Monday, January 9, 2012

First Garment of the New Year


Today was a day off for me because it's parent conference week and teachers aren't allowed to be out. That means no one needs a sub teacher. I'll probably be getting the whole week off which is great because I can sew up all the projects I've got cut out. Up first was Simplicity 2211. I had planned on making this pattern from the striped fabric, but then I remembered what happens to stripes when you have a really big dart. 


While I'm not thrilled with the fit and I can see some alterations that need to be made, I still really like this top. It's loose fitting, and fairly comfortable and will be something to wear while I work on losing weight, because, Dang I need to lose weight.

The alterations I made was to add a 1" FBA, shorten it at the waist 2" and add some width to the side seam. I also gave it a shaped center back seam, removing 1-1/2" and center back at waist level.


After seeing the photos, I see that I should have also done a sloping shoulder alteration, cut it smaller through the shoulders and shortened the sleeve cap, and taken a tuck from the neckline because it doesn't lay flat. I think the sleeves could have been longer and maybe a tiny bit added for more bicep fullness. A rounded back alteration could have helped as well.

Tomorrow I will be working on two t-shirts I cut out of some olive matching fabrics that I discovered in my stash after I posted about my wardrobe plan. Since I'm sewing to use up stash, I went ahead and cut them out of my new TNT t-shirt pattern. After that, I'll be sewing up the jeans jacket. Having the week off is going to be fun!

BLOG COMMENTS

I got some very interesting blog comments on my sewing room post. It was nice to hear that you don't see a cluttered room, but a functional one. It is very functional for me, and yes, the two machine cabinets that sit side by side both have Singer Rocketeer 500a's in them. They are the ones I want to keep. I really liked the comment from Rebecca Clayton who said, "As long as a work room is functional, with adequate workspace and organized materials and tools, it shouldn't be compared to interior design photos of rooms where no one really lives or works." Interesting that I think I might just be comparing my room to a room that might be found in interior design photos. I know that I don't want to put curtains up around my stash. I love, love, love to look at my fabrics all the time. I sit and daydream about what can be made from individual pieces and just enjoy the explosion of colors. I think I'm going to concentrate on cleaning out the rest of my house and then see if I need to do any ditching of things in here.

10 comments:

  1. Gee we are tough on ourselves when we make something aren't we? If we buy RTW we are usually happy enough if the thing just fits us. Don't know about you but I certainly don't take photos and scrutinize the garment from every angle. So......Sherrill your top looks GREAT. Lovely fabric, good colour and looks really comfy. Well done.

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  2. so true, Pam! I am *so* much more critical with things I make than with things I buy. Even though I am aware of it, I can't seem to help it.

    Anyway, your top is pretty and looks like it fits.

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  3. This self-criticism thing is so pervasive in the sewing world, isn't it? My thought on first looking at the top was simply how lovely the fabric is, & how good it looks on you. I had to search for the fitting issues.

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  4. You need to 'hear' what these talented people are saying, Sherril. This top looks great - no obvious sloping shoulder issues etc what-so-ever!!! Wear it and be proud - the colour is great on you...

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  5. It looks wonderful! I'm just not seeing a lot of the issues you mention. It is a great color on you as Doobee64 mentioned.

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  6. I am adding my voice in resonance with all the above comments. The top looks great on you, beautiful fabric, cute style. What's not to love?

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  7. love your top the fabric is great. I also love your sewing room.. inspired me to clean mine.. I had to hurry and make a fleece jacket for my son's birthday and I mean hurry.. so it is a big mess... but i am happy I did accomplish something...in the way of sewing... love your blog happy new year!

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  8. Sherrill - I'm glad you like your new top and that you are on your way to getting another TNT pattern...but I really wanted to comment on your fabric collection on the shelves. This is what I want to do to my collection and everytime I see another picture of a fabric collection stored this way, my heart soars! Thanks for sharing yours!

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  9. Like the others before me said - this top is great! I really like the lenght of the sleeves too. That lenght is perfect for me. (love the frill around the sleeve too). Great job.

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  10. I haven't given the Lisette patterns a second look because I assumed they were for much younger people than I. Like teenagers. But I wa wrong. This top is really cute. And hey, I really need to lose some weight too. My body sure fights it.

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