Taking photos of the SWAP items

Here's a shot from today when I was trying to get in position for the self timer before it took the photo. It didn't work too well as I was a teeny figure on a big photo of the garden so DH took pity on me and took other photos.
I do like the movement in this photo though and the way the wind caught my hair.

Simplicity 4076 Gather Neck Top Finished

The Simplicity 4076 gather neck top is now finished. I started it this morning and have worked on it a little bit at a time through the day.


I think I may have slightly overdone the gathering as the neck is quite snug, but its a good top for causal days.
Its made using a remnant of teal t shirting from Abakhan fabrics in Preston. It sews quite nicely except the edges curl like mad and it does not have a lot of stretch.
I have put 7/8ths sleeves on - straight instead of the flared ones on the pattern. There is a centre back seam so I could angle in at the back neck and flare out for the hips/butt.

Simplicity 4076 Knot front Top Finished

The Simplicity 4076 knot front top is now finished. I added a centre back seam and shaped it in at the back neck and back waist to fot my curved spine.
It now sits nicely.
Compared to the original pattern I have straight 3/4 length sleeves and the body is approx 2 inches longer.
I have also shortened the front neck edge slightly. The neckline is turned, stabilised with 1/4" steam a seam 2 and then stitched. The hems are turned and stitched.

Top cut out and underway

The top is cut out and I have constructed the knot front as per the instructions. It worked out fine.
I pinned it the front and back together and tried on. The back isn't great - especially at the top of the neck so I'll need to come up with something to address that - I think either gathering onto a strip of self fabric and turning under or a centre back seam.

However its paused for now until tomorrow evening when I will decide what to do.

Next up - Knot front top in black/white print

Next up - Knot front top in black/white print. This is going to be using Simplicity 4076 which is very popular on Pattern Review. I have made the wrapover top from this pattern but none of the other views.
I am planning to make both the knot front top and the gathered front scoop neck top.

On PR this pattern has 142 reviews and was one of the best patterns in 2008.

Jalie white and turquoise top

Here's the completed Jalie white and turquoise top.
The fit is quite good. I've put in a sleeve from a Butterick top as the Jalie sleeves are far too tight. This is a size V.
I've sewn it all with 1.5cm (5/8") seam allowances. Is that right? I could not find anything in the instructions to say otherwise.

Burda Trouser Jeans completed

The Burda Trouser Jeans with butterfly embroidered pockets and teal top stitching are completed.
The photos are here.

These use the same basic pattern as the previous wide leg trousers. I've used a lightweight denim (black and ivory weave) and added classic jeans back pockets (traced from some RTW) and embroidered with butterflies in shades of teal as well as some top stitching in teal.

I kept a faced waist (hand sewn underneath) and an invisible centre back zip for a more flattering line about the waist/tummy areas as the usual bulk jeans add here is not something I want :-)

Not entirely sure that someone with a large derriere (like me) should have bright turquoise butterfly pockets, but they make me happy.

Charcoal Cowl Neck top - finished

Charcoal Cowl Neck top - finished at the weekend. I've called it charcoal but its that colour which looks grey against some things and brown against others.....

Charcoal Cowl Neck top - part deux

I made up the Charcoal Cowl Neck top and it looked like the picture on the envelope - only bulkier.
Warm top which is off the shoulder, leaving your neck freezing - no thanks. Also a bit loose all over.
So I removed the shaped double layer collar, took the top in on the side seams, sleeves, and raglan shoulder seams, recut the front neckline to come lower and cut a new single layer classic cowl neck with a centre back seam.
I like it a lot more now, and will try a photo tomorrow.

Charcoal Cowl Neck top

I started a cowl neck top this evening for the SWAP.
It's from New Look 6534 - rated Easy, and it is :-)
Mine is made from charcoal textured knit.
I just need to attach the collar to the rest of the top and its late so decided to do that tomorrow, then neaten the serged ends and try on for tweaking the fit.

The textured knit is interesting - its an over all soft knit with elastane knitted into the back layer so the front has little cushions all over creating the texture.

I've been careful to serge all the exposed edges to catch in the ends of the elastane cords neatly.
Photo of the completed garment should be available tomorrow.