Sharing, Inspiration and Project Photos XVIII

[RuthieK]

I made another top from Simplicity 4076, though the day I wore it I rushed to the sewing room and added a few hand stitches above the knot before I left the house lol

[BetsyV]

what a fantastic color Ruthie!

I did that to the last Jalie twist top I made, too, the couple of stitches at CF  The whole world doesn't have to see what God and your mother gave you.

Everyone is so kind about my new coat! I put it on my Facebook page too and some very old high school friends are impressed - one of them is learning to sew for herself and called me an inspiration! Ha!

Now for some cold weather - bring it on!

[BeeBee]

what a fantastic color Ruthie!

I did that to the last Jalie twist top I made, too, the couple of stitches at CF  The whole world doesn't have to see what God and your mother gave you.

Everyone is so kind about my new coat! I put it on my Facebook page too and some very old high school friends are impressed - one of them is learning to sew for herself and called me an inspiration! Ha!

Now for some cold weather - bring it on!

Yes, it's a very nice jacket and while I love the lining, top stitching and especially the buttons, couldn't you just take a trip to Canada to wear the darn thing and not wish for cold weather for the rest of us? Please.

[Janis]

Ruthie, I love your top and I love that style, but they are just making these tops way too low cut for me these days.  Even if I try to close the neckline up a bit, it's still way too low.  It's not just about the girls, either...it's all those wrinkles on the way to them, as well   I just wish there was a "sensible" pattern line. 

Okay, now I feel old as the hills.  Next thing you know, I'll be talking about sensible shoes

[marciae]

Nice top Ruthie - and you know how I love your colors - they are mine!!

Janis - funnel neck tops are my new 'best friend'!!

[AnnRowley]

Fabulous colour Ruthie!  I gasped a bit when I saw the neckline  - I hope the extra stitches helped...

Like Janis I'm not to keen on having much of my chest on show.

[RuthieK]

Ann, they don't fit as low as it looks.
Here I am wearing the red/orange version I made in the summer in the same pattern/fit and also with the extra stitches added.
It's low but not showing anything much


I suppose I need to take photos of me wearing the items, but I have not managed to get organised to do that yet.

[stashpanache]

Wow, Ruthie!

I must say.... You are looking wonderful these days....

[vtmartha]

I love that color on you, Ruthie!

[Diane P.]

 
Ruthie -- that is such a good look on you and it really accents your curves without being too obvious.  Congratulations on knowing what suits your body and personality, making this one of your TNT patterns, and really making the look your own.  Isn't that really why we all sew?

[DebbieY]

I made another top from Simplicity 4076, though the day I wore it I rushed to the sewing room and added a few hand stitches above the knot before I left the house lol

Looks great Ruthie.

Can I ask .... did you have any issues with this pattern such as gaping at back neck? My first attempt has not been brilliant but with some changes to the pattern I am hoping to have something I can wear hopefully not too far down the track. You have inspired me to get this pattern right as your tops always look super.

[RuthieK]

Debbie, you can see I have added a centre back seam, and yes without that I get gaping at the back neck, and excess fabric at the back waist.
I use the back seam to allow me to add back shaping. I curve it in at the back neck until it fits neatly, and also curve in at the waist but back to the original line for the broad area of my upper back, and the broad area of my high hip. I find that taking out about 5/8" (on each piece) from the back neckline really improves the fit massively for me, so I do it on almost everything now.

The whole neckline is also serged and then stabilised with 1/4" steam a seam lite before being stitched down. So the neckline does not really have any stretch. I also add ribbon into the shoulder seams to stop them stretching out. So the back neckline is snug and reinforced, the shoulder seams can't stretch out and the front neckline has also been shortened and is reinforced - that all helps it lie neatly against the body and not gape.

They are all very small things but make the difference between a worn often useful top and a something useless which looks nice on the hanger.

[mardel]

Ann, the gift bags are really cute and the poinsetta is pretty too.  I'm glad you were able to save it.

Elizabeth, what darling doll clothes you have made.  I think the size of these dolls is so much nicer for dressing, not that I ever had the opportunity to make doll clothes.  I remember my mom making things for Barbie when I was little too (and my brother too, although it took me a long time to develop enough dexterity in my fingers for tiny stuff like that).  I always wished I could make some doll clothes, but DSD adamantly did not like dolls and now I have a grandson who is likely to be an only.  Enjoy sewing for them, the dolls at least can't talk back and stand still when you fit them.

Ruthie, another lovely top.  That style looks so flattering on you.  Congratulations on perfecting something that is so perfect for you.

[Remnant]

Red Wool Skirt. Simplicity 9825. I'm very happy with it. Comfy. I top stitched with matching thread, which I like. I considered using black thread - but was hesitant for 2 reasons: I wasn't sure how neatly I could do the job and I wasn't sure how it would look - would it be too much? Maybe next time I won't be hesitant. I can already tell my skills are improving.

That's not my tummy hanging over the top of my waist. It's just the way my shirt is hanging.

[fzxdoc]

Remnant, you did a very nice job on that skirt.  I think that a tone-on-tone topstiching, as you have done, allows the skirt to be more versatile and classic-looking.  That's not to say that the skirt wouldn't have looked marvelous with contrast topstitching, but to my eye, it would have given it a little more of a sporty look.

Is that a slot seam in the front or is it a simple seam topstitched on each side with no center opening? And what type of thread did you use for the topstitching? Did you change your machine stitch for it?

You really chose a nice style--the look is so flattering on you!

Ruthie, that is a very pretty style for the top, and you made it in such a lovely color! The neckline doesn't appear to be nearly as plunging on you as it does on the hanger.  Nice job!

Ann, the gift bags are nice, and will be handy for those holiday gifts. I wish I could get as motivated as you are!

Elizabeth, cute doll clothes. Before you blink an eye, your little one will want to be sewing some up all by herself. Time goes that fast.  

Betsy, your new short wool coat looks wonderful. Your meticulous sewing methods are showcased so nicely in that style and fabric.  You really did a marvelous job. As always, I enjoy seeing all of the "in progress" photos on your photosite. It's fun to peek over your shoulder as you sew.

Stash, that top was cute when you showed it before and it is even cuter on your DDIL. Thanks for posting the photo! It's a great color for her. I don't think you need to fiddle with the fit on this one--it looks fine to everyone who doesn't have your sewist's critical eye-- but isn't it nice to know what you will do with the next one?  That's what I'm learning about sewing with knits.  With each project, I learn a little more.  I really love that complementary fabric combo you chose for the top, too.

I'm settling into my sewing room today after a (too) long hiatus. I thought this "retiring to the mountains" thing was going to be peaceful, with long days of nothing to do but sew.  Wrong!    But we're loving our busy lifestyle--I just find myself wishing, just as I did back in my working-outside-the-home days, that I had more time to sew.

Kathryn

[Remnant]

Thank you, Kathryn. No slit on the seam: just a simple seam with topstitching on either side. I didn't change the thread: next time I might try using two threads for the topstitching. I think I used a smaller stitch size, however, than what I used for the seams.

I have long days during these "post-homeschooling" years. You'd think I'd have oodles more time to sew. I do have days with nothing on my calendar - but too many days are filled with little things that just can't be put off. I highly admire those who work outside the home and sew in their "free" time - I can't imagine trying to learn all there is to learn during a few moments here and there.

[Madrona]

Wow Remnant - great skirt!  Looks fantastic on you, too.    I'm a big fan of visible top-stitching on garments, but I think you made the right choice with this skirt. 

[Diane Egelston]

Beautiful skirt, Lisa! The color is to die for.

[Ann]

Remnant, what a lovely skirt - perfectly done with tone top stitching. Looks perfect on you with the black sweater set.

Ann

[Janis]

Remnant, what a lovely skirt.  I think the tone on tone top stitching is perfect!

[AnnRowley]

Lovely skirt Lisa!  Like Kathryn I think your tone on tone top stitching makes it much more versatile; contrast topstitching seems to limit the colours that you can wear with it...

[BetsyV]

Lisa terrific skirt! I agree the topstittching in the same color is best. For subtle contrast, a rayon or silk thread in the same color projects just a tiny bit of shine ...

Kathryn/fzxdoc: thank you for the lovely comments on my coat!

[Remnant]

Thank you, everyone!

 It's nice to have my choices validated. I should take a closeup of the fabric: there is black woven through, so that's why I was betwixt on the color. Maybe later today I'll get the photo taken. Also, thanks Betsy, for the tip about using a silk/rayon thread. I'll keep that in mind for next time.

It is also nice to -finally- be able to post a project that I was happy with! I've sewn oodles of things in the last couple of months - and each has been a learning experience - some about style, some about technique, some about fabric. Some that worked well. If I could find my wayward tripod, I'd be able to post more.

[fzxdoc]

Lisa (Remnant), I'm so happy that this skirt has been a satisfying sewing project for you. Sometimes it's hard for a project to match what the sewist had in her mind's eye when she started. But the more you sew, the better you will get at it.

About the topstitching, usually I lengthen the stitch so that it shows better. Sometimes I loosen the tension slightly as well, so the thread rides on the top of the fabric a bit more than for the usual stitch. And I really enjoy using the triple stitch whose icon looks like this on my sewing machine:

!!!
!!!
!!!

For that stitch, I use a long stitch length (setting: 4 out of 5) and on my Bernina select the long stitch function which allows only every second stitch to be sewn.

Many people play with some of the decorative stitch settings to come up with a pretty topstitch.  It might be fun for you to try as well.

Also, I almost always topstitch with silk thread, if I have the color available. That sheen is amazing. The nice thing about silk thread is that it reflects some of the fabric's color, which enhances a tone-on-tone topstitch treatment. 

If I have it available, I use the 30 weight silk thread which is slightly heavier than the machine twist 50 weight thread. At least I try it in a sample to see if I like that weight better. 

I order my silk thread from Things Japanese--they have a wonderful color card available with actual pieces of the silk thread in it, so you can get a perfect match. They will also send you little samples of all of the thread weights that they have available, which is nice to have when deciding which weight to buy.

One caveat about silk thread: sometimes fabric stores have the Gutermann silk thread available.  I never use it for topstitching, because the fiber lengths are short and choppy. It does not have that pretty sheen and it breaks easily.  I use it for basting on fine fabrics (like silk velvet) where I am concerned about leaving a thread imprint with a basting stitch. Otherwise I use TIRES silk thread, which is a single monofilament, for garment construction and for topstitching.

Just my 2 pennies' worth on silk thread...

Kathryn

[marciae]

Lisa - nice skirt - great color - I also, much prefer the tone on tone top stitching!

Ruthie - another great jacket - in a gorgeous color!

[Brenda]

Love your skirt, Lisa! It reminds me of a black denim one I made a few years ago and wore to death.

And thanks for a solid 2 cents worth on the topstitching, Kathryn!

I topstitched that denim skirt with white Guterman's polyester. It was casual wear. I can certainly appreciate silk... and what that would do to the look... hmmm... another project!

[fzxdoc]

I just finished putting together a tote bag that I made for a friend as a gift.  She is one of my classmates in my Creative Writing class, and has been particularly kind to me all semester.  I found the really great machine embroidery design on a site that someone talked about here on SG, www.urbanthreads.com . 

The tote can be seen in my Flickr album but I'm putting the two photos here as well:





The tote bag is just a simple rectangle with handles stitched on--pretty basic stuff.

I hope she likes it: I figure she can haul her writing assignments to/from class in it.

Kathryn

[Diane Egelston]

What a terrific gift, Kathryn! How cool that you're taking a creative writing class 

[marciae]

What a great gift - simply and yet very unique!!

[Remnant]

I love satchels - and this one is beautiful. I'm sure your friend will LOVE it.

[Karendee]

Kathryn,

This is a lovely gift--the idea and embroidery are both perfect. I'm excited about your creative writing class, as I have always found your writing  to be so clear, concise, and insightful. Your "turn of the phrase" is both elegant , and is a perfect example of prose reading as poetry . Congratulations on your continued education!

Lisa,

Your skirt and whole outfit looks lovely on you.

Karen

[cmarie12]

Although I've been quiet...I have been reading along and enjoying everyone's beautiful garments and bags.  I've been sewing quite a bit and detailing most of it on my blog.  Mostly I've made a bunch of dresses and I just wanted to share my favorite one with you:



Made from my TNT dress pattern...if you want to see more pics of the construction and my latest dresses, please check out my flickr photo album.

Thanks to everyone who shares in this folder...everything is so inspiring!

[Martha Domke]

Carolyn, I'm always in awe of your wonderful dresses.  You do such fine work, and each dress is so "YOU".  I really like the jackets, and the sweaters you wear with the dresses.  They provide a nice finishing touch.  Keep up the good work, and post more often.  I've missed you being on here.

[AnnRowley]

Kathryn - creative writing; how enterprising!  Are we looking for a novel here, or something autobiographical?   
Anyway...great bag for your friend.

Carolyn, nice to see you back here, and on the SWAP thread too, with another of your lovely dresses.

[marciae]

Carolyn - lovely dress as usual.  Nice to have you back showing us your projects!  You always look so 'put together'!!