by Claire on October 11, 2009
This is the end of the road for this muslin.
The neckline does not have the binding on it but that’s okay. I’m not taking this top further because I don’t like the fabric. I don’t like the stretch on it, even though I love the color. It’s just a cheap poly knit – emphasis on the cheap. It’s thin too, and won’t keep me warm, that’s for certain.
What’s wrong with this version besides the knit? Very little, and that makes me very happy. This was one of the main goals I had for losing weight – I wanted to be able to sew something right out of the pattern with few, if any, alterations. I’m a pretty normal 5’6” if there isn’t extra body fluff on me, and hence I think most patterns will fit me quite nicely.
There are a few changes I need to make to the pattern – and I think these are all easy ones:
- Make the armhole larger under the armpit. It’s slightly too tight there.
- Narrow the shoulders – the seams fall too far off my shoulders for my liking, although I wonder if they’ll come in any once binding is on.
- Move the shoulder seam forward – it falls too far back on my shoulders, farther back than my favorite RTW ones do.
- Lengthen the top by about four inches. I like my tops long and this one hits me at about the high hip bone, or just below. I prefer them much longer.
- Depending on the recovery of the fabric used, I think I’d take the back in ever so slightly. The back tends to have an extra bit of unnecessary volume around the small of my back.
- I might even lengthen the sleeves another inch or two because once the hem is added, it will be just right.
I took this top over to my mom and had her try it on as well. We are both using the same dress form now, and my shoulders are only a tad wider than hers, so I figured I could easily make a basic pattern for her as well.
For her, I need to make the following changes:
- Lower the armhole opening, same as with me.
- Make her sleeves the original 3/4 length of the pattern (her preference)
- Depending on the recovery of the fabric used, possible add an inch total around the midsection for her.
So, next, I’m going to alter the pattern pieces and then stitch it up again either in more of this icky cheap polyester fabric, or go ahead and cut into my nice knits.
Here’s a parting shot of me and mom chillin’ this afternoon. This was the first time all season I actually sat down to watch any part of the Seahawks football game, and they won!
Tagged as:
knit fabrics,
muslins,
Ottobre,
Ottobre patterns,
sewing
by Claire on October 11, 2009
Saturday morning, I went for a walk with my regular walking buddy and we walked for a good hour and a half. It was cold out when we started, but with her border collie/sheltie mix doggie, Buddy, leading the way (and pace) we quickly worked up a sweat. I always enjoy walking her doggies because they are larger and faster than my little Lily, and it also gives her a break from the pull on her shoulder. However, I sort of hurt my back though when Buddy lunged at another dog and I had to reign him in quickly. So when I got home, I iced my back, and then took a nap. Luxury. *nap, that is*
After that, I had some time to myself today so I decided I’d finally hit the sewing room. Yes, I could have done housecleaning, yard work, whatever, but…blah, blah, blah. I need some clothes! The weather’s getting colder and I need long sleeves. The tough part is that not only do I have no clothes hanging in the closet that are for cooler weather, all my patterns are also the wrong sizes. I have been encouraged for the longest time by my bloggy friend, Mermaids, that I should try Ottobre patterns.
So, I took the plunge with an Ottobre top (issue 2/2007). I’m making the pattern on the cover, but with long sleeves. I’ve seen lots of other people make this top as a wardrobe staple and that’s what I intend to do.
First thing I had to do was trace out the patterns onto tracing paper (don’t have any, so I used parchment paper). Those lines look harder to decipher than they really are.
I took this…
and made this…
Pattern has 3/4 sleeves, and I want full length – even a bit longer – so I slashed the pattern to add five inches.
Then….*drum roll please*… I began cutting fabric!
I used a thinner weight poly knit that I got from Hancock’s fabric some time ago in a deep magenta pink. It looks more coral or red in these pictures, but it really is pink. It’s not my expensive knit fabric so if I need to toss this one and alter the pattern, that’s fine too.
My sewing supervisor, Marie, was on hand waiting to pull a pin out of somewhere as soon as she could find one. I had her outwitted. I used weights instead. HA!
Got the serger threaded.
And everything’s ready for me to start sewing this morning (Sunday). Well, except for cutting out the neck binding, but that’s easy and quick.
Oh, and I found this pretty lace in my stash that happens to match the colors of this knit exactly. I’m going to try to find a way to incorporate it, if not with this top, then with the next one. I have another top where it has lace on the hem around the hip, and that might look really cute here. It’s about 6-8 inches wide and I don’t recall if it has stretch in it or not. I’m thinking not, though. I’ll be experimenting, pretending I’m something like a designer.
I think it would look really cute with a pair of jeans – if I had any jeans, that is.
Tagged as:
creativity,
fashion,
knit fabrics,
Ottobre,
Ottobre patterns,
sewing,
tops
