I didn't get a chance to update here but put a post on Instagram (here) explaining why I was postponing Faye's Tops That Pop. It took a bit for me to wrap my head around my feelings about everything and ultimately, I don't feel good uplifting brands that are choosing to be silent. So, soon. We will do this soon.
These tops were made pre-challenge. I've made all of these patterns before so they're getting lumped into this post.
This fabric is a cotton lycra knit from Girl Charlee. I haven't ordered from there in years because of a bad experience and reading about many others' experiences.
This fabric felt really nice when I pulled it out of the package - soft and smooth! It was much, much less so after washing. I wore it and washed it again and bleh. It won't last long :(
Size 14 with sleeve hack mentioned here and lengthened it 6" (the top in the pattern is a peplum). I intended to length the sleeves but forgot.
Next up was another version of the Kommatia tee pattern in this printed cotton knit, also from Girl Charlee. Same pattern adjustments here - size Medium with an extra 2.5" added at the hip.
When I made this Ottobre tee, I liked the cute print but I joked that it looked like I should be working in the pediatric wing of the hospital. This gives me the same vibes! WAHHHHH. I'm not making any more cotton knit print tees! LOL!!!
On the right, I tried it with a few garments before sewing the neckband and hemming to be sure I should finish it. I do not love it. I love the print, but the garment is meh for me.
Next up was this top intended to copy a top I saw at LOFT. I made this pattern previously here. I chopped the sleeve but should have cut it a bit shorter. I was aiming for more of an extended shoulder look vs. a short sleeve.
The color is so me, the fabric felt really nice even after washing, but it was HORRIBLY off grain and had a giant hole in it.
I was not pleased and will not be ordering from them again.
Lastly, I saw this Jason Wu top during some of my RTW idea gathering time and decided to use the Ogden to copy it.
I used my normal size 12, chopped off 6" and decided on an 8" ruffle at 2.2x the width.
I used a cotton poplin that was in my donate bin. I hated the top I made with it but I thought it was perfect for this little summer top.
Also, I really wish I had made the ties like twice as long!!
I promise you, rolled hems are absolutely effortless now!
36 comments:
Love the ruffly top - so fun! And the hem looks fantastic. It's sad about the Girl Charlee fabrics; I've never ordered from them and after this post I don't really have any desire to do so in the future. Also, I saw your post on Instagram and completely agree with everything you said regarding the sew along - when the time is right I will be ready to join you in celebrating Faye, but for now there are other things that need to be the focus.
Ah...I rather lije your 'paediatric' top bit once you said it I couldn't under it! The peplum is lovely. But oh my, really?!... I'm so glad to hear you say that about the rolled hem foot because I've had no success with mine! I'll be looking to try another!
The Ogden striped top is lovely! I really like the feather print top too, I don't see the hospital-wear vibe. And hmmm, didn't think that it could have been my presser foot for my lack of ability to sew a nice narrow hem. I'm going to have to check into this more. Thanks for the tip!
I can see what you mean about the scrubs look. I wouldn't have seen it if you hadn't mentioned it but now that you have, I can't unsee it! Maybe these prints just need a style that's very far away from scrubs. Because it's a cute print!
I haven't ordered from Girl Charlee in forever either. I had issues with the quality too. Prints faded fast, inconsistent texture on fabrics... I gave up on them after uh, maybe 2-3 orders?
I watched your Instagram post and tried to DM you but couldn't. Feeling a little nervous about posting this publicly but here goes. Almost 4 years ago, you posted on Instagram about an article on the Very Smart Brothas blog. It was about Susan B. Anthony. I read it and it was eye opening. I've been a regular reader of that blog since and The Root now. I've always been grateful to you for that post but I've always been too shy to tell you. So thank you.
I understand about needing a break. But, I really like that red & white top! The style and the fabric are really cute!
I agree about Girl Charlee - it's strange that sometimes the fabric is just not good, but for the most part I've been happy with it. I think the fact that it's so darn cheap makes me like some of them more and put up with the not so good fabrics. Also I'm with you on the scrub top look - for some reason printed tees make me feel like I'm wearing toddler clothes. Take care and keep sewing :)
Omg I kid you not, I just re-read that article yesterday and almost reshared it. I think I’ll share it soon. It’s an important read and also helps frame the current movement.
I forgot I turned my DMs off. I’ll reactivate that.
Sewing wise, I wonder if it could’ve worked as a tank style dress.
Omg that’s such a good point. I have never thought about it like that!! I’m pretty sure the only “print” tees I own otherwise are striped!
GC does have good pricing and one of the knits I bought is great (it’s the only one I haven’t sewn yet). It’s on grain and came out of the wash great. It’s a gamble!!
Thanks Denise!
I need to figure out if that's why I'm not a fan of my narrow hemmer, I'm 96% sure in my case it could be a user error 😅. I'm never really satisfied with knits unless I can touch them, and I've found a few that have been off grain (eye roll). I've started shopping at places that actually tell the weight of my knits and I'm now super happy with it. That's usually an issue for me, just not heavy enough but I don't want them interlock/ponte heavy either 🤷🏾♀️.
At first glance I liked the print t shirt but now I also can only see it as a scrubs top. I’ve never tried to use my serger to do gathering but you have inspired me to give it a go.
You have a wardrobe full of cute tops!! I actually like the Kommatia tee and have been eyeing off that pattern for a while. Stripes are so summery and you have paired fabric and pattern perfectly for both the red and blue striped tops. Happy sewing, and I have appreciated reading your last couple of posts.
Hi, I came back to see what you had to say about the Girl Charlee knits! Eeep!! I'm afraid to try out the ones I've bought from them now! 😬
Love the tops you've made, especially the coral striped one! The mitering is perfect, as is the way you got the stripes lined up just right. Pinks, oranges and reds are my favorites as well!
P.S. Forgot to add that I love that you have a kitty pet in the pics back there! 😻 My husband is determined to get an orange tabby one of these days - they're his favorite! We're on our 3rd black and white cat though (must color coordinate with the dog), haha!
I just followed you on Instagram as well - I'm RedHairedLadyPlans on there.
You made so many nice tops! The ruffle one, and striped one are my favorites! Thanks for tips with narrow hemming. I did it before years ago, and think I still have the presser foot for it.
I am sad to hear the challenge for Faye will be moved, but I totally understand. I will be joining again whenever you decide to have it. Take care of yourself. These have been difficult times for many of the reasons you stated, especially the sewing companies that remain silent.
That tie top is adorable, it just jumped to the top of my sew list. I have been sewing for about 50 years and never knew there were different rolled hem feet. I never had much luck with mine and am going to try a different one, thanks!
Your ruffle top is so cute! I have yet to master my rolled hem foot, or even attempt gathering on my serger. I need to work on both. You've inspired me! Thank you!
I love the ruffle top too! What's your new sewing machine? Did I miss that post? What do you like or not like about it?
I’m an old nurse (50 today!) and if you showed up on my floor I’d get one of those old lady screwed up faces and tell you to buy scrubs much less form fitting and with a higher neckline! Naw, I think it’s a great t, love the sleeves and the v and the print. I buy all my fabrics online and do have a too large assortment of not my favorites. I trust art gallery knits to be phenomenal, and anything from Phee Fabrics, but I wish she had acknowledged black lives manner somewhere somehow. Maybe I missed it.
Nice tops, a good variety. The two striped tops are my favorites. I need to look for another rolled hem foot like the one with the green checkmark. I can clearly see how that would make the roll better, the one that came with my machine looks like the other one. I have not purchased from Girl Charlee in a long time, I have been okay with the purchases I made but I did buy one that was way off-grain and the quality just was not there.
Your ruffly number is definitely the winner. It also wins the color prize along with the striped top with the hole in the fabric. That hole is too bad. Was that Girl Charlie too? Read a lot of negatives on them.
Thanks! Yep, all of these fabrics except the striped Ogden came from Girl Charlee :/
Thanks Linda! Definitely try another foot!!
Happy belated Birthday!!
Hahahaha!!! touche on the low-cut, snug top! :-p
Thank you! I have the Singer Quantum Stylist 9985. Not technically new anymore - I bought it the summer of 2017 as a birthday present. I love it! The next machine I buy will likely be a Pfaff or maybe a Janome. I really want the Pfaff IDT, a knee lift and true presser foot pressure adjustments. But it's hard to consider spending 4-5 times the cost of this one!
Thank you!! DEFINITELY try your gathering on the serger. Game changer!
Thanks! Hope you have better luck!
Thanks Vanessa!
Orange Tabbys are THE cutest!!!!
Thank you! I have heard such poor reviews of them, I really should've refrained.
Thank you! And go for the tee pattern! It's really nice and slightly different from a typical tee with the crossover band, fold up sleeves and curved hem!!
Do it! :) Thank you!!
Yes, that is so important. It is a huge letdown to get something and realize it won't work for your intended project :(
Thank you Graca!
Thank you!! I hope you find success with a new one! It makes it so much easier.
Thank you!!
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