Sequin Wave Top

There was some fabric left over, so mindful of a small fault, I managed to squeeze out a top from the sequin wave jersey.

There wasn't enough fabric for even 3/4 length sleeves, so I cut them as long as I could and added a restrained frill for extra length.

I used my new favourite knit top pattern, the tee from New Look 6351 which I've altered to fit nicely.

I suspect a festive top will see more use then yesterday's slinky dress.

Tweaked top

This top started out as a gathered skirt many years ago. At some point after that I recut it into a woven tee shirt and left the bits in a bag. Later I found the bits and sewed it up into a very lightweight summer top. Unfortunately the pattern I used wasn't with it, so I can't easily replicate what I did.

Last week the weather was hot for the first time this year, so I pulled out my hot weather clothes and wore the top. It was OK, but the body was a bit long and the sleeves a bit shorter than I like.

Lightbulb moment - I cut 2 1/2" off the hem, did a lot of unpicking and resewing to have a shorter body and a ruffle on the sleeves.

It'll get worn out of the house now, rather than just at home.

Style Arc Rowe's Top/Tunic

Many years ago I bought some Style Arc pdf patterns, printed them off but didn't get round to sewing them all. One of them was the Rowe's Top/Tunic.

I decided to make the top in black black viscose jersey as a bit of a test to see how much I liked the pattern. 

I decided to lengthen the sleeves as much as my fabric remnant allowed and drafted a shaped cuff for the wrist.

It's quite a relaxed fit and the neckline is quite wide and low. They give an option to interface the neckband which I didn't do, so maybe that would control things a bit more. It seems quite stable compared to some viscose jersey but the weight of the body and sleeves has pulled it down.

Maybe another version in a cotton jersey would be quite different.

The neck band is made from 3 shaped pieces which might be a handy thing to remember when using scraps. I don't always have enough width to cut a straight neckband.

At one point I dropped a piece on the floor and was a bit baffled as to where it went back so might do more marking another time!

As this is an older Style Arc patterns there are written instructions and a single diagram. It is not suitable for beginners, but perfectly achievable for a more experienced sewist. 

Newer Style Arc patterns have more detailed instructions and are easier to follow.

This could be a good scrap buster project due to the pieced neckline and back yoke.

Emerald Green - ideas for bringing in a specific colour to your wardrobe - Part 4 : Add embroidery

Emerald Green - ideas for bringing in a specific colour to your wardrobe - Part 4 : Add embroidery

Butterfly Sweatshirt

Apparently the nineties are back. I still have some of my patterns from then, so thought I'd give this one a go. The pattern is dated 1992 and I probably bought it in the mid 90s when I first got an overlocker as it specifically says "Focus on Overlock (Serger) Sewing"

The fabric is a cream coloured french terry which has been in my stash for several years.

Pattern Description:
Sew News Pattern
Misses' unlined cardigan, vest, tunic and pants - for stretch knits only: very loose-fitting unlined cardigan or vest has dropped shoulder, shoulder pads and top-stitching details; very loose-fitting tunic, with collar of self or ribbed knit neckband, has , has dropped shoulders and optional shoulder pads; pull on pants have partially stitched front pleats, side seam pockets, foldback waistline casing with elastic and optional button-on self fabric stirrups.

Pattern Sizing:
Single sizes in X-Small to X-Large, my pattern is a Medium (14-16) which is the size I was in the 90s. These days I'm larger but the garment is so loose fitting it was fine!

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I made View C, shortened by 7" so it was high hip rather than tunic length.
As the fabric was rather plain I measured carefully and used my embroidery machine to add some embroidery to the front before construction. Afterwards I tore the interfacing away around the design to avoid it being too stiff on the front.

The embroidery design is intended to use different colours to this, but I replaced them with various shades of emerald, aqua and blue.

I plan to wear this with self sewn jeans and of course my emerald green trainers (sneakers).

Teal Bias cut top Butterick 3131

 The same fabric, only this time cut on the bias for this cowl neck top. Another long OOP pattern Butterick 3131.

I made a size 18. I found setting the sleeves in and sewing the bias hem both quite tricky.

Three piece Autumn set

 I've just finished a 3 piece set for Autumn

McCall's 6844 cardigan

Simplicity 1467 Trousers (with secret extra zipped pocket)

And New Look 6735 top, with a slightly raised neckline, slightly lengthened sleeve and cuffs!

I'm not sure about the gold in the print so may try to over dye it aqua.

They work very well together.

Pink knit top with contrast bands

 

Pink knit top from New Look 6735 again, the neckband and cuffs are in a contrast aqua and pink print fabric.