One more Style Arc Patsy top and some Marfy play time

I started cutting another Patsy top in a more substantial jersey from Sew Much Fabric (rayon I think?).  I loved her top that she blogged about here and she was kind enough to send me the last of. 

 

pattern front with Center front seam and fold line for lapel

Illustration from Style Arc website

BeaJay asked me a question about the hemline curvature versus the apparent hem curve of the picture on the website.  I do think that the curve of the actual pattern is a little bit more than  indicated, but not much.  The Illustration of the pattern show a straight hem, but the pattern seems to curve more at the bottom.  I like the curves at the bottom which may be slightly exaggerated in my photo due to the very liquid drape of the pattern.  I had a hard time sewing the seem straight up the middle of the front without my machine pulling and might have pulled it upwards a little.  My next version I will probably stabilize with some fusible tricot on the wrong side. 

 

I do like the curved hem, and you could always alter the pattern yourself accordingly.  As you can see from the pattern above, the CF seam doesn't extend quite to the hemline.

On Roz's blog she talks about how she got such perfect stripe matching with her clover pins and I am anxious to try them out this weekend.

This weekend I also need to get ready for the Fashionista's meeting on June 3.  Roz has so generously allowed me to take some time to talk about Marfy patterns.  I have decided that in addition to a basic handout with an overview of company history, availability and look at the website I would try to lessen some of the fears about not having pattern instructions. I am going to use one of my favorite shirt patterns, number 2155.  My hope is to scan the pattern pieces, reduce them to 30 or 40%, and pass them out as little pattern examples as see if we can figure out how to put the shirt together without out any written guidance from the company.  I chose this pattern because as a shirt it can be shrunk to a manageable size and construction order of a shirt is pretty standard.
But there is a tricky part in that sleeve.
The clear markings on the pattern make construction quite simple.

I am making another version of this blouse this weekend (hopefully) so stay tuned for more construction and design details.  this time instead of one color, I plan to use cobalt blue and color block it with green or yellow trim.  I am also going to change the neckline, that one looks like a nice thought, but I am not crazy about wearing it.

And, one more of those Me-Made-Yawn pictures taken in one of my favorite places over lunch.

StyleARC Patsy

This weekend I started my first StyleArc.  This is the Patsy top which is similar to several designer tops that I have seen over the last couple of seasons.  

I made my first version (dare I say the M word) out of pretty lightweight silk jersey (not muslin, watch your mouth).  It'll be nice and comfy for weekends, but it really needs to be a more substantial fabric for office wear.  I like the design, and the construction was quite easy.

In this feather weight jersey, it stretched 2 1/2 inches and the neckline spreads unattractively. 

It also needs sleeves.

These things can be fixed, this is really comfy and the color will look great with those nice new cobalt jeans.

Oh yeah, I need to lose about 20 lbs, which I am working towards.

Seriously, its one of the unintended side effects of MMM.

Its much more stylish than your normal T-shirt, and really easy to make.  There are no bindings to worry about and the hem is a built in rolled hem.

Well, at least it would have been easy if my serger hadn't decided to get all loopy in the loopers.  Yes, I changed the needles and fiddled with the tensions until I was blue in the face.  My next step is to track down the manual and see it is any help.  Its a White 534 that my mom got back in the 80's.

I ended up turning up the serged edge into a hem.  I tried to sew it flat without getting tucks in it, but that didn't work out very well.  If I have to turn it under agin next time, I will hand stitch it.

Anyway, I like the pattern.  I think I will make another one in some wonderful black and white jersey with short sleeves.  I was considering bias

silk charmeuse, but the wrong side of the fabric shows for the front flounce.  I considered facing it, but that would mean 3 layers of fabric on the shoulders, too much?

I think I will save the charmeuse for the Colette Jasmine, which I would love to post a picture of... maybe after I figure this new thing out.

ETA:  After I published, I was able to go back and edit out most of my problems.  I'm still annoyed and considering switching.  Any other Blogger advice?  This has been nothing but trouble...  Is it hard to switch and keep  your followers?