Adventures in Pattern Making... recreating some wordrobe favorites...

Lately it seems there are two pieces in my closet, that I am continually wearing over and over.  Being the bargain shopper that I am... buying more of these items is not an option(because they are no longer available)... So, I decided that I would just have to try and make them myself...
Here is the first item...

 The Maxi Skirt... I fought this trend, until I actually tried one on.  This one is really flattering on me, and not to flowy or bulky...

The next piece is this loose tank... I have worn it to death.  It is the ultimate layering piece.  I love to wear it with the maxi skirt... or pair it with skinny jeans and a bulky sweater... My must have for all seasons.  I was lucky enough to score one more in a tan floral print... but the store I purchased them from is now closed...
So... off to pattern making I go...

I first started with the skirt... Folding it in half I laid in on my paper and traced it out.  Adding 1/2 seam allowance to all sides, and a 1inch hem...

 I marked where the waistband was attached and added my 1/2 seam allowance...

 I measured the width(x2 so you can fold the fabric in half to enclose the elastic)and length of the waistband... of course also adding 1/2 seam allowances...

Using my new skirt pattern... I cut it out of black fabric... And the best part is it fits!

Next I will attempt the shirt... it looks a little more complicated than the skirt...  With a deep breath and a yes I can attidtude... here I go...

First I folded it in half(just like I did with the skirt)... and traced the shape.  This time I also pinned it to the paper, to prevent it from moving.  The top section is not touching the side edge(which will be the pattern's center fold line)of the paper, because the fabric will need to be gathered... I drew a line from the center edge(and along gathered section of the top I'm tracing) to the arm opening.  This should give me the correct amount to recreate the gathered back section on my pattern...

Next I traced the arm hole...

Then while leaving the arm hole pins and the bottom side pins in place...  I removed the center fold pins... this allowed me enough slack in the garment to lay the front shoulder straps flat... and continue tracing...

This picture is suppose to show the seam allowances that I added to my tracing, and the shape of the pattern... Sorry it isn't very clear... next time I am going to have to use a sharpie instead of a pencil...

I also needed to trace the back yoke... which was easy enough... and add my seam allowance...

And my second pattern is a success...

Here is my version... And the original... I think it's pretty close...  

I seem to be getting more adventurous with my sewing projects.  Since I started using my Burda Style Hand Book... it has opened up a whole new world for me.  A year ago... if you had asked me if I could make my own pattern, I would have laughed... While I'm not attempting anything fancy... I have gotten more confident in my abilities...  And even though I hate making mistakes(I am my own worst enemy)...waisting time on failed projects...  and thinking about the possibility of ruining my precious vintage fabric...  I have to take a deep breath and realize I will never know my potential, if I don't ever try... 
Thank you for joining me on my sewing adventures... 
Your support sometimes has been that extra push I needed...
***Jennifer

Hitting the Books... Part 1

These days there are so manys choices when it comes to sewing patterns... I'll have to admit I have always been partial to paper patterns... finding the ones you have to trace from books, or download from PDF a little daunting... and if I'm being honest to much work... 

But...  as any crafter knows, its hard to resist things that are new and shiny... This book caught my eye... and after I picked it up I just couldn't put it back down...  even though... (sigh)... it meant I had to make my own patterns...

I decided it was time to hit the books... so... with my new purchase in
hand I hunkered down and told myself ...

I can do this!

OK... so the first hurdle...  I had to trace out the pattern pieces in my

 size... that turned out to be no big deal...

I was drawn to this book, because it shows how to alter the

basic pattern pieces to create endless possibilities... 

These are just a few of the examples...

I decided to start with something basic... since I have no pattern making skills... and since this one was sleeveless...
I though it would be  a good place to start...

Surprisingly... even though the basic front and back pieces had to be elongated, and a seam allowance had to be added... I did not find it hard to do...
And when I started sewing the shirt together I so thrilled, because the pieces I cut out even match up! 
... Here is the result...

Not to bad for my first pattern making attempt... While, I could have probably gone down a size... I think it turned out pretty cute...  And I love my fabric choice!  This vintage printed silk has a nice drape to it... If I had done it out of a stiffer fabric, I think the shape would have been more tent like... 

As you may have noticed... I titled this blog Part 1... I will be attempting a PDF pattern next!!  So... check back for Part 2...

Thanks to technology... for a crafter these days there are endless possibilities!  And the inspirations I've found are limitless...  So... don't let yourself be the only thing that's holding you back from trying new things...  Take it from a girl who does most things "old school"... YOU CAN DO IT!

***Jennifer