Vogue 1127 Badgley Mischka blouse Mark II

Not so long ago, looking at the gloomy sea of black and grey offerings in my wardrobe I decided I needed to expand my comfort zone and introduce some colour. It must have worked as I'm now slightly obsessed with colour and wild patterns. They do make you feel cheery.

I so love this pattern! This second version of the Vogue 1127 blouse is made as per the pattern (save for a few modifications below).   I've just started making the jacket too - hmmm, not as nice as the pattern photo.  But the blouse is fab.

I was wary of the very, VERY long ties - which being cut on the bias take up a massive amount of fabric. If I ever made this again I'd make them a lot shorter as I'm not that keen on a big bow under my chin. Something about it reminds me of Margaret Thatcher.

I've added short sleeves.

The fabric is a silk chiffon from Textile Traders in Balcatta and it is lined with a thin mauve chiffon.

The pattern is a trapeze shape with a curved hem. I had all kinds of problems with the hem on the first version as I had to take in the sides a lot, which then made the curved hem an issue.

This time I took in the sides - 5cm in at the hemline on each side seam - drawing a line up to the underarm (which was not taken in at all).  I cut the sides a bit longer than the pattern so the hem was a straight line. Looks much better and the hem was far easier.

On to cardigans now... time to dust off this Patrones number...

Vogue 1127 and Burda 3/2009 skirt

You wouldn't know it from the lack of blogging, but I have been having a sewing spree.  My work wardrobe was suddenly very bare after a zip broke on one pair of trousers and another pair was ripped.   Time for some new work clothes.

I bought a Zara top a while ago that has been worn until the seams are splitting.  I usually avoid high necklines like this like the plague but I do love this top.

Zara inspiration

I wanted to make something similar and Vogue 1127 seems to fit the bill, with a few modifications.

The fabric is a silk georgette from Textile Traders in Balcatta.

Sleeves have been added, the ties have been omitted and the neckline is made slightly differently.   The sleeves are from my go-to short sleeve pattern Vogue 7876.  I can't remember what the pattern is for, but the sleeves have had quite a few outings.

I copied the collar on the Zara top - all that was involved was doubling over the collar from the pattern rather than ruching it quite so much. 

The ties would have been nice but they are cut on the bias and are very long so take up masses of fabric (the pattern says 3.1 metres is required for the blouse in a size 14). I didn't have quite enough fabric.

The blouse isn't difficult and it's a gorgeous pattern.  The only thing to note - it is hugely wide and I had to take off about an inch and a half on each side seam.   It also works best for a thin fabric.  The georgette I used was not a very light one and it got a bit bulky around the ruched collar ends. 

I'm definitely going to make another one of these, this time as per the pattern.

In one of those odd coincidences, March Burda Style has a pattern which is even more like the Zara top.   It has the raglan sleeves, which Vogue 1127 does not.    

And to go with the top ...a pencil skirt with a wide hip band and pockets from March 2009 Burda magazine. 

My version is in a black stretch heavy satin.  I made a couple of pairs of trousers out of this fabric and was sad to see it finished, and then was ecstatic when I found a 6 metre end roll at my favourite fabric shop reduced to $3 a metre! 

I love the style and it feels great on.  The hip band has a girdle like effect which is even better.

The sides are tapered in a bit more than the Burda version.  The construction of the hip band is also a little different.  Burda has only an unfaced hip band and a narrow rectangular facing strip around the waist.  That seemed very unfinished to me, so I cut 2 hip bands and entirely faced it.  It looks and feels better. 

So what next?  Half way through a pair of brown trousers and raring to go with some autumnal clothes.