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.
{ 6 comments }
i have no doubt you will “make it work.”
Ha! Probably, Teri. Although, I’m sooo slow going today for such a fast top. It really is easy once I remember the assembly steps.
Oh lawdy! Look at that sewing machine. You are not fooling around there! Oh, I’m so envious – must be so nice to know how to do that and have such a beautiful room to escape to! GOOD FOR YOU!
@MSM – you’re absolutely right – no fooling around here for me! I’m going to dive right in and escape there again today.
Love your new place here, sis!
I know I’m a complete dolt when it comes to all things sewing and this comment is so going to reveal that, but I love the weights idea. Half the part I hate about sewing is the prep work. Seems the weights could make that part of the prep so much faster.
Thanks, Catherine. Those are actually cheap washers from the hardware store, originally bought as an inexpensive way to hold down helium balloons. I can’t sew without them and they’re absolutely crucial when cutting out lightweight or slippery fabric.
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