A Bunch of Tops

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 hemmed the gazillion miles of ruffle with my rolled hem foot. I've mentioned before that I had lots of trouble making rolled hems until I got my new machine and used the foot that came with it. EFFORTLESS. I think it's the foot design and if you have a rolled hem foot that gives you the blues, try another one! Especially if you have a machine that takes universal feet.

I promise you, rolled hems are absolutely effortless now!

February Wrap-Up and March Plans

I did not do what I intended to do this past month. Are you surprised? :-p

I sewed 14 items and 18 yards. (I forgot about my Ogden until I was uploaded pics!)

• Burda mag 1/2020 hooded top - 2 yards
• lace from stash and remnant for cuffs
• buttons, cording
• Simplicity 2061 pants - 1 3/4 yards
• faux leather "double knit" (NOT!) from Mood
• elastic, cording
• Vogue 1674 (x2) dress - 4 yards total
• jersey and double knit from stash - WADDER
• ITY from stash
• elastic, zipper
• Simplicity 1945 cardigan - 2 yards
• sweater knit from Michael Levine
• Ottobre 5/2019 dress - 2 yards WADDER
• ponte knit from Metro Textiles
• Burda mag 11/2019 top - 2 yards
• ivory jersey from stash (Fabric Mart)
• elastic in sleeves
• True Bias Ogden - 7/8 yd
• blue & white print rayon challis
• Butterick 6183 top - 1 yard
• cotton sateen from stash (Fabric.com)
• zipper
• Butterick 5760 - 1 yard
• cotton sateen from stash (matches the top above)
• zipper
• Ottobre 4/2010 - 1 3/8 yds
• Various remnants (Ankara cotton, sateen, ponte) and cotton pique from stash
• 2 tees - 1 in pique knit with snaps the other with no snaps and some Cricut HTV
• 2 tops - 1 in pique knit and 1 in Ankara with sateen accents and ponte waistband and cuffs

 

Ogden no. 3 without bust darts! :-D

 

Don't you just love a lined skirt?!

Accomplishments: Executing the vision that was the lace hoodie! I had some challenges (review to come) but I made it happen and I LOVE IT!

FAILS: The Ottobre dress. I don't know what made me choose the size I did but I wasn't thinking and I wasted that fabric. I'm not going to take it apart (because I am me and know that just isn't going to happen). Sigh. Also, the first version of V1674 caused me serious grief. I was following their directions for lining and holy buckets... I lost my temper and literally ripped the thing apart. I like the red remake that resulted!

Favorites: I had a good month! I love that lace top and the Burda surplice top. And really love the simple but nice, well done, and much needed grey cardigan. The Butterick skirt is a TNT and it turned out just perfect.

Y'all. First of all, there's always a thread that pops up on PR about "sewing skill level". Like clockwork. Look, just sew. Sew the things you want to make. If you don't know how to make a thing, learn to make it then work on improving your skills. Because every category of sewing has an associated skill level (e.g., home dec vs quilting vs garments (menswear vs women's vs bridal) etc).

Baby. Clothes. Oy. So small. So fiddly. But SOOOOO cute.  I promise I'm going to get all of my reviews up to date so more later...all 4 garments are from the Ottobre Kids 4/2010 issue.

 

I made the LOVE on my Cricut using HTV. :)

(disclosure: I am a Cricut and Expressions Vinyl affiliate!) 

So I sewed the stuff for me that I intended :-p but didn't sew the garments for my daughter or husband. Hers is next!!

On a personal note, I was completing the monthly reflection in my planner and I swear I am really tough on myself and often think I'm not doing enough, being lazy, etc. This month, I made sure and took note of everything in my planner. SO eye opening!!

 

from my IG stories

March plans:

It's that time of year! Where I know that winter is nowhere near over, but I am tired of dark colors and bundling up. I will start to focus on transitional garments for sure come April.

• My daughter's outfit! :-p
• Finish my dang blasted blazer! I keep wanting to wear it and can't!
• Start my husband's jacket
• Burda 2/2020 dress in black/grey suiting
• Black knit blazer
• M7982 pants in camel suiting 
• My next 2 knitting lessons will focus on making a (child's) sweater. Yay!

But first (durr), I am making up a dress from Burda 7/2019. More later...
WIP shot:

True Bias Ogden Cami

So by now you know I highly prefer Big4 and Burda patterns. I always clarify that I'm not anti-Indie; but I am one of those people who find the vast majority of them to be too basic to command the premium price tag (yes, I know we're spoiled by the cheap-o sales in the U.S.). I don't fit into a unique (for sewing patterns) demographic (plus/petite/pear/apple/etc)...and FAR too many are created by bloggers/hobby sewers turned "pattern designers" and they just don't look that good! So I'm very rarely overly excited to shell out or sew Indie patterns in general. Yes, I also know that that is a very broad brush...I wish Alexandra at In-House patterns had a larger catalog. I own all of the patterns I'm interested in because they are AWESOME!!!!!

There's not much else in True Bias' catalog that ever caught my interest but this cami did! I went bak and forth and back and forth and just couldn't jump. I searched Burda for something similar (as I always do!). I sewed S1366 but that was just okay.

I highly recommend this pattern!!

At Sew Camp, LaQuana broke out her black Ogden and SEVERAL of us tried it on and loved it :) Even though it wasn't my size, I really liked it on her and on me and knew I had to finally give it a shot.

I traced a size 14 even though the size chart indicated the 12 should work. After sewing the floral version and needing to take it in, the 12 was in fact the right size.

I did a 3/4" FBA and left the dart created. I shortened the straps about an 1.5". For the lining, I overlaid the piece over the FBA'd front and retraced the armhole/side seam.

I had a *little* extra fabric around the armhole

On the black/white version I took it down to a size 12 and added back 3/4" to the strap. I need to add another 1/2" back. 

much better...

I realized I didn't care for the flare in front and removed 3/4" from the hemline on the front only, tapering to nothing at about waist level (I just eyeballed).

The black and white version tucks in much better with that extra swinginess removed.

The overall fit on this version is so much better, but I need one more tweak. I have to add back that 3/8" I removed in sizing down to the back above the waist. It's a bit snug in the upper back.

Snug across the back here, pulling at the center back...

Whereas this looked pretty good

I think I'm ready to cut into my silk!! I'm not sure if it'll make into my May makes but we'll see. You never know :)

I'll likely get a little sewing done this upcoming weekend...hopefully I'll finish my Burda 1/2018 skirt and my mom's gift (late, late, late). I also hope to get the trench coat traced off this weekend, fingers crossed. I've been wearing my RTW version and it doesn't actually fit.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day! If you have lost your mom, or have longed to be a mom, my deepest condolences.

May you be comforted in your loss or in your longing. May your eyes be opened to those you have “mothered” through your love and care and nurturing, whether children have filled your home or not. And may you be filled with sweet memories of the special women in your own life who are as mothers to you, even if your own is gone.

Mothers and mother figures everywhere are deserving of our honor. You are appreciated… and I sincerely hope there’s someone in your life to help you know it.

-Adriel Booker