Two weekends ago I finished Vogue 8534 view C. This shirt (pattern, thread, and a very soft ponte roma double knit) was funded by a Joann's Christmas gift card from my friend and coworker Joe. Thanks Joe!
It has dolman style sleeves: (the top part of the front of the shirt and the sleeves are all one piece)
The bow and sleeve are all one pattern piece. The pattern calls to leave the neck and bow edges raw, but to stitch 5/8 from the edge of the fabric. I wasn't having that.
When I cut out the sleeve/neck/bow piece, I also cut out an additional piece to make the "lining" for the neck/bow:
Then I sewed the edges of the neck/bow, turned it inside out, then stitched (I could have basted, but I sewed it down) the lining shoulder to the real shoulder.
The front neck edge and bow are very nice. This also makes a "full" looking bow compared to bows that were not lined, as I saw looking at other people's versions of this shirt on SPR.
The back neck seam I turned under and sewed down.
The loop for the bow is also supposed to be left with raw edges.
Instead, I cut a square, 4.25 x 4.25.
I folded in half and sewed it together down one edge, turned inside out, "moved" the seam to the center of the loop, then sewed along each long edge. Here's what the "back" of the loop looks like, with the seam (sort of) down the center.
and here's the front of the loop:
Then it gets sewn to the front of the shirt. Here you can see that nice curved edge of the lower part of the shirt front.
The "bow" is made by putting the "ties" through the loop
After the sort of disastrous size 12 incident, I cut a 16 this time. I probably should have done the 14. I wound up taking a tip from MushyWear and sewing the center back seam in a whopping 1.25 seam, as well as sewing the side seams in closer, for a better fit. Also I cut the A length even though this is the C shirt. I was able to get the shirt out of 2 yards of fabric which is less than the pattern calls for with the 16, and that was even with the lining pieces for the bow/neck.
I cut out the sleeves as long as I could then made a minimal hem. The sleeve and shirt hems are stitched with a stretch twin needle.
Here's the fit on the size 12 that I'm not happy about; it feels too small around the chest. It also has shorter sleeves.
Overall, I love the navy version of this shirt and wore it to work on the only day this week when the temp finally eeked into the high 30F range. One of my coworkers immediately said "you made that didn't you" which I never quite know how to interpret...does it look home sewn? Well, either way, I really liked wearing it. I think it has a navy sailor vibe to it, and believe me, if I had my sailor hat from Disney World I would have worn it for the photo shoot.
Here's a sneak peek at my next project: turquoise flannel and daisies. I like the middle daisy trim the best but I don't have enough of it for what I want to do...unless I get creative...
Hope you're traveling safe no matter what part of the world you inhabit; snowy or not!
ETA at 9:15pm: Just heard more thundersnow!!!
So cute! Your bow is wonderfully full - thanks for sharing your technique!!
ReplyDeleteI like the way this shirt looks on you! All of your adjustments produced a great finished product! I'm excited about what your next project could be...I've used those daisies in the middle before, as well.
ReplyDeleteIf someone is attuned to what's locally available in styles and fabrics, and has an eye for fit and quality, they can pretty easily guess what you made.
ReplyDeleteYou are still stuck before the 60s when homemade often meant you couldn't afford store-bought, and besides what you wore was often made by someone who didn't like sewing and/or had no talent for it. Now homemade is often more expensive than store-bought, made by someone who is enthusiastic if not exactly talented, and it's the quality standards quickly reach the level of the most expensive rtw. So switch your mind, as life as switched on us..
That's a cute top!
ReplyDeleteCan I ask - what is thundersnow?
Great job with giving your edges a nice finish. This navy version is super cute and looks warm and comfortable too!
ReplyDeleteThat's really cute. I love a dolman sleeve, and you are small, so you can wear it well.
ReplyDeleteI heard allegations of thundersnow, but didn't hear any. That is a really cute top--you've got me wanting the pattern.
ReplyDeletemy work colleagues also ask me immediately if I wear something new whether I have made it or not - I almost feel like I'm disappointing them if I admit that I bought it!
ReplyDeleteI love your top. I was concerned that with a dolman sleeve there would be too much fabric pooling around under the arms, but I see from your top that's not the case. Your technique is so much smarter than the pattern - how could the professional pattern designers not work that out?
Oh wow! Big thank you! I have that pattern and have not sewn it because of the unfinished edges (you don't find that out till you read the instructions, do you?!) But with your PERFECT solution, now I have one more workable pattern. Many, many thanks.
ReplyDeleteHello - I found your blog by Googling this pattern. I think the one you made in size 12 looks nice (even though you say it's too small) but the other navy one is beautiful too. Nice work Honey.
ReplyDeleteDo you usually use size 12? I am wondering if this is a "generous" pattern? A lot of knitted fabric patterns are (the cut is nothing like you get with rtw - why is this exactly?). If I do get this pattern I will be using a woven so I guess it will mean a bit of fiddling anyway. I was attracted to this pattern 'cause it is sort of similar to this vintage pattern:-
http://www.ornamentgal.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&product_id=1807&category_id=25&option=com_virtuemart
Which is really what I want!
Anyhoo, nice blog Honey.
If it makes you feel better I never know what to think too when people say "did you make that??"..... I think you did a great job and it looks fab.