Saturday, December 1, 2012

Vogue 1291, A Surprising Winner

Back in early October I got to see Sandra Betzina's trunk show and luckily for me I also got to try on her garments since we are the same size D in Vogue's Today's Fit patterns.  This was a sleeper pattern that held no interest for me.....until I tried it on.  Loved it with Sandra's knit and chiffon versions so here are my results from the past week's sewing:
Vogue 1291 in silk chiffon

This was my second version and I cut it in a size D until the high hip area where I cut between the D and E lines.  I also took my time and stitched small hems on the armhole edges (stitch at 1/4", turn up the 1/4" right on the stitching line, trim the raw edge down to about 1/8", stitch again using a stitch joining foot moved over to about the 4th needle position and turn up the edge one more time....usually machine stitch again but this time I hand stitched to make the edge even neater.)  
Not easy to see on this picture but that vertical line in the center of the picture is my hemmed edge.

That's the reverse side of the hemmed edge.


3/8" bias trim around the neckline
Sandra worried that the neckline might be to small for some heads but even my large head had no problem with the neckline in size D.
So far my two versions have used the shorter length top ending at the high hip but I will try the longer version eventually.  The longer versions are what seem to be part of Vogue's picture illustrations.  My first version was in a medium weight knit with a lot of stretch and I had to keep taking in the bottom of the knit to make it fit snugly in my high hip area.  The knit fabric has a lot of open weave areas and doesn't drape very nicely but it certainly is functional and will serve a purpose in my wardrobe.  My preference will be to use a drapey knit or more silk chiffon in future versions and, yes, I do think there will be some future versions, surprise to me!

Vogue 1291, Today's Fit


Vogue 1291 in a medium weight knit
Bat Woman tryouts
There must be something in the air with this pattern since Cennatta just posted her two lovely tops this week as well....I really love it with her black leather skirt.  The Mahogany Stylist  
Hope you are getting some pleasant surprises in your sewing projects.

18 comments:

  1. Both tops look good. I really like the silk one. Your bias binding looks so neat and professional!

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    1. Thak you, Karin. I have a tendency to hoard my silks from Fabric Mart or Jomar so it was great to use this one with good results.

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  2. What beautiful tops. I also was not sure about this pattern but I love what you and others have done with it. It's very flattering on you and gosh, that silk is pretty!

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    1. I shared your uncertainty since Today's Fit can be a frumpy or overdone, IMHO, but I'm liking this one immensely. Thanks!

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  3. Wow, that is cute, and, like you I would have never noticed that pattern. How nice that you could attend a trunk show. I went to a SB event years ago and enjoyed it thoroughly.

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    1. Sandra is such a sincere, enthusiastic person who really wants people to keep sewing and trying new things all the time. I love being around people like that.

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  4. Love this top. I have the pattern and I really should give it try! I like both of your versions.

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    1. Thank you, Linda. I would not have purchased this one if I hadn't tried it on so bravo to you for at least having it in your collection already. Hope you give it a shot since it sews up easily once you've followed the markings.

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  5. These look great on you, Jane. I just can't imagine that all that fabric in the sleeve would look good on me, though.

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    1. I was totally inhibited by all that fabric also and that's why I think the think silk version is much more flattering. It does drape nicely if there's a thin enough fabric and isn't so overwhelming. Maybe I'll make another at the winter retreat and you can try it on there.

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  6. Yours is so much cuter than the tops photographed for the pattern envelope. Many times the photography doesn't capture the actual look of the garment. It's a winner!

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Gwen. I also think that the proportions are difficult to see since all of the pattern pics are with the longer torso pieces and mine are the short ones.

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  7. Jane, love your interpretation of Sandra's pattern. I too slept on this one until she showed us at the trunk show.

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    1. And thank you for arranging to have Sandra come to the studio. She's a real tresure with her enthusuasm and creativity.

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  8. Both of your tops look really lovely, and I especially love the colour of the brown silk one. Your bias finish is perfection :)

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    1. I've been letting that brown silk age and was glad to find a pattern that showed it off nicely. Thanks!

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  9. Hi Jane, I smiled when I saw this post about your two butterfly top. You look great in them. I think many of the sewists took a pass on this one.

    Believe it or not, I could easily go for another one. I wore my newest top yesterday and received lots of compliments. It is definitely a winner.

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  10. I passed this pattern by until I saw it in person at Sandra's trunk show at the Expo. It looks great on everyone in Blogland including you. I like the silk you used. I have a tendancy to hoard my silks too.

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Love your comments, opinions, advice and questions. I just ask that we all "play nice."