Simplicity 1738 take 2

You can see my original review here.  The only changes I made were using a light weight ribbed knit.  I had thought about doing 3/4 sleeves but I opted to go ahead with full length.  I haven't added a closure to the front yet since it is currently part of my maternity wardrobe.

simplicity 1716

Pattern Description:  Misses knit mini-dress, tunic, or top that can be made with a front twist or draped neckline with five different sleeve variations.  I made view E which is the short sleeved draped neck top and I also added the ruching at the sides.

Pattern Sizing: 8-24, I cut a 14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, I glanced at them before construction and referred to them quickly when doing the pleating at the shoulders.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I really like drape neck tops as they flatter me and this one was very easy to construct.  It went together quickly and with this pattern you can create a number of looks.  I didn't have any dislikes.

Fabric Used: A white mystery knit from my stash

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I added the ruching at the sides but that was it

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I will probably sew this again in a darker color as it is a great wardrobe builder.

Conclusion: A very easy and well drafted pattern that went together quickly with no fuss.

Bottom Line:
Fabric: mystery knit from my stash that I don't remember buying.
Notions: Thread and elastic from my stash
TOTAL: $0

Sew Simple A1738

Pattern Description: 

Pattern Sizing: available in 8-18.  I cut a 16

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? No. My fleece is a medium weight and didn't fall like the fabric on the envelope.  This was fine with me as I liked the over sized collar/lapel look that resulted.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.  This is a beginner project and although I didn't read the instructions I am sure they are fine.  The illustrations were enough for me.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Liked that it was an instant gratification project.

Fabric Used: A medium weight fleece

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I made the sleeves full length. After wearing it once and securing the front with a broach, I decided to go back and add a button instead.  Looking back, I probably could have cut a size 14.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I would sew it again in a lighter fabric to get the cascade effect.  I would also make that version with 3/4 length sleeves or shorter.  I do recommend this to others.  It was an easy project that went together with no issues.

Conclusion:

Bottom Line:
Pattern: .97
Fabric: 2 1/4 yd @ $2.94/yd= $6.62
Thread, facing, and button from my stash

TOTAL: $7.59

Simplicity 3628

Pattern Description: Misses lined jacket from the Threads Simplicity Collection.  I made view C with a mandarin collar, pocket flaps, and top stitching.

Pattern Sizing: Available in 8-24.  I cut a 16 with no alterations.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes!!!

Were the instructions easy to follow? Very straight forward instructions but be sure you are reading instructions on the correct view.  It does jump around a bit.  I did stray from them when attaching the lining because I prefer a different method.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I really liked all of the different options from sleeves to closures that this pattern offered.  The princess seams and overall fitted style of the jacket were also a plus.  Disliked there were no pockets.

Fabric Used: For the jacket I used a khaki twill that has been in my stash for at least two years.  For the lining I used a lightweight cotton blend that was given to me by a colleague.  I wasn't sure what to do with it at the time but it worked well for this project.  The twill is nice and thick and I didn't want to add any more bulk or stiffness to the jacket so the cotton blend worked out great.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: No changes

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I do plan to sew this again and very soon.  It was slow going at first because of all of the top stitching on the collar, pocket flaps, and sleeves but it all came together very nicely.   I do recommend this to others. 

Conclusion: Really good jacket pattern that offers a number of options.  If it had pockets it would be an A+.

Bottom Line:

I'm a little bit country.....a wadder

Simplicity 2601
I can't say I had high hopes for this pattern.  Why?  Well I went back and forth over whether to buy it in the first place but when I caught some cotton gauze on clearance I figured why not?  It took a more time than I would have liked made worse by the fact that I do not to like the end result...at least not on me.  I'm sure someone at Goodwill will be more than glad to have it.

Pattern Description:   Simplicity didn't provide a very detailed description but this pattern is a misses blouse with 5 different views with sleeve and collar variations.  I made view A which has a ruffled collar and fitted sleeves with tie ends.

 
Pattern Sizing:  Available in 6-22.  I cut a 14.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  For the most part, the one big difference is my sleeves and that I left the tie ends off the sleeves. 

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Yes.   

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  The fit seems to be a little off on this pattern.  I didn't do any alterations yet it gapes a little at the bust and also it is very low cut so I have to wear a cami underneath.


Fabric Used:  A lightweight brown cotton gauze with a raised floral print.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:  My choice of fabirc (although suggested on the envelope) wasn't the best choice for a number of elements on this top.  The sleeve ties or button loops were definitely problematic.  After seeing how stiff the fabric became after adding facing to the midriff, I decided to leave the sleeves free flowing as I knew it was likely to be a headache if I tried otherwise.  Also when I tried to make the button loops, the fabric was just too thick for the loops so instead I used corded elastic.  And finally the cute ruffles on the bodice are super floppy because of the material.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I won't sew it again just because I didn't like how the top looked on me.  Further confirmation such a fluttery top doesn't work well with my Mother Africa Fro, lol. 

Conclusion: Has the potential to be a very cute top depending on the fabric choice.  A few minor fit issues that can be fixed with a little work.  Overall it didn't work out for me but it still good enough to donate to a local shelter.

Bottom Line:
Pattern:. 99
Fabric: $5.20
Notions: bias tape .70, corded elastic .60, thread and facing from my stash
Total: $7.49

Simplicity 2424 Pics

Pattern Description:  From the Threads collection:  Misses' / Miss petite jacket, dress and knit cardigan.

I made the jacket which is view B and the dress which is view A.

The completed outfit

Pattern Sizing: Available in 8-22.  I cut a 14.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Yes!  I absolutely love the end result.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Very.  The jacket was very easy to sew and went together quickly.  I honestly can't think of any one aspect of construction that gave me any hang ups. 

Close-up of sleeve gathers and band

The dress took a little longer to construct.  Because the fabric has some stretch I wanted to make sure there were no unsightly ripples or puckers especially with the curved neckline. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I was a little disappointed at how much blind stitching by hand and tacking down the instructions called for. 

The instructions call for you to take down the collar facing to the shoulder seam

I would have liked to see a more polished finish especially since the jacket was unlined.  I used my serger quite a bit to finish off edges as well as fusible web at the sides and center back seam of the jacket instead of blind stitching.  Despite that I really like the style of this pattern and how quickly it went together.

Here is the inside of the collar lapels

Inside view of the jacket

I finished the inside of the front dart but realized once I finished that it's actually covered up by the front facing

Fabric Used:  I'm not 100% sure as it was a gift.  I feels like it may be twill with a hint of stretch.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:  I shortened the pattern pieces at the waist and bottom for height but that was it.

I finished off the zipper edge with quilting square scraps

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I'm not sure.  I am really pleased with the final product but the jacket is a bit too distinctive and I recently made a tunic with a neckline  similar to the dress.  If I do make the jacket again, I will lengthen the sleeves so they are full length as well as add an inch or so to the jacket hem.  It's fine now but when I put both pieces on my dress form for pictures, I noticed that the jacket is shorter than where the zipper stops which bothers me just a little.

You can see here where the zipper isn't fully lapped and is exposed because of the jacket's short length

Conclusion:  Solid pattern with no fit issues that went together pretty quickly.  A bit on the trendy side but a great wardrobe builder nonetheless.

Bottom Line:

Fabric: $0

Notions: zipper $1.50, thread and facing from my stash

Total: $1.50!  Well if you count the cute red belt I bought to match my red shoes then the total comes to $12.50 but who's counting, lol.

*Updated Simplicity 2927

Pattern Description:  Project Runway Inspired Misses Dress or Tunic.  I made the sleeveless tunic version.

Front view

Pattern Sizing:  Available in 4-20.  I originally cut a 14 but had to go back and add room in the hips so I'm not really sure what size it ended up being.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  I think so with the exception of my side panel.

Pocket

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Yes.  Very straight forward.  This pattern wasn't really complicated but the instructions don't jump around between views like some project runway patterns can.  It was easy to identify which view they were providing instructions for.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  No dislikes really.  I selected this pattern because I felt the neckline would compliment my broad shoulders.  I think I was right : )

Fabric Used:  A light blue/purple fabric from fabric dot com.  They described as chateau cotton poplin

Closeup of neckline

 Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:  As previously stated I had to go back and add a side panel to provide more room in the hips.

You can see in the pic below that I certainly needed some wiggle room.

Here you can see where I added a panel on either side to give the tunic a little flared shape that accommodate my hips.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I won't sew it again but I would recommend it to others.  It didn't take very long to construct and the end result was great.  I only wish I had made this earlier in the summer to get a few more wears out of it before the weather starts to cool off.

Conclusion:  Cute tunic from the Project Runway collection that produced a great result. 

I don't know why but I thought of Judy Jetson when I took this picture.

Bottom Line:

Pattern .99

Fabric-roughly 1 3/4/yds at $2.49/yd ~$4.35

Notions: thread, facing, hook and eye, and one button from my stash

                14" zipper-$1.39

Total: $6.73

Throwback...Simplicity 2401

* I made this pattern back in May to wear for Girls Night Out aka the Bachelorette Party.  I never scheduled it to post but here it is.

Pattern Description: Misses' dress and jumpsuits designed for day or evening.  I opted to make the jumpsuit in a black knit fabric so I suppose that makes it the evening view, lol.

Full length view on Caroline

Side note: I never realized how difficult it would be to put anything other than a skirt, jacket, or blouse on my dressform.  I almost lost an eye and put a dent in the wall fighting to get this jumpsuit on Caroline.

Pattern Sizing:  Available in 6-22.  I cut a 14 and then graded up to a 16 in the thighs.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Yepper.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  I thought so.  Nothing too complicated about this pattern.

Close up of the bodice and pleats

 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  Very easy to construct and a fashionable retro pattern which was a bonus.  I of course loved that it had pockets.

Pocket along with the fabulous butterfly belt my BFF gave me

Fabric Used:  Interestingly enough this fabric is described as Solid Dark Navy Shimmer Jersey Knit.  Do you see any navy?  Me either, lol 

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:  Graded up a size for my thighs.  I also ended up adding back darts because it was too big/elastic wasn't tight enough

Close up of back details.  Love the elastic just wish it was more fitted on me.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I don't plan to sew this again but it was fun and I would recommend it to others.

Conclusion:  Fairly quick sew as I think the longest part was the elastic on the back.  Good directions and a fun outfit as the end result.

Bottom Line: 

Fabric was around 2 yds at $2.45/yd=$4.90

Pattern: .99

Notions: elastic, zipper, and thread from my stash

Total: $5.89

The lone pic of me wearing the jumpsuit that isn't blurry (The night was still young)