Ottobre 06/2015-31 nightgown

The most exciting new feature (among many exciting features!!) of my new machine is that she embroiders. I've been wishing for an embroidery machine for years, and I am so excited to finally have one. It's going to be so fun to encorporate embroidery into my sewing. I decided to start small.

Well, child sized anyway. Myra needed a new nightgown anyway, so I decided to add a teeny bit of embellishment. Can you see the butterfly resting on a rainbow?

Here is a better view. I chose a more open, sketch-like design in hopes that it would play nice with the knit. I probably should have gone with a more stable fabric for my first project, but knits are what I sew. I want to be comfortable embroidering them. I'm still working on that...

The pattern is from the most recent issue of Ottobre, 06/2015, design #31. I sewed Myra a straight size 122 and it is a perfect fit. I am trying to wrap my brain around the fact that she is a size 122. When did that happen??? It's a very simple style - back and front are the same except for the neckline and the sleeves are short, gathered and puffed. I did all the binding with the coverstitch binder, so this was a super quick project.

The fabric is a very soft printed jersey by Hilco. I got it from the Kitschy Coo shop. The binding is an interlock I had in the stash, I suspect it is Chez Ami. It's a perfect match for the hot pink elements in the print.

To be honest, I was a little loath to use this fabric for a nightgown. It's a bit pricey (although worth it for the quality), so I lean toward using it in garments that will be seen, but it's so soft and snuggly it really is perfect for nightwear too.

Sleepy girl is sleepy and comfy in her new nightgown.

Burda June 2015 dress

In January I decided I had missed my Burda magazine long enough, and decided to renew my subscription after a 3 year lapse. After 6 months I finally found something that I HAD to sew.

In fact, I was flipping through the magazine when it arrived, and Mitch looked over my shoulder and said, "That dress is so you!" so I had to make it.

He's right, of course. It is very me! Comfy knit, with cute details and a swingy skirt is definitely my style all summer long.

The pattern is from the current (June 2015) issue of Burda Magazine. It is number 120, which includes both a top and dress version of the style and is made up in both knit and woven fabrics. Very versatile!

The pattern itself is really interesting, It only has one main pattern piece for the dress! Which made it manageable to trace on the crazy pattern sheets. There are no shoulder seams, only side seams and a center back seam.

There is minimal shaping at the side seams, so most of the shape of the dress comes from the front tie. There is a casing which is stitched onto the front of the dress just under the bust. A self fabric tie is called for by the pattern, but I used wide grosgrain ribbon instead.

In back, the neckline forms a pretty V that echos the front. I raised it about an inch, but as drafted it is actually pretty modest. I did take in the center back seam as there was no shaping back there and it looked very sack-like without some curves.

I also elected to bind the neckline and armholes with my coverstitch, rather than do a bias tape finish as the pattern called for. I like the bright white contrast there, and with my binder on the coverstitch machine it was super easy. Since there isn't a seam at center front, I darted the binding there to form the V. One thing I would change for the future would be to raise the armhole. It gapes open a bit too low, as you can see from this pic.

I also added pockets, of course, I regretted it at first, since they gaped a bit and made my hips look huge, but once I took in the center back, that tamed the pockets and they lie nicely now. I cannot wear a dress without pockets so I'm glad they worked out!

While there are a few minor things I would change should I make this again, I am really quite pleased with my first Burda make in several years. Maybe I'll tackle that pattern sheet again! Once I've recovered from this time...