12 Jackets/Coats in 2011

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Newlook 6563

This pattern from Newlook caught my eye last year. I like each view of it and I would like to make them all. I've started by making view c the little apricot top. I'm trying to use up any fabrics I have already and this cotton voile was perfect for this top. I have 3.2mtrs so maybe a skirt out of whats leftover would be nice too as the top only takes 1.2mtrs.

I started by tracing the size 12 of this pattern. I shortened the pattern accross the front and the back by 1cm just under the arms. I added 1cm on back and front sideseams at the hip and the waist and tapered to nothing just under the arms.I then made a toile and realised that I had forgotten to do a sway back adjustment of 12ml, which I then did to the pattern. I also felt that the 1cm that I had originally added to the front and back side seams at the hip and waist was to much and I adjusted it to 4ml on each of the seams.

These 2 photos show pattern after the adjustments.

I read the sewing instructions first and noted that they were all over the place and then I sewed it together. I always stay stitch my neck edges. I didn't find a need to look at the instructions again untill I got to the center front loops and facing. It wasn't a hard garment to sew up and I'm very pleased with the way it looks. I was a little concerned that the peplum would make my hips look larger but it doesn't. Its a nice cool little summer top. I also sewed beads on the back tie which look kinda cute.
This photo shows the inside of the peplum joining the body of the top. Also the lace and the button loops.

Now that I have made view c I am planning to make view e in a green/purple silk chiffon/nylon fabric and view a in a white embroidered cotton.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

New dress


This is the design of a new dress that I have wanted to make. Its a very simple design and I thought that it would look good and be cool on hot days as well as be quick to make. I have chosen an Orange printed polyester fabric that I got from the Remnant Warehouse.

It wasn't a hard design to draft but I had to think about how the back was drafted and also getting rid of the darts in the front skirt. I don't know if the draft is technically correct but it worked and thats all I care about. The plan below shows what I did to the draft much better than I could describe it.

I lined this dress with a stretch knit lining and centred a zipper in the back. I think the dress turned out rather nice and its comfortable and cool. This fabric does crease easily but that doesn't matter too much.

This dress has also been made in a Polyester georgette and lined with sunsilky polyester lining. I used an invisible zipper in the back of this one. For now I wont make this pattern again but I have kept it for possible future use. The brown dress is still to be hemmed but is otherwise finished.