Sharing, Inspiration and Project Photos XVIII

[RuthieK]

Myrna, I run the gathering stitches through that section and pull it up, then lay it with the facing side down and sew up to the centre arranging the gathers as I go. Then from the centre and away again still arranging gathers, then the rest of the neckline and then I serged it all and let it flip over. I found if I pulled the body quite firmly away from the seam line and used lots of pins the gathers worked quite well.

If gathers are too 'messy' for you perhaps you could replace them with pleats?
P.S. I don't use the paper pattern tip they give in the instructions I think that is a terrible suggestion!

[fzxdoc]

Ann, the shirt you made for your DD turned out nicely. I really like a tan/black combo, so I can envision her wearing it with black pants or black jeans.

I'm sorry to hear that your sewing room is on hold. I've been waiting with baited breath to see you ensconced in it! OTOH, setting up a sewing room to one's perfect liking takes time and planning, so I can see why you want to wait until you're finally free.

Myrna, I second Ruthie's suggestion about pleating a thicker fabric instead of gathering it. You may be happier with the result.

Kathryn

[Ann]

Kathyrn, thank you for the compliment on the shirt. It is going to look great on her with black jeans or slacks.

I am not too sad about my sewing room. DH has to do the baseboards and put in the new window and the electricians need to put in the lights. In order for DH to work in other rooms that need gutting and redoing, I said we can put my sewing bins and decorations into the sewing room. I will end up washing down the room and floor as we unpack and set up the tables, etc. I know I can get it done in a week if nothing interrupts me.

I also need to have patience as DH hasn't done anything on his shop for 6 to 8 weeks. He needs to insulate it and get the inside done but he is waiting for warmer weather to do that. He has about 8 weeks until that happens.

Ann

[Myrna]

If gathers are too 'messy' for you perhaps you could replace them with pleats?
P.S. I don't use the paper pattern tip they give in the instructions I think that is a terrible suggestion!

Thanks for the gathers info. That's about how I do it but - even so - I didn't like the way they looked... although to be honest I'm just not a gathers kind of girl and I never tend to like them unless they are gathered really tightly.

That pattern tip was ridiculous. Actually, I didn't even use the neckband piece. I cut a 2" strip, stretched and pinned through all the neckline, and only measured that gathered section to make sure I was getting it correct. In the end, I did pleats. It looks pretty good. I'm just about to start sewing again and have the sleeves, side seams, and hems to do. Hopefully, I'll have a "done" picture for the morning. Thanks for the help.

- Myrna

[Myrna]

Myrna, I second Ruthie's suggestion about pleating a thicker fabric instead of gathering it. You may be happier with the result.

Kathryn

I did that last night and yes, it looks way better. I bought the fabric from Emma One Sock and it's wonderful - a rayon knit. I'll add a link when I put the picture up. I'd buy more.

- Myrna

[RuthieK]

Glad it worked out :-)
Somehow I thought you might not be someone who likes the casual look of gathers.

Looking forward to seeing the finished results.

I made a little cami today out of the scraps from my other projects.

[Myrna]

Glad it worked out :-)
Somehow I thought you might not be someone who likes the casual look of gathers.

LOL - already I am becoming "known". VERY fun.

- Myrna

[fzxdoc]

Cute top, Ruthie. Love that color!

Myrna, I was wondering whether you would like it better if the pleats were stitched down an inch or so.  It sounds as though you accomplished a similar result using the wider  neckline binding. I'd love to see a photo of the completed top, when you get to that point. Best of luck in finishing it up!

Kathryn

[Myrna]

Myrna, I was wondering whether you would like it better if the pleats were stitched down an inch or so.  It sounds as though you accomplished a similar result using the wider  neckline binding. I'd love to see a photo of the completed top, when you get to that point. Best of luck in finishing it up!

Great minds and all. I just came in to post a picture. The 2" strip is only 1/4" wider than the pattern piece and when I turned it to the underside, I stitched it narrower than what they had planned. I prefer a tighter, neater look.

I was debating pintucks from the neckline for another version. A friend was wearing a tank top like that the other day. I think it could be quite cute. YES... sewn down might have been better although I think the issues are mainly with the fabric factor. This knit was a bit too thick and stable for this pattern. This shirt is not a wadder but it's not the most wonderful one I have. The fabric FEELS gorgeous. It's a rayon blend from Emma One Sock. In the future, I'd used it for softening a more structured garment. I have two more 2 yard pieces.



My perfecting of a t-shirt pattern is making tremendous progress. This one was a blend of the New Look 6735 with the Simplicity 4076 neckline. The shaping of the New Look works great on my body. I wore the blue/grey/black one I sewed last week all day yesterday and it is my favourite so far. - Myrna

[BetsyV]

very nice Myrna. love the color

[Karendee]

Lovely tops, Myrna!

Karen

[Diane Egelston]

Ann, what a terrific shirt. Your work is  beautiful and meticulous!

Myna, love the tops. So pretty.

Ruthie, great little cami. Did you use a Jan Bones pattern?  if not, which pattern did you use?

[fzxdoc]

Your tops turned out very nicely, Myrna. I think the one with the pleated neckline looks nice, and since it feels so nice, I bet you end up wearing it more than you think you might. The fabric sounds delicious.

Your blue/grey/black top is gorgeous, too. You really do such a nice job!

Kathryn

[Myrna]

Myrna, love the tops. So pretty.

Lovely tops, Myrna!

very nice Myrna. love the color

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the encouragement. I just finished watching a DVD on making jeans and have been knitting for a bit while I think about my next project. A dress I think.

- Myrna

[MaryPat]

Myrna- I like both of your tops. I have been enjoying your blog as well.
Ruthie- I cannot believe how many items you have cut from your fabric! Wow, I can believe it when you say you need a change from the red-orange colour after all that.
I have made a hat for Maisie from some wool knit that I fulled in the washer/dryer. I want to start hand embroidering again, but have forgotten a lot. These were supposed to be some finger puppets made so I could practise my stitches. At the last minute I decided to stitch them onto a hat for her instead. The dolls are wool felt and I used DMC and Anchor threads for the embroidery. The stitches are pretty basic, using mainly stem and fly stitches, lazy daisy and French knots. I really did need to review the basics, so it filled two needs- embroidery review and Christmas present.

[Carole]

That hat is adorable, MaryPat!  I'll bet she loves it.

[TraceyG]

MaryPat, the hat is cute as can be!  I really like the Russian dolls.

Tracey

[fzxdoc]

Awww, the hat (or the child) couldn't be any cuter!

Kathryn

[Diane Egelston]

MaryPat, Maisie's hat is such a work of art. Love it!

[Myrna]

Advice please. I have a soft baby cord in purple with a light paisley design on it. I want to make a dress. My goal is something comfortable and "winter-ish". The two patterns I really like are Vogue 8409...



... and Vogue 8511. I have a triangle body type and both say they are not suitable. I can see why with 8511 but not 8409.



The other two options are Vogue 8178 and...



Vogue 8382 although...



... both of those seem quite summery to me. My first preference is 8511 and my second 8409. Does anyone see why this wouldn't suit me? AND... I guess an option would be the top of 8511 with the bottom of 8409. Thoughts? Thanks - Myrna

[cmarie12]

Mary Pat - that hat is just too cute to be cute!  Loves it!

Myrna - I think you will be very disappointed with the finished dress if you used any of the patterns you mentioned.  IMHO, I just don't believe that the cord fabric no matter how soft will work well with any of the designs you have featured.  The fabrics suggested for V8409 are ~ Lightweight Flannel, Crepe, Double Knit, Matte Jersey and Lightweight Gabardine and the ones for V8511 are ~ Lightweight Jersey, Lightweight Crepe, Lightweight Tweed and Linen.  Do you have something more like either of these fabrics to use?

[Karendee]

Mary Pat,

I so agree with everyone here; Maise's hat  (and Miss Maise) is just adorable!!! You do such outstanding work.

Myrna,

Sorry, but I have to agree with Carolyn! I can't see any of those patterns for corduroy. That fabric just seems much too stiff and bulky for these styles. Of course, I have been wrong before--LOL!

Karen

[Myrna]

Sorry, but I have to agree with Carolyn! I can't see any of those patterns for corduroy. That fabric just seems much too stiff and bulky for these styles. Of course, I have been wrong before--LOL!

Myrna - I think you will be very disappointed...

LOL - I asked. Thanks. I've started a second blog just for pictures so that I can post and talk about things without having to make a "real" blog entry. This fabric is cord-like in that it has lines and a nap otherwise, it is not much heavier than a firm linen. Take a look at the pictures please and let me know if you still think it's too heavy. Here is the front design and...



... here is the back and...



... and here it is twisted in my hand. If you still think it won't work, I need to find a pattern in my stash that will because I want to sew this fabric and I want to use a pattern that I already have. Thanks again - Myrna

[Myrna]

Here's the twisted image. Not sure what happened to it - Myrna

[vtmartha]

I think that fabric would make a super jumper.  You could leave off the sleeves and increase the ease a bit in most any of the patterns you are considering.

[Myrna]

I think that fabric would make a super jumper.  You could leave off the sleeves and increase the ease a bit in most any of the patterns you are considering.

Hmm... that had me looking at the one and only jumper pattern I have - Simplicity 3673 - as well as...



... the only other dress pattern I have that might be suitable - Vogue 8146 - and...



... checking the fabric suggestions. The Simplicity mentions a pinwale cord and the lines of it aren't much different than the bottom half of 8409 and the top half of 8511. It's SO HARD to describe the feel of a fabric isn't it? This one is soft and drapey and very pliable and flowing. Based on what I know about fabric (and I can be wrong - LOL) it should work for either 8409, 8511, or 8146. I was more worried about the suitability of the patterns to my body type than the fabric. - Myrna

[Marji]

MaryPat, that is just too cute for words - the hat and the child. 

Myrna, I think you have to go with your gut. There isn't any way any number of pics are going to show the weight or stiffness of a fabric. Carolyn has a real valid point that those designs are meant for soft fabric.

[Myrna]

Myrna, I think you have to go with your gut. There isn't any way any number of pics are going to show the weight or stiffness of a fabric. Carolyn has a real valid point that those designs are meant for soft fabric.

Yes. That's what I was thinking. My concern was the suitability of the patterns to my body type. I checked all the reviews to see what was said and now I think I'll also have to trust my gut on that too. I'd love to make 8511 because it has the soft, warm, winter-ish look to the top that I want. It has a fitted back skirt so my plan is to make a muslin, do the pleats, evaluate, and eliminate them in the real thing if it's not a good idea. If I do that, I'll add darts below the upper seams and/or princess seams. At least that way, I tried it. I also don't want the shoulder seam to be dropped too much so I'll take a look at that on the muslin too. THANKS everyone. Sorry to ask such a difficult to answer question. Wish we could pass the swatch - Myrna
 

[AnnRowley]

MaryPat, I just love the hat!
Those basic embroidery stitches really add to the feel of your design - keep up the good work .

Myrna, you've had lots of good advice - I'll be interested to see what you finally decide.

[fzxdoc]

Mary Pat, your adorable hat put me in mind of some of the www.spoonflower.com doll fabrics.  Thse Russian Doll prints are cute:

nested dolls 1
nested dolls 2
nested dolls 3

This Happy/Sad Asian doll is one of my favorites:



And I like this set too.



And I love this vegetable doll kit fabric.

And speaking of food prints, I bought a piece of this Zoo in My Belly print to make a child's quilt.

When you click on these links, you will see "Sizes" to the right of the print. selecting various sizes will allow you to see more or less detail of each print.

OK. I'll stop now. Can you tell that I love surfing the Spoonflower site?

Kathryn

[vtmartha]

Mary Pat, the hat is absolutely adorable!

Kathryn, I should remember but apparently I can't - have you sewn any of the fabric from Spoonflower?

[marciae]

MaryPat - - darling hat!!

[fzxdoc]

Kathryn, I should remember but apparently I can't - have you sewn any of the fabric from Spoonflower?

I have not sewn any yet, Martha, but I'm fixing to! I ordered this really cute Bird Calendar for 2010 and will be putting backing on it and hanging it.

One of my favorite sewists, Kayy, who posts here occasionally and often on Patternreview has written a nice commentary about sewing with Spoonflower fabric here and on her 'blog here.

I have ordered two pieces from them, both in the Cotton Sateen, and really love the clarity of the colors on the print and the hand of the fabric.

Kathryn

[vtmartha]

Thanks, Kathryn, the calendar is really cute.  Does ordering a yard of that fabric then result in two calendars?  And thanks so much for the links to Kay's reviews.  Somehow, I had missed those but they were very interesting reading.

[fzxdoc]

Martha, I've moved our conversation over to the Spoonflower Fabrics topic here.

I'll answer your question there.

Kathryn