In House Patterns – Diana

07 Nov In House Patterns – Diana

I recently discovered dozens of unanswered messages on Messenger. This is an app I have downloaded but do not use and I apologize to anyone who wrote to me expecting a reply. The best way to contact me is through my blog or by Instagram DM.

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When I returned to sewing nine years ago I vowed to complete each project before starting another and the decision has served me well. This garment is a great example for me to remember, because it would have be trashed before I put the sleeves on….

Last month I happened upon a forum in Threads Magazine entitled Best Bodice Block design from In House Patterns, a pattern company I was unfamiliar with. As I checked out the website, I could hardly believe that one of the 11 offered patterns was a silhouette I had be searching for.

I am a huge fan of Lilly Pulitzer’s Elsa Silk Tops and they are the one garment I continue to unapologetically buy. The raglan sleeve top is gently gathered by smocking, and finished with a banded neckline and narrow front placket. The gentle drapes of the silk are very flattering, and while it is loose it is not oversized.

However, a little Lilly goes a long way!

I was giddy when I saw the Diana Pattern. It is not smocked, has set in sleeves with a cuff AND a back yoke, but my eyes saw it as a great alternative to the Elsa Top.

I liked it so much I was willing to download the PDF pattern, buy new cartridges for the printer, tape and cut the pattern, and transfer all of the pieces to pattern paper. My expectations were so high for this pattern that it was doomed from the start.

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I ordered an inexpensive polyester from Fashion Fabrics club for the first sew and cut the pattern according to my measurements and cup size. Early into the project, but too late to make alterations, I knew the top would be too big.
Maybe you are not this type, but since I was anticipating failure, I began to drag my feet with the top. I spray painted all of our outdoor furniture, pruned the backyard, cleaned out the garage and the refrigerator before facing the music.

When I finally settled down, I began to notice how beautifully the Diana Pattern is drafted.

Even the band collar was completely issue free.
Alexandra Morgan’s instructions are excellent. Being raised on Big 4 terminology, I had to reread some of the directions, but I was all the better for it.

In addition to fitting, the only change I will make is from a personal preference perspective. The placket is finished on the serger, but I plan to finish the next one with a self bias strip or a turned edge.

I’ve got my work cut out for me to turn this pattern into what I want it to be, but all issues with this first top were pilot error, and I now know what to do. I have a beautiful piece of equestrian silk that I’ll use for top number two, and hopefully I’ll stay focused.

What would I have accomplished had I tossed this project midway through? I would not have painted my furniture OR cleaned the garage, but more importantly I would not have fine tuned my vision for the next garment. I would have concluded the pattern is not for me and moved on to possibly another failure.

This oversized top fits right in with my pandemic lifestyle so all is not lost 😉

 

Best wishes for a great weekend!