week. (This was a good thing for me because I had a friend in town visiting and really no extra time to sew or blog.)<br />
<br />
This week, we had releases from only two pattern companies:<br />
<ul>
<li>Grainline Studios </li>
<li>McCall's</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://shop.grainlinestudio.com/collections/outerwear/products/tamarack-jacket" target="_blank">Grainline Studios: Tamarack Jacket</a><br />
<br />
Jen has been teasing with sneak peaks of the Tamarack Jacket on Instagram for the past few weeks. Coupled with how much I liked <a href="https://sewmanju.wordpress.com/2015/09/07/vogue-7975-diy-quilted-cotton-boho-jacket-finished-garment/" target="_blank">Sewmanju's quilted jacket</a> and Jen's teaser shots, I actually plunked down some birthday cash on some <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/250484798/japanese-fabric-nani-iro-fuwari-fuwari?ref=shop_home_active_5" target="_blank">Nano Iro pre-quilted fabric from Miss Matatabi</a>. Upon seeing the sample pics, though, I wasn't convinced that the lack of shaping in the Grainline jacket would work for me, so I will be using the Tamarack as inspiration, but actually using a collarless Simplicity jacket with princess seams and cup sizing for my actual jacket.<br />
<br />
TL; DR: I like the idea of this jacket. Quilted jackets are everywhere right now, and I think that if I wasn't using pre-quilted fabric I'd be interested in learning the quilting techniques in this pattern. I'm not sure that this particular pattern will work well on a curvy figure, although the samples look great on Jen.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZmcNGsygW54uZGIZX49rRTwgX2UdRlBi4t7rjyv69S8zeqCzKYCWDTaJHEggiC0fVrgcZ93lyAwEsjFA8lg7VsUfsVkWocKUrimIUhOXfgwQ6lAByMuw3NnoOwY8xUOuWkQaqn2yTQZR/s1600/Grainline_Tamarack.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZmcNGsygW54uZGIZX49rRTwgX2UdRlBi4t7rjyv69S8zeqCzKYCWDTaJHEggiC0fVrgcZ93lyAwEsjFA8lg7VsUfsVkWocKUrimIUhOXfgwQ6lAByMuw3NnoOwY8xUOuWkQaqn2yTQZR/s400/Grainline_Tamarack.png" width="353" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grainline Studios - Tamarack Jacket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
</ul>
<a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/new-sewing-patterns-pages-96.php" target="_blank">McCall's: Winter/Holiday Collection 2015 </a><br />
<br />
Usually, when the online sewing community seems to love a Big 4 collection, I can't find anything in it that I'd want to sew and wear (as is often the case with Vogue). Other times, particularly with McCall's and Simplicity, the online sewing community collectively yawns, but I wind up buying six patterns from that collection. This time, however, the online sewing community and I are in sync: this is a pretty "meh"to bizarre collection. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m7280-products-50748.php?page_id=96" target="_blank">M7280: Misses' Jacket and Dress</a><br />
<br />
Those sleeves are, um, interesting.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRVcwQd-4IJ0fKoiLJbHGhAHbBH0dhexNDk6rtwYTvA20de5U7ngQlLIrQU96HXSXTp6Xe6EhhtaxcB1aasman2ZqUa7tYK9gDEn5mjqioFEbCcY3ToYMK5_06nmz4LC4mTHks9t8xcnt/s1600/M7280.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRVcwQd-4IJ0fKoiLJbHGhAHbBH0dhexNDk6rtwYTvA20de5U7ngQlLIrQU96HXSXTp6Xe6EhhtaxcB1aasman2ZqUa7tYK9gDEn5mjqioFEbCcY3ToYMK5_06nmz4LC4mTHks9t8xcnt/s400/M7280.png" width="381" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M7280</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m7293-products-50761.php?page_id=96" target="_blank">M7293: Misses' Jacket and Pants</a><br />
<br />
I like the shoulder saddle detail on this jacket, although it looks like you'll have to sacrifice the princess seams from the other views to get the shoulder detail:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2COZzMx0_KtxpDaIMiCnVyqUP-aGzpGbsTSUT-rnkuT8pWVi-HnZ9LWZaiwYSU2tC-_BlKOo7IscjrIsC0xTs1oXMUCi_M8FSj0ZT4pTj6jaDy3PhfQdm6sSwzQvtdcJL1SEC_WAfreA-/s1600/M7293.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2COZzMx0_KtxpDaIMiCnVyqUP-aGzpGbsTSUT-rnkuT8pWVi-HnZ9LWZaiwYSU2tC-_BlKOo7IscjrIsC0xTs1oXMUCi_M8FSj0ZT4pTj6jaDy3PhfQdm6sSwzQvtdcJL1SEC_WAfreA-/s400/M7293.png" width="377" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M7293</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m7296-products-50764.php?page_id=96" target="_blank">M7296: Misses' Jumpsuit and Romper</a><br />
<br />
I can't decide if this lounging jumpsuit/romper is the best or worst idea ever. On one hand, it looks super comfortable for hanging around the house. On the other hand, if it's cold enough to lounge around in a cozy jumpsuit, do I really want to get undressed to use the bathroom?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpZULQDhDIdo3WCA2axxyEiBNuC47S1JPfynyCIQhOb0y7X6RRfA3MUyB4U2V118zJUQnGkpdsqnrKeFLjkpCkQe6qoeT7EjJy9pIXawQiZihim2NCgEIpUV3WHAEiSRXfRdb0qvHtkQw/s1600/M7296.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpZULQDhDIdo3WCA2axxyEiBNuC47S1JPfynyCIQhOb0y7X6RRfA3MUyB4U2V118zJUQnGkpdsqnrKeFLjkpCkQe6qoeT7EjJy9pIXawQiZihim2NCgEIpUV3WHAEiSRXfRdb0qvHtkQw/s400/M7296.png" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M7296</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m7295-products-50763.php?page_id=96" target="_blank">M7295: Misses' Top and Pants</a><br />
<br />
Okay McCall's, now you're just trolling:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUAuOzS_DIMjwQ1vUlSuAZz5Xov2L2gOoBFJX0V92hIgkFd8dTxxPA5X_Ups5njW2sBWYx7spi0N8NYhCoK1HqhkqZ600vAQENWf-4pjJvrZhuov8V7rUHqy-BY-uNMNJ0R7gVV2Cl3hN/s1600/M7295.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUAuOzS_DIMjwQ1vUlSuAZz5Xov2L2gOoBFJX0V92hIgkFd8dTxxPA5X_Ups5njW2sBWYx7spi0N8NYhCoK1HqhkqZ600vAQENWf-4pjJvrZhuov8V7rUHqy-BY-uNMNJ0R7gVV2Cl3hN/s400/M7295.png" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M7295</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
This is the rare week where there weren't even any patterns released that I'll be putting on my wish list. I'll be keeping an eye on posts related to the Grainline pattern just to see what techniques others are using for their jackets. (I haven't yet decided if my take using a Simplicity pattern will be lined or unlined with bound seams.) <br />
<br />
Did anything new grab you this week?<br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-74777657016445948062015-10-09T11:50:00.001-07:002015-10-09T11:50:23.627-07:00This Week in Patterns (9-Oct-2015)Friday roundup time! Lots of new patterns this week! We've got new releases from the following pattern companies:<br />
<ul>
<li>BurdaStyle (Plus) </li>
<li>Cashmerette </li>
<li>HotPatterns </li>
<li>StyleArc </li>
<li>Tilly and the Buttons</li>
<li>True Bias</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/evening-elegance-9-new-plus-size-patterns?utm_source=burdastyle.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=bs-tta-bl-151001-EveningElegance" target="_blank">BurdaStyle (Plus): October 2015 collection (Evening Elegance) </a><br />
<br />
Although I missed the announcement, at some point in the past week or so, BurdaStyle published the Plus collection from the October 2015 issue to the US website. I didn't have time to do a rundown on the individual patterns, but it's a nice collection of formal and semi-formal patterns. I've been nicely encouraged by the Plus collections in the past few issues of BurdaStyle; they seem to be getting back on track with including nicely detailed patterns with shaping in their plus styles.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglq71ONNc8mE1oRIdV7vdYFLdm6eg3j0w-sLOf9nAmgZAhnMgS2diE9y9e0Iv87LpifN1Hfsryh26Q3YJTPtn6K0AsTbIcyjWFcGl3fmzSVTGLXK5A3y_WxWksOsh9ztWeJXdchyphenhyphen0YUO6N/s1600/Burda_evening_ele.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglq71ONNc8mE1oRIdV7vdYFLdm6eg3j0w-sLOf9nAmgZAhnMgS2diE9y9e0Iv87LpifN1Hfsryh26Q3YJTPtn6K0AsTbIcyjWFcGl3fmzSVTGLXK5A3y_WxWksOsh9ztWeJXdchyphenhyphen0YUO6N/s400/Burda_evening_ele.jpg" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BurdaStyle Plus - Evening elegance collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
</ul>
<a href="http://shop.cashmerette.com/products/appleton-dress-printed-pattern" target="_blank">Cashmerette: Appleton Wrap Dress</a><br />
<br />
I can finally talk about this! As you all probably already know, my friend and founder of the Curvy Sewing Collective, Jenny/Cashmerette launched her pattern company on Thursday! I've known about this pattern for a while--I sewed up my pattern tester version back in August and have been wearing it regularly since then. I wrote up <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/10/finished-project-cashmerette-appleton.html" target="_blank">my full post on it</a> yesterday, so you can check that for details.<br />
<br />
It's a great basic wrap dress and should work well on a lot of curvy women. (Just make sure that you pay attention to all aspects of the size chart, including finished garment measurements, when selecting your size.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY6vwQwaTpsV9R39C7c6aQVYdzBGbxCx2UtvieQ1-5iYWSrm7tr4JcxnhMk2LumfAAreLSFapi4FvjKWbau9L-zCPn3Ypha8OprzEc-dAjhoIs7go1EMGHx1QmoXo67Nad60gJMzdo_qg/s1600/Cashmerette_Appleton_env.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY6vwQwaTpsV9R39C7c6aQVYdzBGbxCx2UtvieQ1-5iYWSrm7tr4JcxnhMk2LumfAAreLSFapi4FvjKWbau9L-zCPn3Ypha8OprzEc-dAjhoIs7go1EMGHx1QmoXo67Nad60gJMzdo_qg/s640/Cashmerette_Appleton_env.png" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cashmerette - Appleton dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.hotpatterns.com/hp-1196-metropolitan-urban-gypsy-blouses/" target="_blank">HotPatterns 1196: Metropolitan Urban Gypsy Blouses</a><br />
<br />
The first of two new HotPatterns is an off-the-shoulder pullover blouse with an optional built-in shelf bra. It's a very pretty blouse in the line drawing, but the bra unfriendliness here makes this a no-go for me. (Trudy has suggested to others to tuck in the straps from their bras and use the shelf bra as light support to keep the bra in place. I'm not sure that would work on my huge rack.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUs1rblQuKdrWlEzjUPFec5ckr7FQsH-BzGz_IaABsf9h7eaUpcdag8jZYvpfd2S1eByS5a7cc9ERPFHVpI0I1NcItqGbEKaZNlFtPqRJdOswC3sPxMp6cxAr7BVOQ0Lz_AFn_pyQJvJou/s1600/HP_Gypsy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUs1rblQuKdrWlEzjUPFec5ckr7FQsH-BzGz_IaABsf9h7eaUpcdag8jZYvpfd2S1eByS5a7cc9ERPFHVpI0I1NcItqGbEKaZNlFtPqRJdOswC3sPxMp6cxAr7BVOQ0Lz_AFn_pyQJvJou/s400/HP_Gypsy.png" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HotPatterns - Urban Gypsy Blouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hotpatterns.com/hp-1197-classix-nouveau-skinny-bootcut-jeans/" target="_blank">HotPatterns 1197: Classix Nouveau Skinny Bootcut Jeans</a><br />
<br />
Want.<br />
<br />
Already ordered this one. I am thrilled beyond words to see that flared and bootcut jean styles are coming back into style again finally. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRoDwD4GUUIyOoX6dgGYPNYuFTa1MznOOxe6t4dihd2cFBMdX2PIQPZyF0rSOqZ84ohDGPu7bLMf_T5Zav5LOnX1we7q6PJttObWirm_2MuulZtdjdVsMOM5G8RhWBmK9HAK_jv6JFXqI/s1600/HP_Bootcut.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRoDwD4GUUIyOoX6dgGYPNYuFTa1MznOOxe6t4dihd2cFBMdX2PIQPZyF0rSOqZ84ohDGPu7bLMf_T5Zav5LOnX1we7q6PJttObWirm_2MuulZtdjdVsMOM5G8RhWBmK9HAK_jv6JFXqI/s400/HP_Bootcut.png" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HotPatterns - Skinny Bootcut Jean</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=5&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=871&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=39" target="_blank">StyleArc: Vivienne Designer Frock</a><br />
<br />
StyleArc's designer October release is up, and it's a shift dress with a twist: it has no side seams. StyleArc posted a photo of one of their samples for this dress, and as is usually the case with their "designer" patterns, the made up sample looks much nicer than the line drawing. I still don't see this dress working on my figure (lack of bust shaping and all) but I really like the design of it for someone who can wear it--I bet this would look great on someone with a pear shape.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdesqaPKnQYsly0aYD7rupbqnuYJyYxshGxrZ8M44ibgnr2EdkvzZ4RDTuVUuA0JEx2hVWkrdqV0r17B0gYeFI5j-g_WK2NEBSuCus8g9hZL2BkKAikMIGbnUNWRpFOdQ_8mhfEMhXg43/s1600/VIVIENNE-FROCK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdesqaPKnQYsly0aYD7rupbqnuYJyYxshGxrZ8M44ibgnr2EdkvzZ4RDTuVUuA0JEx2hVWkrdqV0r17B0gYeFI5j-g_WK2NEBSuCus8g9hZL2BkKAikMIGbnUNWRpFOdQ_8mhfEMhXg43/s400/VIVIENNE-FROCK.jpg" width="388" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Vivienne designer frock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
</ul>
<a href="http://shop.tillyandthebuttons.com/products/orla" target="_blank">Tilly and the Buttons: Orla blouse</a><br />
<br />
I feel weird including Tilly's patterns in these roundups because I'm so not her target market. To me, this looks like a top version of her Francoise pattern, but with only one set of darts and different collar variations. Maybe I'm missing something?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif69ZG5eNGZcRt7u5Bc5dTjh1uRe_7rnS9AWH9EPWoQlh4Xic4Q80UUCToOsWKvWtPTKuFwGh2rBfUejPzAK8dd7_1-UVvnI3Oq4rbsAIvqiEUUp0sd2MjgdQ3m5oUTaF_oxZ76AXOBE5M/s1600/Tilly_Orla.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif69ZG5eNGZcRt7u5Bc5dTjh1uRe_7rnS9AWH9EPWoQlh4Xic4Q80UUCToOsWKvWtPTKuFwGh2rBfUejPzAK8dd7_1-UVvnI3Oq4rbsAIvqiEUUp0sd2MjgdQ3m5oUTaF_oxZ76AXOBE5M/s400/Tilly_Orla.png" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tilly and the Buttons - Orla top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://shop.truebias.com/product/roscoe-blouse-dress" target="_blank">True Bias - Roscoe Blouse and Dress</a><br />
<br />
When Kelli released her Roscoe peasant blouse pattern earlier this week, a small portion of the online sewing community almost seemed like their eyes were offended at the unoriginality of releasing a peasant blouse pattern. I don't really have a problem with it--Kelli's aesthetic tends to very much reflect current RTW trends, and blousey peasant blouses like this one are all over RTW right now.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSFGKqg9d6EO361FwCZWoZEYIhdt_NRd0tIJhpqkANhInDZUTsNIfQprUgxIy6-P6IldvxpY5I5IjbNazHqh0-2nSAF3VvFVOPwFuV8_4dxppU8q3t9LJ8GDP9WIRvoWewZm9mFm9KvG5/s1600/TrueBias_Roscoe.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSFGKqg9d6EO361FwCZWoZEYIhdt_NRd0tIJhpqkANhInDZUTsNIfQprUgxIy6-P6IldvxpY5I5IjbNazHqh0-2nSAF3VvFVOPwFuV8_4dxppU8q3t9LJ8GDP9WIRvoWewZm9mFm9KvG5/s400/TrueBias_Roscoe.png" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">True Bias - Roscoe blouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Granted, I did raise my eyebrow a touch at how closely the True Bias blouse resembles the <a href="http://www.hotpatterns.com/hp1169-classix-nouveau-refined-peasant-blouse/" target="_blank">HotPatterns peasant blouse</a> that they released about a year and a half ago. If you'll recall, <a href="http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/2015/06/finished-project-hotpatterns-1169.html" target="_blank">I made the HP version a few months ago</a>, and it's been in regular rotation in my wardrobe since then. You do get more options with the True Bias version, though.<br />
<br />
I have many more issues with the repetition of, say, Tilly's patterns than I do with True Bias offering a take on a current RTW trend. It's not like this new offering is yet another darted A-line shift dress.<br />
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
I've been looking for a jeans pattern like the HP one, so that was a no-brainer to me. I almost succumbed to ordering a similar RTW pair online and thankfully talked myself out of it because the chances of them fitting decently would be so small.<br />
<br />
Jenny's new dress is a nice basic with welcome drafting. I'm really happy to see how positive the online reception has been for her pattern launch. I'm aware of a few of the other patterns that she has in the works, and I will say that there's a nice amount of diversity there, in terms of basics and patterns with more of an original design. <br />
<br />
So...what are your thoughts on this week's pattern releases? ;)<br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-60937020964318216532015-10-08T12:33:00.001-07:002015-10-08T14:13:26.805-07:00Finished Project: Cashmerette - Appleton Dress (Test Version)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd39r3WDwVsSgTLHawFAWOiXyrL_uVhT3DdPZ7xit0X0RkrSLc4_otXlbgnAiKmMdHnQOrCBwrq7lymbXi3oXb_K8jE8vkLw6qgw3oWN7PhrZP3iNoWGRreNXxGae2AWzySIobPxoq6m2I/s1600/CM_Appleton_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
The cat is finally out of the bag! Jenny/Cashmerette has launched her new pattern line, aimed at curvy sewists. For the first time that I'm aware of, we have a pattern designer who's actually targeting those of us who wear a cup size larger than a D/DD-cup. Jenny actually uses three different pattern blocks--separate ones for for C/D cups, E/F cups, and G/H cups.<br />
<br />
Given that one of her favorite garment types is a wrap dress, it probably comes as no surprise that her first pattern release is a wrap dress--the <a href="http://shop.cashmerette.com/products/appleton-dress-printed-pattern" target="_blank">Appleton Wrap Dress</a>. <br />
<br />
I had the pleasure of testing this pattern back in August, and while I'm normally hesitant to share "pattern test" versions of the things that I make, I'm making an exception this time because I know that many of you are probably curious about the sizing, etc, especially with this being a new pattern line. Plus, I'm pretty happy with my dress and have been wearing it, so why not share? (As a side note, that test coat pattern that I've been hinting about turned out pretty awesome, so I will be sharing that one too, when the pattern is released. Note that that pattern is from another pattern designer, though.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3ug59breekKNyLvKbdTUtkRUNtU8VjDPBkgPlWSpXVQiFRUmcBRUOhZ3xX8sQ1dbrb-Z1DQlzjhvWRyf03oNj1m6S66d5yXImjynk_fUGXA5hpck2gy0dxS5uN-sMp3CZ-Gwolgloy_0/s1600/CM_Appleton_front1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3ug59breekKNyLvKbdTUtkRUNtU8VjDPBkgPlWSpXVQiFRUmcBRUOhZ3xX8sQ1dbrb-Z1DQlzjhvWRyf03oNj1m6S66d5yXImjynk_fUGXA5hpck2gy0dxS5uN-sMp3CZ-Gwolgloy_0/s640/CM_Appleton_front1.jpg" width="526" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appleton - on me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
A quick note about this photo shoot... I'd really wanted to get this blog post up today because I suspected that a lot of you would be curious about this pattern. I'd had a bit of a heads up that this release was coming, but our last few mornings had been quite drizzly and unsuitable for outdoor photography. (I usually try to take my blog photos in the morning before I leave for work so that I look a bit fresher, etc.) I got up extra-early this morning so that I could park at my local park-and-ride and take my commuter bus into work...only to discover that when I was ready to take photos right before I left, the sun hadn't come up yet! <br />
<br />
Obviously, I couldn't take dress photos in the dark, so I went ahead and drove to the park-and-ride, hoping that the sun would be up soon. I knew that there was a little park/bike path off in the most remote corner of the P&R, so I gambled that the sun would be up after I snagged one of the last few parking spaces but before I needed to catch my bus. The resulting photos obviously aren't great and are a bit dimly-lit thanks to the sun <i>just</i> coming up, but I figured that dimly lit photos were better than no photos and delaying the blog post.<br />
<br />
On to the actual pattern write up...<br />
<br />
Again, note that I am talking about the <b>test version</b> of this pattern. I know that Jenny has made some pattern changes, based on tester feedback.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhConTR8_Op0lzbI9KZozx7YVI1-9uk4eQ8ndU7KNN9YgCIWHsSy-j6fmySJYjq48I7Air8zLHIGHqgycaC7f1QkCYwzV7i0JRJv3JklxZtog9UxBsdmoYCvTHXGfOONLamLstsdP95PCpU/s1600/Cashmerette_Appleton_env.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhConTR8_Op0lzbI9KZozx7YVI1-9uk4eQ8ndU7KNN9YgCIWHsSy-j6fmySJYjq48I7Air8zLHIGHqgycaC7f1QkCYwzV7i0JRJv3JklxZtog9UxBsdmoYCvTHXGfOONLamLstsdP95PCpU/s640/Cashmerette_Appleton_env.png" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cashmerette - Appleton wrap dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2>
Fabric and Notions Used</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
For the main body of this dress, I used an ITY jersey from <a href="http://gorgeousfabrics.com/" target="_blank">Gorgeous Fabrics</a>. Yes, it has a purple paisley print, and yes, I do get Prince songs stuck in my head every time I wear this dress. I'd consider this fabric to be light-to-medium weight and fairly stretchy. I wanted something that would skim over lumps and bumps, rather than cling, for this dress, and this fabric fit the bill.<br />
<br />
For the contrast bands, I used leftover fabric from a pair of leggings. The band fabric is slightly beefier than the ITY fabric used in the dress body.<br />
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
PDF Assembly</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
I used the PDF version of this pattern for my test garment. The PDF went together beautifully. Jenny uses faint gridlines on the background of the pattern to help you line things up for taping. I haven't seen many other pattern companies do this, and it was a nice touch.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Pattern Drafting, Sizing, and Alterations</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
<br />
This pattern is available in Cashmerette's sizes 12-28, which equates to a 40" bust through a 58" bust (102cm - 147cm). The pattern has separate front pieces for each cup size block, with sizes nested within a block. So, for example, if you're sewing a size 20 E/F for your bust, but need a size 22 for your hips, you can easily grade between the sizes of the nested pattern pieces.<br />
<br />
Depending on what bra I'm wearing on a given day, my full bust measurement tends to be between 51" and 52" currently. However, taking the negative ease in this pattern into account, I chose to go up a size and sewed a size 24 G/H for my bust, a 26 for my waist, and back to a 24 for my hips.<br />
<br />
If you're thinking about making this, you'll want to check out the
finished garment measurements for your size. There's a LOT of negative
ease in this dress. Knowing that I generally prefer my knit garments to
have 10% negative ease at most (preferably less), I went up a size from
the size chart for this dress. Ideally, I probably should have gone up
at least one more size (and will do so in the future), but I wanted to
keep this pattern test as straightforward as possible for Jenny.<br />
<br />
Note that I'm short (5'2") and did not make any length adjustments to this dress.<br />
<br />
There were a few places where I felt that some of the pattern pieces could have been better labeled and marked, and my understanding is that these changes should be present in the final pattern.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHJ7nIGTPvPv8NBPKin90ihpIXJwrMjGm7Qq_IYD_IvHDqUkPNf9oFJhZr80aIXqQfdVI4qV1kbJncF5qe4rZgSKWzhmnqgqi7-OH5tahiX0v2Ja1bn7RV-cfBxeJL7Es2K9QGxh9Yfzv/s1600/CM_Appleton_twist.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHJ7nIGTPvPv8NBPKin90ihpIXJwrMjGm7Qq_IYD_IvHDqUkPNf9oFJhZr80aIXqQfdVI4qV1kbJncF5qe4rZgSKWzhmnqgqi7-OH5tahiX0v2Ja1bn7RV-cfBxeJL7Es2K9QGxh9Yfzv/s640/CM_Appleton_twist.jpg" width="416" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Appleton shot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Pattern Instructions</h2>
<h2>
</h2>
The pattern instructions were nicely detailed and used a sensible order of construction. The accompanying illustrations were clear and appropriate for the construction steps. I'd rate this as an "Advanced Beginner" pattern.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDQ-7Jo8ljMBPXDJsXg40QKqaRmIZnyG8jxxsZoKXADa4X-Kbxnj9H8aoKpuWzs8Ayao42S8F4BXSDG8WmKnszxsQAz3a7wbvZdUIxi6nHqYAp0cZKnyHp0a0dOnz1-HFOT1-SyM2tYRF/s1600/CM_Appleton_back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDQ-7Jo8ljMBPXDJsXg40QKqaRmIZnyG8jxxsZoKXADa4X-Kbxnj9H8aoKpuWzs8Ayao42S8F4BXSDG8WmKnszxsQAz3a7wbvZdUIxi6nHqYAp0cZKnyHp0a0dOnz1-HFOT1-SyM2tYRF/s640/CM_Appleton_back.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appleton dress - back view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
And in line with <a href="https://craftingarainbow.wordpress.com/better-pictures-project/" target="_blank">Gillian's Better Pictures project</a> and in honor of Jenny's signature twirls, I tried to incorporate a few twirling shots into this morning's photoshoot. You can see that I've still got work to do to try to figure out how to get sharp pictures while incorporating motion, but do I get a participant ribbon for trying?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcnu1AJTAHBfwqZ5GKlrVtB5IanDHGp9fAQjkzSqEBfT_nO3fidvqP936DeYFfCsE2zoyJBTOOzOez_phjTVikJEin8wCynsYFxQvKT9Mvpz6PWjp-D6GujzoDZ2yMkFtlnGh-8s1abcH/s1600/CM_Appleton_twirl.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcnu1AJTAHBfwqZ5GKlrVtB5IanDHGp9fAQjkzSqEBfT_nO3fidvqP936DeYFfCsE2zoyJBTOOzOez_phjTVikJEin8wCynsYFxQvKT9Mvpz6PWjp-D6GujzoDZ2yMkFtlnGh-8s1abcH/s640/CM_Appleton_twirl.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blurry twirling shots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
Finally! Someone is designing for us busty women! I've been looking forward to Jenny's pattern launch for a while now, and I'm really happy to see the largely positive feedback that I've read so far online. <br />
<br />
I really hope that she's able to remove the "FBA hurdle" that a lot of newer and time-constrained sewists face by offering pattern sizes for those of us who are larger than a D-cup. Less time for FBAs means more time to actually sew!<br />
<br />
<i><b>Note</b>: As a pattern tester, yes, I did receive the pattern for free, but this review reflects my own opinions. </i>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3872782147494855823.post-44466418744435068082015-10-02T10:32:00.001-07:002015-10-02T10:32:05.911-07:00This Week in Patterns (2-Oct-2015)Things have been fairly quiet on the release front this past week after a huge week of new patterns last week. I thought about holding off on a post this week and combining this week's updates with next week's, but I have a strong suspicion that many of you might be interested in one of the new StyleArc offerings, so I wanted to get that out there for those of you not on their mailing list.<br />
<br />
This week, we have new releases from two pattern designers: <br />
<ul>
<li>Colette - Seamwork Magazine </li>
<li>StyleArc </li>
</ul>
<br />
<a href="https://www.seamworkmag.com/issues/2015/10" target="_blank">Colette Seamwork - October 2015 Issue</a><br />
<br />
Before we get into the patterns for this month, let's talk about the subscription change that Sarai announced on Thursday. Whereas previously, your $6 per month subscription got you whatever two patterns were included in that month's Seamwork release. Now, however, you'll be getting $6 in <i>pattern credit</i>, meaning that you can either choose one or both of that month's patterns or choose something from Seamwork's pattern archive. If nothing appeals to you, then your credits roll over to the next month.<br />
<br />
To me, this is an extremely customer-friendly move. I do like the occasional Seamwork pattern, but there are also a number of them, such as the Florence bra or the recent bikini top, that I'd never even bother with.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.seamworkmag.com/catalog/paxson" target="_blank">Paxson Sweatshirt</a><br />
<br />
This month, we're seeing the first Seamwork men's pattern released--a raglan-sleeved sweatshirt. There's such a dearth of men's patterns out there, that I can't think of a currently in-print equivalent pattern, although there might be one escaping me. I've got no complaints about this one--it's a nice basic and something that a lot of men would probably wear. It's got a nice size range, too.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxzPmwiQF3Aw-Z9t5xaHNRfQlMoGg3mlHBxMg6gDJUdHIXKatOw7N8o-P9F2axv_TZv3JZ1i3u0h5yJUTwuk-lsIdcjfDHelPlyNL6kHUT0S90WMi7WJ-A2bVGM_H3EcGSaMQP3jCNl6R/s1600/Seamwork_Paxson.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxzPmwiQF3Aw-Z9t5xaHNRfQlMoGg3mlHBxMg6gDJUdHIXKatOw7N8o-P9F2axv_TZv3JZ1i3u0h5yJUTwuk-lsIdcjfDHelPlyNL6kHUT0S90WMi7WJ-A2bVGM_H3EcGSaMQP3jCNl6R/s640/Seamwork_Paxson.png" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seamwork - Paxson Sweatshirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.seamworkmag.com/catalog/denali" target="_blank">Denali Vest</a><br />
<br />
The Denali vest is a unisex quilted, fully-lined vest. Yeah, I don't see how anyone is going to make this in under three hours, but it could be a pretty useful layering piece. Some of the samples are a bit dodgy-looking, but I really like the idea of this vest, and like the Paxson sweatshirt, it fills a pattern niche that isn't already overpopulated with similar patterns.<br />
<br />
Between the subscription announcement and this month's patterns, I have to say "Well done, Seamwork", now keep up the good work in the coming months. (Granted, I still wish that Colette would spend some energy focusing on interesting, regular pattern releases, but that ship seems to have sailed.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9-Ao6PYWifVu8ZyA6Ki24ZbnXDC3By9BqhWtGrd26ojFRFm4aeUt-VHoHrrSJ-I17Rtz7L0WQA4A6fks505vNlIaiHrrd4cj48fTiLu21IVpGHNr0iK0x5-r0gE0jypixKe7yTCR3AgD/s1600/Seamwork_Denali.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9-Ao6PYWifVu8ZyA6Ki24ZbnXDC3By9BqhWtGrd26ojFRFm4aeUt-VHoHrrSJ-I17Rtz7L0WQA4A6fks505vNlIaiHrrd4cj48fTiLu21IVpGHNr0iK0x5-r0gE0jypixKe7yTCR3AgD/s400/Seamwork_Denali.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seamwork - Denali</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
StyleArc: October 2015 Releases<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=6&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=870&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41" target="_blank">Beatrice Pea Coat</a><br />
<br />
StyleArc released a classic pea coat! StyleArc released a classic pea coat!<br />
<br />
One of the biggest grumblings that I've observed in the online sewing community in recent years is the lack of decent, classic pea coat patterns. Vogue has that new Anne Klein pattern, but my understanding is that it's more of a jacket and not fully lined. The StyleArc version, on the other hand, does have a full lining and it's designed for wool coatings. What's not to love here? This is a classic style that you'll be able to wear for years to come.<br />
<br />
This is fantastic. I think I'd opt for a paper pattern here because there's no way that I'd want to piece together the PDF for this.<br />
<br />
My only "hmmmm" comment here is that the technical drawing shows a welt that's on the side panel, whereas the fashion drawing shows a welt on the center panel. Welts can be done either way, but on the center panel, you're construction is going to be more like a single welt pocket, as opposed to if it's on the side panel, where it'll be more like doing a fancy inseam pocket.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvUtNOQptmush2Bejzp1fZcRlD_1MDeUcTQpg_han0dB0Q7cOkId4Vl0IMJma-Hs-Gksd5Aocle-btkAykJCtLZGymdn-lmB_80xBTE0FsmDYsdyrvjboODXVgfMvj55zBj1Y6sGvBQNe/s1600/BEATRICE-COAT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvUtNOQptmush2Bejzp1fZcRlD_1MDeUcTQpg_han0dB0Q7cOkId4Vl0IMJma-Hs-Gksd5Aocle-btkAykJCtLZGymdn-lmB_80xBTE0FsmDYsdyrvjboODXVgfMvj55zBj1Y6sGvBQNe/s400/BEATRICE-COAT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Beatrice coat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
StyleArc's newsletter also revisited the <a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=6&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=868&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41" target="_blank">Grace Trans-seasonal Coat</a>, for those who prefer an unlined coat.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=8&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=864&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45" target="_blank">Mavis Knit Tunic</a><br />
<br />
This was actually released at some point in the past week or so, but I missed it. I can't wear a turtleneck (boobs), but if I could, I'd love this tunic with its interesting inset details.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvCNNCITFH1lSZpcbALFCd3uHYtgc60q8xqjc3M6alVxsLnyXdbFhlJR82VTl0Snz5GzJlLCOIpm-y_ZefYsYE3rLkhlHhpmT30dhn7Ntn2lN5mdjQNq7huuijtOXGxiGrTOAf6EamwzG/s1600/MAVIS-TUNIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvCNNCITFH1lSZpcbALFCd3uHYtgc60q8xqjc3M6alVxsLnyXdbFhlJR82VTl0Snz5GzJlLCOIpm-y_ZefYsYE3rLkhlHhpmT30dhn7Ntn2lN5mdjQNq7huuijtOXGxiGrTOAf6EamwzG/s400/MAVIS-TUNIC.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Mavis knit tunic</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=8&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=869&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45" target="_blank">Pearl Knit top (October freebie - new)</a><br />
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As has been the case in one other recent month, in October, if you place an order for paper patterns on StyleArc's website, you'll get to choose between one new and one older pattern as your freebie pattern. The new pattern is an on-trend if not particularly exciting knit top with an asymmetric hem and drape pocket.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8OnbNso41SP7cKkQ3xAYfI65NYMRFuGuHKmudsaNx9RQhuDGVfgwPaF5AI18lyhkdiakeZU60Nz_-j1k6t9xGc43flH9EDi2rny-fWIk50BYwAd6bSsb00GAo5Ot22zWX5bypZ6BG_PO/s1600/PEARL-TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8OnbNso41SP7cKkQ3xAYfI65NYMRFuGuHKmudsaNx9RQhuDGVfgwPaF5AI18lyhkdiakeZU60Nz_-j1k6t9xGc43flH9EDi2rny-fWIk50BYwAd6bSsb00GAo5Ot22zWX5bypZ6BG_PO/s400/PEARL-TOP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Pearl knit top</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=7&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=867&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=44" target="_blank">Tiffany Blouse (October freebie - archive)</a><br />
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Your other choice for a freebie this month is the Tiffany blouse--a princess seamed pussybow blouse that's been in StyleArc's archives for several years. I've had this pattern in and out of my shopping cart a number of times over the years (I have other pussybow blouse patterns, but none with princess seams). Since the Pearl top doesn't have a ton of shaping, I love that they're also offering the Tiffany blouse as an alternative freebie.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyhnYHDgrAQp9gYmLCyOUNYe5nHSkK2j5wHXzJqsPCpi3aLEX0OdwUQqJgD5CgAi3xz91-ztg1_-P887JrjHfeRUuClu1Ty5xAR14e9_dVNg23eeWmvuA5GXGbKfk2t_DGV917D52oGES/s1600/TIFFANY-BLOUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyhnYHDgrAQp9gYmLCyOUNYe5nHSkK2j5wHXzJqsPCpi3aLEX0OdwUQqJgD5CgAi3xz91-ztg1_-P887JrjHfeRUuClu1Ty5xAR14e9_dVNg23eeWmvuA5GXGbKfk2t_DGV917D52oGES/s400/TIFFANY-BLOUSE.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc - Tiffany blouse</td></tr>
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<h2>
Final Thoughts</h2>
OMG, I love that peacoat. Did you get that impression from my post? The thing is, I've already made my "new coat" for the year, and I'm not sure that I want to invest the time in doing another coat...but that coat is such a classic! And, I could finally add the Tiffany blouse to my pattern stash... Hmmm... Anyone else love that peacoat, or is it just me?<br />
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And how do you feel about the Seamwork changes? Whereas I had no interest in subscribing before, I will say that I'm mildly intrigued now. Probably not right away, but if they could put together a few consecutive months of patterns that I liked, I might bite.<br />
<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940774293224434567noreply@blogger.com10