For the Love of Patterns: Vintage Vogue Pattern V8811

You don't know this about me, but I have this obsession with patterns. Seriously, I really enjoy collecting them. Whenever I see that Joann Fabric and Craft Store is having a pattern sale, my heart skips a beat, my eyes bug and I can't help but mentally note the date of the start of the sale. When there is not a pattern sale going on, I like to jot down the number of the pattern so that when they do go on sale, I will know EXACTLY where to head. Yes, this is no joke. Any way, I figured I would introduce you to my vast array of patterns and the clothing that has come out them. My goal is to make at least one garment out of each of my patterns. I also have patterns for the rest of my family, but I doubt they'll allow me to post their pictures on my blog. Maybe? Hmmm.....we shall see. The first pattern I thought I'd feature is one that I used very recently. It turned out to be my Easter Sunday dress. I still need a belt, but I guess that will come later. Let me preface this by saying that I am in NO way an expert seamstress. I really enjoy it but am not a professional, so for those of you that are reading this and you ARE an expert, feel free to message me to let me know of a better way of doing things. I LOVE to learn tips and tricks from others. Don't be surprised if I use your tips in a future blog (with credit, of course). Let me introduce you to a lovely Vogue pattern from their Vintage Vogue collection, pattern V8811. It reminds me of a shirt dress, which is why I bought the pattern. I have many halter top patterns and a few button down patterns, so I thought I'd go a different route. Then there's the fabric. This peach and white fabric caught my eye. It reminds me of something that would have come out of the early fifties. I'm not an era purist, but that's ok, that's just me and my style.

The first thing I like to do after cutting out the pattern (bo-ring!) is I adjust it to fit me. I'm shaped like an inverted triangle, so although it's a great body type for a gymnast or swimmer, it's a tad off when it comes to patterns. Oh, have I mentioned that I'm short? Yes, I am slightly under 5 feet tall AND at the moment I use size 16 pattern (no, it's not the same as the size 16 you buy off the rack). I have to take in the back and chest parts of patterns or else the garment ends up loose. I like to eyeball it, since I'm a visual person, but if you need to measure your pattern adjustments, you may want to adjust the pattern first (use removable tape so you don't rip your pattern), make a muslin sample garment, then adjust the pattern again if it needs to be readjusted. Since I've done all that before (and ain't no one got time for that!) I went ahead and adjusted the pattern as I have before.

Don't forget, when adjusting your pattern to make sure that you adjust all the other pieces that will be connected to it. You will know this by the pattern markings (some have one diamond, other pieces have 2 diamonds, etc.). I like to set the piece that will be adjusted to the corrected piece on top of the corrected piece so that I can adjust it to match, like so.

Then there's the skirt. As stated before, I am just a tad bit taller than a little person, so of course I have to adjust the length on ALL my lower garments. I took up the skirt about an inch and a quarter or so, but I probably could have brought it up a little more. But I do enjoy the length of the finished garments, so all is well. Here is one piece of the skirt, I did the same to the other side.

I followed the directions TO A "T", as I always do with a new pattern. The directions were pretty good, the only complaint I had was with the joining of the skirt to the bodice. Normally, I turn the bodice right side out and pin inside the skirt, which is inside out, so that the right sides are matching. When I finish stitching I flip up the bodice & voila! They are perfectly joined and quite sturdy. With the way the directions had me do it, I had to stitch the free edge of the bodice nicely then join onto the front of the skirt. I don't feel that the two are joined very well, so the next time I make it I'm going to ignore the pattern directions and do what I'm used to. A bit rebellious? Maybe. So here is the finished dress on my mannequin.....

And here it is on me. I wore it all day on Easter Sunday. I even took a nap in it. Quite comfy, fit me perfectly and was a unique piece. Oh, why the solid color on the top and the print on the bottom? That's what happens when one purchases fabric without taking the pattern envelope to the fabric store. Another lesson learned. Gotta love patterns.