I'm Alive

I'm alive. And I've been sewing. Boy have I been sewing! Just haven't found much time for blogging.  Three weeks ago, my husband was consecrated a bishop. We've known about this for quite some time and were told that everyone was to wear white. One wouldn't think it would be so difficult to find a QUALITY white fabric. UGH! Boy was I wrong. I scoured the web. I ordered swatches. I was certain I would find something at the Sewing Expo in March from Vogue Fabrics. Nada. There was tons of off-white/ivory to be had. But husband was adamant that it should be pure white. Finally with a week and a half before the event I reluctantly had to commit to what I could find locally - a white duchess satin from the bridal section at Joann.

I initially had all these design ideas floating around in my head for a dress. Then the secretary general from the fellowship came to interview us. Over dinner I was sharing with his wife some of the ideas I had for my dress and she told me very matter of factly: "White dresses are for ushers that day. You need to wear a suit". Well then! LOL! So plan B. I needed to choose a suit pattern. I chose this Vogue pattern for the jacket

Vogue 8932

I SHOULD have made a basic pencil skirt which was my original plan but ended up using the skirt from OOP Vogue 8543.

The day of the event was so hectic there wasn't time for posed pictures. So today I finally set up my tripod because I really have a back log of sewn items that I haven't blogged because I didn't have pictures. For some reason I couldn't get any good pics of this suit without wrinkles/bunching. Plus I was rushing trying to photograph 6 outfits in 30 minutes.

I have lost a few pounds since the event and as a result my skirt is a tad too big now. I will need to take it in before wearing it again.

I thought the curved seams on the back of the skirt would compliment the curved hem on the back of the jacket. In my haste, I didn't read any reviews on the skirt pattern which is SO unlike me. Big mistake. HUGE. This pattern really sucked (I'll explain in detail in my review) and I ended up spending more time on it than I could afford. I literally was working on the skirt until it was time to leave. *deep sigh* At any rate it's done and over with.

Ok so the Consecration Service was Tuesday evening at the presiding bishop's church. The following Sunday at our church we had the Episcopal Affirmation Service. Husband had told me that we were also to wear white that Sunday as well but of course I couldn't wear the same thing. As if! So naturally as soon as I returned home on Wednesday I began preparing for my 2nd dress. Imagine my frustration (yeah let's go with that word) when around 7:00 on Saturday evening when I was ready to hem my dress, husband informed me that everyone is wearing black. Ummmm EXCUSE me? Everyone but Monica will be wearing black tomorrow because Monica has not PREPARED a black dress. Monica has prepared a WHITE dress. *another deep sigh*

Anywhatever, for this dress I used Vogue 8936 for the bodice with the following modifications:

+ Modified the neckline to form a V-neck

+ Drafted flange sleeves (5 x 12 rectangle cut on the bias)

+ Drafted shawl collar/tie (10 x 45 cut on the bias). I interfaced the tie.

+ For the skirt I made 3 inch pleats to meet the bodice seams

Now after all of this, I need some very very very simple basic sewing projects. I have some things lined up. I'll share those in a subsequent post.

Here are pattern reviews for fellow sewers:

Vogue 8932 (Jacket) Pattern Description: 

MISSES' JACKET AND VEST: Semi-fitted, unlined jacket or vest has raised neckline, seam detail and shaped hemline. A: front-button closing. A and B: two-piece sleeves. B and C: raw edge finish, seams stitched on right side of fabric, and front snap closing. I made View A 

Pattern Sizing:

I cut size 12

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?

Yes I thought the instructions were pretty clear.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I loved the lines in the jacket and the neckline and hemlines

Fabric Used:

duchess satin

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I added 1 inch to the length of the sleeves. I also fully lined the jacket. I mistakenly removed my button placement markings before I sewed the buttons on. So I just kinda fudged it. I overlapped the jacket and pinned it in place. So the jacket is not as fitted as it's intended to be.

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

I wouldn't mind having this in a less dressy fabric. Yes I would recommend it. This is a stunning jacket.

Conclusion: 

I needed this ensemble for a special occasion. I really felt like I "settled" on my fabric because I couldn't find what I really wanted. But in the end I got a boatload of compliments when I wore it.

 *************

Vogue 8543 (Skirt) Pattern Description: 

Fitted, partially interfaced, lined to edge jacket, with raised back neckline and front lapels, detail front and back with princess seams and flared sleeves with seam. Semi-fitted lined skirt with detail seams, back pleats, contour waist, side zipper closing and mid-knee length. I made the skirt 

Pattern Sizing:

I cut size 12

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 instructions themselves were pretty clear for what was included. However it was missing some steps. I don't think it ever instructed you to sew the right side of the skirt after inserting the zipper.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I loved the lines in the skirt. I made it to go with a jacket from a different pattern. I thought that the curved seams in the skirt would accent the curved back hem of the jacket.

DISLIKES: It just leaves a little to be desired as far as instructions & information printed on the pattern pieces. The worst part is that I didn't read any reviews before making the skirt and I NEVER do that. I always read reviews but I was pressed for time. And I really couldn't afford the time I wasted. I was literally working on this until it was time to leave. 

Fabric Used:

Duchess satin.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I added 3 inches to the length.

Based on the completed garment measurements printed on the pattern, I added 1/2 inch to one of the front pieces and 1/2 inch to one of the back pieces. The printed measurements were completely WRONG. I ended up having to take all of the extra room out. The skirt was HUGE.

One of the pieces for the skirt was actually labeled as a jacket piece. Based on the shape of it, I had put it in the cut pile but when I looked at the label, I removed it. By the time I realized the error, it was the night before I needed to wear the skirt and I didn't have enough fabric left to cut it on grain. so I had to cut it on the cross grain.

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

I doubt if I would sew this skirt again.