After playing around with a few different versions of the Butterick pattern pieces to petite the pattern/raise the neckline, I got motivated to try Kwik Sew 3554.
I'm happy to say that although this was a practice garment, made with leftover knit fabric from my stash, I really like this and will be making more! The next one will be much more polished and professional as I will make a few changes and also take more than 1/2 hour to sew it, but here it is. I figured it would be a bit TMI for me to model it, but I got two thumbs-up from Jim when I showed it to him!
Here it is on J.Lo, though:
This is a great way to use leftover scraps of knit fabric. Kwik Sew does the XS, S, M, L, XL sizing and the S fit me perfectly even though my seam allowances were 3/8" instead of 1/4". I changed it to make it a halter instead of traditional straps, as I'm planning to wear it as lingerie instead of a slip, per se, and I like halters better. Next time I would not use the coverstitch machine for the edging (too sporty) and also would actually read the instructions that say to do the back upper hem first before sewing together (that's why my stitching doesn't exactly line up on one side.) I used the gathering foot for the underbust gathers and that was quick and accurate, so I would do that again. I can see many more of these in my future. I have another Kwik Sew patterns for silky wovens, and I want to try that one too.
Thanks for all the details you share on your Blog, they are all really hgelpful.
I have awarded you the Sunshine Award for all the inspiration you have given me to get on and try more dressmaking for myself.
Posted by: Mandy | January 31, 2010 at 06:31 AM
I'm not surprised that you got 2 thumbs up, this is great! I don't have any Kwik Sew patterns, but I do have lots of scraps! Adding this to the wish list...
Posted by: Kristine | January 31, 2010 at 09:49 AM
So, are you goin gto become the world's next lingerie designer? This looks really cute!
Posted by: Carol | January 31, 2010 at 09:50 AM
I think that turned out very well, even for a practice garment. I always found it very difficult to find certain kinds of slips, and I always wanted to copy one that I bought in Paris (silk with gray lace). I think now that you can do this, you may want to start making occasional pieces lingerie. Heck, you may even start wearing slips because you will be able to make such beautiful ones.
Posted by: marjorie | January 31, 2010 at 04:05 PM
I purchased my 1st kwik sew in December, but it was for underwear. I haven't tried it yet. You did a really nice job on this one. I think I might be adding this one to my list.
Posted by: Andrea | January 31, 2010 at 07:15 PM
So, how many garments-a-month did you sign up for? LOL. j/k. It is really cute! I could even see going up a size and wearing it as a swim cover up. Those gathers look awesome!
Posted by: Jenny | January 31, 2010 at 07:57 PM
Very nice! A few issues ago Burda had a pattern for a camisole and shorts ( I think they call them tap pants) that was really cute. I'm dying to start garment sewing again and was thinking that would be my first garment since it was pretty simple. Your slip looks really comfy and I can see why it got two thumbs up! ;)
Posted by: Arizona | January 31, 2010 at 11:02 PM
This is very cute Robin!
Posted by: adrienne | February 01, 2010 at 12:22 PM