‘The Love Below’…the neckline

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I decided to make something for my valentine…Me! (and mini me but that goes without saying). For mini me, I made McCalls M7273. I graded the pattern 3 sizes larger since I bought the toddler size range with such good intentions several years ago. At least I finally used it. #winning

For myself, I remixed Vogue V8670. I cut it 3 sizes larger (22) than my regular size (16/18) for an oversized look. The major adjustments I made were to the neckline by lowering it and making it asymmetrical.

First, bodice front was originally cut on the fold, so I cut it out as one flat piece (no fold). I repeated the same for the back bodice and pinned them both on my dress form to mark where I wanted the neckline. Then, I cut the new neckline and basted the front and back sides together.

Next, I basted the two-part sleeve to the bodice at each side seam. I was unsure of where to cut the sleeve based on where it attached to the bodice, so I stitched the whole sleeve. On the dress form, I marked where the neckline on the bodice met with the sleeves. So instead of having two sleeve pattern pieces (front and back sleeve), I had to make four sleeve pattern pieces to accommodate the asymmetrical neckline. I was able to save the sleeve fabric I trimmed and adjust the measurements for the four sleeve pieces for future versions. (I might as well make the most of all this time spent remixing this pattern!)

Last, I used a white ribbed knit for the binding at the neckline, sleeve and bottom bands. Initially, I used 0.875 x the actual circumference of each (neckline, sleeve and hip) but that wound up being too loose since the ribbed knit had a lot more stretch than I intended. I wound up taking more in for each which would be 0.75-0.80 x the actual circumference for the ribbed knit binding.

And Volia! Mommy and me outfit for my favorite valentines! ❤️♥️ Even made a little reel on Instagram using one of my favorite songs on the ‘Speakerboxx/ The Love Below’ album. The album stays in my playlist year round. What did you make (or wear) for Valentine’s Day?