What did I say in my last post about making the same pattern more than once?  This is my third go at Vogue 8815.  This time I implemented all the small changes that I had decided on after making the first and the second version.

The fabric is a light weight ponte from Darn Cheap Fabrics (Prada, apparently!) and I love the print and the handle. This time around I cut out size 12 through the body and size 10 through the chest and shoulders.  I think that I should have taken smaller seam allowances through the body though – it’s a bit too tight.  Once again in the interest of full sewing/blogging disclosure, you can see that in the photo of the back.  Bummer.

Had better get those smoothing garments out again! I shaved a little from the sleeve cap again, and lowered the front neckline about an inch. I cut the back pieces on the fold to eliminate the back zipper, and used a strip of self-fabric to face the neckline. I also did my usual short-waisted alterations – you can make them out here.

I just take a tuck out at the “lengthen/shorten” line that is often printed on the pattern piece. I actually think that I took a tiny bit more out than needed this time – it’s all trial and error, depending on the pattern. I suppose that technically I could make a “muslin” first…

Anyway, I know that this top will get loads of wear! It will coordinate nicely under the red leather jacket I had tailored for me in Bali last year, and since there was a tiny bit of fabric left over, I’ve made a matching skirt. It’s just a simple one based on the StyleARC Fay skirt, but shortened due to fabric restrictions. The fabric restrictions also stopped me from self-lining it, so I have just taken a simple twin needle stitched hem.

Now I just need photos of the top and skirt worn together. I reckon that with my black boots and red jacket I’ll be looking pretty good!  And I do think that there could still be another Vogue 8815 view C still in me…