Cerena updated into seperates

I really enjoyed making my green velvet Cerena Romper but when it came to actually wearing this I just could not get along with it. Every time I put in on, I changed into something else, because I find jumpsuits so very annoying when going to the loo. All that needs to happen is its a bit cold and you add a Tshirt or a jumper and its all hassle so this just does not work for me at all.

So I do like the Romper, but it just had to change. I do not want to waste the fabric and throw this out just yet because its very new and I love the green velvet.

So I spent an hour or so taking this appart. Thats annoying when you only just made it. But this was well worth the effort. It came appart relatively easily and then I overlocked the edge of the top and added some black crochet effect lace to this.

I did not have enough green velvet left to make a waistband for the trousers so used a bit of stretch camo fabric instead.  I did though remove the darts from the trousers because I decided they do not need them.

The trousers work amazingly as track pants. I love them and have lived in them the last couple of evenings. Sadly yet again I never thought to add pockets to the trousers which was a mistake. I am though, intending to make a second pair of these out of probably black velvet because I know there is some in my stash and the trousers are really that good. The next pair though, will have pockets.

Bracken

Cerena top and trouser hack

 This is my second Cerena. This time though I made the top rather than the Romper. Its exactly the same though possibly a bit easier due to not being attached to the trousers. The matching trousers are also the Cerena but this is a hack because Cerena includes three lengths. Shorts, knee length (shorts/ culottes) and the long trousers I made previously.  

This is a very comfy hot weather outfit which borders on pyjamas. I love it. I also very much prefer the separates to the previous Romper version. Thats my own preference tho. Nothing wrong with the Romper I just decided its too much hassle to wear it - life wise that is. 

Generally Rompers seem to be aimed at festivals and similar but I cannot think of worse clothing to be honest. eg having to take everything off at a festival to go to the loo is not my idea of easy clothing. Portaloos etc!!!

I did conside this fabric for my original Romper but I did not want to waste my fabric by making either of the shorter versions and did not have enough of this lovely fabric for my long trouser version so I went with a cropped trouser length.In the end as I said I prefer it as separates.

The back is probably a bit lower on me than its meant to be. It should cover a bra strap apparently!

Maybe I should go down a size next time?

According to the pattern dimensions this is my size but I know from when making patternes from the Big Four companies that all say I am a size 12 and in the end I usually end up being an 8 or sometimes a size 10.  Maybe Rebecca Page patterns are also generous. Still better bigger than too small and waste my fabric. They can always be adjusted but not made larger once cut.

 



Yes for me definitely separates are better. This is a good pattern though, because you get the trousers /shorts and top and can make a top with back buttons, and both top and trousers can be made in woven fabric or in a stretch jersey. It would also be dead easy to add a basic gathered waist, dirndle skirt to the top instead of the trousers. That would give a nice sundress.

See you next week

Bracken

Cerena Romper in green velvet

I do not think I would go out and buy this romper from any shop but I love it. I only have this because I sew and it gets boring sewing the same styles over and over. Basics are good but variety is as well. When I began my sewing adventure I wanted to make interesting clothing, but even then its very easy to end up making your favourite patterns over and over. Yes, basics are brilliant but variety matters too.

Sewing allows me to indulge in adventures with clothing that I had as a young woman when I was very adventurous and tried out new things all the time. Rare was the month I never bought something new to wear. I enjoyed, like most young girls, a very varied wardrobe of clothing. In recent years I have kind of become stuck in a rut clothing-wise and wear the same styles all the time.So having achieved a wearable wardrob of clothing its time I broadened my horizons and made some "different" items.

This is the Cerena Romper from Rebecca Page patterns.The pattern is for both jersey and woven fabrics. It has options for with and without pockets and elastic or normal ankles, shorts medium length or long trousers. Being my first ever Rebecca Page make I decided to keep everything simple, so I sewed the jersey version without pockets. That was a mistake.  I should have made it with pockets. Pockets are so useful.


The jersey version is ideal for what I currently want but I think this could work in various fabrics. For example it could be made in sequins for a Christmas party, a pretty print for summer or pin stripes and a plain white cotton top for a more formal look. It would work for clubbing, a restaurant, a holiday in the sun or as I want it as lounge-wear for early morning trips to the shower or late afternoon BBQs.

I made this for a camping holiday. I expect it will be cold in the early morning and evenings and need a lounge suit to wear then. Our proposed holiday is Scotland doing the 500 route, but since we are still in lockdown and its meant to be next month I suspect it will not happen. However, I have to keep faith and keep going etc, so am still getting my holiday wardrobe together even if it never takes place.

Anyway this will be great for simply lounging round at home.


The pattern went together really well and was relatively easy. I used the Quick glance guide rather than the extended instructions ( which could be very useful if you do not sew often) and used an overlocker with twin needle to sew this.

It was a relatively fast make. Its made in a stretch velvet velour in an olive/kahki green which I used for several previous sews. This is the last bit I have of this fabric.

Previous makes are a top and my slip dress and  a very simple dress based on squares of fabric.

I love the colour of this though its not the best quality fabric. It was one of my Ebay bargains a few years ago now so I am still stash busting too😀

The hardest part for me, making this was the neck tie. Probably that is due to my making this in velvet/ velour because I ended up making 4 versions of this and none worked. It just refused to turn inside out in either nap direction. Then I turned this fabric reverse out but again could not turn it, so I in the end I just folded it over reverse side out so the plain side of the fabric shows not the velour which refused to slip, and so there were no raw edges, and sewed with the twin needle straight down the middle of the tie. Its not such a nice finish as turning it properly but does work and being the reverse of the fabric it slips Ok but not too much, and tones perfectly with the main suit fabric.I personally would not bother to sew the trouser darts next time I make this since with the elasticated waist I think they are not really needed but it depends how you want your clothing to look. If making this in a woven then they would be essential to get the fit because the trousers in the woven have a back zip. I really like that this is a very multi-fabric and multi-look pattern for both wovens and stretch jersey. You could make so many different versions.

I also need to make the trouser legs a bit longer next time if not adding the elastic. Thats a minor alteration though. I had to have elastic ankles because otherwise these would have been a bit short. Thats not an issue because I think this looks great anyway with gathered ankles and kind of fits the velvet slouchy look too.

I am actually not a great fan of jumpsuits - or rompers as they have recently become. Previously they were knonw as playsuits in the 90s. I hade a serious dislike of them as a teen associating them with Sheena Easton. Not at all my style. But in the early 2000s I had a couple of shorts versions which I did wear on holiday in Spain and I thought for a holiday look in Scotland in a slightly warmer fabric this could be good.


I would also not normally feel comfortable with a baggy halter neck since I hate the "loose boob" feeling but as a lounge suit its great.

I don't have a problem with a tight fit halter neck though. I like to feel everything is held in place!

This needs a strapless bra really or to be young enough for it not to matter.

I find it very comfortable to wear though and it will be brilliant to slip on early in the morning or at the end of the day as lounge-wear.

 
 
One things for sure, I have discovered a new source of interesting patterns in Rebecca Page patterns which has expanded my comfort zone with sewing. Always thats a good thing.

Bracken