Culottes

This is the pattern I am working on

From McCall's website

I cut a size 16 and added an inch to the waist line.  I actually cut off the section from the pattern c/d length to e as I will never ever be tall enough for that length.  I also shortened that length by 2 inches. The length of the culottes at this time before hemming are longer than you are seeing on the model above.  My intent is to have them fall right below the calf.  

Instead of using 4 one-fourth wide elastic, I chose to use an 1 1/2 inch wide elastic.  Someone in an earlier post comment suggested two 1/2 inch elastic pieces; I may consider that if I make these again.

After inserting the elastic in the back waistband, I basted the side seams for fit and found that I did not need the extra inch at the waist and actually I basted an extra inch from waist to hemline.  As I noted above there is a lot of fabric with these culottes and it looked like the fabric was consuming me.

The fabric I am using is a rayon challis and it is perfect for this pattern.  You really need a fabric with drape.

I am going to have to shortened these or take a deeper hem for these to be the right length for me.

Hope to have some photos to share shortly.

Current project

I spent the weekend on pattern fitting and cutting out fabric.  I decided to try this culotte pattern from McCall's.  I am using rayon challis fabric acquired from Fabric Mart in 2013.  I remember buying several yards of various colors and designs.

I recently purchased a paisley rayon challis from Julie's Pick Swatch Club.  I decided that I would save that for the next pair after perfecting the fit with this pair.

Style Arc pattern in the works

My current project was to be a quick one.   I am making this Style Arc pattern.  I purchased several patterns late last year or early this year.  I think this was the freebie for buying three patterns.  My first patterns I purchased were size 14.  They were a little big in the shoulder area and so decided to try a 12.  I made a very small FBA with this pattern simply by adding 1/2 inch at the front bust area.

The fabric I am using is from Waechter's in Asheville, NC.  I acquired it along with several other fabrics while being there on business about two years ago.  This is a rayon fabric in blues and cream.

It looks like finger painting.  For the yoke on this pattern I cut the fabric on the cross grain to give it a horizontal stripe look.  The bottom pieces were cut on the lengthwise grain and thus stripes are running down.  Even with some fitting adjustments for the drop shoulders with this pattern prior to cutting out the fabric, the shoulder drop was still rather long.  I ended up cutting off 3/8 inches at the shoulder/arm area and adjusted the sleeve pattern as well.

This project is almost complete.  I have had a very productive 4 day holiday.  

Made progress on Laurel

I made a lot of pattern adjustments while pin fitting the pattern. I cut out the fabric last night and began some sewing.  This AM I inserted an invisible zipper and sew front darts and shoulder seams.  At this point when I sew I usually baste side seams for fitting.

I basted side seams as usual and tried on the Laurel dress and determined that I had to take much deeper seams from waist to hem line.  When I review pattern measurements, Colette patterns are always large on me at waist to hemline; I normally go smaller but this time I used a 12 throughout.   I basted deeper seams, making seams 1 1/2 inches deep.  I determined that the back darts need to be taken in as well to give a better fit for the back.  At that point I had to stop sewing for the day.

I think I will have to sew darts at the back neckline as well to get a better fit.  Next steps are to baste in the sleeves as I think the shoulder may be too long as well.  These are all fixable fitting issues and will definitely aid me in making the next dress.

I like the look of the dress after basting the sides seams deeper.  I think the rayon challis fabric  I used was perfect for this pattern due to the drape of the fabric.

Here is a glimpse of the work in progress

Back from vacay and ready to sew again

I had a great vacation and hope to post some vacay photos soon.  We went to OBX-Outer Banks in North Carolina.  Great weather while there.  I love the beach!

Had to go and stock up on groceries after returning.  Began the usual after vacay laundry thing and finally got to go into the sewing room to clean up from last sewing project to start on the next one.

I plan to sew the "Laurel" dress by Colette patterns.

I began the pattern fitting part and determined the fabric I will sew up next.  It is fabric I purchased from Fabric Mart earlier this year.  It is a rayon challis with a little more body to it than some other fabric I acquired.

Success with V9771

I am pleased with the outcome of V9771.  There are just a few tweaks to make on the pattern for the next top.  I really like the cowl or drape neckline on this top.  It is very similar to another Vogue pattern that I have made and that one calls for knit fabric.

Because the front and back are on the bias, I am letting this hang overnight before stitching the hem.

 

Challis fabric from FM