Vogue 1329 Fabric / pattern serendipity

Vogue 1329 'natural' pose

I bought this pattern the day it came out:
Vogue 1329
Kay Unger has some pretty neat and stylish designs that they aren't afraid to sell to home-sewers.  I have made a couple of her patterns and they have earned my trust.
This has been sitting in pergatory (pattern stash box under the ironing board) awaiting the perfect fabric.  Something with a little bit of stretch for comfort, but natural fibers for steamy summers.

Then one morning Roz posted this and the stars came into alignment!

58" wide, 97% cotton 3% lycra, 100% serendipity!

With matching black (even down to the fiber content) for the side panel.  I think I will use white cotton for the top part, and maybe extend the shoulder for a wider shoulder line.



Ta Da!

The only question remaining is the lining.  I have a bemberg addiction, but no stretch.  So, I am thinking of cutting it on the bias for more give.
I also need a secret, inseam pocket somewhere, or a welt on the side with the print.
I have pulled and measured the pattern pieces and what I came up with is within 1/2" of what is stated on the pattern.  Even though the description is stated as 'close fitting' there is close to the standard 4" of ease Bust, Waist and Hips.  That's fine, at least they admit it on the pattern measurements.

I could also go totally off the reservation and use gunmetal gray leather for the yoke.  Or, black and white plaid cut on the bias.
Do too many voices speaking at once turm a fashion statement into a fashion argument?

Fun with stripes!

Am I the only one who finds the most fabulous pinstriped fabrics and can't find the perfect pattern for them? I am just attracted to navy pinstripe, I can't explain it! I finally found a perfect pattern. This is Vogue 1092, and the front takes 13 pattern pieces, but the results are stunning.

This time I even took the time to slip in a secret pocket at the waistband. I am so tired of having to haul my purse everywhere.

The back looks a little bit wonky, but I checked out the rest of the reviews (2!) and the others seem to show the same thing so I dont' feel so bad.

I concentrated on matching the stripes, and forgot that I was cutting on the bias.

Oh well, like Dr. Hank used to say, "If you hear a gasp from the audience you will know what the problem is." He was the theater head when I was in charge of costuming in college and didn't like to hear the drama queens complain. I miss Dr. Hank.

Continuing My Skirt Kick

I have fallen back in love with the ease of skirts!

I love how super easy they are to cut, sew, fit and wear. Not to mention the fact that you can get one out of as little as 3/4 yard of fabric!

Up next is Vogue 1092 Tracy Reese pattern.

I am using the very last piece from my stash from the Houston Quilt Show from 2008. What sounds like an excuse to fabric shopping to me!



I am not crazy about the length, I would prefer either above or below the knee so I will start by adding a couple of inches.

For today's interview, we will be appearing in vintage navy pinstripes

A warm hug from the past, and a resounding testament to hand tailoring.



This is a tailored jacket that I made in 1995 for my life as a "professional." I got the chalk stripe Ralph Lauren wool flannel in Jackson, TN for $50/yard which was outrageous for me at that time. I never dreamed that I would still be sporting this 14 years later for a job interview as an accountant.


Although, it should have been obvious with those navy pinstripes. Seriously, who wears double breasted navy pinstriped suits besides lawyers and accountants.
This started as a skirt, pants and jacket, but the pants were much, much too warm for winters here. Since the skirt was 2 or 3 inches too small by now, I cut the back apart at the side darts and cut a side back panel from the front pieces of the pants. You can barely see it in the picture to the left. I put inverted pleats to the bottom so that I would have more range of motion. They also add to that "I meant for it to look this way" illusion.


I like the whole look with that modern Burda striped red top, very professional. I may lower the hem an inch, and I may not.

The jacket pattern is a DKNY "Semi-fitted lined, below hip double breasted jacket with notched collar, welt pockets, side back seams, back vent, shoulder pads and long 2 piece sleeves with mock vent.

With Facings

Since I know that you wanted play by play action...

I like the front, it fits well, and it isn't too tight through the shoulders. I still need to add the structure to the shoulder/back area, but I need more batting for that.

Funny thing about that, I remembered to buy some at Universal, but I only got half a yard and it isn't long enough and I don't want to have to piece it. So, I am going to make it into a bunch of shoulder pads, and get more for the whole shoulder/back pieces.

I am hoping that more shoulder structure will get some of those wrinkles from under my arms.

Speaking of the back:

I really like the fit better since I added a couple of inches to that back belt. I don't know what they were thinking making it too short, but it just looked bad.

I took Jenni's advice and understitched the pleats and they are nice and crisp, even though they pull a little from their basting thread as well.

As for the buttons, I have a few in my stash that will work:

I am actually leaning towards the smaller square ones at the top. I really don't like the great big square ones, but the round ones would work.

What do you think?

I really should go and get more of that batting and get this thing done, but I don't feel like getting out this afternoon.

I had forgotten how much Friday afternoons suck when you are unemployed.

No one wants to talk to anyone new on Fridays. I had an interview last Friday and didn't get a call back for a second interview this week.

Nothing good ever happens on Fridays when you are looking for work.

Just one of those days...

They postponed my interview until lunch time on Friday. I test on Saturday, so I tried to put it off until Monday. We all know how productive and timely Friday meeting are, Grrrrr.

Just to make this better, it might rain on Friday. At leasts I won't be out in black wool in 90 degree heat!

I am making progress on my Vogue 1126 jacket! Yes, it will have sleeves...

The back it going to be really cute if I can get past that little fitting issue, or lose 10 lbs.

Oh, and I got my nails done and it looks crappy, NIIIICE!

Lined Jacket Contest

I am still working on another copy of Vogue 1037 jacket. I really like it, but I am changing a few things this time.

• Collar



• Neckline



• Size *Aack*



• Length

The collar is too small and too Vintage which goes along with the neckline which is too open and broad. I am still not sure how I feel about broad necklines, but the collar looks out of proportion. The size was too tight through the shoulders and back so I let it out as much as I could through the sleeve seams. I also added to the length.

Other than that I loved it so much that I needed another one. I am still going to tweek the fit a bit, but I don't want to make it so well fitted in the back that I can't move my arms.

I took it to my first ASG meeting this week and they think that it needs thin shoulder pads. I will try that.

ASG unanimously agreed that you don't wear a red suit to a job interview, just my luck. So, I will have to go to plan B.

I still need to put on the welt pockets, and draft the collar. I should get to that next week.