I'M DONEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My last PR contest item and of course... an extra :)





Copied from my PR review

Burda 03-2007-120

Pattern Description:
Embroidered lace fabric and satin ribbon accentuating the empire line upgrade this romantic top into a trendy highlight.

Pattern Sizing:
34-42. I made 34.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, it does.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
I don't read nor use Burda instructions, I just do it my way. Plus this pattern is really not difficult.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the flowing bottom part, very much in trend nowadays, the feminine cut of the top and the ribbon detail.

Fabric Used:
Aqua linen and pre-folded bias tape for binding the armholes and making the trim.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
As I made this top before and discovered it has quite some cleavage, I decided to add for this one 1.5 cm all around the neckline. Good decision, it fits beautifully and I like this wider shoulder, it covers my bra strap very well.

I bound the armholes with pre-folded bias satin tape (I cut away the armhole seam allowances previously) and I used the same tape to embellish and make a trim for the underbust line of the top. I have used variegated metallic thread and a decorative stitch.

Close-up of the binding and trim here.

I used a stretch stitch to sew the trim in place, giving it a handpicked look. See this review for details.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I will definitely sew it again, I like it very much, it is both trendy and feminine.


And the extra is a skirt...



















Copied from my PR review:

Tip: Hand picked hem for fine fabric - by Machine though

Butterick 4233
Pattern Description:
Lined, above ankle, below mid-knee or mid-calf A-line skirt has side seam zipper. B: contrast overskirt. C, D: godet. E, F: flounce. I made view C but without the side godet. I made view C without the side godet and some modifications.

Pattern Sizing:
6-20. I made size 6.


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Well, I made quite significant changes, so I don't know how much it looks like the drawing on the pattern envelope.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Very easy to follow and this is an easy skirt anyway.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I've tried three different bias skirt patterns in the past two months and I think that this is my favorite. Why? It doesn't have darts (bias skirts made out of thin slippery fabrics fall better on the body if they don't have darts - well, this is what I've noticed). It doesn't have an elastic waist, but a "normal" waist and a zipper (I don't like elastic waists that much), it comes in two different widths, an almost straight skirt and a wider one. I still have to try the pattern in bias, I did two skirts and both were from very stretchy cotton batiste, cut on grain.

Fabric Used:
Stretch cotton batiste, cotton satin and cotton/lycra knit.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I ditched the side godet, added a wide (10 cm) cotton satin band at the hem and I did appliques on it, using the same flower template that I used for this jacket and this skirt, only this time I cut a hole in the middle of the flower, to change a little bit the template and not get very boring. Close-up of the applique.

I've underlined the skirt using the same fabric. The underlining stops just before the band at the hem.

The wide band at the hem was cut twice because I preferred to have a self facing instead of a hem, I wanted the skirt to have weight at the hem. Both the hem facing and the waist band are finished using this tip mentioned at the beginning of the review. Very helpful tip, even if it is for hems, believe me, it works wonders for facings and saving you time because you don't have any handsewing to do. See here how this hand picked stitch by machine looks on the right side of the fabric and click here to see how it looks on the wrong side. Pretty neat, huh?

I added a 4 cm wide waistband, in the same cotton satin and finished it as mentioned above. The invisible zipper extends into the waistband - it is a treatment that I like and use all the time I decide to make a waistband. See a close-up here.

I've used wash-away tape to make sure I match the seams - go here.

My fabric didn't take serging well, no matter how much I played with the tension, the fabric was rolling into the serging, making a bulky finish. After trying for an hour, I've decided on a vintage seam finishing that Marji detailed in this review. See my seams here. They look pretty ok, even after washing, don't you think?

The back of the skirt doesn't have any appliques, I was kind of tired after sewing the 5 flowers on the front, plus I think it makes an interesting contrast. See here the back of the skirt.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I will definitely sew it again, next time I will cut this same wider version, but on the bias. . I am curious how it will drape on the body. I think I have real winner here and it could definitely be my favorite bias skirt pattern, that I will sew over and over again.

Conclusion
I like to have some simple, well-fitting patterns and change them as I like. I think it is important: 1) to have a TNT pattern; 2) to have basic, classic and simple patterns that you can alter and embellish as you like. When I see a new style, a trendy cut, an interesting garment, I don't jump and buy the pattern, but first, I think what pattern in my stash I could change to do that garment. Think that all the more sophisticated garments start from a classic, simple shape, which is then manipulated and changed.