30 June 2014

Vivienne Pattern Review & Giveaway!

I love saying yes to trying out new women's patterns because it forces me to sew for myself.  My-asymetrical-not-entirely-content-with-my-body-self.  (Is anyone ever entirely content with one's body?) Because sometimes we need to be forced to do good (hard) things.  So when the girls of Violette Field Threads asked if I'd try out their Vivienne skirt and blouse, I agreed. 

We've all seen the cute girl's pattern, and enough moms out there understandingly wanted it for themselves!
Basically, it's two skirts: one simple gathered skirt with rows of ruffles, and one overskirt that just wraps around.  The shirt pattern (not the one pictured above) is loosely shaped with buttons up (or would you say down?) the back, which makes it a bit difficult to get dressed by yourself, but it's always fun to feel pampered and maybe a bit nostalgic to have your loved one fasten you up. ;) And I'm always up for a challenge.
I made several minor alterations that I'll share, some very visible, some not so much. I wanted to make something that I feel comfortable and confident in and that I'll wear frequently, but you can, of course, sew this straight up and get great results:
 I added 2 additional darts (there are already two bust darts and I added two princess seam darts, you could also add a couple to the back as well) to the front of the shirt and took in the sides to make it fitted.  Blouse-y doesn't look good on me, so I felt much better about the more tailored look.
 I took the gathers out of the sleeves because I have very broad shoulders to begin with that any added poof makes me look more like a football player.
 I lengthened the underskirt by several inches (maybe 7?) and lengthened the overskirt by a few, so if you sew it up as is, the overskirt covers more of the ruffles than mine does.
 Instead of a casing for the waist, I used a thick ruffled elastic for the waistband.  Speaking of elastic, don't you love that it's ruffled?! I got it from my favorite ruffle fabric store.  I like to drool at all their amazing elastic (not to mention fabric!)  They even have aztec elastic! I know!
 I didn't do buttons on the overskirt for the closure.  The buttons are definitely a cute feature, but I was messing around with it and thought about tying it.  It's just long enough that you can tie it in a knot and since it's double-sided, it shows a peek of the lining fabric when you do. Fun!
The neckline is very sweet and flattering.  I considered adding a collar, but then decided to just make the appearance of a color with some tiny black lace.  
One of the great things about this is you can mix each piece up.  The shirt would be great with pants, you can wear the underskirt alone, you can tie the overskirt around some jeans or leggings.
All very versatile!
Over the years of making clothes for 6 girls (yes, I'm counting myself, too!) I've ruffled (more than) my fair share of ruffles.  I've figured a few things out, but I always learn something new. Some pointers for ruffling on this project:
 It's very helpful if you use a fabric that can rip easily to rip the strips of fabric.
 To hem the bottom of the strips, invest in a rolled hem foot for your sewing machine.  What this means is you don't have to spend hours and hours ironing the edge up once and then twice and then sewing.  It does it all at the same time.  Trust me.  You will thank me.
 To finish the top portion of the strips, use the rolled hem stitch on your serger. This just zips through your machine, nicely finishing the edges. You could also do a satin stitch on your sewing machine, but it would take longer.
 I used my ruffling foot to gather the strips.  Set it to the longest stitch length (5mm) which will prevent it from gathering too much.
For the "collar" I basted the edges of the lace so I could get it to curve.  Easy peasy.
(My knotty view from up here :)
It's become a game now, that my kids ask where I'm going to put "no big dill".  I went bigger than usual on this. ;) I would have written it in Chinese, but it's a little rusty.

It's hard to tell in the photos is a light cotton with tiny greyish/bluish fuzzy dots.  They are so varied in size and intensity (I don't think it's intended) that I didn't think I'd ever use this fabric, but ripping it up into strips and ruffling them was the perfect use. ;)
Reversible!!
I laughed to myself as I was putting it all together as this is such an eclectic mix with the asian print, the batik fabric with the feminine touches of ruffles and lace.  Perhaps that's one of the advantages of sewing until 5 in the morning?
So.  How about a giveaway?  A chance to win one of three sets of mommy & daughter Vivienne Patterns!  How fun is that! 
✚ Simply leave a comment!
✚ I will leave it open for a week and then choose and contact 3 winners.
✚ PLEASE include an email if your contact information isn't included in your profile link so you don't forfeit your chance to win.
✚ Hooray!! Thanks, Violette Field Threads! 

105 comments:

  1. I love where you hide the "no big dill" for each project!

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  2. Oh my goodness! Genius idea with the reversibility aspect! Fingers crossed love to do some self care sewing

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  3. I really love that top! And really fun to have mommy & me patterns! - laura. melamom@juno.com

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  4. Your creativity and ability to tweak patterns and add details continues to amaze me. Thank you for the inspiration! Summer sewing, here I come!

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  5. Would love to win. Spainter57@gmail.com

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  6. I love your perspective on sewing clothes and the way you don't seem worried to try things.

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  7. What a fabulous look! I love the creative ways that you changed it up to work for you.

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  8. How fun! I love how your outfit turned out. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  9. i absolutely LOVE that underskirt - so adorable!!!

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  10. I love it and have a teenage daughter that would love it too. But we could not wear at the same time - oh the shame (on her part not mine)

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  11. Your outfit looks like lots of fun, I like the lace collar detail especially.

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  12. What a cute pattern! I would love to sew that.

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  13. Lovely. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  14. I love the buttons on the back of the shirt but the ruffles on the skirt are my favorite. So cute!

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  15. Your take on the vivienne is beautiful! I have been drooling over the girl pattern for years, and I am so excited for a version in my size!! :)

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  16. My four year would be thrilled for the two of us to have matching outfits. Love your faux collar.

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  17. sew creative, love it!! would be thrilled to get my hands on this pattern!! honeyhuepainting@gmail.com

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  18. Love your version and tips! Looking gorgeous as usual. :)

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  19. ooo, lovely outfit! I think my girls are still young enough to be excited about matching outfits :) thanks for the chance!

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  20. Love th knotted look! Thank you for the inspiration! Rbrowncota@gmail.com

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  21. I love your take on this. I love the blouse!

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  22. Katy, you never cease to amaze me! This looks so good on you and you did such a great job! Would love to win, but I'm afraid I'll never look as "cool" as you do!
    Tamibrown.21@gmail.com

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  23. Great job! That dress is beautiful.

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  24. Eep! I love both the skirt and the top! So cute!

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  25. What a gorgeous pattern! I'm pretty sure I couldn't pull it off as well as you do, though :)
    Amy

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  26. You are so talented. I LOVE the lace collar....genius!

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  27. Reversible? Brilliant! Surely that counts for two self-care sewing projects?! Would love to win - thank you! raina1416@hotmail.com
    Oh and I love the sneaky "no big dill" as well!!

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  28. eeep! love it! the reversibility, the ruffles and the blouse are genius. I never would have thought to sew ruffles for myself, but this makes me want to!!!

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  29. Detailed perfection! I love all the alterations you made to make it your style!

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  30. You are so talented! Such a cute outfit.

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  31. You did a lovely job, as usual. I like the tie feature better than the buttons and that blouse is lovely on you.

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  32. I've always loved your ruffled - anything! good job!

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  33. I love what you did for the 'collar'!

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  34. So fun! Love the reversible over skirt!

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  35. That is incredibly adorable!! Oh the possibilities!

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  36. My four daughters and I would love this prize!

    Serena84 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  37. So perfect! I love the patterns and your take on them. I'd love to try them.

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  38. Avery nice! I had seen the kids version of this skirt and loved it but didn't know they had a ladies version! Heather dot Luchkow at gmail dot com

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  39. I see another Skirt Award in the near future! And the hint of collar with the lace? Perfect! I love everything about this outfit. You are seriously my sewing idol!

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  40. Wow! Just wow! If you ever want a 6th daughter you can adopt me!

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  41. Nicely done! I love the "collar!"

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  42. So clever with the black lace collar! Great what you did with the skirt to. Very creative.

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  43. I am always inspired by your creativity and style. I love how you did this whole outfit, and how it looks on you is so flattering.
    Beautiful.
    ~Michelle

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  44. I think your version looks great. Love the colors! I too enjoy finding where you hide the 'no big dill' each project. :)

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  45. Your version looks amazing! Thank you for a chance to win this beautiful pattern.

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  46. My girls and I love to match, so I would totally sew this up for each of the three of us!

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  47. My daughter and I have never matched outfits before, but maybe this would be a good time to try, especially because we both love ruffles! Thank you for the ideas!

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  48. OMG I just LOVE your outfit!!!

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  49. Wow - that is totally gorgeous! I'm off to check out their patterns now!

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  50. That lace collar! Such a simple detail and changes whole tone of the outfit!
    I'd love to win too. Not sure if I could rock that ruffled skirt, though.But my doughter definitely could.

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  51. your designs are amazing! I love this skirt!
    and yes, I totally always want the little girl style designs to make and wear for myself.

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  52. I love the skirt! (And I would totally wear the skirt, it's gorgeous.)

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  53. I love the versatility! I think the wrap over jeans would be cute cute cute!! Thanks for sharing!

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  54. So fantastic! So much going on there. Just love it!

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  55. Gorgeous as always Katy!! Bravo!!

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  56. ooh! I love love love it! Both the Vivenne Pattern & your version!

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  57. I am awestruck by this outfit! Love love love it!

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  58. you are amazing!! and so are those pattens! Here's hoping to win for my birthday (today! woohoo)

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  59. I am loving your blog; just found you recently. I never win giveaways but a gal can hope :) bonandclyde AT hotmail DOT com

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  60. I would love to be matchy matchy with my girls! But my hubby would probably mock me for years to come!
    Your outfit turned out amazing!

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  61. My daughter would flip her braids to having a matching skirt like this. I am new to your blog, but instantly in love. Thanks for the inspiration!

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    1. almost forgot...

      esmahlik AT gmail DOT com
      I don't normally sign up for contests like this.

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  62. I love the skirts and the tops!
    natalie.k711(at)gmail(dot) com

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  63. What a beautiful skirt! This is the first I've heard about this pattern company, and I love what they offer. I'd love to win the patterns so I don't have to choose only one, but I'll be shopping there either way. Thanks for the chance! My email is tanya at everaftercottage dot com. Or you can visit me at my blog - www.everaftercottage.com :)

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  64. Beautiful! I really like their pattern and would love to win. I really like your fabric combination. sarah@forrussia.org

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  65. This is lovely, as always! I'd love a chance to sew this up as well. Thank you for the chance and for sharing your talents with us. mackaydub (at) gmail.com Thanks!

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  66. That is just adorable! There are endless possibilities with the skirt.

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  67. Love it. This really takes me back to school, I had a friend and she and her mother made an outfit that is reminiscent of this but it was a tunic top. Just love the red, white and black.

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  68. Love this! Such an elegant grown up way to wear ruffles! And I've always loved the girls pattern!

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  69. You are so talented. Love the changes you made. Thank you for this opportunity to win. Have been eyeing this pattern to make something for myself which as you mentioned above-hardly ever happens :) peachykeeneboutique@gmail.com

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  70. what an interesting skirt! I love all those ruffles!!

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  71. I'm so happy to see you posting projects again. It's like taking a Master class in sewing. :) This is a really cute pattern--I must be the only one who hasn't seen the girls' pattern yet!

    Krista

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  72. This skirt is really unique. My daughter and i would love to try the pattern. Thanks!

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  73. these are just perfect! and Your shoes fit like a glove!

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  74. That's so cute!! I love it!!

    www.thatssewamy.com

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  75. Oh MY! I thought I was the only one who wanted that girls skirt for ME! I could just see myself, my DD & my GD in matching skirts! Thank you Katy for this opportunity! kweenbee_612@yahoo.com

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  76. Oh how fun!

    sntbosch(at)me(dot)com

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  77. Wow, I am really impressed! And of course I want one or two!

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  78. I absolutely love this outfit. It is beautiful and I would love to be able to have one also. Crossing my fingers jlm499@yahoo.com

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  79. Mommy and me pattern sets are so fun!

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  80. I also want to sew for me and my little girl :)

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  81. I would love to win this!! So adorable!
    kgdive@kc.rr.com

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  82. I love when you sew for yourself. Very inspiring.
    annadorothy(at) gmail(dot) com

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  83. With four boys, I don't sew many ruffles! Would love to do some ruffle sewing for me! kristiefields(at)gmail(dot)com

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  84. what a fun giveaway (collinkh (at) yahoo (dot) com)

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  85. Looks like fun! I so rarely sew for myself...but I do sometimes WANT to.... brescia1023 (at) Hotmail (dot) com

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  86. You wear ruffles so well! You have such style and talent!!

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  87. I love the tailored look combined with the feminine flounce! I almost never sew for myself just my girls but....I would love to try this one for me! :)

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  88. Would love to sew this for myself. carolyn(dot)james(at)gmail(dot)com

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  89. If the contest is still open my daughters and I would love this! :)

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  90. Turned out fantastic, Katy. Love the shirt especially.

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  91. You always amaze me! I love your fabric choices and how everything comes together. Thank you for the inspiration. I have been thinking I need to do more sewing for me. This skirt and blouse are right up my alley. mnh82@hotmail.com

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  92. I don't know if the giveaway is still open and I don't care, I just want to say that this is amazing! Your detailed explanation of what you did differently is wonderful and I just adore your lace "fake" collar, what a fantastic idea!

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  93. This skirt (and all your work) is a thing of art. Of beauty. Of pure amazingness. :) Thanks for the giveaway! You are so inspiring! Cameron (cameron dot lawracy at gmail dot com)

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