*Edit: Pauline Alice kindly sent me the Faura pattern as a gift to review, but as ever, all opinions are my own.
Hi Everyone,
Today I am back with a new me-made outfit which was super speedy to sew. Let’s start with the top.
The top is the Faura Top, which is the latest offering from Pauline Alice, and comes with the option to also make it as a dress. This top features an oval (ish) neckline in the front, an opening in the back, front and back princess seams, no side seams, an A-line shape and a waist tab to provide some shaping which is fastened using D-rings. The facings are topstitched in place. As ever with Pauline’s pattern, despite this being a simple top, the details are well thought out.
I made mine in a viscose crepe. I rarely seem to make things in white but I am trying to make neutral basics which make getting dressed for work in the morning easy, and so that’s probably what influenced my colour choice. Not a huge amount to say about this top which I don’t cover in my pattern review below. It’s a good wardrobe basic to have and I think there are so many different looks you could achieve with this pattern depending on fabric selection.
Now about the leggings: these are made using Vogue 1411, a Sandra Betzina pattern and I chose to make mine from faux stretch leather. Possibly not the best fabric choice to start with on a pattern which I hadn’t tested before. Overall, I am ok with the fit and they are definitely wearable (not to work though!) The thing I am least happy with in terms of the fit is the lines I have at the backs of my knees. I am wondering if I need to do a full calf adjustment? I think I will try that if I make this again. That might also alleviate some of the lines in the front too? There is lots of interesting seaming on these leggings, which unfortunately you can’t see much of on my black fabric. Here’s the line drawing (I made view B).
They are definitely very comfortable, even if they do seem to make a somewhat alarming squeaking noise 🙂 I think these will get worn lots but I would like the chance to refine the fit somewhat.
Faura Top Pattern Review
Pattern Description:
Top or dress which features an oval (ish) neckline in the front, an opening in the back, front and back princess seams, no side seams, an A-line shape and a waist tab to provide some shaping which is fastened using D-rings. The facings are topstitched in place.
Pattern Sizing:
Sizes 34 – 48
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the simple design with the princess seams which make doing an FBA relatively easy (you will have to add in a side seam to do the FBA but tape it back up once you have finished if you want to keep the seamless side piece). I like the waist tabs with the D-ring feature and the fit. I think it looks very contemporary. Personally speaking, I think maybe I might add in a side seam for next time: I think I would prefer something to break up the fabric there, but maybe if I had used a pattern fabric I might feel differently about that?
Fabric Used:
Viscose crepe
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
- 1 inch FBA
- Added about 1 inch to the side back seams from the high hip down to the hem
- Lengthened top by 3.5 inches
- 1.25 inch full arm adjustment
- Added interfacing to the facings and staystiched the necklines (not mentioned in instructions)
- Made a bias rouleux loop and added a button for the fastening
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I might sew again and yes I do recommend.
Conclusion:
Contemporary, comfortable and some interesting features make this top a winner.
Vogue 1411 Pattern Review
Pattern Description:
Close-fitting pants elasticized waistband, front guide, seam detail, edgestitching and stitched hems. A: Straight leg. B: Tapered.
Pattern Sizing:
A – J.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes. Ish.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yep. Very thorough
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I know I will wear these and the only reason I am not fully happy with them is not to do with the pattern but the fit: I think I need to do a full calf adjustment to eliminate the lines at the back of the knees? But that is the risk you take when you don’t muslin. I love the interesting seaming detail. Also, its great that a seamless pant AND legging front is included in the pattern to cut a muslin or use to make plain front pants or leggings. Great value for money. Fitting pointers are included with the instructions.
Fabric Used:
Faux stretch leather.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
- I was advised on Instagram that this pattern ran a bit small so I sized up. The fit through the waist, bum and hips is good but I ended up narrowing the lower legs quite a bit
- Added 3 inches to lower leg length, but ended up removing 2.75 inches of this.
- FOR NEXT TIME, I would try the full calf adjustment and also a slight full bum adjustment of maybe 1 inch to raise the height of the back.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I would like to try these again. I do recommend.
Conclusion:
A great pattern to have in the stash: very comfortable and not your boring basic legging.
Next up for me is more wedding sewing!
Hi Manju I love your blog. I also love the faura top but I have looked on the Pauline Alice site and searched but I can’t find it. Also is it a download or a paper pattern.
Thank you, I look forward to your your emails I love your sewing style.
Robyn Jones
Sent from my iPad
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Hi Robyn, I am sure if you check back later on today Pauline would have updated her website to show this pattern: it will definitely be available as a PDF pattern, not sure about paper version. Thanks
Hi Robyn, the pattern will be available tomorrow on the shop as a PDF download. I hope you’ll like it!
I love this look on you. Super chic!
Thanks Camila
They both look great. I really love the top.
Thank you dkswife
I love everything you make Manju! Great outfit.
Thanks so much Margo. I think you would look great in these leggings btw!
This top is FANTASTIC! I thought I’d like it from the sneak peak and I absolutely love your version. It looks fab with the leggings. I think it will be jumping right up my sewing list! x
Thanks Shauni, I can totally see you wearing this.
I love your top so much. You have perfected the fit, it may be simple but it is classy.
Thank you Julie
What a stylish outfit and looks so great on you. Love that top.
I’ve made these Betzina pants before too. (It’s funny – the reviews I read at the time described them as running a little large, but perhaps that was because they were going for a more leggings look). In any case, I started a little smaller and then added a bit more where I needed it (hips, waist). I made them in scuba which I have learned is too hot for pants. (I only wear them on the coldest of winter days, if at all). Otherwise I found the pattern okay, but a the main problem for me was that the knees were baggy. I think that is because the legs had less shaping than I expected. I ended up taking in the knees, if I remember right. So perhaps it is a choice of taking in the knees or doing a small full calf adjustment? Or just adding more custom shaping to the legs in general. Still, they are really terrific looking pants on you! Nice outfit!
Thanks JenL and thanks for the tips.
I’ve been meaning to make those pants for awhile and I LOVE the top. This is one of those outfits that makes me want to go home ASAP and start sewing! Way to get us all excited about a pattern we can’t even buy yet! 😉
Loved the top- and couldn’t find it either. Mystery solved when reading comments! Looking forward to seeing it ( and any other new releases?????)
Love the top. White was a perfect fabric choice for this classic design!
I love both, the top and pants. You look great.
This top is just what I am literally looking for. Saw someone in a RTW dress with no side seams and princess seams front and back and was trying to figure out how to DIY it… Now I don’t have to! Yay!!! You look terrific in it.
Love the pants & top. They look very nice on you.
Love this outfi.! Your version of this top is beautiful!!!!
Fabulous outfit. The top is really stylish and flattering and I’ll be making it, though with the weather probably not till next spring!
Loving the faux leather leggings, I’m looking to make these in a stretch denim fabric so looking for ideas, if they turn out ok I might be copying your pleather look! 😁
I apologize for bothering you about such an old post. I’m making the Faura (view B, shortened to tunic length) right now and I’m completely baffled by my attempt to do an FBA on this type of princess seam bodice. Can you perhaps explain to me where you drew your lines and made your cuts? It would be so helpful for me and I would really appreciate it.
From memory I made a vertical cut down from the middle of the armscye so that there was a side seam. From there I did a standard princess seam FBA and then once I had closed the side dart up I reattached the front to the back and eliminated the side seam again. Hope that helps
Thank you! Yes, that’s very helpful. It just all looks so wrong because it’s not the way your typical princess seam bodice is laid out. Okay…let’s try this. 😬