Still Working on 12-Piece Core Wardrobe

I just completed the eighth piece of my 12-piece core wardrobe.  It is a black and white print blouse made from the Kayla Shirt Pattern from In House Patterns.  It is the same pattern I used to make the grape print shirt I made a few months ago.  I did make a few changes to the pattern.  I had to really think about the changes I made to consider how one change might affect another aspect of the pattern.

I used 100% cotton for the grape print shirt and I used a rayon blend for this one.  I knew the two fabrics would react differently¸ so I was prepared for that.  I decided I wanted this shirt to be a little less fitted and more drapey than the grape one.  I started by adding ¼ inch to each of the side seams.  That would give me another one inch in the total circumference of the top.

I made the sleeves full length instead of ending just below the elbows.  When doing so, I added ¼ inch to the front and back of the sleeve from under the arm to the bottom of the sleeve.  That accommodated the larger armscye that was created when I added ¼ inch to the side seams of the shirt. 

Then, it was necessary to make the cuffs a little smaller in circumference because the original cuff pattern was for the area just below the elbow.  That area of the arm is definitely larger than the wrist.  I used the same cuff pattern, but decreased the circumference by 3 ¼ inches.   I made some small gathers at the end of the sleeve to fit it into the cuff.

When I cut the two neckbands, one was larger than the other, even though they were both cut at once.  I believe that was a problem caused by the slightly crinkled rayon fabric.  After I ironed on the interfacing to one of the neckbands, the other band was larger.  I had some extra fabric, so I ironed on the interfacing and then cut the neckbands.  Both neckbands have the interfacing.  I think this was necessary due to the unstable fabric. 

After I finished the blouse, I finally made myself hem the gray pants that I finished several weeks ago, but just never got around to hemming them.  A picture of the pants and blouse is shown below. 

 

I have four more pieces to make for the core wardrobe.  I hope to have all pieces completed by late June or early July.  That will give me a little breathing room before my presentation to the Lansing Clippers in September.

Good luck with your sewing projects!  If you need inspiration for sewing, schedule a sewing day with a few of your friends.  That is a good way to get inspiration and ideas for new projects.

Judy