Wardrobe Comp Review - MSB 148-24

Pattern Description:
A-line skirt with pockets.

Pattern Sizing:
The pattern is provided as a diagram and you use your own waist and hip measurements to draft it. This pattern is as straightforward as they come. Even if you've never drafted a pattern before this skirt is super-easy.

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?
Well, if I read Japanese I am sure they would be! Seriously, instructions are not needed. Patch pockets, a couple of darts, seams, zip, hem - that's it! Although I did add lining to three of my versions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love that it's quick and easy to make and suitable for a wide variety of fabrics/looks. For an a-line skirt it doesn't look too triangular, which is one of my pet hates.


Fabric Used:
The two versions shown here are made from:

Olive suiting (the selvedge says it's cashmere/silk, but I am skeptical) and taupe wool gabardine

I have made this pattern twice previously (see here and here).

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I added a lining.
I stabilised the waistline with selvedge cut from silk organza.

I trimmed the hem with bias binding. I used offcuts from my yet-to-be-finished floral blouse on the olive skirt and some black/white gingham from stash for the taupe skirt. I left the pockets off these two versions.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I have worn the grey version to death and the cotton version is my go-to weekend skirt in summer. So I dare say I won't stop at four versions!

Conclusion:
This is a simple pattern to draft, a simple skirt to make and very flattering.

Wardrobe Comp Review - Simplicity 3800

Pattern Description:
Twist front t-shirt with cap sleeves. This is a fairly unflattering picture, the flash bounced off all the wrong places!

Pattern Sizing:
I cut a 12.

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

Were the instructions easy to follow?
The instructions were fine. I don't sew a lot of knits but it was pretty straightforward. I did iron on bias tape to the front and back necklines to stabilise them. The twist is cute but it was a PITA to sew right up close to it, there is just such a lot of fabric at the intersection. I ended up taking a few hand stitches to close the opening up tighter. The picture below has a pin in it, if you look closely you can see the bump.






What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the twist which makes it a bit more than a standard t-shirt. The cut of it is flattering too, good at disguising the 'fluff'. I didn't like that my hem ended up a bit ripply - not too bad but not perfect either, so I stabilised the sleeve hems with a double sided iron on tape. Next time I will cut the sleeves twice and make a lining.

Fabric Used:
It's a polyester jersey with the brand name 'cavalli'. It's a lovely medium weight jersey that doesn't cling.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I made a sway back adjustment and narrowed the upper center back by 3cm at the neck tapering to nothing at the waist. These are alterations I make to most patterns. I didn't do an fba as I couldn't work out how on earth I could do it! It fits okay in the bust though.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes to both.

Conclusion:
This was a quick and easy top with a flattering result.

Rain Rain Go Away

Hi everyone.

Please don't take my absence as a sign of inactivity (as it normally would be), I can promise you I have been extremely productive! I now have four completed garments for my wardrobe plan, well three plus one skirt needing hand finishing, but no photos or reviews yet. The weather here is still really crappy so I can't get outside to have photos taken and my house looks like a bachelor's pad exploded since my fella has brought over all the belongings he had left at his old house! He has promised me that this weekend he will go through all his "stuff" and decide what to keep and what to toss. Then I just have to find room for it all! Still he actually moved in about four or five months ago so it's about time really.

So, back to the wardrobe plan. While I have completed 40% of my garments, it by no means represents 40% of the workload. I started small. I have made the two skirts and two t-shirts, and they all came out quite well. I promise photos and reviews will happen soon (or else I'll get too far behind!).

I did have some photos taken of me in my toiles (pants and jacket) which was extremely valuable as it made me realise that niether of them are quite 'there' yet. The jacket needs an fba and the pants still need work (curse my fat ass!), but having joined the pork club at work (we weigh in each week and support each other through the 3pm chocolate cravings - and the person who loses least each week gets to have a little stuffed pig on their desk all week) I am putting that off for the time being!

I have cut out the ivory tunic, which will be my next project, and the floral blouse, which will be a snip now I've figured out how to gather on my overlocker (better late than never I suppose). I still can't get it to do coverstitch right though.

I am still not convinced about the pale lemon top. I am almost certain to change the pattern but have realised the fabric doesn't really excite me - it looks like something the Queen Mother would have worn in hospital, so whatever I make will have to be quite special to overcome that. Or I'll have to find a replacement fabric. I have also decided that I will make a navy skirt instead of pants. I just have more of a need for skirts right now.

Here are a couple of dummy shots to prove I have been working!

As soon as the sun comes out I'll get proper photos (as long as my fella doesn't get called into work).

The teal twist top:

Cream ponti-de-roma t-shirt.
Olive a-line skirt: