November Manequim top 408

My first Manequim project!   When I first subscribed to Burda I didn't make anything from it for about 8 months so I'm not doing so badly here.

This is a very simple shape. A basic trapeze with a triangle added to the centre front and the bottom shaped accordingly and a couple of inches are hoiked up and sewn together at the top.

One of the things I like about working with foreign language pattern mags is how they challenge and develop your construction techniques. You just have to take your best stab at how the garment is constructed and let go of ideas of right and wrong. As you are guessing what the RTW actually looks like, it doesn't really matter.  Here, I experimented with ways to sew the hoiked up bit, none looked exactly like the photo but it is fine.

The first version is in a patterned crinkle poly - I was in Potter Textiles and spotted this remnant draped around a dressform, which they kindly sold to me for $5.  That's a nice cheap top!  The second version is in a cream hammered silk satin.

If mine looks a little different from the pattern pieces - the pattern has asymetrical sleeves, but I was planning on wearing this to work so made both sleeves the same.   Hopefully you can get an idea of the shape of the front when the pattern is folded along the centre.

The Manequim pattern sheets are a bit horrific - I'm not crazy about drawing on pattern sheets normally but a highlighter pen is merited with these.  Finding the outside lines aren't so bad, but finding the grainlines and any pattern markings can involve some squinting.  

Most Manequim patterns come in one size only, and this is size 46.   The Manequim, Vogue and Burda sizing charts are below for a comparison.  I managed to stack on a few kilos whilst on holiday and I'm not quite sure of my current size (I'm in denial).  Hopefully I'm on the downward slide now I'm separated from the fridge, but meanwhile size 46 seems to be equivalent to a Vogue size 18 - noooooo!  I can't have gone up 2 dress sizes!    I'm telling myself that this is just a roomy style!

The photos in the magazine are of RTW clothes so the patterns may not be EXACTLY the same.  The flower had me stumped.   This is the pattern piece.

And this is the photo.  Hmm...

After an internet search and stumbling upon Little Birdie Secrets I came up with something vaguely similar.  This is the end result. 

I used a different method for the cream version, although I'm going to revisit this as after looking at the photo of the top... hmmm not loving so much.  It looks a bit wedding-y or shiny doesn't it?   Do you think the roughness of the raw edged flower would be better?  

 

And the pants - I don't think I have ever owned so many trousers!  It's great but time to move onto skirts methinks.   The fabric for these is an olive cotton lycra brushed sateen that I got a few months ago from Fabric.com.

These are a morphed pattern.  I cut out Vogue 8456.

but wasn't keen on the wide legs so superimposed the bootleg from Vogue 9537 over the legs.  Goodness, I bought this pattern from the Lincraft that used to be in Perth CBD, how long ago was that?

A couple more projects

Going back to work has certainly put a crimp in my sewing and internet-y activities, but I'm planning to remedy that this weekend.   Lots cut out and I'm raring to go!

I did get a couple more basics finished before going back to work. 

Okay, this is overkill but I made another of the October Burda tie neck blouses.  This is the last!  The pattern has now officially been retired.    The fabric is a black silk georgette (a remnant from Potter Textiles - bargain!).    I cut the tie wider and longer and this time only one edge of the tie was sewn to the neck, so the other side is free.    

The trousers are another pair of the skinny trousers from Burda 3/2010 (style 109B) - without the pockets this time.  The pockets are meant to be in the side seams but gape - much easier without!  The fabric is a stretch heavy cotton drill in tan - another one I'd had in the drawer for years and years and I'm delighted to have finally made into something. 

And finally, my first Manequim project.  Style 408 from November issue No. 616. I love it although there are a few 'issues' which I am going to try and fix up with a second version in a cream silk and I'll do a review for it when that is finished. 

Bye for now...

November Manequim No. 2

A feast of Manequim magazines is turning up at the moment - Manequim No. 616 arrived this week and it is the best yet.   

I have to confess I haven't made anything from these yet.   The ones I want to make involve some pattern grading to make them my size so they've been put aside for a tracing and grading mood. This edition, however, has quite a few that won't need grading up. 

So many great tops that don't look too complicated to make.    

This edition has the regular section recreating clothes worn by TV people.   

And another section with party clothes on one of the actresses, which includes this magnificent silver dress and the cover outfit. 

An inspired by nature section with some casual basics.

There is a really nice selection of larger sizes inspired by Queen Latifah.

A section of pretty party gear. 

And finally, the mix and match section which shows some of the ones I haven't shown (they have black stars next to them).

November Manequim (No.1)

I've been furiously sewing for the past week.   Only 13 days 'til I go back to work (sob) and I can't fit into most of my work clothes.  So my next post will have some actual, sewn clothes!  

But for the moment, another Manequim has turned up!   I just realised when looking at the Manequim site that there are 2 November issues - so there are 13 magazines a year.  No. 617 arrived today which is a high summer edition by the looks of it.   Lots of swimwear, beach gear etc.  

Manequim doesn't have an overview page showing all the styles, but you can see quite a few in a section where they show combinations of patterns with RTW and accessories.   The patterns are the ones titled 'Molde' with the black star.

The first magazine section is romantic summery styles. 

 A section on minis - but I'm more interested in the cute blouses. 

A selection of holiday clothes to mix and match, including a bikini, jumpsuit, wrap top, floppy shorts and a couple of beach cover ups.

A section of 'summer hits' with more cute tops.  Some of these Manequim patterns have a lot of pattern pieces!

And finally, bathers and beach cover ups for different figure types.

Now, back to my sewing room....