Vogue 8997 dress, two versions

Time for more blogging on things I sewed in this past year. Back in August I taught an online class called "The Fitted Dress".  As I was making video content for this class I realized that a simple dress can have a lot more content than I had ever thought about. Creating even and crisp necklines, lining a sleeveless garment, invisible zippers, smooth princess seams etc. So this pattern gave me a lot of opportunity to show various techniques I use on lined dresses.  Plus I have had this pattern for ages and always wanted to sew it. Don't be surprised if I make another version next summer, I think in a dark denim with topstitching to highlight the seaming it would look really interesting and be a summer wardrobe winner.

This version was sewn up using a piece of fabric from my stash, I think it is a remnant from a long ago project that I made for a friend, so it is a textured poly trying to be a silk dupioni. An interesting color and it would make a nice party dress if I had an event to go to now, which I don't :). Actually I almost wore it to Frocktails this summer but opted for something else. Partly because I was tired of looking at it after filming several hours of video for the class!

I think the neckline front and back is very pretty, the full skirt version is very wide. I had a big piece of blue cotton gauze so I made that version first just to check it out.  Only the bodice is lined in a black cotton voile which gives a clean finish on the neck and armholes. 

Here's a look at both dresses on the dress form. I cut them out using the same bodice pieces, however I think on the red one I raised the neckline about 1/2" just to be able to show that technique of re-drawing the v-neck in my class. 

Over the past 4 years I've taught 15 different online classes, some of which we have run multiple times (jeans, button-front shirt, blazer techniques) and I thought I would show you a couple of screen grabs from the classes.

This one I am starting to show how I do the clean finish lining on the armholes of a sleeveless dress.

And in the following one I am closing up the shoulder seam to get that completely lined bodice.

One thing I have learned by doing online classes is how to use iMovie and edit video which is actually fun.

Here's a look at the neckline front and back. It can be tricky to get an invisible zipper sewn just right in a v-neckline and I was really happy with this one!

I took these pictures in June (blue version) and August (red version) and you can really see how things go in the garden around here, by August it is starting to get very dry and crispy with the blooms fading. I just put in some winter annuals yesterday but this time of year is all about trimming and cleaning up in anticipation of spring! Is it here yet?? 

Next up on the blog will be my ponte blazer with zipper pockets that I took on my trip to Italy. 

Happy Sewing,

Beth

And a garden photo combined with a twirl of the blue dress. I miss summer 🌞. 

Chore Jacket: Burda 03/2023 # 104

This week I have some time to catch up on the blog so here is the first of what I hope will be a few posts on things I made these last few months. Although not in the order that I sewed them. It was a great summer with a few detours for some life issues that are resolved and also a fantastic trip to Italy in October. Now it's fall, my absolute least favorite time of year (*reasons I will detail at the bottom of this post :) but I did make this cotton jacket in the summer and now it's finally time to wear it. 

Also I'm teaching a class next weekend at Hello Stitch Studio to make a Chore Coat or Jacket so I think this pattern qualifies. 

The fabric is a brushed cotton that I got from a friend who was reducing her fabric stash. Just enough to make this jacket pattern which I have been eyeing for over a year. 

It's from March 2023 Burda Magazine, # 104.  They show it in the magazine in a suede, or faux suede and I really like the look. I have some ultra suede that someone gave me a while ago in both turquoise and a dark forrest green so I might make it again, probably the green. 

A look at the jacket on the dress form. There are no upper pockets, just pocket flaps sewn into the yoke. I like the shaping of this jacket a lot, as it has princess seams front and back so that gives a bit of shaping and makes it less boxy than a lot of chore style jackets. But the big lower pockets are very functional and I thought about adding some inside pockets, slightly smaller and invisible on the outside. I am all about the extra pockets lately - I made a ponte blazer to take on my trip that had a lot of pockets and it was so useful as well as sharp looking, I will post that one here soon. 

I'm not wild about the shape of the collar, somehow now that it is finished I think it would look better with rounded corners instead of pointed, so I will make that change if I sew it again. Also I didn't have a lot of matching thread so I saved what I had for the buttonholes and used a different color for the topstitching, I think it is grey?  

Not likely to wear it all buttoned up but just showing for completeness.  And another look at some autumn color which I have going on right now in my garden. But you can see in that photo above that I still have Meyer lemons ripening on the tree and in fact my orange tree will have a nice crop this year as well. 

** OK, why don't I like this season? Gets dark early, everything in the garden is crunchy and at the end of the line, it starts to get chilly, I would rather wear shorts and summer dresses than anything else....I can go on.  However - I do love making coats and jackets so there is that!  In fact I just bought a recent digital issue of Patrones Sewing Magazine because I saw a coat pattern I just might make. 

This upcoming weekend I will teaching the chore coat class so here's the link again if you are interested. 

Happy Sewing,

Beth

Here's a lovely visitor I had this week in the garden, enjoying the sunshine and warmth on the river rocks.