Here, fellow sewists, is the culmination of my semester-long pattern making class! Throughout the semester, we did a few guided full-scale garments (such as my button-down shirt and an unblogged bias-cut skirt). For our big final project, we were instructed to draft a garment of our own design, then sew it in fashion fabric. We were allowed to make our final project in our own measurements, and being the pragmatic that I am, I designed a fairly basic work-appropriate outfit. Perhaps I should have made something a little more exciting, but this way, I’ll get a lot of use out of my hard work! Both fabrics are from Britex, and I selected them for just such an outfit.
Truly, the butterfly silk print (no longer available, but
this is similar) really directed the design of the top–flutter sleeves (‘circle sleeves’, according to my textbook) and a flouncy peplum, with a nod to the vintage. To liven up the neckline a bit, I added a keyhole feature, with self loop and button:
There is an invisible zipper on the side and all of the seams are French (including the armholes!). I definitely referred to Jen’s post “
French all your seams” during the construction!
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| Armhole French seam |
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| Waistline French seam |
For the sleeves and hem, I used my narrow rolled hem foot, which worked (mostly) beautifully.
For the skirt, I used a s
tretch cotton khaki fabric since I really needed this particular basic. To be truthful, it is not very exciting–just a basic, low waist skirt with a contoured waistband, four panels, pockets and a side zip. What it lacks in interest, it makes up in practicality! Ha!
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| Sorry so wrinkled! |
It is every so slightly too roomy, but at least I’ll be comfy in my super practical skirt!
One negative of this otherwise lovely stretch cotton fabric is that after washing it, it was terribly wrinkled! (This skirt was made from a second length of fabric, unwashed). I’ll probably have to dry clean the skirt, which is a true bummer. On the other hand, I machine washed and dried the silk (on delicate) and it came out of the machine in great shape!
After a semester-long course on pattern making, I feel like I have enough info to be dangerous; there’s still a lot left to learn! Luckily, I’m enrolled in the Fall for Pattern making II!
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| Pattern card for the blouse |
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| Pile of pattern pieces |
As for my grade….I somehow scored a 100% on my outfit! I’m guessing the teacher was overwhelmed with other grading and an impending move of the whole fashion department to spend too much time picking apart my design!
Resewlution 2014, May garments #5 and 6
Bea & Lucille 
Cute blouse 🙂 – Diya TheHobbyHarbor
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that's so cool – congratulations on finishing up the class with a 100%! great (and practical!) separates.
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100% is 100%! Well done, these are great I especially like the keyhole neckline detail, the shape is really subtle and feminine.
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Your blouse is beautiful! Congratulations on completing the course and for continuing to take patternmaking classes! You may never need to buy patterns again 😉
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First class honours! Congratulations.
If only that skirt was my size I'd nip round to your place and steal the pattern, it's perfect.
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Well done on your 100% grade! The blouse in particular is beautiful and looks perfectly finished.
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Congrats on your grade!!! Your outfit turned out beautiful and appears your grade was well deserved! We are much harder on ourselves… I love that skirt. Ive been looking for a basic like that for years and it finally clicked that i should just make it haha. Of course i need a pattern. Not as brave as you.
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Beautiful outfit.. Congrats on finishing this class and best wishes on the upcoming class.
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I love the blouse! The lines are really pretty and the fabric is beautiful. Well done
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Thanks, Kristin! To be clear, I didn't get a 100% for the whole class, just the final project 🙂
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Haha, thanks! I was especially happy to find that perfect button in my stash of “spare” buttons from RTW clothes!
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Unfortunately, I think I'll have to postpone the follow-up class due to work obligations, but I've got the textbook, so I can forge ahead anyhow!
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I was seriously going to draft up the pattern (grade it and everything!), but then just yesterday I saw that another patternmaker had the EXACT same design, so I'm too late to the party. Bummer! (FYI: http://www.readyruthieoriginals.com/ready-ruthie-blog/pattern-testers-for-real-this-time)
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Thanks! It's amazing how much I stress about details when I know the garment will be critically evaluated!
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I completely wanted to make a graded pattern for this skirt, but someone beat me to it! (Here it is: http://www.readyruthieoriginals.com/ready-ruthie-blog/pattern-testers-for-real-this-time)
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Isn't the fabric wonderful? It was actually really easy to sew (relatively speaking :), and really stepped up the whole project!
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Thank you! It looks like I may have to teach instead of take a class this Fall, unfortunately, but I'll still be working on pattern making on my own!
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Thank you! I haven't gotten a proper chance to wear it, since I'm not teaching until the Fall, but I'm looking forward to it!
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