It has pockets!!

It has pockets! This dress is perfect for Southern fall weather.

Pattern: Bow dress pattern from Burda. I wasn't able to locate it on their site so please pardon this redirection.

Size: 40

Fabic: suiting from JoAnn's

Project review: I loved the pattern and pockets. I felt that the bow in the middle of my chest was too juvenile. I moved it to the left and love it. The proportions might be a little off. When I realized it was a bit long, I already had in the pockets. In order to shorten it, I would have lost the pockets. Non-negotiable. I'd recommend checking length and pocket placement earlier in the process. Super quick and easy to whip up. I highly recommend.

Kimono Keepers

Y'all, it was my momma's birthday. My momma is a maker, too. This means that she appreciates the time and attention put into each item. This makes making for her extra fun.

Pattern: Burda Kimono from 4/21

Fabric: Charmeuse from JoAnn's

Project review: This edition of Burda Easy offered 3 variations of this pattern. I used the shortest with short sleeves. My momma is short like me. I wanted her to feel covered without engulfed. I opted for short sleeves for the same reason. The project was super easy and quick to whip up. I expect I will make more. I love a project that isn't too fitted and is a great gift. If I make more, I might add a pocket. Otherwise, it was a dream of a project.

Skills: Silky fabric

 

Perfect Pencil

 

I absolutely love my new pencil skirt. We've already established that I love a capsule, especially one that works professionally. An item that I was missing was a great universal pencil. I want to wear it with a standard blue or white oxford or throw on a sleek knit top and be ready for the day. I found one that was perfect.

Pattern: The Boucle Skirt from Burda was perfect. Size: 42

Fabric: A wool blend herringbone from JoAnn's

Pattern review: I'm learning to love and appreciate Burda patterns. I wasn't quite ready for them the first time that I gave them a whirl. I've had some experience and have learned to take care of some details in sewing without being told in the print of the instructions. I've also learned that the process of the entire project, not just the sewing at the machine, is what makes sewing great. So I'd say that this pattern is standard Burda. Get your reading comprehension skills ready. They don't give you much to go on but when you finish you realize that you got all that you needed.

Project review: I love my skirt. I love the quality of a garment produced with Burda. The hand sewn finishes and exacting construction generates a garment well beyond my average home sewn creations. I could have placed the zip higher, which would have made the fit better. But I could remedy that with a hook and eye closure. If I make this again, I will most likely size down at least in the waist.

Skills practiced: darts, installing a zip, blind hem

Beginner Boucle

I originally found this pattern in a Threads magazine, maybe last year? I love their pattern review feature. The pattern appealed to me because it was well rated and was a mini capsule. I am always a fan of a capsule; especially one that works with my professional attire. The pattern includes a jacket, skirt, dress, and top that all work together. Perfect!

To indicate how much I wanted the whole thing to be a special event, I carted my husband to Atlanta on a fabric shopping trip. To further show how ambitious I was feeling, I purchased coordinating fabric to complete the entire capsule. The fabrics selected were this light gray boucle and a dusty rose. They were perfect for the spring and summer months in which I thought I would wear this ensemble. Boy, did I receive the challenge that I thought I wanted...

This jacket. Let me say the instructions and pattern are both fantastic. They were clear. Any error was 100% end user - meaning me! The first time my seam ripper came out was for the sleeves. Somehow I did not gather the shoulder seams evenly. I ended up with a puffy left shoulder. This is the place that slowed me down the most. Not because I was busy fixing it. Mainly because I just put it on my dress form and gave it the stink eye regularly. I helped a friend make a Halloween costume and worked on the costumes for my kid's school play. Pretty much every excuse I could find to procrastinate ripping out those seams. Finally, I gathered myself and got back to it.

Once that was remedied, the jacket just hung heavy on me. It looked sorta like I slept in it. All of the time. I decided a bit more structure would do the trick. So I inserted shoulder pads between the lining and the outer layer. There was a lot of internal debate about this. I remember shoulder pads from the 1980s. I also remember that the best ones were the velcro ones that could be removed for washing. I also know that I tend to take my jackets on and off throughout the day to suit the office (or meeting!) temperature. I didn't want shoulder pads flipping out at some inopportune moment. I also really like the feel of a well made lined jacket, and I didn't want to the inside to have anything interrupt that feel.

Upon further review, I probably should have made an adjustment to decrease the sleeve cap for my slight shoulders. I think this would have addressed both the shoulder pouf and the slumpiness of the shoulder. Another thing that would have really helped this slept in look would have been a jacket chain, I think. These observations are just to help me for next time. They are in no way to be overly critical of the final jacket. I'm very pleased.

I think it would have been very helpful to read the new Threads Fall 2021 article about Boucle. The fraying and handling.

Pattern: Butterick B6738 *currently on sale & I get absolutely nothing for saying so :)

Fabric: Boucle from Fine Fabrics USA

Adjustments: installed shoulder pads

Final thoughts: The fabric was a great choice and makes the jacket. I love it for work and with jeans. I'm still looking forward to tackling the other garments in the capsule.