Saturday, March 28, 2015

A Couple of Tops - Vogue 8209

I've used this out of print pattern before but for the jacket.  This time though I was looking for a princess seamed tank top to wear with the Vogue black jacket and the accompanying pieces.



Version One:
Choosing a white ponte from the collection to make the wearable muslin resulted in this...which is nuthin' like the pattern envelope. I started out on the right track...making pattern alterations to the pattern pieces...


- added an inch to the lengthen/shorten lines
- split and spread from the hemline to add an inch at the hemline
- did a pivot and slide on the center front piece adding another inch at the hemline.
- used an invisible zipper instead of the separating zipper the pattern recommends
- added an inch to the center back so that I didn't lose the darts in the back

Then when I tried the top on after basting the sides and the shoulders together...I ended up with a top that fit at the hemline, slid off my shoulders, gaped a lot at the back neckline and the neckline princess seams needed to be sewn a little closer to my body.

Now when I started this journey, I fully expected to make some changes to the pattern. Since I'm now making closer fitting garments it means that I spend a lot of quality time in front of the mirror assessing where to tighten up and where to add space to give me THAT closer fitting garment. (Do you know that I cringe every time I type that?! *LOL*)

Anyways, I took some in...added darts to the back neckline...and then when I determined that I didn't like how the cap sleeves fell down my arms, I did a tuck in the mirror to determine how to make the change. I decided I kinda liked the tucks so I pinned them and sewed them down.




From there the changes took on a life of their own and I ended up with this kinda funky top which was sooooo fun and fast to make! A great wearable muslin...


These are my regular glasses they've just changed to sunglasses
because we were taking some pics outside too. 

Version Two:
Now this version looks more like the pattern envelope because I incorporated all of the pattern alterations from the first one. Although after constructing it, I did have to go in and make a few more changes. Primarily because the brocade is a woven and the original is a ponte.



This is super tight on Lulu! It's really shown me how much weight I've lost because Lulu needs to be restuffed or I need to just break down and purchase another dressform...

The changes I made for this top ~
- sewed all of the seams 1/2" instead of 5/8" wide from the waist down
- sewed the neckline seams at 3/4" instead of 5/8" wide to the bustline curve
- added darts to the back neckline - even after the alterations I made to the pattern
- removed the flare at the front - I didn't really like the peplumy look of the white one
- I finished the neckline with black bias binding but I turned down and stitched the armholes and hemline down

I really wanted a tank from the red & black brocade fabric to match the skirt that's how this second version came to be. Here it is with the matching skirt.



I like this top. With a few more alterations it will be an even better fitting top. I've made the changes to the pattern pieces and stuffed them back into the folder. Don't be surprised if you see another top or two showing up before the summer is over!

Lastly, these pictures of me were taken by my daughter.  Josh is just 3 weeks old but she came over, did my hair, styled me and took pictures just to get a day out of her apartment.  Thank goodness for OnDemand. She watched movies while the baby slept and I finished up some sewing. Best daughter EVAH!

...as always more later!


31 comments:

  1. The black & red brocade outfit is stunning! You can really see how much weight you've lost in this one. Hoping you have lots of fun making a whole new wardrobe of clothes.

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  2. You're looking great, Carolyn. The weight loss is really showing. The tops are lovely with great lines. The princess seams and neckline shape are quite flattering on you. I think I need to go dig up that pattern!

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  3. Like them both, they look stunning on you! ;)

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  4. Both tops are great, but I love that red and black brocade set. So gorgeous.

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  5. Great tops. Love the black and white. Fabulous look on you!

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  6. Very impressive tops, like the versatility of both and want to say how great you are looking.

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  7. You did a beautiful job on the ensemble. The fabric is awesome, you look fabuloussssss! And it is a blessing to have the best daughter EVAHHHHHH!

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  8. Lovely tops and you can get so much mileage out of that pattern.

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  9. Carolyn, you look so wonderful! These are beautiful tops, but the smile on your face doesn't even compare! Congrats!

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  10. Fabulous! What a brilliant idea.

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  11. They are both lovely. But I question your pattern alterations. Why don't you change how you add to your pattern. You obviously do not need what you added in the neck and shoulder area via that cb addition. You can just add it at the side seams via the seam method where you cut on the seam line spread what you need and clip it from the side in so get it to lie flat. You need far less than you used to add so adding at the seams is doable and easier to get the extra ease where you need it. I have never added at the cb or cf because I have not needed any extra at the neck or shoulders even at my heaviest.

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    1. Thanks Nancy, I will think about your suggestions. I'm flailing in the dark with the new fitting challenges because nothing fits like it use too.

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  12. You look fabulous. And those are two great additions. Love the matching brocade set.

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  13. Maybe the best mom EVAH?
    Nancy's right. What I would love you to share is restuffing Lulu. I need to go the other way with M'damn (kids named her that years ago) and I bet your process is going to be more useful than the ones I've seen so far.

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    1. Thanks SJ - but I think that daughter has mothering down way better than I ever did! I'm going to have to think on Nancy's suggestions for the next time but thanks for seconding them! As for Lulu I'm thinking it's time to retire her and just get a new one. I'm so lazy and I had help getting Lulu where she actually looked like me because my friends didn't allow me to cheat! I will keep you updated though.

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  14. Carolyn, I can't express how terribly fine you're looking. I actually like the black and white combo. It's so crisp and fresh. Keep up the good work;)

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  15. Love the tops! You look great!

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  16. Nice! I'd like a top like that for summer.

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    1. Faye - I think you can still find this pattern on eBay or on etsy.

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  17. Love both tops. That black and white combo is so classic and the brocade outfit is gorgeous. Fab job.

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  18. Both tops are v. nice and the colors of the brocade suit are wonderful on you. You are lookin' good, woman!

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  19. I love the adjustments you made to the White top, great design features. I also love seeing how you use original pattern pieces and the changes you make to them to get the required outcome. It never occurred to me to simple cut the armholes a smaller size...... Durrrrrr. 😄

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  20. Love the look of the red/black brocade fabric. I can see the weight progress from seeing your face and upper body. I find it interesting that when I and other ladies are working on losing weight, the weight drops off quickly in the face, neck and upper chest. That's my theory anyway. I want to lose in the waist area and that is always the last place where the weight sees to stick around.

    The top and skirt combo looks great together.

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    1. Linda - I've actually lost weight in my abdomen area, as well as, hips and thighs. I think it's just more noticeable in my top. My legs are also quite slimmer than they were which I can really see. Thanks for liking the pieces!

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  21. Beautifully fit and truly outstanding! Creative Hormone Rush

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    1. Thanks! I don't know if they are beautifully fit *smile* but I'm working on it!

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  22. You look so good in the sleeveless tops and skirts. I especially love the picture of you in the red and black jacquard ( which I covet). The colors and your daughter's handiwork. You look so vibrant! Keep at the fitting. Closer fitting garments do need more fitting tweaks, but it is so worth it. I know the pattern you are using is out of print, but based on your results,using a smaller size to get the fit in the shoulder and neckline area, with alterations for bust and hips might be something to try.

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    1. Thanks Audrey! Sizing down in the neckline and shoulder is definitely something I will remember to try...but you know that's all mixed up in weight issues and still not believing that I'm quite as small as I am now. I think if I made something skin tight and sewed it people wouldn't believe how much weight I've actually lost. Changing one's perception of oneself is challenging to say the least! Thanks again!

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    2. Carolyn, I lost a lot of weight, about 80 pounds. It's been a good while now, but I'm still working on figuring out my size, especially in wovens. Lately I've been sewing a lot of knits, as it's just easier to gauge size, IMO. I'll get there with the wovens. It really takes a while to see your body at your new size, and sew/shop accordingly. Congratulations on losing weight, I know it takes a lot of work!

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  23. Lovely tops, Caroline. The red and black brocade outfit is gorgeous.
    Congratulations on the birth of your darling little grandson.

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