It’s interesting how when you see a certain style around for a little while, you grow to like it.  Even when at first you were highly dubious.  Slowly, little by little, it creeps into your consciousness.  And after some time it’s mainstream, it’s not weird or unusual, and you should certainly give it a try at least before you dismiss it completely.  Enter Vogue 8815.  I have succumbed, and jumped on the peplum top bandwagon.

So, what do you think? Not so bad after all? I rather like it, and my husband and kids approved. But I’m still not entirely sure whether that is because we’re getting used to the silhouette, or because it suits me. It’s not as good from the back though, but I think that’s mainly a fitting issue.

So, the details. I made view B. I used a ribbed cotton/spandex knit that was in my stash (actually the leftovers from these leggings, and a beautiful quality fabric that I need to buy more of). I cut it out at size 14 for the width, but size 12 through the armholes and upper chest. I deepened the front neckline by an inch at centre front, grading up to nothing by the shoulder seam. I didn’t alter the back neckline at all. I used an invisible zip in the centre back, but a shorter one than recommended by the pattern, so it didn’t go all the way down to the hem. I also cut a strip of fabric to make a neck facing, attaching it the way I usually do when adding facings to edges that contain an invisible zip. All hems, and the neckline facing, were secured with twin needle stitching.

So, my verdict? I actually like it. I think that next time I make it in a stretch fabric, I will cut it out a size smaller. There is definitely plenty of room across the back – it’s really too big there. I’ll possibly cut it as a 12 through the body and a 10 through the shoulders, and will shave a bit more from the sleeve cap.  I’ll leave out the back zipper, and cut the back pieces on the fold, . Because I deepened the front neckline and because it’s a stretch fabric, I can get it on over my head. I really like the shaping that the darts give, especially the darts at the back shoulders, and the peplum does skim over the tummy. The other school mums gave it compliments this morning, so I must have done something right with trying a new style.

But you can tell me ever so politely if I’m deluding myself and should stick to empire lines and cross-overs (which I will still make and wear anyway, of course). But you’d better tell me soon – because I’m planning on heading up to the sewing room this afternoon and cutting out some long sleeved versions for winter. I might even try View C with the high-low (or “mullet”) hemline!

By now you all know that I attempt to dress to hide my waist and stomach, don’t you?  Anyway, sometimes that means that I probably veer towards loose and sacklike more than I should.  And it’s why I’ve avoided the peplum trend.  But recently, I’ve been thinking about one of my favourite “tailored” jackets.  Although it is tailored only in regards to having set in sleeves, a collar, multiple seams, and being made from a woven fabric, it is a jacket that is quite shaped, with princess seams front and back.  It actually does give me the semblance of a waist.  I feel good in it every time I wear it – actually, I’m wearing it as I type! With that in mind, I purchased the StyleARC Marni jacket pattern.

The pattern was designed for ponte fabrics, but there was also a note that it would be suitable for a stretch woven, and that is what I used. The stretch sateen comes from Spotlight – and I am tempted to buy more! I love both the colours and the scribbly swirls. Like most of the StyleARC patterns I’ve used so far, this came together perfectly. Every piece fitted together exactly as it should. I made the size 12 with no alterations, hoping that this would be a “wearable muslin”.

Because I didn’t make any alterations, this doesn’t actually do up on me. But I’m happy to wear it open – and it doesn’t have a closure yet anyway. And hopefully in a few months time after some concerted exercise it will do up! Like most StyleARC patterns, the instructions are more of an order of construction, although there are a few parts where more explanation is given, with corresponding diagrams. I used the burrito method to secure the facings to the inside neck and shoulder seams, which worked fine. Since the details aren’t all as easy to see in these photos, I’ll go through them: it’s a shawl collared jacket, with 3/4 length sleeves when folded back (I didn’t fold them back in these photos) with a split in the cuff, front princess seams, and a peplum with front pleats that line up with the front princess seams. The princess seams are top stitched, and I top stitched around the sleeve/cuff seam as well.

So predictably, this isn’t the first time that you’ll see this jacket on me. There is some ponte in my stash that is definitely calling it’s name.  Now that I’ve seen that some shaping and a subtle peplum might actually work on my shape after all – and especially because I’ve been drooling over this beautiful jacket made by one of my favourite sewing bloggers Carolyn – I might even make a peplum top (or two)!

And the weather was cool enough today that I could have worn it very comfortably (unlike on the weekend when these photos were taken and it was incredibly hot). Melbourne, you’re such a fickle city!

A little like Vogue 1250, it appears that once you have made one version of the Tiramisu dress, you simply have to make another!

I was surprised at how fast this dress was to make the second time around. Because this time I wasn’t using a stripe or dramatically directional print, cutting out was quite straightforward. I didn’t need to work out what size pattern pieces to cut, because they had been determined last time, and I had taken note of the slight alterations that I needed to make during construction. And I left out the pockets (again).

Although I had toyed with the option of a contrast coloured midriff and bands, as you can see I decided to make the entire dress in the print. The rather amazing jewel toned print is a viscose blend jersey from Crafty Mamas. She really does stock beautiful quality fabrics in unusual designs. It was easy to sew and delightful to wear. And have I already mentioned that I love the way that the skirt swirls?

I shortened the neck band by about five inches, and gave it a decent amount of stretch as I stitched it on. It hugs the body much better than my previous version – no gaposis here at all!  I really like the way that the midriff band is customised to your own shape and size, with the top of it the width of the underbust seam and the bottom of it the width of the waist.  Mine is actually narrower at the underbust seam than it is at the waist, which I think is probably quite unusual.  But it’s a reflection of my apple shape – and this pattern allows me to easily customise the sizing accordingly.

Very pleased with the finished product!  Not much more to say about this pattern really, other than don’t be surprised if you see a winter version with long sleeves at some stage…

It’s all Leith‘s fault.  She appeared in a new Vogue 1250 recently, and the gorgeousness of it spurred me on to make my fourth version.

I’m not sure that there is much more to say about this pattern! It was incredibly fast for me to sew, as I made all my alterations a couple of renditions ago. It’s shortened a little through the torso on both the front and the upper back piece, and the cowl has been deepened considerable to ensure that it stays inside the neckline where it should.  It’s size 14 throughout otherwise.

The fabric is a viscose blend jersey from Darn Cheap Fabrics, and has a lovely soft handle. It didn’t come from the $2 per metre table – I actually paid full price, around $6.95 per metre for this one! The colours and print called to me and I simply couldn’t resist.  It has the additional benefit of being a busy enough print that it semi-disguises the bulges.  (Talking about the bulges, I have just re-joined the gym.  Here’s to a slimmer, fitter, healthier and more energised Lara in a few months time).

I wore this out to dinner with my husband last night for our 14th wedding anniversary, which took place during the week while he was interstate on business. The meal was divine and the service superb, and as my husband said, it was the first time for ages that we had the opportunity to talk for a couple of hours uninterrupted. That happens when you’ve got young children and busy work lives. Many thanks to our beautiful babysitter and it was a good reminder that I need to organise date night more often. Especially if I need to make a new dress to wear for it!  Although it won’t be Vogue 1250 next time – I’ve just passed the pattern on to another friend who has some divine fabric earmarked for it.