Burda Capri Pants and Simplicity 1716

The capri pants are from the 04/2013 issue of Burda Style Magazine. I still have to figure out my sizes in Burda patterns. I made these in a size 40. They are a bit wide, but very comfy. 

 

 

 

 The top I am wearing is Simplicity 1716 in view E without sleeves. The fabric is a structured knit I picked up last year at Denver Fabrics.



 



 

Here a back view. The top is a very easy quick project, and I love the draped front neckline. There is really not much more to say about this top.

 

So far I made three pairs of these capri pants. This is actually the third one. I had some leftover fabric from the border print I used in the last skirt of this post. My initial plan was to make it completely in the plain fabric, but there was just enough fabric left to squeeze in the legs. So I ended up using the border print (which is actually embroidery not print) as the waistband. And as it turns out I love it.

 

All seams are serged.

 

 

 

 

This is the back waistband

 

And the front waistband

 

 

Here a detail of my first ever used piping

 



 

This was the first pair I made. The fabric was leftover from a pair or Thurlow Trousers I made. (blog post to follow) Brown piping.

 

And another pair, again from leftover fabric of a pair or Thurlow Trousers. White piping.

 

I do love that they have a side zipper instead of the front fly. But I miss pockets. Besides that this is the perfect pair of pants for summer, since I am not a fan of shorts.



Super Tote

My take on the Super Tote by Noodlehead

There is really not much to say about this tote besides 

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!!! 

The fabric is Curious Nature by Parson Gray

I didn't add the magnet closure at the outside pocket, and wish I had. Well, next time.

I used the leftovers I had from the quilt (which is cut, but needs to be pieced together. Post will follow when it's done)

I totally winged the piecing while cutting. I had to go with how much fabric I had left.

This tote is just awesome. So roomy.

New Look 6244

I bought this pattern with a bunch of others a couple of weeks ago when Simplicity.com had a sale. For me this pattern falls in the category of "waste of money". The dress on the model looks so cute, and the technical drawing looks quite promising, but sewing this dress was a nightmare and the outcome not worth it.

I decided to make Front C with Back D. First mistake! Those two weren't meant to be together! I had my mind set on a piece of Voile I had in my stash. It's Anna Maria Horner's Little Folks Coloring Garden in Berry. Next mistake was to not put all pieces on the fabric before cutting. A mistake I never made before. Maybe I was too distracted by watching "Game of Thrones" while cutting fabric. 

 

Somehow I was able to fit all pattern pieces on the little bit of yardage I had. When I was finished I discovered that I had cut out the two front pieces in the same direction. I didn't have enough leftover fabric to correct that mistake, and it really isn't noticeable at all. But I know the right front piece is sewn with the left side showing, and it bothers me somewhat.

Since I was using this lightweight fabric I decided to use french seam throughout. Which turned out to be quite the task for those side inset pieces. The neckline and armholes are finished with a narrow hem. I should have made a muslin, because as it turned out I had to shorten the midsection by about 1 1/2 inch. Which I found out after sewing the bodice to the skirt with a french seam. Good times!!!

 

I don't like the loose sides around the waist, and how the fabric stands away in the back. How you can see in this side view picture. But I am done tweaking this dress. It will end up just being a casual summer dress. 

I am, however, very happy about the bias cut silk slip which is to be worn underneath the dress. It needs to be shortened a couple of inches, but that is a quick fix. I used 100% china silk. It was very easy to work with and feels amazing. The neckline stretched a bit, but since it will be worn under a dress who cares.

I was desperately looking for a fabric I could use as lining for all my lightweight and sheer fabrics, but couldn't really find anything affordable. In the past I lined my voile dresses with cotton lawn, but the two fabrics always cling together. And since I need a lot of yardage for lining I can't really afford buying white voile for $12/yard or other fancy silks. But then I discovered Dharma Trading online and they have a good selection of silk fabrics. I bought 15 yards of this lightweight china silk for a little over $6/yard. So far I have lined a couple of dresses with it and I absolutely love it.

Miette Skirt

Quite some time since my last blog post. I was in a bit of a hole and didn't feel like sewing, but now I am back with my version of the Miette Skirt. Tilly from Tilly and the Buttons designed the cute and easy to make Miette Skirt. After I saw quite a few beautiful versions of this pattern I had to get my hands on it. 

The fabric is some kind of poly chiffon, but I really have no idea. Because it was sheer I interlined it with poly silk or something. Again, no clue. I just know it is very lightweight and flowy. The Blouse is from Burda Magazine 04/2013. More on that further down.

The Miette Skirt is a very easy and quick pattern, as long as one doesn't want to make it in chiffon that is!

 I used French Seams throughout. The little white patch on the waistband is fusible interfacing. I cut into the fabric while trimming the seam allowance of the waistband. Stupid me! Luckily it is on the inside.

 The blouse is from Burda Magazine 04/2013. Here the picture from the issue and the technical drawing.

I really love most of the patterns in the Burda magazines, but it is a pain in the butt to trace them. Especially because they don't add the seam allowances. Really, how hard would it be to include them in the patterns? And the other thing is the stupid instructions. Those Burda instructions are really not meant for beginners. One should have at least basic knowledge about garment constructions. The have a whole long paragraph about how to understitch the seam allowance of the facing, but I couldn't for the life of me not figure out how to pleat those sleeves. I ended up just ease them in there with some gathering stitches. 

I bought the fabric at Hancock. It is some lightweight cotton. This picture shows how sheer the fabric is. Not too sheer though.

I wish instead of photographing their models in some weird poses they could rather show more details of the garments to help for the construction. It took me a while to understand how the tie thing was meant. The ties are a little bit too low. The left front should hit the corner to prevent the front from gaping. Which mine does because I placed it too low. This was my first Burda pattern for a top, and I think I can go down a size. This is a 38, but it is quite big on me.