Sunday, August 16, 2009

Vogue 1114 Issey Miyake









I'm very excited about my latest project. I love the intrigue of Miyake patterns and went into this one thinking it would probably not really be a wearable garment as some of my Miyake's have been in the past. What a great pleasure to find it not only wearable but wonderful! I thought it might require leggings to look right but discovered it is great with regular pants.It took me a long time to come up with two fabrics that work together, partly because there is a lot of yardage involved. The black takes over 3 yards and the contrast 1 3/4 if the fabric is 45" wide. I searched my stash for awhile, then ordered some fabric from Fabric.com which I hated (thankfully they are wonderful with returns), went back to my stash and finally settled on black with the silk chiffon animal print for contrast. I laid out the pattern and discovered my original black was short on yardage. Dipped back into the stash to find another black. This wool dobby (left from some projects years ago) had enough yardage but was quite different than the original plan. But how pleased I am with the result. I think it is even better. All this to point out that I'm sure I spent a lot more time looking for fabrics than construction which was probably around 5 hours.

There is one main pattern piece, cut twice and joined at center back. No side seams. Most of the construction is easy but there are a coupled of places that have the usual Miyake puzzling affect where you scratch your head and study the drawings a lot. But the instructions are all correct and if you follow along carefully (having marked all the dots precisely) it goes together beautifully. Sleeve facings and the contrast piece are the only other pattern pieces to deal with.

I think I like it best with one side buttoned up and the other side buttoned crossed over. I'm unlikely to ever wear it with both sides buttoned across the front but took a photo to show you that look. Also, although I like the unbuttoned look from the back, I'm not crazy about it from the front so I probably won't wear it that way either. I like it both with the sleeveless tank and the longer sleeve.

9 comments:

Linda T said...

Oh, I'm so happy to see this made up. I got the pattern figuring I'd never sew it, but now you have inspired me to try it! Looks fantastic on you!

Claudine said...

Fabulous!

gwensews said...

You wear these art garments very well. I wonder if you've considered Kalya Kennington's patterns? There is one, called "Fantasia Jacket" that I love. I tried it on at a sewing expo, and bought the pattern. You would look fantastic in it.

Mardel said...

That looks fabulous on you. I've been on the fence about the pattern and now am thinking I should have gone with my gut and gotten it. Well, at least that can be remedied.

Laura in Western Australia said...

I have just bought the same pattern and some very expensive material to make it up. i have loved your pattern reviews, they are really useful. I have just discovered Marcy Tilton's patterns and can't wait to get stuck in.

Nan said...

Wow!!! This is really beautiful. Can't wait for when I can make something like this. It's unique and versatile, and you wear it so well.

stork dumplings said...

I just sewed this blouse and am quite baffled at the end result. I know his designs are tricky. I do not have the back contrast looking ruched up like you do in the last photo. I am wondering what I did wrong. Yours looks great. I wish the pattern would have said that the wrong side shows. I decided not to do french seams at two points, which now I will bind. Please help:)

stork dumplings said...

I just sewed this blouse and am quite baffled at the end result. I know his designs are tricky. I do not have the back contrast looking ruched up like you do in the last photo. I am wondering what I did wrong. Yours looks great. I wish the pattern would have said that the wrong side shows. I decided not to do french seams at two points, which now I will bind. Please help:)

Anonymous said...

I have this pattern & was always on the fence about it. But now will make it because it looks totally fabulous on you.