Tuesday, February 9, 2010

In praise of D cup patterns

I'm feeling rather guilty for not blogging, but frankly I haven't have much time for myself of late. I've completed two blouses in the last week. One I love, the other is lets say a 'work in progress'. I have another stalled blouse and about five more in my head.

Let's start on a promising note. I love my black and white striped cotton blouse. I used Simplicity 2614 which includes separate pattern pieces for A, B, C & D cup sizes. I cut a size 14 D cup and achieve a perfect fit without any adjustments. If you are currently doing FBAs on garments, support Simplicity and McCalls by buying these patterns. Hopefully they'll realise how viable the market for this product is.

The pattern calls for the back and lower front to be cut on the bias and the upper front cut on the straight grain. Working with vertical stripes I reversed this plan, cutting only the tie and the upper front on the bias. I also added black satin piping at the shoulder seam and on the cuff band. I love the fact that this blouse has no buttons or zips to contend with. I completed the whole garment in about two hours once it was cut. Matching the stripes and working out the correct angles was a bit tricky. The only change I will make to this pattern for future versions is to add 0.5cms to the sleeve band which is slightly tight around the 'tuckshop lady arms'. The skirt I'm wearing is my Vogue skirt I made last year and have worn and worn and worn.

They say every corporate wardrobe needs a crisp white blouse. Hence, my second completed blouse - the BWOF July 07, 106. I used white stretch cotton sateen - which gives a nice crisp look but is a little too heavy for a collared blouse. Initially I left off the front tie but it looked so plain and frumpy that I unpicked and inserted them. I actually pulled this out of the wash basket to photograph for the blog-it does look a little bit nicer than this photo presents. If I make this blouse again, I will take it in a little more, bring up the line of shoulder and change the sleeves. A lighter fabric is also a must.

Meanwhile my other BWOF silk blouse is cut, half sewn and sits on the sewing table. I blame KBenco for blogging about how unflattering the positioning of the gathering is on the blouse. She has me thinking...what to do.

And finally before I hit the sack...It is my blog's first birthday. I have completed about 26 garments including a fabulous formal gown. Of the garments I've made for myself, I wear about half of them regularly, a few irregularly and I've put some of my earliest work back into the sewing room for remaking.

Goodnight...and thanks for all your support and cameraderie. You've kept me sewing.

And look out for more blouses. I need about 10 corporate blouses as I have none...well two now!









26 comments:

  1. Happy Blog Birthday!!! One! What an accomplishment. :) I really dig that striped blouse, but what is a "tuckshop lady"? I laughed anyway, without knowing what that is.

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  2. Firstly, I know what 'tuckshop lady' means - and you definitely don't have the tuckshop lady look! Secondly, I love both of your wonderful new blouses. I am absolutely with you on patterns that give separate pieces for different cup sizes - I think they're a great invention. Lastly, happy first blogging birthday!

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  3. I love both of these blouses. I've been apprehensive about making the second one because I thought I really don't need any help in my tummy area, but it looks great on you, so I may have to revise that one. I need blouses. The piping on the first one is inspired. I like that a lot. Kbenco has a lot to answer for: it's her fault I have now taken to frankenpatterning everything. As for the tuckshop arms, you need to leap out of bed every morning and do 50 tricep pushups and 50 tricep dips before breakfast. If it makes you feel better, my trainer delights in pointing out to anyone who will listen that even Madonna has Bingo Wings. Congratulations on a whole year and congratulations on adding all those garments to your wardrobe.

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  4. Happy Blog Anniversary!

    Your shirts look great on you. I have not tried the Simplicity and McCalls separate cup patterns yet but when I get back to sewing again, I'm anxious to try them!

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  5. Happy Blogiversary! I like both of your blouses. YOu did a nice job with the stripes on the one, and I love the style of the white solid blouse. I have always found that fabric with lycra is stiff and wrinkles. It's just the nature of the beast! Hope your new job is going well.

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  6. I am crushed. I will never write a blog post again. I am to blame for not only a WIP in danger of UFOness, but frankenpatterning.
    Could you move the gathers up a bit? Could you ignore my rash dissing of the pattern, make up the blouse, and have it look fabulous so you can say Nah, nah, Karen knows NOTHING! - For example, I would not have considered the second blouse, but it looks really smart on you.
    Your photographed blouses look terrific. I am a big fan of patterns with separate cup sizing.

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  7. I simply adore your black and white blouse! I would never have taken notice of the Simplicity pattern if not for your shirt. Yours is so much better than the pattern picture.

    That's funny that many of your first garments are back in the sewing pile. I have that plan for many of my beginner pieces, too!

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  8. I love the whote blouse I am a big fan of Anne Fontaine blouses and every one of hers is so unique and different. Looks great on you I say!

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  9. I think I meant "white". It is late and I need my beauty and brain sleep. Sorry!

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  10. Happy Blog Anniversary/Birthday! Nice job for a year on!

    I can't sew with white at ALL! I have completely grubby hands and get everything dirty. Nice corporate look for you, and love that it's DIY in the boardroom! xoxo

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  11. Thanks for your comments!
    Those blouses are beautiful, and your daughter's beaming smile in her gorgeous ball dress must have made the whole saga worth while! I'm glad you persisted with the project, and it sounds like a bunch of problems, with a marvellously happy ending.
    I'm looking forward to seeing what's next for the boardroom!

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  12. You have made a great start on your corporate wardrobe - well done!
    Happy blogiversary!

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  13. Happy Blog Anniversary! I have enjoyed reading about your sewing adventures.
    I like both blouses. I too am in need of blouses, even have the fabric for them. First I have to finish the coat...

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  14. Happy Blogiversary!! Both blouses are very pretty - I especially like the one with the tie. I wish I liked wearing blouses.

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  15. Nice blouses! I need to make some, too. I just worked on one and was very frustrated with it. Oh well.. Good luck with your others and happy blog anniversary!

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  16. Congratulations on a year of blogging! I think both of these blouses are winners. One of these days I must make a classic white blouse....

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  17. Happy blog anniversary! I reallly like how you used the striped fabric in the first blouse, and accented the seams with piping. I couldn't believe it was a pullover blouse. It fits so well. And I think the 2nd blouse looks really nice over the black skirt, though I do agree with you that the shoulder seam needs to be shortened a bit.

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  18. Happy anniversary. I love the blouses. Right now I'm in jeans mode but could use a crisp white blouse to wear. Gotta go dig through my stash. You've inspired me.

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  19. Congrats on your one-year anniversary! Both of your blouses look great --- I especially like the style of the second one. Hope your new job is going well!

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  20. Congrats from me too! Great blouses - I especially like the BWOF one - very interesting!

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  21. lovely shirts! and happy blogiversary!

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  22. Happy Blogiversary and the blouses look great on you.

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  23. You look HOT in that stripey blouse!

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  24. Dude I have to say I'm so glad to find your blog, even though I did it by a fluke. The information posted here is interesting and entertaining. In short, a really nice blog.

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  25. It's lovely shirts. Especially the bottom-one.

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  26. Sexy bitch makes me hard, just jacked off to these pictures

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