Silk blouse

Silk doupioni blouse with short puffed sleeves, elastic waist, waist darts and shirt collar. This is from BWOF 06/2008, 107 I made view B. This is a nice easy pattern to sew, I like the waist darts it has a nice slimming effect. I made a size 38 going up to 40 from the waist down. I altered the width of the SA on the collar, neck line and facings to 1/4''all other seams 1/2'' except side seams and back seams 1''.The collar had nice smooth points and trimming was not necessary. This was the first time I did this, I usually use the standard 5/8" SA. The fabric is an uneven plaid, how ever I didn't have enough for a match of sleeves to bodice. I bought this fabric for lining a skirt but decided it was a bit on the heavy side , that's the main reason for the shortage.
I used the wrapped corner technique for my collar as per Nancy Zieman,

interface upper and under collar, with RS together pin upper and under collar along the unnotched edge. Stitch the seam from end to end, press the seam to 1 side and then press open. Press the SA toward the under collar and understitch the entire seam using multi zigzag . Fold the collar along the seam right sides together, the SA will roll toward the under collar. Stitch from the fold to the neckline edge, trim the corner allowences at an angle. Press the SA to 1 side then press them open, press the corners over a point presser, turn the collar R side out and machine baste the open edges together. Works great

Summer tunic

Very feminine summer tunic. Can be worn with trousers or a skirt .

Empire waist and short Kimona sleeve tunic. BWOF103 from issue 03/2007. This pattern has an illustrated sewing course, its a nice alternative to a classic blouse. It is an easy peasy top, the fabric I used is a cotton with a cross stretch. I wasn't crazy about this fabric it was cheap and nasty.

The vneck is very deep, my bra was showing I tried to cross the neck bands but it didn't work it was way to bulky. So I just stitched it a couple of inches together I think it worked ok.

Waistcoat and skirt

BWOF waistcoat 115 from issue 04/2007. This pattern has a sewing course, I did follow the instruction for the notched collar. but I made my own welt pockets. It was an easy pattern to sew, of course it does help to have some line drawings . I would make this one again I do love vests. Put a blouse under it and you can wear it with trousers or a skirt and it always looks dressy and pulled together.

This photo is a little washed out. I shot it in my basement which is my sewing room, and it doesn't do justice to the colours of the fabric.

Another view.

Back view think I could have made the belt a little longer however I will probably make this again.

The skirt is Butterick 4924. I made this last summer view f which is a bubble skirt, so it was pretty easy to make the second time.

Fabric for waistcoat is a wool and rayon mix, skirt is 100% cotton both from fabricmart.

Crossover top and pencil skirt

BWOF top 116 from issue 1/2008. Fabric top is a mix of cotton and lycra, skirt is a cotton jersey.

I like the way the front piece is constructed to form a mini cami , clever idea.

I used a three thread cover stitch, sewn on the wrong side for a decorative effect.

Pencil skirt is also BWOF 111 from 2/2008. Its an easy to sew skirt but time consuming, because of the bands across the front are topstitched.

I used a petersham ribbon for facing the waist, I usually do this on most of my skirts as it make it less bulky.

skirt with border

Silk border print skirt, BWOF 121 from 2/2007 issue. Left over from making my blouse, I combined it with this jacket because I thought the two prints together would be way to much.

Photo of original skirt. It isn't like mine, I cut about two inches off the lenght. Also the fabric the pattern used has embroidery on the hemline.

This is a vogue jacket I made a couple of years ago. The number I can't remember, and the pattern I no longer have. I like the way this jacket fits, I suppose its out of fashion by now. The jackets for the last two seasons are boxy and short, not a great look for me.

An old top I had that has seen better days, but the colour is good.

The pattern didn't call for lining, but I like to line all my skirts. I couldn't decide what colour to use white or pale pink, so I choose the latter.

I had a couple of yds left over from my blouse, just enough to make this skirt.Its a nice silk fabric of medium weight, its very lustrous and smooth. I prewashed it in a little hair shampoo. It was a little slippery so I covered my cutting table with newspaper then pinned pattern through the fabric and paper. Cut through fabric and paper.

BWOF flared skirt 121 from issue 2/2007. Pattern has two pieces cut on a fold, how easy is that. Unpressed pleats, no waistband and rests on the hip.

Ruffled blouse

Ruffled silk blouse Vogue 8252. This fabric is a border print which I used for the ruffles. Its a shirt blouse with front button closure, long sleeves and button cuffs.

Close up view of blouse front. The original pattern called for raw edges on the ruffles. I ignored this and made 1/4" SA.

Another view of the front.

Back view. I like the fit. I normally cut out a size 12 changing to a size 14 at the waist however, as it ran a bit big I didn't make any changes.

Silk Blouse

I made this blouse for the [blouse contest] pattern review.com. Its a BWOF 112 from 6/2007. The fabric is silk that I got in HONG KONG a couple of years ago and never knew what to make with it. I was going through my burda magazines when I seen this pattern and I said ok this is it. Its semi-fitted and has a slanted fastening.











Pattern layout.

Front of blouse. I like the binding on the lower sleeve opening which is different from the standard sleeve. I also like the side darts.














Back of blouse. This is a very light weight fabric which I would wear a cami underneath. This photo shows the sleeve opening better.

Plaid skirt

This is a plaid wool skirt BWOF 102 from sept. 2007. The waist edge is simply faced for a smooth and simple fit. I used a very nice light wool fabric from my favorite vendor fabricmart.









I do like the way the pleats are stitched down in the front, I think it adds a slimmer look.

















I experimented with different lighting and and I found that the two previous photos show the true colour of the fabric. It was a simple skirt to make two dots.













I lined it with an unknown fabric from my stash, Ithink its a poly mix. The fabric frayed a little, so I used a binding for the hemline. I think it looks better than a serged hem.

Chemise top

Chemise top BOWF 128










This silk charmeuse top will be my pyjama top. Fabric is from fabric mart at a great price of 2yds for five dollars, so I purchased 5 yds. Its a nice peach colour [doesn't show very well in the photo]. I truly love this fabric, its wonderful for nightwear so luxurious and soft next to the skin. Its a simple top cut on the bias. I used a binding that I had in my stash although it was to heavy to miter the corners it turned out OK. The pattern was pretty simple, I would make it again.






Pyjama trousers very simple pattern, darts in front ,elastic waist. No alterations , wish all my trousers were as easy.














I used a rolled hem on the chemise top, gave it a nice look.

I am dying to get my hands on some more charmeuse to make another one just like this.

skirt burda 118

BWOF Skirt 118 from 8/2007 A-line with side panels [pleats] front and back sections plain.

Fabric is a blend of wool and acrylic from fabricmart. I will underline it with fine cotton batiste.

I really like this pattern however my choice of fabric was all wrong. I will make it again, but next time it I will use a much lighter fabric probably a nice gabardine.

Way to bulky for me, feels like I added three inches to my hips.

This fabric frayed like crazy, I really think its more suitable for a coat. Its a very heavy skirt to wear, great for artic type weather I suppose.

BWOF.Jacket108

I have started work on this bwof jacket 10/2007 the material I am using is a boucle from fabric mart, I was drawn to the jacket mainly because of the colour in the mag. which is like my fabric however the fabric they use is a loden which presumably does not fray. There are lapped seams and only one collar piece. So far its looking ok. This is all so new to me. I have been a lurker for a long time so I decided to take the bull by the horns and forge ahead.













This is the jacket pinned for fitting. The colour is a little bit off in this photo see pictures below.



















Picked up some nice buttons which is sewn in between two narrow strips of imitation leather. The buttons are not aligned as you can see which I will remedy. I just placed the collar on the dress form to see what it looked like. The next step will be the sleeves and the zipper. I forgot to mention I used a little fray check on the edges just in case the boucle frays.

I put the zipper in today, tomorrow I will deal with the collar and sleeves. I should not have used the fray check on the bottom. I had a big problem with the fray check since it dried white in colour and not clear. Eventually I removed it using Goo Gone so all is well.









I finished the seams using lining pieces cut on the bias. This was tedious, and took up way to much time, however I think it looks better. Although its a sweater type jacket I do like it to look good on th inside.










Collar is on, sleeves are next. Can't believe it has taken me a whole month to make this very simple jacket.But I am spending a lot of time on the computer learning to post all of this.













Hurrah hurrah jacket is finished. Took this picture myself using the self timer on my camera. Never tried it before so after taking several pictures,this is the one I picked.Not great but its a start. Am going to a concert to-night, meal first, so I am wearing my new jacket.