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.

McCalls 5529

English Nederlands
As I was not in the mood for muslins or other difficult sewing this weekend, I made something easy: this is the top I sewed this weekend, quick and very easy. It's a bit large, I think I could have done with a size 12 instead of the 14 I used. But it's quite comfortable to wear, and with the belt it gives a little extra emphasis on my waist, which is not bad.
The belt was a find in the January sale, and I was very happy to find it for only 40% of the original price. I had seen this belt two months ago, and almost couldn't resist buying it, but restrained myself because of the price (80 euro/115 US dollars). So, at 32 euro still not a cheap belt, but sometimes you must treat yourself to something, isn't it?
Geen moeilijke projecten dit weekend, ik was in de stemming voor een makkelijk en snel te maken project: dit shirt/vestje is het geworden. Ik heb een maat 14 gemaakt, maar 12 zou waarschijnlijk iets beter geweest zijn. Het zit heerlijk comfortabel, en de riem geeft een extra accent op de taille, watniet zo verkeerd is.
De riem heb ik in de uitverkoop gekocht voor 40% van de originele prijs. Twee maanden geleden had ik 'm al gezien, maar vond het toen echt te duur (80 euro). 32 euro is nog steeds niet goedkoop, maar ik heb mezelf hierop getrakteerd. Moet soms ook, toch?

McCalls 5512 size

This was a great sewing day, I did a lot of work on my wintercoat and will soon post some pictures. Welt pockets and bound buttonholes take a lot of time.

Right now DD is tracing McCalls 5512, a Hilary Duff dress, which she wants to make in the version with sleeves. I bought the pattern in size range 4-10, assuming my daughter would need 10 (bust measurement).

I've not a lot of experience with McCall's patterns, but I read somewhere that they run large. Large? Large!!

My DD has a bust measurement of 87 centimeters, which according to the size chart would even be size 12. But after measuring the paper pattern in size 10 it would be 104 centimeters at bust level! That's 17 centimeters more than bust measurement! Of course some ease is needed, but not that much if I see the model in the picture.

And yes, I did remember to take off the seam allowances. First I forgot, so it seemed even worse.
(It's confusing working with patterns with (all American patterns) and without (Burda, Marfy) seam allowances.

After careful measuring also for the hip width, we settled on tracing size 4. I find this odd. Is it?