EASY, QUICK GLAMOUR FROM NEW LOOK 6892

I first made up this New Look pattern a few weeks ago (see my previous post for a picture of version one) and liked wearing it so much that I decided to make another.

It's very quick and straight-forward to make (though I have to say I didn't quite manage their two hour estimation for either the first or second version). This would be a really great pattern for a beginner.

It's a pretty easy pattern to fit. I have very narrow shoulders so I cut a size 10 for the neck, shoulders and sleeves grading up to a size 12 from the armholes downwards (Technically, going by the Sizing measurments this is one size smaller than I should have but I am learning to always go down a size with the big 4). I also did a small FBA (by making a dart then rotating it into the neck gathers) so as to keep it loose-fitting across the bust and to ensure the front length was right. Even though I cut a smaller neck I still cut 4 inches off the length of the neckline elastic because I didn't want my bra straps to show - one of the good things about this pattern is that this is a very easy fix and you can adjust the neckline to exactly how you want it.

I like the style of this pattern because it has some shaping through the waist so you can avoid the 'heavily pregnant look' (a great look if you are expecting but not so good if you aren't) but it's still loose enough to be comforable. For both versions I chose View B because I love the flouncy sleeves - I have a real thing about flounces and ruffles at the moment!

Here's the second version -

It's made in a beautiful silk charmeuse from Gorgeous Fabrics - this big, bold print was crying out from my stash to be made up in this pattern - I was going for an exotic, summer in the tropics look!

So, if you're looking for a quick top with a bit of glamour, this is a great pattern.

NEW YORK CITY - FABRIC, FASHION, FOOD AND ART

I recently returned from a two week trip to New York city. Although I live in London I travel to New York as often as I can and every time I get there I feel the urge to kneel down and kiss the sidewalk - I love, love, love to be there so much! So, here's a few highlights of my trip ....

Of course no trip to New York is complete without a thorough look round the fabric suppliers of the garment district. Unfortunately I have put myself on a very strict fabric regime at the moment - my stash is getting rather overstuffed (more about that at a later date) so I showed unprecedented restraint and only made two fabric purchases, both from Mood Designer Fabrics (I always imagine myself on Project Runway in there!).

The first is a light-weight cotton with a lovely satin finish in a large peachy orange and bright pink print (I've photographed it with the carrier bag so you get an idea of the scale.)

I'm imagining this made up in a caftan type of top - something along the lines of Tory Burch or in the style of Michael Kors' wonderful summer casual wear.

My second purchase was a real find. It's a silk twill and, as you can see from the selvage, was originally produced for the designer Rebecca Taylor -

Aren't these colours just gorgeous? I am planning to make this up into a traditional style party frock. I am considering this pattern, New Look 6723 -

But don't hold me to that because there is a lot on my to-do list and I might have totally different thoughts by the time I get to this!

In New York I have lots of favourite places to go and things I like to do but I always like to add something new to my list. This time I found a wonderful place to have tea - Alice's Tea Cup - which is in three different locations (check them out at http://www.alicesteacup.com/). Their scones are sooooo delicious. Also, and this is a big WOW, was The High Line (the walkway running from the Meatpacking district up to Chelsea alongside the river). What a great stroll and wonderful views. I had heard about it but I actually stumbled on it accidentally after having visited Trina Turk's boutique in Gansevoort Street, which is where the High Line starts (for more about the High Line go to http://www.thehighline.org/).

We also visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art and, as you might expect, went to see their exhibition The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion, which was very inspirational for a humble home sewer like me and even Mr Fabulous, my lovely husband, enjoyed it! We also climbed to the roof to look at Roxy Paine's sculpture, Maelstrom. Here I am entangled in it -

Finally, back to a strictly sewing theme, here I am strolling the New York streets in a top that I made from New Look pattern no. 6892.

This is such a great pattern, I really recommend it - it's easy to fit and quick to make and I love those sleeve flounces. By the way, the fabric is from Gorgeous Fabrics. For more info on this one, please take a look at my review on Pattern Review.