Work in Progress - Butterick 5882

A little preview about my current work in progress. Butterick 5882.

 I always seem to be very late with these popular patterns that everybody seems to make as soon as they are released. This is a very beautiful pattern and I will write a review as soon as the dress is finished.

For now just a quick view. I am very happy about how the pleats turned out. I have to take a break with the dress, because I don't have the boning for the bodice yet.

The dress pinned to my dress form. The bodice and skirt are not yet sewn together. 

 Another project I am very looking forward to is the Multitasker Tote by Anna Maria Horner. The pattern and some beautiful fabric for it are on their way to me. I also have another Coco dress cut out. Hope to finish it over the weekend.

More Coco dresses

I made two more Coco dresses. And a fourth one is already cut out. 

The complete review of my first Coco Dress is here.

I got a bit of a sunburn there. The New Mexico sun is unforgiving. I swear I am using sunscreen. But my face isn't important here. Look at the dresses!

This is the perfectly adjusted version. The first version with the 3/4 sleeves is a size too big. 

For this one I cut a size 2 and cut out the armholes bigger. For that adjustment I usually just chop off a bit from the lower edge of the armhole after cutting out the pattern pieces. In this case I cut off 1/2. The size two sleeves still fit with a bit of stretching.  

 For this one I forgot to adjust the armholes and it is a bit snug around the shoulders and arms. What's with  armhole sizes anyway? Does everybody else have spaghetti arms?

Both fabrics are from Girlcharlee.com

Just a reminder to always wear sunscreen!

Sol Hoodie by Jamie Christina

Another finished knit project. It seems I have sewn only knit stuff the last couple of weeks. This is the Sol Hoodie pattern by Jamie Christina. I got it for my birthday last year and finally had a chance to print it out and make it. It is always so warm here in New Mexico and the winter is quite short, that I didn't feel like making something with long sleeves in the summer. But finally! 

This is the third pattern I made from Jamie Christina and so far I love them all. No alterations. They fit right away. My first pattern was the Abbey Coat. I will share the third project soon.

The fabric is an interlock knit from Fabric.com. The ribbon is by Anna Maria Horner.

I love the pink contrast to the red. In the instructions it says to add the ribbon before inserting the zipper. But that would mean part of the ribbon would be gone in the seam allowance. With this pretty (and expensive) ribbon I didn't want that. I added the ribbon after inserting the zipper. I just topstitched it on the hood and the front. But before adding the hood to the neckline.

I lined the hood with black flannel that I snapped up from my sisters stash :) Lining is optional.

 Here is an inside out view. I didn't serge the seam allowances. Since this knit doesn't fray I got a bit lazy finishing the seams.

 

Here is a close up of the finishing of the seam where the hood is attached. I had a little bit trouble with this one since the fabric is quite thick. I ended up using rayon seam binding to finish it. Doesn't look all that pretty. 

Pattern Description:
A zip up hoodie sewing pattern with features such as: cuffs with thumb openings, and fabric bands outlining the zipper and hood.

Pattern Sizing:
XS - XXL
I made a size XS

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Very easy to follow. Lots of pictures and helpful tips for sewing with knit fabrics.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The only thing I didn't like is that according to the directions parts of the ribbon would be in the seam allowance of the zipper. I changed that by sewing the ribbon on after inserting the zipper.

Fabric Used:
Cotton Interlock from Fabric.com

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
As mentioned above, I topstitched the ribbon in place after inserting the zipper. That way the whole ribbon shows.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I highly recommend this pattern, if wearing a hoodie is your style that is. Very well drafted easy pattern.

Conclusion:
I love my hoodie and I will sew it again. Maybe a version without the zipper, as sweater.

Fitted Tunic/ Mini Dress Alabama Chanin Style

My finished Fitted Tunic/ Mini Dress in Alabama Chanin Style. The pattern is from the book 'Alabama Studio Sewing & Design'. I highly recommend it if you like this style and hand stitching. 

I made the basic version without any embellishment. Just a double layer of pink cotton interlock jersey from my stash. I am doing some serious stash busting here. It is a test version to check the size and fit. This is a size M in tunic length, but I think it works just fine as summer dress.

I am not sure if the wrinkles in the front seam are caused by using too much tension in the seam. Well, it is still wearable.

The same is going on on the lower end of the side seam. Practice, practice, practice!

It was surprisingly fast to assemble this tunic. Not much to say about the pattern. I have read some reviews of the Alabama Chanin pattern where people complain about the low neckline. That doesn't apply to me. I see no problem there. I must have some lucky build. I hardly ever have to change any pattern.

My cretan stitch to attach the binding is getting more even, so yay!

Here another close up of the binding. 

Pattern Description:

Fitted top in different lengths - shirt, tunic, mini dress, long dress.
From the book 'Alabama Chanin Studio Sewing & Design'
 

Pattern Sizing:

S, M, L, XL
I made a size M
 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes
 

Were the instructions easy to follow?
The book give very clear instructions. All the techniques are explained very clear and thoroughly.
 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I love all the patterns from the book. Some people complain about the low neckline, I don't.
 

Fabric Used:

Cotton Interlock Jersey
 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

No changes
 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

This is a test version without any embellishments. I will sew this again with stenciling etc. I recommend it.