One Pattern Many Looks Entries

m

It all started in June when I made my Lutterloh skirt . I fell instantly in love with it and knew I wanted to make more. This realization seem to come at the perfect time because PR had just started the newest contest and wouldn't you know it was there One Pattern Many Looks Contest. I wanted to enter. No, I had to enter but first things first I needed to reproduce the skirt more than once and some how make it different each time. Five ideas quickly came to mind and the were wonderful because each one would use some stash fabric.I'm excited to share with you 4 of the five ideas that came to life. A review on how Lutterloh Supplement 281 #145 has become a big part of my summer.

First up, a girl need some thing to play in on those hot days of summer. Why not a white denim skirt.?The fabric of this skirt came from Fabric.com and has been sitting in my stash for a year. I want this skirt to have a little personality but all the look of a pair of white denim pants. All the top stitching on this skirt have been done in black. The pockets I did the same way as I would on a pair of jeans.

Skirt number two was all about a casual shopping trip. We all know how we want to wear something comfortable yet fashionable when we go shopping. Especially clothes shopping. Why not a knit skirt. This skirt was made from some great double knit from the stash. I believe the fabric originally came from fabric.com. This fabric has a lovely cotton feel to it so I believe it may be a cotton/poly blend. I have never been able to find another double knit that feels like this. To spice up this version Fuchsia piping and top stitching was added. Can't forget the great Prada purse thrifted last summer.

 "Girls just want to have fun oh, girls just want to have fun." Thank you Cyndi Lauper for invading the air waves well I grew up. This theme song of the '80's seemed to be constantly on. Unfortunately girls cant always have fun some times it down to business we need to go. That's were skirt number three will come in handy. It is made of a charcoal gray poly suiting I picked up last year during one of fabric.com wonderful sales. This winter paired with some black tights and a cardigan or jacket it will be perfect for the class room.

Last but not least is skirt number four. We all know there are those times when the candles are lit and the lights are dim. Our honey only has eyes for us. They're smiling eyes, happy to enjoy a little Friday night date night time. why not wear designer? This skirt is made out of a great piece of designer Woven Jacquard purchased during fabric.com designer sale fall of 2009. The piece I bought was too tiny to do much with it but this skirt fit it perfectly.

Oh by the way all my 4 tops are from the same pattern too. It is Lutterloh 277 #101 the review of the pattern can be found here and here.  With a new school year approaching my household is about to see a few changes which includes me returning to college. Excited about it but also excited to switch over to fall sewing. Really needs some new dress pants. Happy sewing until next time.

Redo

Lutterloh 281 #145 and Lutterloh 277 #101

Lutterloh 281 #145 and Lutterloh 277 #101

Yep you guessed it I'm still working on my pieces for One Pattern Many Looks Contest on PR. Of course the top now I wont be able to include because I have changed it since I was not 100% happy with the original.  If you recall The arm openings were huge and the it original length on me was more like a tunic or mini dress so I tucked it in with the white skirt.

On PR I was able to get some great suggestions on how to fix my issues. On the Lutterloh board mufffet and Miss Fairchild  wonderful suggestions and on the plus size sew along several ladies directed me to these Webcasts. The one on fitting t-shirts/french darts and french curve were helpful. Thank you ladies.

I think my second top which I have named flower power fits much nicer than the first hot pink one. It is made with some poly knit from my stash that I rescued from Goodwill.  Here is what I did.

Bottom one is the new pattern
the top is the original

1. I traced a second copy of my top front and back.
2. Drew two lines across the pattern one a little above high bust (line a) the second was at about high hip(line b).
3. Then I folded line a up 2 inches and I folded line b up 1 1/2 inches. This shortened the pattern by a total of 5 inches. I did the same to the back pattern.
4. I retraced my front facing piece.
5. I decided instead of raising the bust dart to change it to a french dart. So I lowered it and using the curve of my lutterloh ruler to help create a french curve.
6. When I sewed the new french dart I cut the extra material gathered in the dart to about 1/4 inch giving a smoother look.
7. The rest of the top was sewn identical to the original.
I am much happier with the second top. What do you think? Happy sewing tell next time.

One Pattern Many Looks Challenge and a New Top

Challenge out fit idea 1

What do you do when Pattern Review starts there One Pattern Many Looks Challenge? You start doodling of course. A doodle has become my favorite way to plan an out fit. It doesn't have to look pretty and it doesn't have to be a professional sketch. I have no drawing talent but I at least can take the look from my mind stick it on paper and see if I can get close. 


I decided that Lutterloh Supplement 281 #144 or 145  would be a great canvas to work with. The skirt is easy and adopts quickly to several fabrics and looks.  So the challenge pieces started flowing in my mind. But this blog is not about the skirt it about a new top to go with my challenge piece number one. If you want to know more about the skirt you can here at PR or here at the blog.

Lutterlolh 281 #145 and Lutterloh 277 #101

I love loud bright colors and will wear them year around. I also like clothing that can be layered. This top seem to fit the bill as it can be layered over a tank, cami, turtle neck or t shirt. It can also be the under layer to a cardigan or jacket.

 Pattern: 

Lutterloh Supplement 277 #101

Pattern Description: 

Basic knit tunic length top with v neck, bust darts and cap or short dolman sleeve.

Pattern Sizing:

Lutterloh is based on your bust and hip measurement. Your pattern is drafted out using these two measurements. So ideally if your bust and hip are 50cm to 140cm the system should work for you. 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Lutterloh has no instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

This top is one of those that can go from season to season depending on what you add over or under it. The sleeves and the v neck are my favorite parts.

The bust dart. The dart is really located in a place that makes it hard to adjust. Also this is tunic length and just a tad long for that.

Fabric Used:

A rayon ribbed knit I found at Hancock Fabrics. Worth it to try this project but this top really grew.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

The main alteration in this top was trying to move the bust dart so it was really pointing towards the bust instead of the navel. I move my dart up an inch and a half and it still could be moved up more except the bottom of the sleeve is only a ½ away. Not sure how to approach that on the next top.

On this one I used the knit interfacing on the facing pieces. Once attached to the top they were under stitched and then top stitched down about a inch off the edge giving it a nice detail. I also used lace hem binding to stabilize the shoulder seam.

Next top I will also being shorting it by at least 5 inches. If I wore this one un-tucked you would only see about 2 or 3 inches of the bottom of my skirt. Way too long on me. I will also be adjusting the sleeve under arm about 2 or 3 inches to move that bust dart up another inch.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Once I figure out how to deal with the darts I will be making it again.  And yes I do recommend it for others it is a very versatile top.

Conclusion: 

This is a great little tunic top that can stretch the season and add a little bit of interest to your wardrobe. 

The Wonder Bread Shirt

My Children have named this the Wonder Bread Shirt. If truth be told I knew something was familiar about that print. This shirt is whimsical why not wear it with an orange skirt.  All joking aside I finished this up and some panties with my long 4th of July Holiday weekend.The top is not my favorite but it will see it wear on these long hot days of summer mother nature has finally decided to bless us with. Today I wore the top in our  heat and felt fairly cool and comfortable.

Top: Lutterloh Supplement 280 #29 and Skirt BurdaStyle 3-2010-136

  

Pattern:

Lutterloh Supplement 280 #29

Pattern Description: 

Scoop neck knit top with band of different color a neck, sleeve and hem.

Pattern Sizing:

Lutterloh is based on your bust and hip measurement. Your pattern is drafted out using these two measurements. So ideally if your bust and hip are 50cm to 140cm the system should work for you. 

   

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes kind of

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Lutterloh has no instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Likes: My children have named this the wonder bread shirt. The slightly puffy sleeve was a nice surprise.

Dislikes: This shirt is very loose fitting which is not apparent in the picture. Also I would have to say the neckline is more boat shaped since it is very open. This causing me to wonder if the shoulders were drafted different in this one.

Fabric Used:

A whimsical dotted knit from JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts bought a year ago.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

½ inch narrow should adjustment.  But it was not enough. The neck is very open on this one almost a boat neck. Think it may have been drafted for someone with broader shoulders because on me it became a drop sleeve garment. To give you an idea, the neck band seam is where my shoulder ends. Also I left off the band at hem because the top was already quiet long.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Not so sure I will sew this again. I would have to do several alterations to make this work the way I want it. It might be the perfect top for someone else. The pieces fit well together and it sewed up nicely.

Conclusion: 

Although I am slightly disappointed with my wonderfully whimsical wonder bread shirt I have to admit the loose fit has worked nicely on these hot days of summer.

Me Made June the Final Days

The challenge is finally done. What I learned from Me made June  is that I have a few garments that I grab over and over and over again and that I also have some holes in my wardrobe. The goal is to slowly build my wardrobe up so that 90% of the clothes I have are me made. Also creating mini wardrobes of 6 or more pieces in the same color story seems to work well when putting outfits together.  On to the outfits.

Day 20 Sweater: Thrifted, Top: Lutterloh Special Edition 31 #6, Pants: Macy's Jeans.
Day 21 Top: Lutterloh Supplement 279 #203, Pants: Lutterloh Project Jeans, Fuller Figure #137 copyright 1996.
Day 22 Hoddie: Macy's, Top: McCalls 5977, Pants: Macy's Jeans.
Day 23 Sweater: Kohls, Top: BurdaStyle Magazine 02-2009-118, The cutie on my arm is my great nephew.
Day 24 Some days you just feel like lounging. Today's lounge wear is vintage Lutterloh from the 1970 book  #416 copyright 1969.

Day 25 Sweater: Thrifted, Top: Top: Lutterloh Special Edition 31 #6, Pants: Simplicity 5074.
Day 26 Top: Lutterloh Special Edition 31 #6, Skirt: Lutterloh Supplement 281 #143.
Day 27 Top: Lutterloh Supplement 271 #45, Cami: Lane Bryant
Day 28 Gray Top: Thrifted, Green Top Butterick 5100
Day 29 Top: Lane Bryant, Pants: Lutterloh Project Jeans, Fuller Figure #137 copyright 1996. Correction the Pants are actually BurdaStyle 04-2009-134.

Day 30 Hoodie: Macy's, Top: Lutterloh Special Edition 31 #6, Skirt: Burda Plus Fashion Spring/Summer 2008 (E985) 405.

I'm currently working on what my kids have named the wonder bread top.  Happy sewing until next time.