Vogue 8815 with Belt

My first attempt at this Vogue 8815 peplum top was my first post for Mood Sewing Network, you can see it here on my blog.  I like this top but since it has been washed a few times, it is very short waisted and the darts don't hit in the right spot.

I added one more inch to the body of the top, added and inch to each side of the center front  on the peplum so I could pleat the peplum and I adjusted the darts.

Here was my inspiration top, I loved the pleats and the belt.  Love your skinny little waist too!

From my pinterest board

I used a snakeskin knit from Fabric Mart, which still is in stock and a great price.

I might like my top a bit better without a belt or with a wider belt.  I am so straight without much waist definition a wider belt might be better

You can see in this picture my belt won't stay in place.

I do like the pleats in the peplum, a bit of a change and this will be a great top to wear under cardigans and jackets.

Red Pants and Navy Ponte Top

You know when you see an outfit and think I HAVE to recreate this?  Well, that was my thought when I pinned this outfit.  After, Mood Fabrics contacted me to be part of the Mood Sewing Network, I knew this was the outfit I wanted to make for my debut outfit.

I have had red skinny jeans in my wardrobe for a year now but knew a wide leg trouser style would be a perfect addition.  I perfected the fit on Burda  7447 pants and widened the legs  from the knee down for more of a wide leg  look. This Burda pattern has all the elements of a great trouser, welt pockets, front pockets, wide waistband and belt loops, it seemed like a natural choice for my red pants.

Once you get past the welt pockets on the back of the trousers, these pants go together very quickly. I selected Lipstick Red Italian Cotton Suiting for the trousers.  This fabric is the perfect weight and drape for the pants.

 One fact that helped me with the welt pockets, was to baste the stitching lines of the welt pocket on both back pieces.  This helps to keep your stitching consistent on each back piece and your welt pockets look the same!

For the peplum top the natural choice was Vogue 8815, a very popular pattern in the blogosphere for the very trendy peplum top.  I did add 1" to the bodice of the top, it looked very short on the pattern envelope.  For the peplum top, I selected a ponte knit.  Mood had the perfect shade in the  Dark Navy Ponte to complete my inspiration picture.  I did want to add a little something extra  to the back of the peplum top and an exposed zipper seemed to be the perfect addition.

Here is a close-up of the exposed zipper

For a great video on exposed zippers check out Gertie's clip from It's Sew Easy

You know when you have on an outfit and it just makes you feel great?  Well, this outfit does that for me, in my mind I stand a little straighter, have a confidence in my stride and a smile on my face.  It is that perfect combination of the right fabric and pattern to achieve "the look".  My garments turned out just like the picture I found on the internet and the picture I had in my head, gotta love that.  These pieces look amazing together but will work independently as well.  Oh, happy days!

I think my  outfit looks great here on the farm:

and it looks really good attending a baby shower for my daughter:

Yes, I am one excited first-time "nana"!

Check out my first  post at Mood Sewing Network