Sewing - Simplicity 1716 knit mini-dress, tunic and top - version 2

I've made Simplicity 1716 again!
It's such an easy make, even with sleeves this view is only 5 pieces, so it's quick to cut out and quick to sew as well.



Modifications and Adjustments

I graded out the hips to a size larger than the rest of the dress. I made the 14, grading to a 16 at the hip. I'm glad I did as this fabric drapes differently to the brown I used before. I cut the sleeves on the lengthen-shorten line rather than cutting the 3/4 or full length versions, and then hemmed them so they sit just above my elbow. This time I didn't worry about using a stretch-stitch. I did twin lines of stitching around the hems.



Verdict

I love it again! It's a nice, easy-to-wear shape and length. Overall I'm pleased with it and I would make it again. I'm thinking about making the twist-front version, though that's a few more pattern pieces and would probably work well in a plain colour.

Sewing - Simplicity 1716 knit mini-dress, tunic and top

Simplicity 1716 is described as:
Knit mini-dress, tunic and top can be made with a front twist or draped neckline with five different sleeve variations to choose from.

I thought it looked really wearable, so I went out and picked up two fabrics, with a view to making at least two of them! I got the bolt-end of some brown patterned knit fabric, and on measuring in the shop we thought I'd have enough for the tunic version, but probably nothing more.

I washed and dried the fabric, and then laid it out on my dining table. I was surprised and pleased to see that once I laid out the pieces for dress view A with sleeves E, I actually had enough in the knit for the full dress!

It was pretty quick to make, I spent a while cutting out and pinning because of the nature of knit fabric. It actually wasn't as scary to work with knit fabric as I'd expected, but I wish I'd had a walking foot (I have ordered one for next time!)



Modifications and Adjustments

I graded out the hips to a size larger than the rest of the dress. I made the 14, grading to a 16 at the hip. With hindsight this wasn't really necessary given the stretch of the dress fabric and the design ease it's written with. I tacked the inside of the front collar down in two places to ensure that it didn't flip over.

Verdict

I love it. I'm wearing it as I write this and it's comfy to wear. I feel pretty stylish in it too, which is great. If I were being very critical, I'd say that the dress feels like it rides up a bit at the back, but whether that's because of the size of my bottom or the fabric I am not sure.
I am going to make another one, I have the fabric already laundered! But I'll probably make the bag(s) and the simplicity sewing challenge dress and skirt first.

Sewing - Draped Top from Sew Magazine

I bought the Sew Magazine Vintage special recently. It has such a variety of patterns in it. I was really excited about the Vogue pattern that came with the magazine, but inside I found a lovely 1920's-inspired draped top.

Pattern: Not really a pattern, just a guide in the magazine.

This fabric was leftover from the Simplicity 2369 dress that I made for my wedding anniversary. It's a knit of unknown composition, but I suspect it's probably polyester.

Modifications and adjustments
Since this is a draft-it-yourself pattern, I didn't make any modifications. When I make it again, I'm going to learn how to use the invisible hem foot on my sewing machine rather than wonderweb (hemming web) because I think it will make the sleeves drape nicely.

I also think it would work well with more fabric on the front neck for a really drapey look, and it might also be nice in a woven fabric, though I'd want a bit more ease around the hips in that case.

Sewing - Simplicity 1142 - Jumpsuit (short version)

Pattern: Simplicity 1142
I made bodice A with shorts B. The pattern says it's suitable for use with knits, so as an experiment (before I use the nice non-stretchy fabric I wanted to make this from) I decided to have a go with some bright pink knit fabric I've had in the stash for a while.

Modifications and Adjustments:
I took my measurements and looked at the pattern. I was measuring a little bit bigger than the M on top (less than ½") but I needed an L for my hips. So, given that this was using a stretch fabric, I decided to make the M bodice and the L shorts, and ease them to the same size at the waist. (This is one of the reasons I love making my own clothes!)

It's about 2" difference between sizes at the waist, which is probably more than I'd want to try to ease on a non-stretch fabric, even with an elasticated waist. If I do make it again in then I will grade the shorts to the smaller size.



Verdict: 
I'm pretty happy with this playsuit! I think I'd like the waist to be a little lower, so I'd lengthen the bodice slightly. I like the pockets; this is the first time I've put pockets into a garment and I'm really pleased with them. It makes me want to put pockets into everything! I'm not sure about the back, It's a very fashionable style at the moment, but there's the visible bra-strap issue; if I wore a smaller cup than an F I might just go bra-less. If I make another one (I'm still undecided) then I'll probably either adjust the back somehow (lace panel, cut less steeply, same as the front, or something else)