Style Arc Joan Woven Top

This is one of those super easy sewing projects that really doesn't need it's own blog post! But I'm trying to get better at documenting what I've sewn, so I'm going to share a few pics and details about the top.

This is the Style Arc Joan Woven Top.  I purchased the multi-size PDF and sewed a size 10 (shoulder area) tapering to a 12 at the bust and hip. As you can see it was roomy enough that no FBA was needed.

I sewed this loose-fitting, pullover top out of a low-cost piece of fabric just to test the fit. Little did I know that my $6 pre-cut bundle of fabric from Walmart would result in a top that I love!  The color of the fabric is perfect for fall.  The fabric is fairly lightweight, but it works well for Texas weather.

If you've sewn Style Arc patterns before, you already know that instructions are minimal.  I was surprised to see this one is rated Medium/Challenging as I would have rated it Easy.  It must be due to the V neck. The instructions included to sew that neckline are so good and result in a nice crisp V.  The neckline is finished with a wide interfaced facing. I used a lightweight interfacing from Fashion Sewing Supply.

For the photos I paired the top with ready-to-wear wide-leg jeans.  I've been eyeing the True Bias Lander Pant pattern and purchased these jeans to see if I liked the silhouette, which I do

The extended shoulder line is finished with a band. 

The bottom is slightly longer - and curved - in the back.

The hem is finished with a wide facing that is top stitched in place and helps the top hang nicely. 

For a simple-to-sew top, this is a winner. Fabric suggestions are washed linen, charmeuse, crepe, and rayon so I'm going to have a look and see what I might have one hand to sew myself a few more. 

Blessings!Sty

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The Sewing Workshop Urban Pants ~ Summer Pants in a Linen Blend

I spend many of my summer days wearing denim short shorts and tees (and I'm talking really short as in I don't wear them in public any further than my mailbox, haha!)  When I need to run an errand, or attend a meeting, or simply want to walk the dog, I switch to pants.  That's when I realized I was seriously lacking casual, yet cute, pants. 

For my birthday my daughter had given me a gift certificate to Emma One Sock, where I saw this Red Clay linen/tencel/cotton blend fabric.  I loved the color and purchased it with visions of using it to make some loose-fitting pants. 

Earlier this year, I had joined the "Sew Confident! Series 10" offered by The Sewing Workshop.  Because of that I had Sewing Workshop patterns on my mind and choose to sew The Urban Pants. I had sewn the Urban Tee a few times previously, but never the pants. 

The pants are described as cropped, straight-leg with a center front seam with faced vent and button and loop detail, no side seam, flat waistband in front with elastic sides and back. I liked the idea of a cropped pant and partial elastic waist, so I forged ahead.

For a pull-on pant, they took much more time to sew than I thought they would! First of all, the fabric was probably too lightweight for pants, even though pants were listed as a good project for the fabric. The cut edges raveled easily and I was concerned that seams would pull out when I wore the pants, even though they're fairly loose-fitting.  I did serge all of the edges before sewing the seams.

The slowest part was the faced vent.  Somehow I didn't measure accurately and ended up with the hem on one side of the vent 3/8" longer than the other side. Honestly, no one probably would have noticed. But it would have bothered me every time I wore these. So I ripped out the stitches, remeasured, and restitched. 

The vent closes with a button and loop. I really didn't want to purchase two buttons and settled on gold buttons that I had in my (small) button stash.

The waistband is a separate pattern piece, a detail that I appreciate.  The elastic is inserted and stitched in place at the center front seam so that part of the waistband is flat. There's no interfacing at the front of the waistband so it does fold over when worn.

I thought I would really like that partial flat waistband, but on me? Not so much. It's my body shape. I have quite a bit of high hip fluff combined with an almost non-existent waist and the pants aren't as flattering as I had hoped they might be. 

 I do wish these had pockets! I'm not sure what year this pattern was released, but I'm pretty sure we didn't all carry our cell phones with us at the time.  With no side seam there is no easy way to add pockets if I were to sew these again.  Which I won't. 

The pants are out of my comfort zone as this is not a style I normally wear. I don't feel "good" when I'm wearing them, but it might just be that I need my eye to adapt to a shape I'm not used to. Even though they aren't getting much wear I'm glad I tried the pattern.

Have you ever had high hopes for a pattern that ended up to be a "meh" once completed?

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Vogue 1831 - Designer Inspired Jacket with Back Bow Detail

Vogue 1831 features a jacket inspired by one seen in the Gucci Fall 2020 Ready-to-Wear Collection.( Here's a link to the collection - this jacket is look number 80.)

In my opinion, the best part of the jacket is the back with the inverted pleat and bow!

I sewed the jacket in an embroidered silk suiting from Fabric Mart Fabrics as part of their Fabricista program. (Link to the Fabricista blog here)

This pattern was part of Vogue's 2021 Fall release. I purchased the pattern when it was on sale for $5.99 at the Something Delightful website.

While I may not wear it buttoned most of the time, I will definitely wear it with jeans. The boot cut jeans I'm wearing are purchased. 

These wider leg denim pants are from the pattern. I went down a size (due to stretch denim I used) and narrowed the bottom flare about 6". They're wearable but I'm still not too fond of them.

The jacket is fully lined which always feels so wonderful when worn. I used a rayon lining, also from Fabric Mart Fabrics. 

I did eliminate the front patch pockets as I thought the placement was odd. Even moving them down closer to the hem didn't look right. I used a faux leather remnant I had on hand for the contrast collar. 

If you're interested in more pics and details, I have a review video on both pieces on my YouTube channel. You can view it here. 

Blessings! 

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Minerva - A Statement Sleeve Dress in Metallic Brocade using Vogue 1798

When Vogue patterns released the Rachel Comey Lurie dress as Vogue 1798, I knew this was going on my to-sew list as I was drawn to those sleeves. I know statement sleeves can be polarizing, but I love them.

The lightweight metallic brocade was not a recommended fabrics for this fully lined dress, but I think it turned out beautifully.  I really like those sleeves :-) 

The fabric was provided to me from Minerva in exchange for writing a review on their website, which you can read here. 

BTW, the pattern for the sleeve is 36" wide! 

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McCall's 8201 ~ A Floral Peasant Style Bubble Top

When McCall's 8201 was released this past spring, I thought it was cute but had no plans to add it to my collection. Soon after the release, I purchased a top that was quite similar in style.  I found myself wearing it often enough that I decided to buy the pattern to sew another top. 

Here's the pattern cover.  As you can see it's designed to be cropped.  I sewed View C, adding 1" to the length.

I expected this to be a quick sew, and was surprised to discover the top is completely lined. The elastic  is inserted between the fashion fabric and the lining at the neck, arm, and bottom edges.

The instructions have you bag the lining. Which, if you've ever bagged the lining in a jacket, that's not always a quick process. You need to think about what you're doing, as it isn't always intuative. Well, at least for me it isn't. The nice thing is that there are no exposed seams inside.

There are separate pattern pieces for the fashion fabric and the lining fabric as the lining is about 1" shorter in length. This creates a "bubble" effect at all of the edges. 

The fabric is a beautiful Italian viscose crepe I purchased from Emma One Sock (as of Aug. 28, 2021 it was still available - click here).  My daughter had given me a gift certificate to Emma One Sock as a birthday gift and this was one of the fabrics I picked out.  (Does she know me or what?!?)  I lined it with a white batiste I had on hand. 

The pattern has a LOT of ease! I sewed a size Medium with no alterations. The bust measurement for a medium is 36" and the bust area of this top measures 52". I wanted that loose, oversized look, but you may want less ease. Just something to keep in mind if you sew this. 

As mentioned earlier, I added 1" to the length of the top and I think I'll add two more when I sew this again. It does ride up a bit more than I'd like when I raise my arms.

Even though both of my fabrics are fairly lightweight, this top is a bit warm to wear when the heat and humidity are high.  But honestly, that hasn't kept me from wearing this quite frequently as I really like it. 

In these photos it looks boxier than it does in real life.  I usually pair this top with pair of white jeans but those were in the laundry the day I took pics for the blog.

Looking at the pattern cover I was concerned the neckline would be too wide and expose my bra straps. I'm happy to tell you that hasn't been a problem. 

I plan on sewing another soon!

I hope you have a blessed day! Happy Sewing!

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