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Tuesday 21 July 2009

BWOF 06/2009-119, a near miss with a UFO

Well sorry for the long gap, must be that time of year when the brain wants a vacation- I have been sewing, but really not in the mood for taking photos and blogging, but now I am back!

First some comments to respond to;

Ann of Ann's Fashion Studio awarded me with a lovely blog award and I just want to say a huge thank you.  I feel bad that I dropped off the face of the blog planet as soon as she had given it to me.  Go check out Ann's blog if you haven't already seen it, she has been busy with a move recently too, but there are some gorgeous sewing projects in there, you have to see the Chanel style jacket.

Divitin asked where to get the pattern from my last post - Divitin, this pattern (and most of the things I make) are from a monthly magazine called Burda World of Fashion, or BWOF for short.  Actually I think it is just called Burda now - there is more information than you will ever need about how to use it and where to get it over at Pattern Review - click here.

Onto sewing, I promised co-ordinates, of course I ended up with separates that do not co-ordinate (yet)....

Here I am wearing the linen 122 shirt as promised;


Then I decided to make another top from the same issue - the ruffled blouse 119 in a brown and teal silk print (this is where I envisioned my co-ordinating pieces - brown, cream, teal, maybe a splash of coral - ah the best laid plans...). This is an unusual print that I won't describe as I don't want to be responsible for disappointed google searchers ending up on a sewing blog, but it's subtle, arty and tasteful I think!


I'll be honest I absolutely hated making this and it so nearly became a UFO, but now that it is finished (hooray!) I am happy with it and can hopefully wear it without bringing back painful memories. The main problems I had, in a nutshell were;

- using fabric which moved and slipped around so much it was practically alive.  However for this style to be successful it really does need something very drapy. You have been warned!

- not reading the instructions and cutting layout first. If you make this note that the back piece needs to be cut in two pieces - upper and lower. I've seen Burda have pieces that need to be joined but never separated, I guess the same blouse back must be used in another pattern without a seam.  I just put the casing over where there should have been a seam at the back so my top is slightly shorter than it should be.

- the instructions for the concealed button opening were absolutely terrible and made zero sense to me. I knew what it needed to look like when it was finished so I played with pins until I figured something out. It's a bit messy on the inside and I had to leave it several days while getting annoyed but it looks OK now.

OK enough whinging here it is;



Next, the skirt that was supposed to go with these two.

25 comments:

  1. Alison, I absolutely love the second top. Where can I get this fabric from? it is TDF! I'm looking forward to this issue arriving in Australia (we haven't got May yet!). I've seen so many designs that I'd like to sew for summer.

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  2. Great blouse - worth the effort. Looks very soft and sensual (especially with that print!)

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  3. The second blouse is incredible! Love the drape of the fabric. It is perfect with the ruffle.

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  4. Lovely blouses! The second one is my favorite!

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  5. It's really gorgeous! Nice work.

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  6. well, I absolutely love it, the fabric is beautiful of course but its so nice see how this blouse looks made up and I would try it, slippery fabric and all. You wear it well.
    I made the version without the ruffle collar attachment and I did notice the separated back, just before I cut the fabric, I'm talking about pins and pattern on fabric ready to snip and then I noticed it. so there you go, you are not the only person that missed it. I think I missed what SKIRT you are planning to make for this, what is it?

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  7. Wow, considering it gave you so much trouble the second top came out BEAUTIFUL. Both of them are gorgeous! And that fabric, to die for!

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  8. Ditto everyone else, this new blouse is gorgeous. I love the print and it's flowy behavior. You did a wonderful job.

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  9. That is a beautiful top!!! You always look so elegant. That top is on my very long list of things I want to make.

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  10. I am so happy that didn't become a UFO. I love it!! I had my eye on it but it was pretty way down on the list. Now it is inching up because I have the perfect fabric based on your recommendations...and WARNINGS..LOL!

    Love it. Great job!

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  11. Both blouses turned out gorgeous, they look fantastic on you.

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  12. I love both blouses and both look really nice on you. The fabric for the second one is stunning --- I'm glad you finished it. Beautiful work!

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  13. That second blouse looks so soft and chic. But I do love both blouses. They look very good on you.

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  14. Wow, I love that fabric. It looks just perfect with that pattern.

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  15. Wonderful fabric and the second blouse is very unique. Lovely!

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  16. I am glad that you finished it. Both are fantastic!

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  17. What a great Art Nouveau print! It moved so much it could have been alive... oh the trials of sewing. Good on you for sticking to the project, persistence is the number 1 UFO prevention, no? And nice that you figured out the concealed placket. The airco must be on full tilt if you're wearing fitted pants in a Hong Kong July! Here in Brussels it's too hot for them.

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  18. Wow, fantastic job, Allison! That second print is really unusual and pretty. I've been thinking about this top myself–glad to see it turn out so well.

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  19. Even though the 2nd shirt gave you lots of grief it looks wonderful. I really like the first one too!

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  20. Both blouses are gorgeous, but the second one is especially impressive - such a good result with a difficult fabric. Slippery fabric more often than not spends some time in the UFO bin in my sewing room as well.

    Glad you're blog-rested and back with us.

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  21. Ooooh. I liked that one in the magazine and I see that it makes up beautifully. So many projects, so little time! Love your print!

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  22. I love the fabric and your top looks wonderful on you. Well worth all the effort :)
    (Thank you for mentioning my blog :))

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  23. The "mermaid" top is lovely...it is a wonderful top to begin with and your fabric choice just takes it to the next level!

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  24. I like both tops. But the ruffle blouse is my favorite. Really lovely blouse.

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