I think that Vogue 9057 is the gift that keeps on giving.  I’ve sewn view D/E a couple of times already.  Time to give views B and C a go!

View B is a long sleeved top with a diagonal hemline and split at one side. View C is a sleeveless top with a diagonal hemline going the other way. The two are designed to be worn separately or layered one over the other.

I used a cotton/spandex from stash to sew the view B top (it could have contained some viscose as well). I sewed size Medium (12-14) after shortening the pattern through the body with a petite adjustment. Once again I’m very happy with the fit from the front – the back, not so much. I really need to start tinkering more with my patterns in this regard since I now own about six books on fitting and really have no excuse for not making more effort.

I would still be quite happy to wear this top alone. As expected, construction was primarily on the overlocker, with the machine used for hemming. I think I used a zig-zag stitch to secure everything in place.

You don’t get a photo of the sleeveless view C top on its own because it is actually a fairly sheer mesh! It layers very nicely over the long sleeved tee.

Both the neck and the armholes are finished with bands that I attached with the overlocker. Other seams were overlocked as well. I left the bottom hem edge raw.

I often wonder what to do with sheer stretch mesh fabrics – there are quite a few around. I think that layering works quite nicely for these. I have a few in stash, despite never being sure of their end purpose, and think that I could do with mixing them in more with other garments.

As with the long sleeved tee, I shortened the mesh top through the body. I think that I’ll also try layering it over tees in other colours – maybe even over short sleeved tees or tanks. Won’t hurt to experiment a little! I particularly like the way that the back neckline of these tees sits flat against my body, despite the curvature of my upper back that is rapidly threatening to one day become a “dowager’s hump”.

As a reminder, here are the line drawings for this pattern:

Ah, so many tops that could potentially be sewn, but so little time in which to do it!

Oh Mickie, you’re so fine…

From the Style Arc website: MICKIE CAPE: Must have cape for the season, this ultimate layering piece is so easy to wear and sew. Mix and match using textured fabrics, this cape has optional inseam pockets.

Yes, if you’ve looked at that line drawing, this cape is a series of rectangles sewn together, with the centre seam left open for half it’s distance.

So Lara, I hear you say, why did you need a PATTERN for that? My answer? A couple of reasons. One, laziness. Two, someone else has figured out the proportions for me – how wide and long each rectangle should be, and where the inseam pockets should sit. I like it when someone else figures out the proportions. And I do like the little inseam pockets.

This version of the Mickie cape was a sewn-from-scraps make. The centre panels are a textured woven, left over from a skirt sewn ages ago. The side panels are a wool blend knit. So the fabrics don’t really work perfectly together, but the colours do. And it was scrap busting!

I wish that I had clearer photos, but just have to go with what I could get. I sewed the size 12 – I assume that the pattern pieces vary in width and length slightly depending on the grading. This is a super simple sew. If you wanted to make it even simpler you could eliminate the in seam pockets and overlap the side panel pieces onto the centre pieces. You could sew it up in well less than an hour.

I need to point out that the cape is closed for a short space at the sides to create “armholes” and help to keep it on you. I found it was actually quite secure. These are sewn last in the process, so you can make the arm opening as deep as you like. I wore my Mickie Cape over a Deer and Doe Plantain tee that I sewed at Sewjourn in May.

I sewed this in a wool blend knit from Clear It – it’s very warm and snuggly. My version of the Plantain tee pattern is blended across sizes, larger at the waist and a bit smaller at the hips. I like that it doesn’t cling to my gut, although this one looks to be pulling a fraction across the bust.

I am very happy with the way that the back fits. Hooray! Because I had some fabric scraps that I didn’t want to go to waste, I also sewed a simple tubular cowl. It adds warmth to that relatively open neckline. I don’t like high necklines, but am very happy to wrap a scarf or cowl around my neck!

Both of these are terrific simple patterns. The pants are Style Arc Elle pants sewn forever ago.