Wearing Verdigris SWAP 2014 (Verdigris Tweed Set)

I know you have all been keen to see me actually wearing some of the clothes, so I moved the table, took down the map of the world, set up the tripod and the camera on self timer, and can share these with you.

Verdigris Tweed Set.
Green/black/grey/white tweed bought at least 18 years ago in Laura Ashley in York, and made up more recently into a jacket (Style 2514) and pencil skirt (Simplicity 9825). The blouse is from a basic shell block I drafted from a book, with a bias bound neckline and removable infinity scarf made from the scraps.
The jacket was previously sewn, the skirt sewn before 26th December and the blouse made in January.

The colour is rather off as I've taken the photos indoors without a flash, but it shows you the fit/shape etc.
Here are some hanger shots which show the garments themselves a bit better.

Drawstring laundry bag

I didn't use a tutorial for this, but it's based on the same principles as the Plastic bag Holders, though with the bottom sewn up and only one drawstring.

The idea with this one is that you pack it flat in your suitcase, then fill up with laundry in the bottom of your hotel wardrobe, then pop back in the suitcase at the end of the holiday.

Gift wrap storage bag

This wrapping paper bag is based on this tutorial but adapted for the strangely shaped piece of fabric I had.
I added a hanging loop, since I had a long thin section to my remnant, and the pocket has an angled side as this also came from the original remnant. It works for scizzors and tape though so I am pleased.

In the shot I have the roll of gift wrap poking out, but the bag in the right length to completely enclose it.

I think this could work well for a Christmas Craft Fayre if made up in dark green.

Plastic bag holders

I have a yen to sew things made out of rectangles for a bit, and decided to tidy up my pantry a bit by gathering all those plastic bags together in a plastic bag holder. To avoid reinventing the wheel I found This Tutorial for a Plastic bag Holder it looks very clear and would be great for a beginner project, but hopefully will be a good way for me to use up stash and make some things which are possible Craft Fayre type items. I reckon there's about 7 months until the next Christmas Craft Fayre, so if I get sewing now I might have some things to sell there. Anyway the first one is supposed to be for my pantry, and can also work as a bit of a test for future Craft Fayre ones.....

Well I used a rather heavy upholstery fabric, very firm elastic and thin rope, and although I love the result it was hard hard work and I won't use fabric this thick for any I make to sell for charity that's for sure!
My wrists are aching from pulling the elastic and rope through the thick casings. next time I will use a thinner, but still sturdy fabric. The tutorial is good though and i would recommend it.

Culotte slip

Black silky culotte slip, adapted from a Burda PJ pant pattern and great for wearing under skirt in the summer.
This is a mystery fabric - probably viscose (rayon) perhaps silk - and absolutely lovely to wear.

I am planning to take this with me on holiday to wear under my travel skirt.

SWAP completed

I am really pleased that I have finally finished the SWAP. The last two garments were hard to get started, but enjoyable once I got going.

The SWAP rules say this about the photos , though no dates have yet been given for submission, I am guessing about a week after the end of sewing time on 30th April.

You'll need to take a minimum of six photos, maximum 12 will be accepted. Please keep a copy of all images you upload on your hard drive in case SG's server fails or something is accidentally deleted.

The photos may be on you, on a dress form or any other way which shows them well.

You should show how you plan to combine tops and bottoms, and together should show everything. You’ll probably need to photograph some bottoms more than once.

Composites will be allowed, but only if they show details of the same outfit, e.g. a back view, a close up or the “before” photo if you are recycling. You may not show two different outfits on the same photo; such photos won’t be posted!

A single photo showing all the items together will be allowed but not required.

Please number your photos and then add a brief note to describe each one and when you plan to wear it, e.g. 1) Pink cotton Jalie top with khaki  poly/cotton BWOF pants; weekend shopping.

 So I am planning to wear my SWAP pieces and get photos taken of them in action. I will share them here as I know many people are a little frustrated with the hanger shots.

Vogue 2989 Charcoal Grey Skirt completed

The Vogue 2989 Charcoal grey ponte skirt is completed.

I have lengthened it by 6", by adding a strip of tissue paper above the pleat detail (this is where the lengthen shorten lines are marked). This allows it to fall gracefully below the knee, more flattering on my figure.
I am really pleased with this skirt, which completes my SWAP.

 Vogue's line drawing (above) and model photo (below).

Here's the final collection.

Vogue 2989 Black Dress Completed

The black ponte dress from Vogue 2989 is completed.

My alterations are
add 3.5" to the hem to come just below the knee
forward head and high round back alteration to both fronts and the back, and all the facing pieces.
Cut the pleated overlay with a curved hem as short of fabric
slightly shorten the sleeves as using 1/2" coverhem finish
16 upper bodice moving to an 18 at the waist.
Did not use the back zip. Added a 6" long centre back slit for walking ease.
This is great on, sophisticated yet comfortable, and the neckline shaping stops a wool jacket from touching the neck of the wearer.

here's the Vogue versions (in a smaller size!)

 

I am really pleased with this and it will be useful in my work wardrobe.

Here's what the collection looks like now

Those ivory tops are already proving very useful in the wardrobe.

SWAP Collection so far (2 items to go)

Here is the SWAP collection so far

The black ponte knit dress from Vogue 2989 is cut out and I am starting to sew it.
Then I will make the charcoal grey skirt also from this pattern, and the collection will be complete!

Vogue 2989 Ivory Top Completed

 My version of Vogue 2989. To avoid the top layer (which is cut on the bias) fighting with the lower layer (which is on the straight grain) I did not hem them together as per the instructions, instead I curved the lower edge of the outer layer, so it was more of an overlay. You can see the line drawing below.

Overall I am quite pleased with it, although the collar does not sit on me like it does on the model. It does look stunning with a chunky necklace - I was trying it with chunky oversized pearls - but the edges of the shaped upper bit, pop out a little more like a little collar, but in a very flattering way.

Only two more SWAP garments to go, or I could do one SWAP garment and add in something purchased.

My current plans are to do two more items from Vogue 2989 - the black dress and the grey skirt.

 I will slightly curve the hem of the dress in the same way as I did with the top. I suspect it will need some length adding too.

This definitely needs lengthening, but there are pattern markings above the interesting pleats to do so.

The black wide legged trousers will probably be in May after SWAP when things are a bit calmer.

Ivory top alteration and cutting out

Yesterday evening I finally got round to checking the pattern sizing against a tried 'n' tested pattern, doing the forward head and rounded back alterations on all the front, back and facing pieces, laying out on my fabric and cutting out.

I add a wedge across the back which adds an extra inch. And I also take a little bit off the top of the centre back seam. This is a super easy alteration on things which have a centre back seam.

Basically draw a line across the upper back (I do mine about half way up the armhole) at 90 degrees to the grainline. Cut through this from the centre back almost to the armhole leaving a small 'hinge'. Then add extra tissue behind and spread the upper section by the amount you need - 1" in my case. I also curve in the very top of the neckline (not clear on my photo) but same as the image below. That little curve affects the shape of any back neck facing and/or collar pieces, so you'll have to take matching wedges out of them.

Here's someone else's diagram with extra red lines. My alteration is more extreme and further down the back, but you get the idea.

This will then need a matching forward head alteration to remove the excess from the front neckline. 
Again draw the line at 90 degrees to the grainline. Then mark 1" up from the line and draw a second line at an angle back to the hinge point in the armhole. Fold so the two lines meet and tape in place. Alter any facing and collar pieces to match (easiest done by transfering the two lines onto the facing piece and then folding afterwards).

This leaves you with a bit of a step in the edge and you can fill in with tissue if liked. I tend to just mentally add the tissue and cut accordingly.

This leaves the armholes and sleeves exactly the same and thats not been a problem for me.

I thought for ages I needed a small bust alteration but I don't - the excess fabric for me is between the bust and the neck so this is where I need to remove it.
I tend to pick styles with scoop or V neck as I don't like the sensation of a neckline at the collarbone level. However if you do have a higher round neck style and do this alteration, you will need to redraw the front neckline slightly lower, and alter any facing/collar pieces accordingly.

I hope this helps!

Ivory Top Prep cont

feel free to skip over this if you only like to see finished garments!
these are my musings when tackling a new pattern, and some people might find that helpful.
I will also show the alterations I make as I go along as I this might be useful.
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Yesterday evening I rough cut the Vogue pattern, and studied the shapes of the pieces as I did so, plus read through the instructions again.
The next step will be to compare to a TNT and think about what alterations I need to make, and how those might affect other pattern pieces (e.g. facing).

Dress/Top
If I want to lengthen the dress it is from the hem.
The front of the dress/top is a really wierd angle so will have to be careful handling, stitching and hemming it. There is already a centre back seam which should make round back alteration easier to do.
I plan on omitting the back zip.
The fabric I want to use is not hugely stretchy but it does meet the stretch guide on the envelope and does return back to shape afterwards. This is a good indicator that it will be OK.
Since there are two pieces for the front, I need to make sure the forward head alteration is done in the same place and for the same amount on both, and that these two alterations will affect the size/shape of the facing pieces which will also need altering.
Note: these are wedge shaped alterations.
The extensions which make the top into the dress will probably need to be cut off for making the top, so I will need to write on them the pattern number, pattern piece etc so they can be reused in future when I make the dress.
I need to check the sleeve width across the bicep area, as my arms are full here. I may need to do a full bicep alteration (not always needed in a knit). I can either measure or compare to a TNT (treied n true pattern).

The little skirt looks really easy, but really short. They provide lengthening lines though, so before I cut the skirt out (a future project) I will measure a previously made skirt which I hemmed to a flattering length, allow for the hem and the elastic waist and lengthen appropriately by adding tissue into the section.
Note: this will just be a simple lengthening, but from above the pleat detail.

The trousers (pants) have a really shallow crotch both front and back. I will compare to my burda TNT and alter accordingly. This is likely to include more wedge alterations. As with the upper body, I add extra at the back, but sometimes need to remove from the front. I am fairly average height so lengths on trousers are normally OK.

The jacket has a peplum, raglan sleeves and a shaped shawl collar. I am limited on fabric yardage (its an Ikea throw) so may cut single collars using the finished edge of the throw, this may change construction around the collar and the shape of the lower part of the collar.
The waist seam needs to sit on the waist, so I need to check the front and back length after I have done the usual round back/forward head alterations. I have a level waist, but sometimes extra length is needed (not often).
Since this has raglan sleeves I may need to adapt the usual round back/forward head alterations for a raglan pattern. Any changes to the bodice pieces affecting the neckline will also impact the collar pieces which will need altering also.
The throw is a loosely woven fabric not a knit, and frays very badly once cut and handled. So I need to cut this one out immediately prior to sewing it up, so best done when I have a chunk of sewing time available.

Vogue 2989 - first item - ivory top prep

I'm going to make this top as my next project.

I read that the pattern is 'close-fitting' so measure myself to find I am a 16/18 top and a 20 hip according to the size chart. So I shall do a test accordingly and see what needs to be altered in addition to the forward head, round back and grading out to the larger hip. I'm also hoping to skip the centre back zip, but will flat finish the back seam (instead of serging it) in case I need to unpick and add it later.

Vogue 2989 Personal Challenge

I have posted Vogue 2989 before but not made it up. Then I thought to myself that i actually fancied trying to reproduce the pieces on the envelope (though of course in my size (16ish) ).

It is for knits only, and for most of the pieces I can do that from stash. The fabric I planned for the jacket is actually a loose woven, so we shall see about that one. And the one piece of black ponte I have is more likely to be the dress than the trousers. I will have to alter everything so lets see if I can do it. In particualr the top and dress are planned for SWAP, as are the Burda trousers I posted a few days ago. So those will get done first before I move on to the jacket, skirt and trousers from this pattern. Somehow I don't expect to look quite like the Vogue model when everything is done!

Ivory marl cardigan jacket

The ivory marl cardigan jacket is complete. This is the eighth item in the verdigris SWAP and has an optional cowl scarf I cut out at the same time as the jacket.

The fabric I used was a a loose weave textured fabric which ravelled terribly, and needed both the sewing machine and immediately afterwards the overlocker to finish each seam. However it has pressed nicely and works well in this soft cardigan style jacket.

The pattern in the short jacket from New Look 6082.