It’s 40 degrees and raining. I pulled this outfit out this weekend. I made it last spring. Too big then, and just right now. Iz loves it because of the little doggie print. It’s a dress pattern that I made a bit shorter because she was crawling back then. It wasn’t even a year ago!
Now she’s walking – well actually running everywhere. Walks up and down the stairs without holding on. I think it’s going to be a fun summer. We’ll go swimming in tthe lakes and rivers, on great hikes and have some fun picnics. Iz loves being outside. Today, she’s got her frog boots on and a raincoat. I’m sure we’ll do tons of puddle jumping.
I am just about done with my New Look 6620 Kimono Style Knit Top muslin. I dropped the band 1″ and made all the adjustments necessary as a result of this. I thought I’d have to make a Full Bust Adjustment, since I purchased the pattern based on my High Bust measurement, but that’s not the case at all. I’ll take pictures and post them once I am completely done with the top, but I think it’s coming along nicely.
I will have to redo the neckband, I think I added 1″ to both ends, when I only needed to add 1/2″. (the joyful result of patternmaking at the end of the day instead of during sunlight hours) It’s a bummer I didn’t catch that before I finished it. I have yet to add the sleeve bands, and initially I thought I would shorten the sleeves, but that is not the case. I wish the bottom half of the shirt were a bit fuller (or my bottom half a lot less fuller . It’s a very lightweight jersey and will show it all. There is NO WAY I am wearing leggings under this shirt (although I think it’s great for the look), but I did the leggings thing once in my life, and I don’t think it’s a good idea to go back to that! Anyway…the length is pretty good, I’ll hem it once I find the pants to wear with it.
While I’ve been working on this, I’ve been dreaming of other fabrics to do this in, and I have to tell you, I think a wool knit would be perfect for this top! Nothing too stiff, but it would be fabulous in the winter with a turtleneck and jeans (or knit top with pants).
I’ve been working on trying to figure out which top to make for the commercial pattern class that is offered in April, and I’ve finally decided…
Now…I have to admit, I think the photo looks pretty dowdy. Not sure if it was a bad stylist or poor fabric choice, but I think the flat drawing of the garment shows that it’s a great shape, perfect for many different figures, and I’ve seen shirts like this on the pages of my most recent catalogs. I think the key to making this successful for any body type, is to:
Choose the size pattern based on your high bust measurement. If you have a cup size larger than a B cup (like I do…thank you post pregnancy/breastfeeding!), if you meassure your bust and choose the pattern based on that, chances are the pattern will be too big allover and not be flattering. It’s simple to make a bust measurement, whether it’s for an A cup or a DD cup, or even a G cup (yes girls…they go up to J!)
Change the pattern so the band cuts you in the right place. I think you want it to sit properly under the bust, just enough distance so it doesn’t look as though your bust is being cut off, and not to far down to make it look like your bust is at your knees…if you know what I mean!
Choose a really drapey or slinky knit fabric. I think drape is key here. The more the drape, the better the look. If you choose a fabric with not enough drape, the top will look boxy and not flattering. On the other hand, if you choose too “slinky” a knit, you may show off more than you want to (you know the rolls that no one knows about!).
Let your body type determine the print, if any. Prints are on trend (when are they not?), but the Fashionistas are wearing them. Choose a print that fits you! If you are petite, stick with a small print. Not so petite? Then go with something larger. Not sure which is right for you? Chances are the fabric store will have a mirror. Take the bolt of fabric and WRAP IT AROUND YOU. That’s right…wear it! Thinking about a stripe? People with little or no hips looks great in horizontal stripes. Want to look taller or thinner? Then wear a vertical stripe.
Lengthen or shorten the pattern, so the skirt of the top or tunic hits you in the most flattering place for you! Horizontal lines can be the death of a figure, so take time to fit the pattern and hem in the right place!
So anyway…I’ve picked up some solid stretchy light jerseys. I did want to try a print, but my lovely Joann’s only has solids and won’t be getting any printed jersey (what?????). If I had time, I’d order some, but I don’t want to wait. I’m going to be making the short sleeve option, without the contract fabric band. I like the details, but prefer to keep them subtle. I think if I had found a to-die-for print, then I would do the contrast, but….
One of the knits is cotton/spandex and the other is 100% (cringe)poly. They each have their own drape, we’ll see how they work out! Pictures to follow. Happy Sewing!
Other places I’ve seen this style top: (and if you find one that’s not here, send me the link and I’ll post it!)
From Macy’s – INC International Concepts® Woman Empire V-Neck Tunic
(the sleeves are a little different, but the shape is the same!)
Forever21 with more delicate details. The drape looks perfect!
BCBG Max Azria Printed Kimono Dress. Wow – great idea for using the border
It’s a place where someone can come and learn to use their sewing machine, learn sewing skills, patternamking skills and fit skills. It’s a place for all levels. Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Intermdiate and Advanced. It’s a place where people can just come and hang out and sew, I have a few machines available for renting already, the’ll be a cutting table and irons. I am so fortunate right now to be renting a space from in Northampton, Ma. It’s a great space, open and clean! and there is plenty of storage for the LuckyStitches paraphenalia.
In the next few days, I’ll be finishing up ordering/shopping for the space and getting ready for our first class, Re-Make a T-shirt into … Some will make a cool new shirt, or a skirt or a bag. The possibilities are endless!
To get added to the LuckyStitches Classes and News list – email me info@luckystitches.com and put subscribe in the subject line.
Every Friday, starting March 9, is Friday Night Sew-cial, from 6-9. Come in for a demo, stay and use the space to work on your project and hang with other sewers/crafters.
There are so many other classes happening:
MACHINE MADNESS – a down and dirty session, learn to use your machine
Learn to use your sewing machine while making a tote bag and wallet
Learn about fabric while making a fabulously fitting A-line Skirt
Learn about commercial patterns, how to make them fit and alter them while making a shirt
Re-Make a pair of pants into a skirt
Make a Duct Tape dress form of your body!
Sewing 1-2-3 -afterschool sewing for kids
Be sure to check for all the info or emailme info@luckystitches.com and type “subscribe” to be added to the announcement list.
Cliché but true, I think. There is nothing that can replace being creative and productive together. Here you can read the .
I am eager for my (almost) 2 year old to learn to sew. I have wonderful memories, soul filling moments in time of creativity and accomplishment. I remember sewing with my mom, first it was counted cross stitch and probably a bit of embroidery and I can imagine sitting next to her while she sewed curtains for my room. I do remember picking out the fabric for them, once it was a tiny print of red, blue and yellow flowers.
I feel like sewing has always been a part of me. I have smatterings of memories of sewing and making clothes for myself. Mom or Dad would take me to the fabulous sewing center (which I think is now a bowling alley or a billards hall) and I would spend hours looking through the pattern books, picking out a pattern, then another chunk of time going through all the fabric bolts and remnants until the perfect fabric had been chosen. I felt like I had gotten to spend the entire day there (perhaps it was only an hour?). Then to get home and lay the pattern out on the fabric and cut it out. Pin it together and sew. And not go to bed until it was finished. I remember doing that quite a bit. I would stay up and make a second skirt and if my back could handle it, I would cut fabric for another and consider sewing it together. But I probably had to go to school the next morning and I would reluctantly shut the light and go to bed.
After getting accepted into Art School and spending 4 years studying Fashion Design (or as some would put it 4 years of sewing), I knew that I wanted to keep it for myself. It was something that I had been doing all my life for me, and I was not about to do it for anyone else. I did go into the fashion industry, but worked on the textile side and at times, dabbled in the art direction of the marketing of apparel.
I still sew these days (although not as often, I have a munchkin that would prefer my undivided attention), and my husband sews too. It’s worked it’s way into his art. Soon, Izzy will sew and we can work on projects together.
. It’s a very lightweight jersey and will show it all. There is NO WAY I am wearing leggings under this shirt (although I think it’s great for the look), but I did the leggings thing once in my life, and I don’t think it’s a good idea to go back to that! Anyway…the length is pretty good, I’ll hem it once I find the pants to wear with it.
Recent Comments