Back in the Saddle

So, December kinda sucked sewing-wise. Then there was Christmas. And I had a new Bernina 880 under the tree!! She does everything!

Isn't she pretty? I've named her Vera. So, between getting a new machine and Jungle January, my mojo went through the roof. In fact, I have two new garments to show you today! Yay!

Let's start out in the Jungle. I had two pieces of silver foil snakeprint stretch bottom weight fabric. Because it's my stash and I can do what I want. So, I went with this stretch corduroy with abstract splashes of silver throughout the snake print. I wanted to start off with a pattern I was comfortable with, since I am still getting used to Vera.

The pants are the Jalie Eleonore, which I have made before here and here. This corduroy has slightly less stretch than is ideal for the pattern, so I kind of have to wiggle into them, but they feel awesome on. I did the full jeans style topstitching, but between the busy print and the nap of the corduroy, the stitches disappear. Still, it was great practice and I'm very comfortable with Vera now.

For the top, I decided I wanted to try out something new. My wardrobe is a bit light on tunic type tops, which I think go well with skinny pants. So, I went with the relatively recently released Butterick 6248. 

My problem with most tunic styles is that they lack bust shaping, so they end up looking like maternity tops on my full bust. This top has princess seaming, so it curves nicely over the bust and nips in slightly at the waist. Size-wise, I sewed my typical combo of Big 4 sizes, and you can see that it still has a significant amount of design ease. 

Also, POCKETS!! Just a little kangaroo pocket, but it's the perfect size for a set of keys or my iPhone. My fabric is a very stretchy ITY, so I stabilized the pocket openings with some fusi-knit interfacing. It keeps them from gaping open.

My favorite feature is the back, and wouldn't you know it, I got no pictures of it!! I have forgotten how to blog... You can sort of see in this side view that the back dips low and is very full. All that fullness is courtesy of a big triangular godet at center back. 

Here is the fashion drawing from the Butterick website. Surprisingly, it really does look like that! I love the fullness and swingy-ness it gives the top, without adding volume in front.

I'm very pleased with my first outfit of 2016. Here's to an awesome, sew-full year!!