Wardrobe Contest 2015 - piece 3 - Burdastyle 09/2011-128

My third piece, another top but this time a button-up blouse.  This is a pattern I have wanted to make for ages and I wish I had made it sooner as I really like it.   It is Burdastyle 09/2011 -128 called "Straight Ahead".

I love the simple lines but interesting details that makes this an interesting sew as well as lifts the top out of being too simple.  I think I will have to make another one soon in a plain fabric.

The only real alteration was to shorten the pattern.  That sucker is seriously long!  I did shorten a little more than I might normally but I was constrained by the amount of fabric I had.

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Every top in this contest is either fabric from a remnant bin or a left-over from something else I have sewn!  A real left-over wardrobe!

I love the set-in collar at the back that lines up with the level of the pleats at the front.  Hard to photograph in this fabric though.

The fabric is a Japanese cotton (lawn?) from Spotties.  Fairly stiff so not the best choice for the pleats in this top.  I am hoping it may soften with a few washes.  When I make it again I will try for a softer fabric.  I like how this one coordinates with my central piece, the cardigan.

So the full review is linked here. 

See you soon kittens, one more top to go...

2015 Wardrobe Contest - piece 2 - Ottobre 02/2015 #1

This is my second finished piece in my entry for the Wardrobe Contest on Pattern Review. It is again from the latest women's Ottobre issue 02/2015.  This time pattern no. 1 "Grain Field Top".  Can't quite get the connection of the name to the pattern.  any clues??

As this is part of my contest entry I haven't got the official photos yet but have got some on Diana.

This top is lovely.  The fabric was bought from a remnant bin - a cotton/silk blend and has been one of those pedestal pieces I was afraid to cut into.  I love the fabric, the colours, pattern and the way it feels.... yummy!

I have reviewed this pattern here, so won't repeat a lot of it here.  The basics are I lengthened the top, used a button/ loop closure at the back seam instead of an invisible zipper and had problems with the fit around my upper back.... boo hoo!, I thought it would end in tears, but I managed to fix the issue well enough by letting it out a little at the side seams.  Lesson learnt - when it is a pedestal fabric then muslin it or add extra to the seam allowances!!

I also love how it goes with my RTW cardigan that the wardrobe is based on.

Ciao kittens... another top soon... on a roll!

2015 Pattern Review Wardrobe Contest... off and running

I seem to be in contest mode.  My last post is the dress I entered in the Best of Patterns contest (voting open until the 9th of March) and now I have got all enthused to join in the 2015 Wardrobe Contest.

I have put together a story board.

The patterns are all Ottobre, Burdastyle and one Hot Patterns.

Their is one piece that can be made before time or RTW.  I chose this RTW cardigan and have planned the wardrobe around it.

My first top is Ottobre 02-2015 #10 and you can see it under the cardigan. I used a piece of Silk crepe de Chine leftover from this dress.

I have written a review here about this top.  My only other tips I would add are that I used tailors tacks to mark the neckline pleats and for the narrow hem at the front neckline, I turned it 5mm, stitched and then did the same again.  I also used a bit of spray starch to make it behave itself.

The top was shortened by 1" and sized up one size at the hips as it is a close fit at the hips. Take care if you are a pear shape with this top.  

Overall I really like the top, it was a quick make and the pleats give it a bit of interest.

I also like how the colours in the fabric match with my cardigan.

Ciao for now kittens, mad flurry of sewing happening so there may be more posts sooner than later...

March Dress - Kitschy Koo Lady Skater Dress goes to Tea

Well the plan had been for a frock a month, but February's frock didn't happen.  However I did get one made for March.

This dress is the Lady Skater Dress by Kitschy Koo.  I had plans to make this dress as part of my frock-fest so when it happened that this pattern was one of the ones included in the "Best of" patterns contest it seemed to be the right time to make it.

I also had an invitation to attend the Brisbane Social Sewist's High Tea and it seemed right to have a new frock for it.  I didn't get any photos at the High Tea (bad blogger!) but we had some time before it started so we went to New Farm Park in Brisbane and got these photos.

I would have liked a narrow gold or aqua belt to wear with this but this gold circles belt is the best option I could find.  It is cute though!

The dress has a little twirl factor going on...

but I may be getting to old to twirl as I got quite giddy...

I have reviewed this dress in detail on Pattern Review so all the details about the sewing of it can be found in the review - here.

And for those of you who can vote, I encourage you to check out all the entries - here.

Ciao kittens... more contest sewing up next.