Vogue 1177 Poppy Blouse

Vogue 1177 Blouse Front

Vogue 1177 Blouse Back

Fabric: Printed voile from Gorgeous Fabrics

Pattern: Vogue 1177

Vogue 1177 Line Drawing

I used upper parts to make a blouse.

As I mentioned in my previous post, this pattern involves tuck and pleat details.

Vogue 1177 Front Detail

I shortened the sleeves and added fringe around the ends of the sleeves.

Vogue 1177 Sleeve Detail

In addition to the pleats detail, I really like side panels. It adds dimention to the side view of the blouse.

Vogue 1177 Side Panel

Meanwhile there was a moment I had to pause...

Since the fabric was very loosely woven I knew I needed to finish raw edges, but look at what Vogue Patterns had to say about finishing edges:

… and I do not own a serger (yet). Duh!

There was a simple solution though; I used hand overcasting to finish all the visible raw edges. It was a very easy process and did not take too long to finish all the edges.

Vogue 1177 Hand Overcasting

This blouse is a good match with the Vogue 1247 black skirt.

Vogue 1177 Blouse + Vogue 1247 Skirt

It can also be tucked into the skirt.

This look reminds me of Nanette Lepore's Circus Lovin' skirt.

Source: Neiman Marcus

Despite making all of the tedious pleats, I was very impressed by how effective each detail works together. I am looking forward to trying other Anna Sui patterns in the future.


Until next time, cheers to you all!

Vogue 1177 Pleats Please

No, I am not talking about Issey Miyake's collection. It is more like "Oh gosh, Vogue 1177, how many pleats do you want me to make? Please someone do it for me..."


Vogue 1177
Source: Vogue Patterns

There are pleats and tucks to make in Vogue 1177. I began with making five tucks in each front yoke. It went well. My next task was making seven pleats in each front piece. Then fourteen in back. Then more in sleeves, which I had not even marked yet... If you are good at making pristine pleats, Vogue 1177 will be great for you to showcase your skill.

The above picture shows the yoke front after the tucks were made. I was happy with the result until I realized that I pressed the tucks in wrong direction...

So I re-pressed. Oh well, those unfortunate chopped ends of the tucks should be hidden under the neck binding.

Then the next unfortunate thing happened when I tried to join yoke and upper front. The length of each piece did not match. I had to redo the pleats on both right and left pieces. Luckily the back pieces had no problem. It is possible that I might have made the tucks bit wider or the tucks were marked wider than they should be on the pattern.     

After joining yoke, upper front, and upper side front, it looks like this:

Back piece inside view:



Guess what? All the tedious works were rewarded when the front and the back pieces joined together. I immediately fell in love with this unfinished top!

My plan was to make a blouse from this pattern. Now that I love how it looks wihout sleeves, I have to make a decision: Long sleeve, short sleeve, or no sleeve? Hmmm. 



Vogue 1177
Source: Vogue Patterns



Well, that is all for today. I am hoping to show you the finished blouse next time. 

Until then, cheers to you all!

Vogue 8784 Wrap Dress

Hello everyone! This week I made a cotton wrap dress to add to my everyday wardrobe. 

Vogue 8784 Front

Vogue 8784 Back

Vogue 8784 Side

Vogue 8784 Inside

Pattern: Vogue 8784 

I made View A (left) without cap sleeves.

Source: Vogue Patterns

Per my usual petite alteration, I shortened the bodice by 3/4" and the skirt by 4".
I usually need to do narrow-shoulder alteration as well, but I kept the shoulder length in order to achieve an X-shape as seen in some dresses sold at Saks this spring.  



Chloe
Cotton Wrap Dress
Source: Saks Fifth Avenue



Alice and Olivia
Josie Ruched Blouson Dress
Source: Saks Fifth Avenue

I changed the way the dress wrapped. If you follow the pattern instruction the right front should be on the left front. Well, when I was sewing the side seams, I just realized that proper kimono wrapped the opposite way and I suddenly wanted to make this dress that way. It is just my Japanese thing!


Fabric: Theory Cotton poplin from Fabric Mart. This fabric was very easy to handle.

Lining: Cotton voile from Denver Fabrics

Lastly, this is how I style my new dress.

Just kidding! Meet Perry, a corn snake who usually lives in my daughter's middle school classroom. She is taking care of him while school is out. I am no snake person, but I THINK I am slowly getting used to seeing him in my house.


Until next time, cheers to you all!

Vogue 1247 Little Black Skirt

My third and last Vogue 1247 skirt is done!

Fabric: Theory stretch cotton twill
Lining: Stretch polyester charmeuse
Both from Mood Fabrics

Although this skirt is made from cotton, black color makes the skirt look heavy and hot. I probably wear white version more often in early/mid summer then gradually switch to black in late summer. (I think dark orange version can be worn year round.) If I add a jacket/coat, tights, and boots it can be worn in fall/winter in mild climate like Arizona.

Some coordinate:

1. American Eagle knit top knock off (blogged here)

2. 5/48 chiffon blouse

If you have read my previous post on Vogue 1247 White Skirt, you have already seen these tops in coordinate 3 and 4. They are pretty versatile pieces to pair with either black or white.

3.Lafayette 148 silk knit top

4. M Missoni knit top

5. Missoni for Target cardigan which I share with my daughter

While I was browsing Neiman Marcus website for more black skirt coordinate idea, I came across this little number called Circus Lovin' Skirt by Nanette Lepore. If I look at only its silhouette, it is almost identical to my Vogue 1247! Styling a black skirt with purple and neon green is eccentric for me but I think the top is darn cute.

Source: Neiman Marcus

So, I completed three casual skirts. I am very happy that each skirt works pretty well with what I have in my closet.

After working with three cuts of solid cotton, I am having a gorgeous-fabric withdrawal right now! If you are a fabric-holic like me, you know what I mean. My next project must involve something oh-so-fabulous... Perhaps like this:

It is Carolina Herrera sheer basket-weave silk from Mood Fabrics. I am excited to work on this beauty!

Until next time, cheers to you all!

Vogue 1247 White Skirt

Hello everyone! Today I am going to show you three summer coordinates I came up with my new skirt. It is my second Vogue 1247 skirt - this time in white stretch cotton sateen. (You can see my first Vogue 1247 skirt in orange here.)


1. My good old M Missoni knit top which I re-sized from size 16 to size 0.

2. Lafayette 148 Silk jersey top and turquoise-ish beads which I bought during my recent Sedona trip. Orange and turquoise also works well with white. 

3. ... and of course my yellow Milly knit top 

I was glad to see that this skirt worked well with fitted tops as well as loose-fitting style.

The lining is stretch charmeuse. Its weight is similar to the lining of RTW Elie Tahari skirt which I have worn very often this spring. Silky lining is smooth to my skin and makes putting the skirt on and off easy.

 

Fabric: Theory cotton sateen

Lining: Polyester stretch charmeuse
Both from Mood Fabrics

 

Until next time, cheers to you all!

Vogue 1247 Rachel Comey Outfit

There was a reason why I was in such a hurry to finish up my orange skirt last weekend. I wanted to wear it on my mini vacation in Sedona.

Vogue 1247 Top and Skirt

Vogue 1247 Top and Skirt

The skirt sits slightly above my natural waist. The length is 4" longer than the original pattern. (Blogged here.) I like its A-line shape. It is not too triangle yet so comfortable - especially when I sit. Driving in this skirt was no problem at all.

For the detail on the top, please go to my previous post.

I came to realize that basic skirt did not have to be in neutral color. This orange skirt is surprisingly versatile. I can match many of my tops with this skirt because my top often includes orange in its design. 

Vogue 1247 Skirt Front

 

Vogue 1247 Skirt Back


I did not do Hong Kong finish on seam allowance but lined the skirt instead. I loved the result. I even wished I had made this skirt reversible.

Vogue 1247 Skirt Inside

Pattern: Vogue 1247

Fabric: Calvin Klein cotton sateen from Michael's Fabric.

Lining: J Crew cotton lawn from Sawyer Brook.

(I blogged about those fabrics here.)


I will post some pictures from Grand Canyon trip next time. Until then, cheers to you all!