Monday, December 10, 2012

Project #29: Style Arc Creative Cate

For the longest time, I've danced around this pattern. I'd received it as the free pattern with my first Style Arc order. I LOVE cowl neck tops and dresses, but after the disaster that was Vogue 1250 for me, I lost confidence in them. I thought, perhaps they just didn't look that good on bigger girls. So, I kept dragging out this pattern, putting it on my "to-sew" list and then putting it away again when the garment didn't eventuate.



This time, I bit the bullet, made the necessary alterations (which involved adding a significant amount at the side seams to accomodate my apple shaped body) and cut it out. I used some eggplant coloured Dry Knit that I bought in a January sale at Spotlight a couple of years ago for $2 a metre. It's perfect for a muslin. As it turns out, it's perfect for this top. The weight and drape is just right. The 'muslin' turned out so well, I wore it to work on Monday with a winter white ponte skirt that I had made earlier this year. Granted, I do work in air-conditioning so the polyester content of the fabric wasn't as bad as it could have been.

Please excuse the ridiculous look on my face. I don't even know what was going on there!

Alterations:
  • Added 1 1/2" to the side seams
  • Lengthened top by 2"
  • Lengthened sleeves by 2"
Changes for next time:
  • Widen sleeves 1"

I am keen to make up some more of this top now in some of the other knits I have hiding in my stash. It's perfect for using up smaller cuts, too. I also thought I might lengthen it to a dress to make up for my disappointment over the Vogue 1250 failure.
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10 comments:

  1. BeaJayDecember 10, 2012 at 5:10 PM

    Wow - love it. I too have this pattern and have been putting it off - mainly because of the sleeves. I need ample coverage. I have put it in my SWAP for Artisan Square - but was wondering how it would turn out with lengthened sleeves. Yours is great - love it. I am now looking forward to altering and sewing mine. Did you lengthen the whole sleeve or just the "outside line" if you know what I mean?

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  2. BeaJayDecember 10, 2012 at 5:12 PM

    BTW - did you post about the 1250 - I have this pattern too and am interested in the problems you had.

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    1. KelleyDecember 10, 2012 at 6:24 PM

      Hi BeaJay, for this version of the Cate top, I had just lengthened the hem of the sleeve by drawing a line parallel to the existing hem but 2" away. I've already added 1/2" width to the pattern for the next one. I found these sleeves to be a little tighter than I'd like.

      Belinda from Sew4Fun did a version of the Cate top where she used the armscye and long sleeve from another top and transferred them to the Cate top. That looked really good, too. Perhaps that's something you could try. I really liked the cut-on sleeve in this instance for its ease of sewing.

      I didn't post about Vogue 1250 because I never got past the muslin stage. I found it looked awful on me. I had to grade the pattern up for starters (which isn't a deal breaker) but when I put it on, it just accentuated my abdomen - the one part of my body about which I'm most self-conscious. I just don't think that dress did me any favours so I never went to the good fabric stage with it.

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    2. BeaJayDecember 31, 2012 at 9:43 AM

      Thanks for the info Kelly.

      I am now ready to make the Cate top. I am going to cut it within the next week. If it works for me and I post about it, I would like to include a link to your site. Are you happy for me to do that?

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    3. KelleyJanuary 10, 2013 at 12:09 PM

      Sorry to take so long to get back to you, but I'm totally fine with you to link (or not) to my blog.

      I've seen your new top(s) and they look fantastic!

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  3. SueDecember 10, 2012 at 8:12 PM

    Wow at 29! Woo hoo! Love the colour of that top - very like the colour of my dress.

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    1. KelleyDecember 11, 2012 at 4:53 AM

      ...which I can't wait to see. Hope your persistence has paid off with beautifully smooth seams.

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  4. JanineDecember 10, 2012 at 10:49 PM

    Looking good - and past half way on the stash projects.

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    1. KelleyDecember 11, 2012 at 4:54 AM

      Thanks, Janine. Woefully, though, there's no shortage of projects to finish out the 50. I'm having trouble updating the tracker, so I'm just going to have to rely on the post numbers from here on in. Thanks for dropping by.

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  5. TrudyJanuary 15, 2013 at 5:16 AM

    Thank you, Kelley, for weighing in on the grandparent name discussion on my blog. I really appreciate your input. It will help to relax and not take it too seriously.

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