Sunny Days and DIY Jumpsuits are here to stay: Vogue 9116

Every time I see a wide leg jumpsuit, I think of my Mom.  You see when I was a yungin... jumpsuits were the uniform to wear.  It seems that every thing that was once is now, and any of the fashions which were then, are here again.  It is back, "OLD School" is new again. 

I have made several jumpsuits in the last few years, a couple self drafted and a couple using patterns from Vogue and McCalls.  Now, everywhere I look,  I see a rise in the number of patterns available for this fun piece of clothing, and an onslaught of various renditions of said patterns by so many on Pinterest.  

This time I made the new Vogue 9116, although we all know it is really the old vogue.  Actually, it is the same jumpsuit I have been wanting from my sister for the last 5 years, except her's is in black.  I will get to that color another time.  I just had to make this fun print for the summer months, poolside parties, and beach getaways.  

Pattern and Construction Details:

All was very easy.  The pattern instructions were easy, the sizing was easy. 

I cut a size 14 top and 16 bottom.  

1" FBA

Removed 4" from the pant legs because they were "WIDE" for sure.

After these pictures I hemmed them another 2"

I hope you are enjoying this resurgence of jumpsuit fashions.  I know my Mom is enjoying all the patterns coming back.  Something she is really familiar with.  

It's all about the Sexy..my new date night dress.

Stella got her groove back by going to the Bahamas, I thought I would work on getting or keeping mine back by checking out my pattern stash.

With the help of some really nice matte jersey I got in New York and Donna Karan for Vogue patterns #2067, I was able to strike this pose for this picture.  No photoshop here y'all.  Just straight up all me, stretch marks and all.  

It's not easy trying to keep your sexy and be a grandmother all at the same time, and still be just a slight bit modest.   But I manage to try ever so often as not to wither away into that old lady, "mmm" what is she wearing kinda, it's a shame, she should "dress her age".  What the hell does that mean!??! Dress the way you want! Just make sure it is SASSY not TRASHy.  You feel me?

The pattern is basically a wrap dress with the upper portion of the bodice detached at the front midriff forming a type of crop top which reveals just enough skin to keep it modest yet sassy. 

It almost looks like the Vogue 1250 that everyone has fallen in love with.  

Construction Notes:

1.  All the edges are finished with elastic to make it really snug at the openings:  Neckline, armhole, under the bust, and at the top of the skirt wraps/overlays.  

2.  The side seams are placed forward toward the front with the side hip dart at an angle toward the rear hip line.  A very nice touch indeed.  

3.  The center back seam makes it extremely easy to grade up and down as needed and to deal with the dreaded sway back issues. 

4.  With the front bodice piece being just that, a front piece, you can literally increase the bust and lengthen the front crop section to your hearts desire.

Moving forward:

I plan to make every single one of the views on this pattern in several colors.  They are great dresses to have on hand for any activity you might want to wear a "body con" dress.  Oh yeah!!! There is plenty coverage for Spanx and such and such if you so need or desire.

Here a kick in the butt to aging and frumpy dresses!!! 

A Sultry Little Number: Review Butterick 6050

Here is a great dress that could easily be used as a comfortable run-about dress, or add some heels and you have a sultry little number for date night.  I made it with a foil printed cotton lycra.

Construction Notes and Pattern review:

Fabric Used:
cotton lycra
Pattern-- Butterick 6050Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Cut size 14 upper
Size 18 hips from waist down.
Removed 2" from center back along elastic opening.
Removed 1" from yoke.
Lowered the from neckline 2inches.

Graffiti Wrap Top

What are your clothes saying? Graphic prints and labeled clothing are all the rage, but do you take the time to find out what it all means?

With all the signs and ticket prices splattered all over, I thought it interesting what these quotes and quirks represented. So, I went traipsing the Internet to see what it all meant. 

"Reynolds Coliseum" N.Y.C. State Campus. Well, no such thing.

What I did find was-- Reynolds Coliseum- former home of the NC State Wolfpack, college basketball team. 

The Konbats-- turns out to be a place in the country of Myanmar, under the Shan State administration, between Bangladesh and Thailand on the Asian Continent. It was definitely a quick study in geography for me. 

Fabric:  Cotton lycra from my stash.  I got help on choosing the pattern from Andrea @Knit-knac.blogspot.com.  Its good to meet new sewing buddies.  Thanks Andrea. She is a Burda Style enthusiast for sure.

Do you pay attention to the meaning and history of words places or events represented on your clothing? 

Construction notes:::
A fusible stay tape was used on shoulders and back neckline. I used a triple zig-zag at 2.7 length and .7 width for all the top stitches.

Pattern Alterations Notes:: Burda 01/2008 #116, traced a size 14/40.  The size 40 finished measurements:  bust 36.25, Waist - 29.25, Hip- 38.5,--  All changes were made using the Pivot and Slide method of Pattern alterations.

FBA- 1.5" to side using 3/4 swing out to gain the width.
Increase the neck of the wrap by 1/2
The underlay was only increased by 1/2" to keep it at a negative ease.
3/4" broad back adjustment and
Sleeve bicep increased by 1/2"

I measured these areas::-- front, back, waist length at side seam and bicep width, on the pattern and compared them to my body to determine additional amounts needed to make the fit I desired.  Keeping in mind that I wanted only 1" ease in the back and 0" ease up front. (This helped to avoid bra indentions showing.)::  Front, back, waist length at side seam ad bicep.

Conclusion:: I'm very happy with the top and will be sure to make another very soon. I can see it quickly becoming a mainstay in my wardrobe rotation.