Pattern Challenge: Cabo Halter

Over the weekend I finally had the chance to finish the first of my Pattern Challenge projects. I chose the Cabo Halter pattern from Amy Butler to get the challenge started.

This choice was not an arbitrary one, as this pattern had been bugging me for quite some time. A little time line:
After I bought the pattern I pretty soon started creating the first version of the halter top . Luckily, I chose to make a muslin before using any of my “good” fabric. I finished it up to the point when the zipper should be put in.

And then I tried it on.

Well, let’s just say, the upper part wasn’t very “covering” and definitely too small for me. The rest of the top fit just fine (I had chosen the Medium size).

So, not having any idea about what to do, I set it aside. And took it out again when this pattern challenge first came to my attention. At this point I had already read a few things about FBA (Full Bust Adjustment), so I kind of new what to do. At least I thought so… 😉

I searched for resources on the Internet and found quite a lot of suggestions about how to handle such an adjustment.

My favourites:

• Sew, Mama, Sew! article

• “Y”-Bust Dart Alteration

• Several Alteration Techniques

After I now was kind of informed, I just got to work and did my own alteration. I kind of used a “Y”-Bust Dart Alteration, creating a fuller bodice. During the sewing process I (= noob) realised I of course had to alter the other pattern pieces accordingly. I did a bit of tweaking there, so everything fit together nicely.

[My pattern alteration in process.]

The pattern itself is very easy to follow – the instructions are very clear, even for someone like me, who doesn’t really sew clothes. I did a lot of pressing (thanks here to my grandma who gave me a steam iron station as a present – love it!) and the light cotton fabric I chose was quite nice to sew. It’s a very cheap cotton, bought as a bargain in a pack of several fabrics. Originally it was white, but as never quite know what to do with white fabric I dyed it to a light blue.

Back to the pattern: even the zipper was easy to install! And I had been so afraid of that step!

So, here is  my result:
[I just noticed I could have pressed it before photographing it. Sorry about that. ;-)]

You’ll notice two additions.

Firstly, I added a “modesty panel” to the front of the halter, as although the bodice was more forgiving due to my alterations, it still gaped wide open. I just used a bit of leftover fabric folded in half for this, having topstitched it first.

I attached the panel by also sewing it to the lower part of the halter top and by topstitching all around the upper part of the top (from the center over the straps down to the back).

Secondly, I used some of the trim I bought recently at the thrift store, to add some interest to the single-coloured top.

Hope you like it!

P.S.: I’ll model the top soon, so you’ll have a photo of it on a “real-life” model too.

P.P.S.: Just a note: beware when using disappearing fabric marker. Or more specific: don’t mistake your permanent marker for your fabric marker. Yes, I did that. And yes, I had to cut a whole lot of new pieces out of my fabric.

Joining the Pattern Challenge

With all those still unused sewing patterns lying around, I just had to join the Pattern Challenge over at Come And See The Seitz.

Sarah asks of the participants of the challenge to put into writing our goals, so here are mine. With summer coming up (I know, I know, it’s still quite a bit away.), I’d like to finish the following projects (the patterns and some of the fabrics I’ll use are already in my possession):

The patterns are (from left to right):
1. McCall’s M5880 2. Amy Butler’s Cabo Halter 3. McCall’s M5653
4. Vogue V8553 5. McCall’s M5662 6. Vogue V1086
7. McCall’s M5586 8. McCall’s M5425 9. Vogue V8241

I think I’m going to be able to give quite a realistic review of these patterns, as they are mostly labelled as being “very easy”, so ideal for me as a newbie to sewing clothes. I’ll take lots of pictures and quite a few of them will probably include a seam ripper, but hey, that’s the way to learn, isn’t it?