I've been slowed down by another patch of illness (a sore throat bug thingy) and sewing progress is slow. Its probably not helping the SWAP that I am doing yet another SWAP related bottom (teal culottes) even though I have already sewn all my SWAP bottoms. I find it terribly difficult to keep focussed on the official plan. Especially when I want the item and the right colour serger thread is already threaded on LOL I HATE changing serger thread
My knit top experince is close to nil so maybe I am subconciously putting this part of the SWAP off.
I guess I just lack the discipline to stick so rigidly to a plan I first thought of in December.
The culottes are the cropped version of New Look 6054 which I used for the pants in the SWAP.
I have a jacket quandary as well, I have two options
Option 1: This is to complete the dark teal wool jacket I started several years ago. Its a burda pattern, princess seam with V neck and no collar, 2 piece sleeves. This would then be my 'previously made' piece since I at least started it prior to the SWAP
Option 2: I also have a RTW medium teal wool blazer. I don't wear it because it has a very wierd shaped lapel, an alteration to the lapels and a chnage of buttons and this could be the jacket, and be the 'purchased' item.
Wednesday, 21 February 2007
Sunday, 18 February 2007
Per Una Skirts
I posted about the first of these Per Una skirts on artisans square.com but wanted to show you some more I saw when I visited the store today.
The second in yellow green and cream is very springlike and only uses 3 fabrics.
The one all in pink would be easy to recreate, just machine dye a whole lot of cotton fabrics with white backgrounds with a strong colour of your choice.The brown one has strips of crochet trim as well as uneven width panels.
I didn't bother trying any of them on as RTW bottoms almost never fit me, which is why I sew more bottoms than tops. But the inspiration is free!
Friday, 16 February 2007
Butterick 6768 review
Pattern Description:
Butterick Decription:
MISSES' TOP
Semi-fitted, wrap top has collar/sleeve/length variations, tie ends and narrow hem. A,B: tucks, side slits. B: above-elbow sleeves. A,C: collar, long sleeves. D: below-elbow sleeves. A,C,D: button cuffs. Purchased bottom.
My description
Wrap blouse with sleeve, collar and wrap options
Pattern Sizing:
(6 8 10) (12 14 16) (18 20 22)
I had the 12 to 16 and used the 16 which was quite snug, I probably needed the next size.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Reasonably given how much I deviated!
Were the instructions easy to follow?
The instructions show the different options side by side which is useful if you have chosen a different combination from one of their views but is a little hard to follow if you are doing one view.
I did not like their back neck method for the collared blouses and repalced it with a clean serged seam.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love wrap over styles. I have a rectangular upper body with wide shoulder, smallish bust and a bit of a tummy.Wrap tops can be really flattering for this shape as the wrappy bits hide the tum, the crossover makes the most of the bust and the diagonal lines add more curves than are there.
Fabric Used:
A high quality print polyester blouse/dress fabric. I don't usually go for polyester but the print is lovely and the fabric has a lovely mottled finish with a sheen.
It was tough to iron on the interfacing though and quite a challenge to press. I also used twice as many pins as usual when sewing it as the lower layer crept a lot and the edges went to one side. The upside of this is I won't ever look crumpled and I think it will turn out to be very hardwearing.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I chose a combination of elements which is not on any of the views and this caused me some trouble!
I wanted the collar, 3/4 length sleeves, longer wrapped front and the wide ties. It took me a long time to find a working pattern layout on the fabric as I was not following any of their views. And then when sewing I reapplied the wide tie 3+ times to the front as I had to work out my own pleating and placing instructions. I also found the longer tie is not long enough with the other views fronts as they are not as wide (maybe this was worse as it was a snug fit). The longer tie which wraps all around the back therefore became the buckle strap instead and I then threaded the shorter tie through the buckle. This give a flattering look which I am happy about.
I found the non buckle side of the wrap gaped slightly so I added a couple of hidden tucks and shortened the facing accordingly. The other side was less critical as you can pull any excess into the buckle to get a snug fit.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Even the slightly longer version is shorter than I would like, so I will sew it again but I will lengthen the body. I think wrap over blouses work on lots of bodyshapes amd give a nice feminine look. There are no buttons and no zips just the tie so could be good for a beginner wanting a slightly more complex project.
Conclusion
This is part of my Timmel 2007 SWAP and also co-ordinates with loads of other stuff in my wardrobe. I plan to make a simple matching skirt so I can also have a dress look as well woo hoo.
Butterick Decription:
MISSES' TOP
Semi-fitted, wrap top has collar/sleeve/length variations, tie ends and narrow hem. A,B: tucks, side slits. B: above-elbow sleeves. A,C: collar, long sleeves. D: below-elbow sleeves. A,C,D: button cuffs. Purchased bottom.
My description
Wrap blouse with sleeve, collar and wrap options
Pattern Sizing:
(6 8 10) (12 14 16) (18 20 22)
I had the 12 to 16 and used the 16 which was quite snug, I probably needed the next size.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Reasonably given how much I deviated!
Were the instructions easy to follow?
The instructions show the different options side by side which is useful if you have chosen a different combination from one of their views but is a little hard to follow if you are doing one view.
I did not like their back neck method for the collared blouses and repalced it with a clean serged seam.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love wrap over styles. I have a rectangular upper body with wide shoulder, smallish bust and a bit of a tummy.Wrap tops can be really flattering for this shape as the wrappy bits hide the tum, the crossover makes the most of the bust and the diagonal lines add more curves than are there.
Fabric Used:
A high quality print polyester blouse/dress fabric. I don't usually go for polyester but the print is lovely and the fabric has a lovely mottled finish with a sheen.
It was tough to iron on the interfacing though and quite a challenge to press. I also used twice as many pins as usual when sewing it as the lower layer crept a lot and the edges went to one side. The upside of this is I won't ever look crumpled and I think it will turn out to be very hardwearing.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I chose a combination of elements which is not on any of the views and this caused me some trouble!
I wanted the collar, 3/4 length sleeves, longer wrapped front and the wide ties. It took me a long time to find a working pattern layout on the fabric as I was not following any of their views. And then when sewing I reapplied the wide tie 3+ times to the front as I had to work out my own pleating and placing instructions. I also found the longer tie is not long enough with the other views fronts as they are not as wide (maybe this was worse as it was a snug fit). The longer tie which wraps all around the back therefore became the buckle strap instead and I then threaded the shorter tie through the buckle. This give a flattering look which I am happy about.
I found the non buckle side of the wrap gaped slightly so I added a couple of hidden tucks and shortened the facing accordingly. The other side was less critical as you can pull any excess into the buckle to get a snug fit.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Even the slightly longer version is shorter than I would like, so I will sew it again but I will lengthen the body. I think wrap over blouses work on lots of bodyshapes amd give a nice feminine look. There are no buttons and no zips just the tie so could be good for a beginner wanting a slightly more complex project.
Conclusion
This is part of my Timmel 2007 SWAP and also co-ordinates with loads of other stuff in my wardrobe. I plan to make a simple matching skirt so I can also have a dress look as well woo hoo.
Thursday, 15 February 2007
Wrap blouse completed
The print wrap blouse using Butterick 6768 is complete.
I have modified this quite a lot but I am pleased with the outcome.
Saturday, 10 February 2007
Sidetrack again
Complete sidetrack today as I bought 5 New Look patterns (they are on sale at £2.95 each at the moment in the UK) from the Widnes Sewing Centre, plus 2 metres of print stretch knit in turquoise/green/brown/gold which might well work with my SWAP.
And onto Borders at Speke where I got the current Burda Magazine (they had Threads and Sew Today as well but I wasn't thrilled by them).
The patterns Dress 6674, Skirts/Pants/Culottes 6626, Top and Skirt 6546, Dress 6429 and Skirt 6177.
Friday, 9 February 2007
Starting sewing the wrap blouse
I have cut out the wrap front leaf print blouse and started sewing it up.I found I still have 4 metres left. This print tones with so many plain things already in my wardrobe it is really surprising.
I am wondering what the best use would be for the rest of this fabric, I'm thinking a fairly simple skirt (to wear with the blouse to give a dress look), then maybe culottes or a shell top and a scarf. I'm avoiding a dress as I have not got a woven dress which I like only 2 knit ones.
Are print culottes which look like a skirt 'in' or just plain ones in pants fabrics?
Tuesday, 6 February 2007
no progress
This pic is of the print fabric (right side) taken yesterday.
No progress today as I stayed late at work, watched TV with DH and went to the supermarket (what exciting lives we sewists lead).
Tomorrow I am babysitting and then going on to my church mid week group, so next time of progress will be Thursday when I hope to finish cutting out the blouse.
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