Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Vogue 8649

I've had this piece of rayon jersey in my stash for a little while, but I was a bit afraid of it.  It was so soft and slinky that I just knew it'd ripple like crazy when I sewed it.  But I decided to go for it and I thought Vogue 8649 would be a good pattern to try it out on, since the fabric was so drapey.
Turns out that I wasn't too far off.  I was pleasantly surprised at how well this sewed.  I did use the teflon foot and low presser foot pressure that I used while sewing slinky.  To stitch it, I tried my usual straight stretch stitch, but this fabric is so much more stretchy than most knits, even the stretch stitch popped out.  I ended up sewing it with a triple stitch, which is sturdier and stretches well.  My seams aren't quite as flat as I'd like, but they aren't going anywhere.
I really like the design of this pattern.  The shaping and fullness for the bust is achieved with gathers both at the shoulder and at the underbust as well as the lower back.  Fit-wise, this is a cup sized pattern, so I didn't do an FBA, just cut the D cup which should have been perfect by measurement.  I'm not sure if it is the drape of the fabric or if Vogue's drafters were just a little aggressive in terms of ease in the cup sizes, but I have a little drooping below the bust.  I'm not sure if I should use the C cup pattern piece next time or not.  This fabric is crazy drapey.
You can see here how it bags out under the girls.  Not my most flattering look...  I also elected to used picot edged elastic for the neckline finish.  Vogue calls for bias tape, which I think is superior to facings any day, but I need some stretch in my wrap tops since I'm still nursing.  The elastic was perfect, and I think the edge is pretty.
In the final analysis, I really like the way this top feels, but since the fit isn't great and the fabric is super thin (read - must wear Spanx), I think I'm going to make some pants and call this a PJ top.  It will be perfect and I've actually been needing some new PJs, so that works out well.

12 comments:

Myra said...

A great color, should work fine for a PJ top, too. I have a lot of knits to see-through for regular wear and decided to do the same.

Sarahbelle said...

I like it very much!! I think the gapping is part fabric, part generous cut. Also: did you utilize a full 5/8 in seam allowance?? The exponential effect of that little difference can have BIG repercussions! It works as a PJ top, but I like it on you. Tyr it again with a slightly less strechy/drapy fabric.

Pam said...

Great idea for PJs. Great top - I agree with you regarding the fitting - if I were you I'd take every opportunity to show off that fantastic figure - but I love the idea of PJs - perfect!

judy said...

Nice top! Do you have a serger?? You need one, if you don't! :) I recommend a babylock! :) Makes sewing knits a breeze!

Angela said...

Cute style! It looks super comfy!

Gretchen the Household Deity said...

Very cute top! I really like the sleeves, for some reason. They are very appealing to me.

gwensews said...

Extremely stretcy, slippery knits are problematic. I think you handled it very well. If it be pajamas, well, that's good too!

Dr. Fun (AKA Sister) said...

I like it - I was thinking how skinny you looked when I hit the Spanx comment! But it'll be a cute PJ top too. I'm going to try your triple stitch thing on my next knit.

Julia said...

I think that is a great top! Those stretchy knits are scary!

kbenco said...

The picot elastic is a terrific trim idea. I have several thinner than expected rayon knits that I bought online, and had been wondering how to use them - Pjs! Thanks.

amber said...

I like the idea of turning this into a pj top. I agree, I think you could size down to a C cup if you make it again in a really drapey fabric. Very cute though.

Anonymous said...

Great idea to use the elastic on the neck edge! Cute top.