More Sewing...

I was glad to get a couple hrs of sewing in this weekend.  I made this top to have something new to go with the white skirt from a couple posts back.  Ya!  This is just a jersey knit and the black binding around the neck & sleeves is bias strips I cut from some light weight poly knit (not sure what to call it) it's not a tricot but reminds me of tricot but it's more stable, has a little stretch and a nice sheen.  I plan to make a couple tank/camisole tops just to wear under low cut things.  I know, I'm going on about the black trim but it's so nice I wish I could get another 10/yds of it.  It's kinda nice to have around.   OK, back to the top, I made this top from "Pamela's Patterns" T-shirt pattern.  I've been meaning to use this pattern for a while but just now getting around to it.  It's a very simple pattern but one of the nicest fitting T-shirt patterns I've tried.  I haven't really made a t-shirt in a while and I guess that is the reason. Any I've tried in the past just didn't fit nicely.  This one is great without much adjusting.

OK, another thing I'm going to get back to doing is full reviews on the items I make.  I haven't posted a review on PatternReview in quite some time.  So, I'm going to copy the template and use it on my blog here and on PR as I've seen many of you do, that's such a time saver.  I've gotten lazy about some things in an effort to reserve all my free time for sewing.  I've got to do better...I know I didn't do it this time but going forward...OK...promise.

More later....

HAPPY SEWING!!

It's done and I kinda like it...

I'm finally done with this top and I kinda like it now. The only real change I made was to make the borders narrower on the bottom and the sleeve hems. The borders were a bit much before, (see this post). It's pretty amazing but I think it made quite a difference. I actually wore my top out and got lots of compliments.
I wish I'd gotten a picture of me with it on & I'm a bit too lazy to set up the camera right now...sorry. SO, I'm looking though my pattern and fabric stash to see what I'll get into next. I really need to work on some wardrobe separates. I seriously have some basic wardrobe needs and I'll probably sew some Christmas gifts in between. More later...

HAPPY SEWING!!

Skirt finally finished!

Pattern Description: McCall's 5523 Straight skirt, mid-knee length, side zipper and faced waistline. Several lower back variations, shaped flounces, pleats, gathers.

Pattern Sizing:Regular Misses/Miss Petite (4-12) & (12-18)

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, very easy...except for one snag when I was putting in the invisible zipper . Some how when I thought I was finished and tried to turn the skirt right side out it was so twisted so I had to rip out one side of the zipper and do it over, that was NUTS!. I love using invisible zippers and I'd never done that before but this is how it ended up.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the straight front and the various details on the lower back I love skirts without waistbands, so I especially liked that this skirt has the faced waistline. Though the skirt is straight it's not extremely fitted like a pencil skirt. The back detail give plenty room for movement. Excuse the bunch up of my top, it's actually a little too long for a skirt so, I'd pulled it up a bit to make sure the back detail showed. It's actually more suited for wearing over pants or leggins.

Fabric Used: Not really sure of the fabric content, I'm assuming Polyester blend.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: Yes, I had to make the skirt my size, the highest size is 18 and I'm a 20/22. I forgot to take pictures of the alterations but, I basically added to the side seams and the front panel. I'm short waisted and round in the tummy, so the waist is about size 20, around the tummy I'm a 22, then back to 20 at the hips. Gotta get rid of the gut!

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I think I might sew this one again. There's several variations on the lower back so I'm thinking of doing the pleated version.

Conclusion: It was an easy skirt to make (except for the snag I ran into with the zipper) and a nice style for most figures (in my opinion) so I'm not sure why they limited the size to an 18. I like that it's straight in the front with the flirty flounce surprise in the back, to me that adds a nice touch.

While I was at it I made this tunic/top since the fabric went so well with my skirt.
Pattern Description: Butterick: 5247, Semi-fitted, pullover tops/tunics, mid-knee dresses with cowl-like collar, short or long dolman sleeves and self belt.

Pattern Sizing: Misses-Plus (8-14) & (16-24)

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? Very, very easy. Really nice for beginners.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? How quick and easy it was to cut and sew up. No fussy fitting alterations necessary.

Fabric Used: Poly knit.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: One addition I did, I wasn't able to get the full length of the sleeve on the fabric I used so I decided to simply add a band to make the sleeve the length I wanted, I made it a 3/4 length sleeve

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I'll sew this one again and again. Nice to wear with leggins or pants or make as a dress & it can be dressed up or down. Nice flexible addition to any wardrobe.

Conclusion: Quick and easy to sew up, lots of flexiblity.