Burda 6990–Raglan Tops

I rarely buy Burda envelope patterns. I’ve been a subscriber to Burda World of Fashion or BurdaStyle since 2008. But, when I saw this Burda pattern, I knew this would be a great top for me. Yes, I have the Jalie raglan top, but I really wanted something like View C and I’m no pattern drafter. I also have the Fehr Trade top from Melissa that is very similar. The Fehr Trade tops don’t seem to fit my upper body very well without a lot of tweaks and adjustments. I don’t know what it is, I think Melissa just drafts for a different body type than mine, which is fine. Burda, Jalie, and KwikSew are my go-to pattern companies when I want something to fit with minimal tweaking. This pattern is no exception.

 

For this top, I made View C, the high, cut-on collar. Once I figure out the changes, this will make a perfect running top in merino wool. I also love View D and View E!! I love me some tunic-length cowl-neck!

 

I added my standard inch above the bust to make everything lower. The fit is good although it is looser than I thought it would be. Part of the problem might be this fabric. There is plenty of stretch but not much recovery. So, it stretches out and stays stretched out. This is after making breakfast and doing dishes.

 

I love, love, love the neck.

 

I made my standard Burda size 34. That’s one thing I love about the Burda envelope patterns. They go down to 34! Many of the magazine patterns only go down to 36. Also, these include seam allowances. A bonus. I still trace the tissue off in case I want to change sizes later or something.

 

My typical swayback that I’ve never bothered adjusting or fixing.

 

I think if I just take a deeper SA from the wrist to the hem, most of the problem will be solved.

 

The collar that I love.

 

Think of all the flatlocking options! This is just photo shopped.

 

The fashion fabric is long and folds in forming a facing. You sew the SA of the facing and the turtleneck together so everything stays in place. I had no problems with curling or pulling on the facing. It’s really comfortable on. This was Swap Meet fabric. Look how off grain it is!!

 

A Burda winner. Imagine it in Merino wool. Also, I have oodles of Merino wool to share with you people. Four different colors and a Polartec fabric too! Stay tuned!

Burda Challenge - 07-2015 #114 Peplum Top!

Long live the peplum! Like I’ve said before, in Alaska, fashion is late. I still have a good year or two before people are tired of peplums! Don’t judge me!

My July Burda Challenge piece came in juuuust under the wire. Phew! We’ve had company on and off for a whole month so things have been hectic at best.  *drum roll*

 

Isn’t there just something fun about a peplum top though? Come on, at least give me that. I think it’s really cute and it goes with my Jalie Eleonore pants (I need more of these pants).

 

Look how it emphasizes the waist! This is Burda 07-2015-114. There were several versions of this in the magazine. They had it with sleeves and as a dress also. Kristy from Lower Your Presser Foot made the sleeved, dress version and it’s really cute.

 

“Mom, I’m poofy!”

 

“Mom, I’ve lost my belt and don’t look so thin anymore.”

 

“Egads, I need to eat a small child to fill this out.”

 

This was a very easy top to make. There are just four pieces to trace. For some odd reason, they want you to cut the back as two pieces and sew it together even though it’s straight. Kristy picked up on this and just put the piece of the fold. I didn’t because I didn’t realize there was no shaping until it was already cut.

 

There’s a front and back topstitched neck facing. Everything went together well. My only alteration was my standard one which is to add one inch between the neck and bust. I leave the armholes alone though. For some reason, all my torso-longness occurs in that area. Don’t that one things makes the bust points go to the right place, the waist sit at the waist level, and the hip region actually hit the hips.

 

The armholes are bound and overlap the facing to help keep it under control.

 

There is elastic in the waist seam to keep it mostly fitted. I do love the belt when I wear it though.

 

I really love this top. It’s super fun to wear.

 

How is everyone trucking along on their Burda Challenge??

Simplicity 2603 - Draped Cardigan

Wait, what? Did she say Simplicity?? Dawn said that? Yes, Dawn did. I actually sewed a Big Four (or are they the Big Five now?) pattern. Holy shit, Batman. (And why is this Etsy seller selling this pattern for $18??)

 

This picture is from said Etsy seller. Remember this pattern? I made two of them back in 2009 and I wear them all the time at work. They seem to be something I come back to again and again. One is a purple wool knit, and one is a black cardigan. I realize that waterfall cardigans are sooooooo 2008, but if I love it and wear it, why the hell not? Judge not, lest ye suck. Wow, less wine when I’m writing . . .

 

I also decided that I like this fabric and want to be bright all. the. time. Maybe I’m already sick of the Alaskan winter even though it hasn’t happened yet.

 

Behold the brightness.

 

 

 

This is a crappy wrap/tie job, but you get the idea. I often wear the two I have like this. Of course it’s not practical. Of course it will clash with about a billion things I have in my closet. I don’t care. *crossing arms like a toddler and stomping*

 

Sassy pants.

 

Okay, hahahahahhaa. This was a Best Pattern of 2009 pattern from PatternReview.com. I’m so lame.

Disqus and Shoes

I apologize to those of you who have commented on my blog today, but had your comments disappear. I guess there is some problem with Disqus and Blogger? When I looked it up online, it looks like Disqus and Blogger were having issues two or three months ago. I don’t know why it is only affecting me now. Yeesh. I loved how I could reply to individual comments with it. Any one having the same issues? Know how to fix it?

A bunch of you commented on my shoes and how could I love on them without telling you who made them! *head slap* Of course, I should have told you. www.sofftshoes.com And if you sign up for their newsletter, they send you an email for FORTY PERCENT off one pair of shoes. So I may end up also buying the black pair. They are super comfortable.

Here are my favorites though. What do you think? 

Love both versions of these. Would they go well with my Eleonore jeans?

These are the original pumps in black. I may buy these. I also love these slouchy boots. They are out of stock. Boo.

 

I love sandals, but I’m trying to buy more shoes for work and fewer for summer. I can wear sandals to work but really only for the first couple of weeks in August and a few weeks in May. After that, it’s cold, wet, and snowy.

Jalie 3353 - Cocoon Cardigan

My next project is not a Jalie, I swear. Really.

 

It’s been hot here. Well 75 degrees is a scorcher around here. Breezy cool weather is only a minute or two away. The weather changes that fast and I’m not even kidding.  I’ve made two cardigans in the past couple of days. This one is my favorite. This is a lightweight snuggly sweater-knit fabric. It’s hard to see in these pictures where the cardigan ends and the jeans begin. I think this would be great in a merino wool. I may have to make these in all colors and store them at my school.

 

And may I digress for a moment. I just bought these shoes and freaking love them. Super comfortable and also cute. I almost bought the plain-jane black pair, but who wants a plain black pair of shoes. I mean, come on. And didn’t I hear that leopard is the new neutral? See? This is just like a black shoe. I may actually end up getting it in another color too.

 

Sorry, back to the cardigan. It’s super easy to make. There are three pieces and a long band for the “collar” and two sleeve bands. So that’s seven pieces total which doesn’t sound as impressive as three. Anyway, it’s very easy to make. I think I had it cut out and sewn in two hours. I did it between painting cabinets. That took forever.

 

Long in the back for all those leggings.

 

Love the length (and the shoes!!). Doesn’t it look cozy? I have some sweater knit wool that would be great for this.

 

It’s very unfitted and I love the way it drapes when you aren’t standing like a birdie.

 

Another wardrobe stable. One year, I am going to make a school wardrobe. Wait. A PLANNED school wardrobe. This summer I’m just been on sewing ADD overload. Bright, print, bring, more bright!! Now nothing goes together. Oh well, I guess I’ll be bright!

Hoarding Old KwikSew Patterns - Anyone else?

There was recently a post on how people kept scooping up older (the ones with the thick paper and colored lines – you know the good ones) KwikSew patterns and weren’t able to stop themselves. I went into my local sewing shop and they had some of the older ones on sale. I bought a bunch and then realized I’m a hoarder too.

 

Between my local store and the stupid, stupid Internet and $0.99 sales, well, here you go. My newest acquisitions. I’m not even sure I love this top, but it still came home with me.

 

You can never have too many knit jackets.

 

One of my twins wants to learn how to sew this summer and she wants to make the blue skirt below.

 

I’ve always really liked these tops.

 

Hello. Sports wear!

 

Why did I even buy this? Just use my Jalie TNT t-shirt and add a woven bottom to it! Although retail therapy is sometimes needed. I did read through the directions and they are interesting. That black band is a 3” wide piece of elastic!!

 

Another cute kid pattern although some of their fabric choices are bad. Just bad.

 

I love the pink top with the seam lines. The other one is like a crotch arrow.