I feel so Missoni

I love the Missoni chevron print so when I saw this knock off knit at Fabricland I needed it! And Vogue 1314 was the perfect fit.

I can see why so many people have made and loved this sewing pattern. It was so easy to sew up and looks really good too. The shell of the pattern was only 3 pieces and the lining 2 so it was quick to cut out. I tried to match the chevrons but they were pretty skewed which made it difficult.

I graded the pattern from a 12 on top to a 14 at the hip like I usually do but I think if I were to make it again I would just make the whole thing in a size 12. I don't know if it was the fabric or what but it was a bit loose at the waist and hip. So the gathers kind of sag instead of being stretched across like I would have liked. My fabric was a bit spongy and soft so that might be the reason, I'll have to see next time.

I didn't alter anything on this pattern. I saw so many reviews of this pattern and everyones versions looked so beautiful. I had never even really noticed this pattern before joining pattern review and seeing all the lovely creations.

This was such a quick project, I whipped it up in almost just one evening of sewing. The next time I sew this I will make sure to stay the neck better. I really stretched it out on this one, I guess I was thinking it was more like stretching the ribbed neck band on a t-shirt but really its just finishing the neck edge with self made bias. Maybe I will try fusing the neck band. I will definitely be making this pattern again, maybe in a slinkier knit and in a smaller size.

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I've been working away at my Alabama Chanin project! I tried out my airbrush and it worked wonderfully! So I painted my thrift store t-shirt and started my corset! I was really lucky when I found this t-shirt, its the perfect weight and a really nice denim blue colour. I found it in the men's golf T section, I think that's why it was the nice, heavier weight. And a plus, it has never actually been worn, tags and all still attached! I used a pearlized white paint mixed with a bit of navy. I was shocked at how much paint it took. I have no experience with spray painting and I mixed one mini vile (like probably 1/8 cup) thinking that would be plenty. Nope! It took the whole original jar of pearl paint, most of the navy and part of a jar of white paint because I was desperate! So the whole pattern is a bunch of different paint mixes because I just kept mixing and guessing and thinking how could this be taking this much paint?!?! But it all worked out in the end so I'm happy! 

The pearlized paint worked out really well, I love the bit of shine it gives it. I used Anna's Garden stencil for this that I cut out myself out of felt. I started couching the first corset piece and I am really pleased with it so far! I can't wait to get it done and sew it up!

Silk Slip - Vogue 8888

This is a bias slip dress I made for my mom. I've always sort of shied away from bias projects, they just seemed a bit daunting. I worked on a few at work recently and finally got up the courage to try one on my own! Me and my mom are wayyyy different sizes but that's the beauty of bias! It just stretches to fit!

When this pattern first came out I didn't really take a second look at it. I liked the housecoat but thought I would probably never make it. Then looking through old vogue pattern magazine articles I came across this slip dress. I fell in love. I thought to myself "how did I ever miss this slip pattern!!" I was so surprised to find out it was Vogue 8888. I find it just looks so different with the minor changes mentioned in the magazine article. 

I want to make one for myself now, I think I would still make it in a size up and maybe two sizes up in the hip. I thought this project was going to take a really long time but it was surprisingly quick and actually pretty easy! I was worried about fit so I tried it on my mom with just the side seams basted together and it fit perfect with no alterations! 

I used brown silk charmeuse from The Fabric Room, and black stretch lace trim from Fabricland. I haven't hemmed the slip yet, when I do the final fitting on my mom I will even out the hem and add the lace trim. It's been hanging in my studio for a week now and the hem is actually pretty even on the Judy. With bias cut garments its often necessary to even out the hem after letting it hang for at least a few days.  **Update: I tried it on my mom and the hem did need some evening out but it wasn't too drastic. 

My lace trim was only 2" wide, whereas the article called for 3" wide trim. It didnt make much of a difference until I was laying the trim on the skirt front. If I laid it centred on the diagonal seam, the lace didn't meet at the centre where it joins to the bodice. I thought it looked a bit odd, so I just moved the lace over toward the inside of the seam, so they would meet at the top and the seam was still covered. 

I really love the way it turned out! I am really impressed with the quality and fit of this pattern. I know bias cut patterns can be kind of tricky to perfect. I think the elastic lace trim made it really easy to fit, since you could pull it a bit wherever it needed to be a bit more snug. 

Thanks for reading!