Let's begin with the most out-there-at-the-edge-of-my-comfort-zone garment, the shirt designed by Liz Mizono (Vogue 1274):
Want to fly with me, anyone? Seriously. this shirt contains a. lot. of. fabric. And I'm not sure how great I look with all of that fabric around my midriff and hips. Funny thing is, I never tried folding the flaps back, as on the pattern. I think they probably wouldn't be wide enough to meet in the back without making the shirt too tight on me. Honestly. So I just left them to hang. Which looks great while twirling, but I get dizzy easily, so I'm not sure how much I will wear this.
This was a really fun make, and I found no problems with the pattern. I followed the instructions as written, including the french seams. I added a few inches of length just above the side drapes, but the sleeves were good as is.
The fabric is a shirting weight cotton from Homespun Boutique in Ithaca, NY. It's a really beautiful piece of goods. I love how well the buttons match (from Sawyer Brook, of course).
The sleeve is finished with a drape, echoing what's going on at the hip. A nice design touch!
Diane Ericson has used this pattern several times to great effect, proving it's a fabulous starting point for design excursions. I'd love to work with it more, but first I'll have to see how I like wearing it.
This shirt is crying out for some skinny pants, rather than these jeans. I don't own any leggings or skinny pants - another comfort zone issue - but I'll be buying or making some before spring. That's the soonest I'll be able to wear it, as autumn has set in here in New England. So it will be a few months before I know whether to get the pattern out and play with it, or file it in the archives.
Is this pattern languishing in your library? Do you want to make it but don't quite dare to do so? Or, have you made it and found you like it, or hate it? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!
