Because…

…it was on sale for $3.99 and

…I absolutely love the big collar and

…I love, love, love the way the collar can wrap around for another look and

…it looked warm and cozy and

…I need something to wear over dresses about 3 Sundays a year and

…because fleece was 50% off at Hancocks

I made this:

Oh wait! You wanted to see my version. Well, if you insist…

but first, let me tell you that I don’t know if I love it or not. Why?

For starters, it’s ginormous!!!!! Yes, that’s a technical term. I guess I should have known it would be when it called for 4 (yep, you read that right!) yards of fabric.

I did love that it was simple to put together and no hemming! The edges are finished with your serger.

But, have you ever tried to cut a pattern out of 4 yards of fleece? Did I mention you have to cut it from a flat piece. That means you have a piece of fabric 72 inches by 144 inches to spread out to cut. That’s my whole living room carpet!!!

I didn’t read the instructions and the jacket went together really easily.

And, before I forget, if you are new to sewing with fleece, check out this post.

Here’s the collar (the reason I bought the pattern):

And a few full pictures:

New Vogues are Out!

The new Vogue patterns are out. Many of them are very "artistic". There were just a few that caught my eye.

Like I really need a dress. But if I did, do you think this design would give me a waist? (I'm a rectangle according to Bradley Bayou.)

Another dress. I think this one might be too scoop-necked for my taste, but it is so cool and summery.

This shirt is not flattering! The pants-however-are very crisp and sharp. And I'm always looking for cute pants.
So, like I said, nothing really floats my boat with this batch of patterns. That's one pattern sale at Hancock's I can skip!

What's new in Vogue

Well, I finally got around to looking at the new Vogue patterns. There are a few I like--and a lot that look like the same ol' thing! Here are my picks:

V1086: Cute dress. It is casual enough for my life. Would it make my rectangle figure look like an hour glass?

V1087: I like this one a lot, but I don't know if I'd have anywhere to wear it.

V1097: I really like this coat. I think it would be casual enough to fit in my wardrobe. The question then becomes "Do we have enough cold days to make it worth my time."

V8557: I like these sleeves.

V8568: These bags are a little big for my taste, but I love the way they look RTW. Maybe I should steal a few ideas (like the hardware).

V8561: I don't usually like Marcy Tilton, but these pants look comfy, casual and cute.

V1098: You can't really tell from this picture, but this jacket has the cutest detail on the back! I don't know if it'd complement my figure, but I love the back yoke and the sleeves.

So what do you think?

Fall Mini-Wardrobe

Orange you glad it's fall:

I promised you a mini-wardrobe using these great fabrics:

Well, here it is. (In bits and pieces.)

Dress (Butterick 5259) + Turtleneck (Vogue 7799)

Turtleneck + Black Pants (Butterick 5259)

Great Orange Coat (Vogue 1068)

Plus, I could do:

Black Pants + Orange Coat

Dress alone

Dress + Orange Coat

I'll be adding or updating reviews on PR this morning. As for old posts, these links take you to the coat, the lining, and the typo in the pattern.

A little sewing...

I've gotten a few personal pieces (as opposed to jon-jons and jumpers) finished over the last few weeks.

KWIK SEW 3570

This is part of the mini-wardrobe I've got planned for the August PR Mini-Wardrobe Contest. He still has 2 shirts and pants coming. Maybe.

I really like this shirt. I did have trouble figuring out which size to make. Come to find (figure) out, the finished garment measurements that are printed on the pattern tissue are incorrect. It was very easy to put together. The wrap-around side seams are great.

As for the pattern: the instructions were wonderful. Just reading them, the zipper installation made no sense, but I followed them anyway. The instructions worked perfectly! I'm thinking of trying this again in a few months with a heavier jersey knit. My review is here.

Vogue 7799

I'm really beginning to love most Vogue patterns, this one included. I was first attracted to the long, lean look of this top.

This is actually my muslin, but is a quite wearable one. I made my usual adjustments (FBA, sloping shoulders, rounded shoulders). I also used my serger for most of the seams, though, oddly enough, the instructions included no mention of that. I also used a double needle for the hems of the top and armholes. I do think the neck is a little long. (It's folded down again in this pic.) The PR Review is here.

Vogue 8392

This is my back-to-school sewing. (Not the "wearing back to school" kind, but the "hurray, the kids are back in school and I can sew" kind.) I love this top.

I've made view A before. This is view B. I must admit the tiger print is a first for me. I have never worn an animal print before. But, I love this top. (Did I say that already?) It was very easy to make. The instructions are easy to follow. I made a FBA by just increasing the side seams, tapering from armhole out 1/2 inch and back in at waist. I adjusted for rounded shoulders.

Help! I need to choose a lining...

Here's the current state of my orange coat:
The next step is the lining. I haven't decided yet.

Option 1: A mystery treasure from the stash. (I'm thinking it's polyester.)
Very pretty. Nice and smooth so it would make it easy to put on and take off. Not sure how well it would breathe.

Option 2: 100% cotton bought just for this project (until I found the piece in my stash).

Natural fiber, so it should be a little cooler. Not as smooth as option 1, so I'm not sure how it would wear.

What do you think?

Answers about coat pattern

Well, I after waiting 2 days for Vogue customer service to reply to my email, I bit the bullet and stitching the shoulder seams and side seams on my new orange coat anyway.

Then, today, a reply:

Dear Salinda,

Thank you for your email concerning Vogue Pattern 1068.
Whenever possible we try to provide our home sewers with the information they
desire. Yes, after step 7, you should stitch the shoulders, and the sides, then
proceed with step 8. We appreciate you writing to let us know of this
discrepancy.

Cordially,

Meg Carter

Consumer Services, Vogue Patterns

Yeah, thanks. I figured that out.

Vogue 1068

I love this coat!

I decided to get it made before I started the next mini-wardrobe contest on PR. I am using this great orange upholstery fabric I picked up at Hobby Lobby for $2/yd!!!!!

To follow the grain when I was cutting the fabric out, I used painter's tape. I lined it up along the grain. Then, I measured from the marked grain to the grain line on the pattern. This seems to have worked great.

Now, I'm stuck. I'm at step 7 in the instructions which tell me to show the lower backs to the upper back. Then, step 8 tells me to stay-stitch the neck.

I'm thinking they forgot to tell me to stitch the front to back at the shoulder seams. And the side seams too!!! I've emailed CS, so we'll see what they tell me...

New Vogue Patterns are Out!

Vogue has published their early Fall patterns. Here are the two that caught my attention.

This coat would be great in orange with jeans or jean-cut cords.

I'm looking for a cardigan, but I'm not certain this is the one for me.