Closet Core Cielo in Basic Black

This week I was working on a new dress, using the Closet Core Cielo pattern which I first tested in the top version this summer. I liked the fit so prepared the dress view in a solid black linen-rayon blend (a soft and beautifully smooth fabric).

I finally finished it, and it turned even nicer than I'd anticipated! It took a little longer to work through this project because I used French seams for all the interior seams, including the sleeve seams, since my fabric was very prone to fraying. I also sewed the cuff on in two steps to cover the seam allowances fully instead of the way shown in the directions.

Other than that, however, I didn't make many changes. I used the suggestion in the pattern to cover the seam allowances of the pockets with bias binding -- I used a scrap in my stash that was just long enough, and I love the extra bit of colour it brings. However, I tried to take a photo of the interior to show the binding and french seams and ended up just making myself laugh. Doesn't this dress look content?

I topstitched the back shoulder insert seams and finished the neckline with bias facings. And I hemmed it to just below the knee instead of just above, to make it a little more autumnal feeling. Since the fabric is fairly see-through against light, I am wearing a slip so will be able to add tights easily. I think this one will get a lot of use. It can look fairly dressy, like here, or with coloured tights and flats it might be much more casual.

This pattern also has the coolest front seam pockets, which is one feature that drew me to it in the first place.

The fabric is a dream to wear, and I love the fit. I cut shoulders at 12 and graded out to 14 at bust and 16 in the hips, and it is perfect for my tastes. Accessorized with shoes and necklace from the Goodwill, as usual ;)

Sunny Days with a Grey Cielo

Even though I hadn't put the Closet Case Cielo pattern on my monthly to-do list in May, I have it on my yearly list. And I decided to try it out this month when I was looking through my fabric stash and found the perfect cotton to use. Despite trying to make plans I really am mostly a mood-based sewist.

This windowpane check is woven into the fabric and the hand of it is just lovely. I cut the Cielo top in just over a metre of it (leaving plenty for another project, which I'll be sharing soon). I tried to cut the back inset panels on the diagonal but didn't get the angle quite right. Oh well, it still looks very nice!

This pattern is quite easy, though for some reason it intimidated me. I'm glad I finally went for it because it is a nicely put together top -- it sewed up well, fit as I'd expected, and it's really comfy and light for warm weather.

I'm actually surprised at how easy it was. Maybe it was partly the choice of fabric; this grey fabric was so malleable and did exactly what I told it to do. I didn't get the side stripes matched up, just not enough fabric for that, but I think it looks good anyhow, and will be a summer staple.

I used size 14 at the neckline/bust, grading out to 16 at my hips. I also added a couple of inches of length, as I am not a fan of a really cropped top on me. I prefer my tops at my low hip rather than high hip most of the time. I think that at this length the top still has the right lines and proportion to look like a Cielo should.

I also really like the cute sleeve cuff, though wish I could have fit that on the diagonal as well!

As a first try this was a big success in fit. I'd like to make another in a drapier fabric to test it out, and I'll definitely be trying a Cielo dress -- that is why I bought the pattern in the first place. This is a great design that I'm sure I'll be getting a lot of use from.