McCall's M7789 Jumpsuit for Elsa

It has been a while since I made my beautiful girl a new outfit.

Recently, Spotlight had a huge pattern sale.

I sent a link to the older three 'kidults' and told them to pick a few.

Elsa chose M7789 .

Clothing Image from Dissh, outfits currently available

It seems that pretty clothes are back in fashion and lilac is a popular colour this year.

I found this fabric which was also from Spotlight and also on sale, which was great because these trousers were fabric hungry!

M7789 allows you to mix and match, the skirt or trousers with the different style top.

Elsa is in Adelaide at University so I cut the pattern per her measurements.

The top was cut to a size 10 and the hips to the size 14 (although Elsa's hips measured a size 18, I was pretty sure there was enough ease).

I shortened the leg by two inches.

I sewed the garment up (making the shoulder straps adjustable from the back, rather than the front) to the point of fitting the zipper and then waited for Elsa to come for a visit .

It wasn't too bad.

First off, there is a ridiculous  amount of ease in this pattern.

I had to pinch a large amount out of the centre back of the bodice which I could but I would have preferred to fit and remove that equally from the side seams.

As I was sewing with measurements (and the bodice and waist section is self lined) I was happy with ease removed from the back BUT I have altered that pattern for next time.

The hips and bottom fit were spot on!

When you consider I should have cut two sizes up they would have been huge!

~My Verdict~

I was a little surprised to see this pattern graded as 'EASY'. Whilst not overly difficult (and possibly my fabric choice added to the challenge) there was a lot of fabric in those legs to maneuverer and the bodice and straps were a little twisty and tricky to sew.

That said, it had great instructions (with nice finishing techniques such as under stitching all the bodice)

I think the pattern would look equally lovely in a linen, in fact Dissh has a very similar dress to the other View.

I would definitely recommend it but advise you to be aware of the ease and suggest you could size back, possibly two sizes.

~Elsa's Verdict~

Comfortable and beautifully fitting, great for dressing up and dressing down. Not to mention the stunning fabric.

Thank you for reading ... xx N

Lekala Two-Sided Cape #5723

A few years back, Jed purchased me an utterly gorgeous piece of cashmere from Eliza's Fabric, in Sunshine, Melbourne.

From memory, it was around the $30/m, which is quite pricey for Eliza's, and the owner pretty much insisted I take the last 3 metres.

I had great plans of making myself a peacoat, just had to get around to it....
So, I washed it and stored it away in a drawer. Unfortunately I didn't use mothballs and it was nibbled along the fold lines.
Not Happy Jan!

Back to present day, Lidia had two formal evening events and needed something to wear over her evening dresses.
The Twins will also be attending several balls a year.
We decided a cape would be the most practical option after fitting Liddy's yellow lace dress (to be blogged) which was quite firm about the arms.

We found this cape, Lekala #5723 which is designed to be sewn in leather but I couldn't see any reason why it wouldn't work for us.

Image from Pinterest

Lidia perused Pinterest a found a cape she liked, and I realised it was a similar colour to my fabric.
As the pattern was quite short I wondered if I could jiggle it around the nibbles.

I did!
I really wish I had added the epaulettes.
I think the faux tortoiseshell buttons stop it from looking stuffy and I think this garment could transition to daywear as well.

I used my favourite lining choice, stretch satin, in the prettiest of rose gold.
From the remnant bin at Eliza's Fabrics.
The main garment is sewn, setting in the collar in a rather fiddly but awfully rewarding fashion, and then the lining is sewn to the edge of the front facing.

I then bagged the lining, going in through an opening in the side seam which I then sewed up by hand.

The cape is s e r i o u s l y  w i d e.

It's Trixie wide!

But the combination of the decadent cashmere and lush satin means it drapes beautifully.

It looks gorgeous on and makes me a little less sad that I didn't care for it properly, in storage.

~Lidia's Verdict~
This cape was a perfect throw-over for my formal dress.  It had a silky lining so it didn’t itch my bare shoulders or arms. 
The colour is a really nice and a good neutral colour so it works with what ever I wear under it. 

The cape is a really nice piece that I can dress up with a fancy dress or dress down with denim  jeans and a white shirt. It’s a really lovely addition to my wardrobe and I am excited to wear it again. It is also a good size that fits a little like the Travelling Sisterhood Pants, they seem to fit everyone. This cape is a size that comfortably fits Mum, Zara, Elsa and me.

It’s really lovely to wear and I think it looks really nice on.
 When I wear it I feel like a proper young lady. 
Thank you Mum x.

~My Verdict~
I thoroughly enjoyed this sew. Making coats and jackets is my thang. 
I love constructing anything with wool or wool blends and I appreciate the fact it is a garment that will get a lot of wear (usually)
The instructions were okay for this, I have made this style of collar before, where you partially sew it and the attach it to the main and lining so it is hollow and open inside (this does give you the opportunity to 'roll' the garment and get a lovely 'sit')
I chose to top stitch the seams to make it look less formal and I like the lovely 'fat' edging it results in.
A very happy sew.

And it even fits me!

Thank you for reading xx N