Hey Everyone! THIS IS MY 100TH POST!!! Perfect for blogging about something awesome... liiiiiike,

I'm sure by now you've seen something about this around the blogosphere, since the blog tour is HUGE (see below), and I hope you've jumped on board because it is AWESOME! I mean seriously...

Take 5 indie sewing pattern designers, and this Amazing Charity:


Put them together and it's pretty much the best idea EVER (spearheaded by Jill and Rachel - these two women are amazing!) I mean yes, I am a little biased, being a seamstress and a teacher - I have even been sponsored though Donor's Choose! We got a very cool world drum for my music classroom that our school could not have afforded otherwise :) It's definitely a worthy cause, as if supporting the five amazing pattern designers wasn't enough! But there's not much time left! The deal ends Friday 3/21/14 at 8PM, EST (that's only 24 hours!) so get over there and support Perfect Pattern Parcel! Did I mention it's name your own price? :)

As part of getting the word out about the PPP, I made up one of the patterns: the Victory Ava Peplum Top. Gotta love those peplums! I have made the Lady Skater dress before and wanted to try something new. The sweetheart neckline, full peplum and cute cap sleeves caught my eye right away!


Here are the details:

Pattern: Victory Patterns Ava Peplum Top (c/o Perfect Pattern Parcel)

Size: Originally cut a 6 at bust, then attempted to recut to a 4, graded out to an 8 at waist

My Shape: Tall (6'), pear shape, narrow shoulders, long torso

Fabric:

Main - Atelier Brunette Like a Dandy Cotton Cambric from Anna K Bazaar, first seen by Jolies Bobines
Contrast - Ivory Tencel Shirting from Joann Fabrics - also used for my colorblocked Scout Tee


Size Alterations:

Originally I cut a size 6 for the bust, grading out to an 8 at the waist - the 4 and 6 are close in measurements and finished measurements so apparently I thought it would be better to not grade as much. However, after sewing the darts and side seams on the lower bodice pieces, I realized it was definitely going to be too big. I attempted to recut as much as I could to a size 4. It's still a bit wide, especially at the shoulders, but hey - live and learn.

Next time I will definitely be lengthening the bodice pieces - the waistline hits above my natural waist by almost 2"! Should have fixed that this time around, but I was squeezing every last thread to get all the pieces to fit on my fabric!


Design Changes:

I cut the cap sleeves out of the main fabric. Originally, I intended to make the neck binding out of the main fabric too, but decided against it in the end. I may use the extra piece to make a waistband and get that waistline where it should be! What do you think? Add a waistband or leave it as is??


Construction Notes:

The neckline. Ugh. Everything was going great... until the neckline. I have never sewn anything where you have to pivot like this and I got too eager and snipped in too close and made things even more difficult for myself. The final result is my third attempt, and I'm pretty okay with it. However, I definitely had a moment of OMG CAN I EVEN SEW!?! AM I EVEN ALLOWED TO CALL MYSELF A SEAMSTRESS WHEN I CAN'T FREAKING PIVOT?! trying to work it out the first couple times. I referenced this helpful picture tutorial from DIY Fox (what a cute blog name!) and it finally came together. I think I really just need more practice. Aaannd to not get snip happy with the scissors. I chuckled when I read Amy's post about the top and the neckline not being symmetrical, b/c mine is definitely the same way and it was driving me crazy. It made me feel better that (a) I was not alone and (b) It actually wasn't that noticeable on hers, so maybe it wouldn't be on mine.


Oh! And I serged the hem, intending to turn it under, but I kind of like the cream border - still deciding on this!


All this to say, everything went together really well except that darndit neckline. The main fabric is so cute and soft, I really like the contrast yoke and... Peplum! :)  After doubting my skills as a seamstress over that dumb pivot, it made me feel a lot better to realize that I am BOSS at sewing invisible zippers in a hurry - Yeah! :)  Do you have any tricky sewing skills that you are like "I ROCK AT THIS!"??? Have you / would you make the AVA pattern? How about the awesomeness that is Perfect Pattern Parcel? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and thanks for reading :)