Mix and match in red

In my first post of the new year I mentioned I wanted to sew more clothes that mix and match. With the first three garments this year I made a good start. First a pencil skirt in a boucle fabric with a lot of colors in it: from off-white to a deep warm red and a lot ot shades in between. A good basic to start with. The fabric I bought as a remnant piece at a market a few years ago.  It’s strange how the weave suggests an off-grain in the photos. It is cut on the grain (taking out a thread at the start of the fabric, cutting along that cut out thread and then making sure the pattern pieces are on the grain before cutting).

The second one is a top to go with it, McCall’s 6513 that I made last year when the pattern was recommended to me by one of my sewing friends.

And last the Sienna jacket from StyleArc. Too big in the back and I did take in the center seam and re-cut the collar. I MUST learn to use a size or two smaller and do a fba, OR make my own pattern. I quite like it though. It’s made from a thicker wool jersey (the pattern calls for a woven fabric). I thought it might work with this fabric and it does, making it dressier than a cardigan but just as comfortable and warm. This pattern will be used again after I altered the back.

 

  

I have a lovely jacquard weave fabric for a skirt in the same color as the McCall’s shirt. That’s one of the next projects. After the dress that is. Thank you all for your ‘votes’ on this. The dress is cut and I’m off to work on it this afternoon.

 

Instant gratification top – McCall’s 6513

On recommendation of one of the sewing friends in Paris, I bought this pattern at Tissus Reine. I did not know they sold individual patterns, it was a happy surprise to be able to buy the pattern right away.

It took only an evening to make this, including my pattern alteration (FBA). I made no other changes then tapering it a bit wider at hip level and it fits well. It provides a lot of information on how to alter for bust size, sway-back etc. and which measurements to take to choose the size to start with. In one of the reviews I saw a remark on it being too long, but I like it that way. Finally a top that doesn’t need lengthening.

I made it from a knit I already had. A bit warm at the moment to wear it, but I’m quite sure I will make more of these later in the year again.