Well now, here is one pattern I will definitely be using again! And with 4 different looks available from just 4 different facings, I am going to have a field day!
This is the blue silk with spots that I think I got from Rosenberg & Sons, a very long time ago! There never seemed to be the right pattern for it, so it languished in my silks box for years. I had been dreaming of a bias cut, cowl necked top for a bit, and after the pattern Magic weekend I ran, I wanted to try out the Different Looks, Different Facings patterns in Pattern Magic 2.
Basically you draft one front with cowl etc, and choose from 4 different facings, or draft them all and vary them later! I went with the asymmetrical one first, and cut the back bodice on the straight, leaving in all the darts etc so that I’d have a shaped blouse, not a floppy one!
I went with a fairly plain sleeve. I used Winnie’s semi-fitted sleeve, and shortened it to 3/4 length, which is my preferred length for sleeves. The drafting process whas fairly easy, but I would say that if you have a larger bust you may find it nigh on impossible to get the cowl measurement the same on the bodice and the facing. When I did the pattern in 1/4 scale for the workshop I used a Winnifred Aldrich standard size 12 block, and it worked just fine. But with a non-standard size the numbers just didn’t play ball. In the end I re-shaped the facing to fit the longer length altered neckline on the front pattern piece. It worked out ok I think!
I am sorry if these pics seem slightly blurred, Daughter No2 doesn’t seem to be able to hold a camera steady!
And a wobbly self portrait to finish off! I took this last night, immediately after finishing it. I was so happy that it had worked out even better than I had imagined!
Right, I’m off to draft the other facings! Oh, and to get started on the duck egg corduroy jacket. I was in Birmingham on Monday morning with Daughter No1 and we popped into the Fancy Silk Stores. I got a fabulous silver Jaeger lining for the jacket, so now there are no more excuses not to get it made!
***UPDATE***
I tried out the v-neck version today, not so impressed. I removed the v-neck facing and put the asymmetrical one in instead – MUCH better! I think that’s the one for me then, can’t complain really!
