M6209

I try to make something red to wear every year for Valentine's Day and most years I don't make it.  So this year I started a little earlier and since we're in the middle of a cold front decided to make an outerwear piece instead of a dress that I wouldn't want to wear because it's too cold.  I bought this pattern at the end of Winter 2013 but didn't get to it in time.  As I've mentioned before, I'm much more of a Spring and Summer sewer rather than Fall/Winter even though I am trying to change that. 

I wanted to make view E because I liked the idea of the cowl neck and I liked that the front is closed but I wasn't crazy about the idea of swimming in all that fabric and with such a full bust I could imagine it looking like a tent so I incorporated the button hole openings and belt from view A and I think it worked well to provide some shaping to the poncho.  

 

Pattern Description:   MISSES' PONCHO AND BELT: Oversized ponchos A, B, C, D, E have topstitch trim and shaped hemline; poncho A has belt; ponchos B, C have collar with tie ends; poncho D has hood and fringe trim; poncho E has collar.

Pattern Sizing: Y(X-Small, Small, Medium), ZZ(Large, X-Large, XX-Large).  I made the X-Large and could have easily made the Large

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Sort of I added an element from View A to View C but it definitely looks like a close relative.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Super easy instructions, didn't really need them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I like the style and that it is an easy outerwear piece.

Fabric Used:  Light weight wool

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:   I incorporated the button hole openings and belt from view A to view C to provide some shaping.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I would definitely recommend this piece to others.  I might sew it again next year if I find a nice boucle print that I like but I'm really itching to start my Spring/Summer sewing.

Conclusion:   This is a great little outerwear piece. The pattern has nice options and is very versatile. 

NL 0915/6230

I've been so busy lately with work and family things that I've barely had any time to sew.  The down time I have had has been tied up pouring over all of the fantastic creations people are posting over at Mimi G's new Facebook sewing group Make it, Mix it, Rock it!.  If you haven't checked it out yet, you really should the members are super friendly and helpful and the moderator *yours truly* is pretty cool too.

I bought this pattern to make a different version of this shirt with a sequined front but since I was having such a hard time deciding on what color to make it I decided to crank this one out, especially after seeing Adrienne's version here.

This shirt works up super fast.  Because sometimes I have no sense, I started cutting the pattern pieces out at about midnight and by 2:30 a.m. I had a complete shirt that just needed to be hemmed.  The neck band looks a little wonky in the pics because I didn't do a final press.  I had to work the next day and needed to go to bed.  I haven't figured out how I'm going to launder this yet, but who can be bothered with such details when one is creating?

Pattern Description: Knit baseball shirt has feminine fit, can be made with banded round or V-neck & 3/4 or long sleeves.

Pattern Sizing: 4-16. I had to make a few adjustments to this pattern as with the smaller sizes, my regular FBA just wasn't going to cut it.  The shirt is also close fitting.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Definitely

Were the instructions easy to follow? They are SUPER easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the style of this shirt but I don't understand why New Look/Simplicity wouldn't have made this pattern in larger sizes since this style of shirt looks great on just about everyone.

Fabric Used: A super supple faux leather from fabric.com on the front and ponte knit on the back and sleeves.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I essentially had to redraft the front and back pieces, careful to keep the same lines so that the raglan sleeves and neck back would line up properly.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would definitely recommend this shirt to others if they fall within the original pattern sizing and/or know how to alter patterns.  I will probably make this at least one more time.

Conclusion: Cute, easy and great for beginners.