Spring Top Week

Sew, Mama, Sew introduced a new contributor - Rae this week. I've checked her blog out before and of course downloaded her Buttercup Bag which is so cute. I plan to make it this summer. She is doing a Spring Top Week next week (April 27 - May 1) and I thought it would be fun to join. So if you need some spring and summer tops like I do, join in. All the rules are listed on her site or click here. Of course I am suppose to be doing buttonholes this month but you know all things are subject to change. I am also working on a dress for a wedding next weekend. Details to come. Enjoy your weekend. The weather is great here in Atlanta so it will be hard to go into the "Chop Shop" (what I call my sewing room). I'll tell you guys all about it one day but just know it is a scary place - LOL. Oh yeah here is the button to put on your blog if you plan to participate.

Soldier

The title is the pattern name of this hat. I thought it was really cute when I first saw it in the book Get Your Crochet On: Hip Hats and Cool Caps by Afuya Imobu. It was suppose to be for my hubby and finished by the beginning of the year so he could wear it in the cold weather. I blew 2 out of 2 on this one because as you can see from the model it is a bit small and checking the date you'll know that I'm way passed January. Anyway, it looks so adorable on my son and I had my daughter try it on to see if it would work for her. It does, I will be making her one but adding a flower to girl it out. I don't know how I messed up the sizing. I do tend to crochet very tightly so that is probably the cause. I checked the hat half way through and it was okay - Oh well. Don't ask why his mouth is open in the photos... It was impossible to get decent shots of him since it was passed bedtime.

New Additions to My Sewing Library

My sewing library is pretty sparse so I was super excited when I actually got a hit while doing a search on Craigslist for sewing books. I've tried before and got nothing. Look what I found... and the seller just wanted $20 for all 4.


We talked briefly because of course I wanted to know why she was getting rid of such great sewing books. She said that she was a terrible seamstress and has really gotten into spinning her own yarn (saving up to purchase a new spinner - I think that's what they are called). She loves to knit and crochet so we will be friends on ravelry, though I have yet to post any of my work. She was really sweet. Yippee, I love books and of course love getting them on the cheap.

Simplicity 3887 - Spring Top #1

Here is my first 2009 spring top. This pattern is really simple and yields a cute result. I used a green crinkled cotton which was pretty lightweight. I made a French seam for the first time. I originally made view C but cut 5 inches from the bottom. I liked the top shorter. I also did the flutter sleeve from view E. I originally wanted to add a few fabric flowers from the book Fun to Wear Fabric Flowers. After a few failed attempts I unraveled the flower and created this pleated design.


I thought it added something "extra" to the top and went with it. I wore it to a baby shower today and my baby sis told me I looked cute.

All for 30 Cents

I was at a local thrift store trying to find some groovy containers to plant some flowers or vegetables in from my non-existent garden. I've got seeds, dirt, and a plan but not much beyond that. Back to sewing, I found these little gems for 10 cents a piece and they are size 14 (bust size 36). I think I am a 10/12 in pattern size but I'm not sure if vintage patterns run more true to measurement. The print dates range from 1969 to 1972 - all before I was born. I don't plan to tackle these any time soon but I do like the simplicity (no pun intended) of the dresses and the subtle details.

March UFO

Okay this is pretty sad but I did get one UFO completed for March. I hate to post it because it was so dang easy. March was suppose to be UFOs and spring tops. I will roll the spring tops into April but I am still going to take on buttonholes. I really need some tops BAD!

This is a easy peasy knit skirt (Butterick) for my daughter. I made the top in February so she could wear it to her Valentine's breakfast. I am trying to turn this into a TNT T-shirt pattern for her. I have some minor fitting things to work out. Anyway, I ran out of thread so I couldn't finish the skirt in time for the breakfast. I just put it on hold. For the hem, I used a twin needle and I used wooly nylon in the bobbin for the first time. My tension was off because I have major tunneling. I added a little star to the skirt for some detailing. Excuse the wrinkles - she was doing a bunch of crazy poses before I could get her to stand still.

Review - Butterick 5249

Front View

Back View

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
The only think that I disliked initially is that the instructions recommended that you hem the skirt by hand. However, I found this to be quite relaxing once I got into it. I have never hemmed anything by hand.
Fabric Used:
Stretch cranberry corduroy from my collection.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I cut a size 12 but ended up taking in about 1" on the side seam (rather than the recommended 5/8"). I think that would have placed me closer to a 10. I am a little apprehensive about cutting a 10 next go round since I had a stretch material this time which could accommodate being snugger. I don't know if a 10 will be too tight or am I truly somewhere between a 10 and 12.
The hip area did not fit me correctly. When I initially tried on the skirt, the hip area ballooned out. I changed the shape by sewing a slightly angled line in that area and it hugged my curves correctly.
I did the facing differently. See techniques section below for the link. I attached the facing directly to the zipper.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes. I would love this in a stretch denim.
New Techniques I learned:
Click on technique for more information -
How to install an invisible zipper Click here
How to mimic RTW facings Click Here
Hemming by hand Click Here
Conclusion:
I love the way this skirt fits. I didn't think I could do the high waist since I am naturally high waisted. Now my confession...while finishing one of the raw edges of the panels, my fabric flipped over and I cut through a very visible area of my skirt. I cried, seriously. It's right on my bum - can't see it in the photo but it is there. I guess I could wear a long sweater or a shirt out like my photo. Anyway I was bound and determined to finish this since my goal was to increase my sewing skills. Mission accomplished but I am not sure if I will ever wear this. Oh well!


Now I have some questions. When finishing seams do you typically leave them open like I have below or serge them together. I also think I didn't need to fold over the raw edge of my hem but could have simply left it flat since I serged the edge, resulting in a less bulky finish. What type of hand stitch is typically used for a hem?