B5215 - The Fitted Tee and My New Friend

I'm so excited about my new tee shirt, I couldn't wait for the completed outfit before I post. So, I thought I would do a quick post about the tee shirt.

As I mentioned in my last post, I am preparing for an upcoming road trip. I am making a few warm-up/jogging suits and a couple of tee shirts. 

Now,I'm not a big fan of boxy tee-shirts. However, trying to find a good fitted tee shirt in plus size petite is a challenge.  So, I decided to make my own.  I sew, right?  For the tee-shirts, I decide to use Connie Crawford pattern B5215.  I hit the jackpot. I won't wear another boxy tee shirt EVER, not even to lounge or work out.  I'm so happy with this tee shirt, I'm ready to box up every boxy tee shirt I own and drop them off at the goodwill. Take a look. Here are the stats.

 

 

Fabric: Rayon jersey from JoAnns

 

Pattern Description: MISSES’/WOMEN’S PETITE TOP: You won’t believe how much mileage you get with these classic T-tops that are made especially to fit the needs of today’s woman. Options are endless create a dressy appearance or a casual sporty look, depending on your fabric. Pattern includes a relaxed, scoop neckline, cap or short sleeves. Change the neckline; add a collar or placket. Create a center front opening to develop a totally new look.

 

Pattern Size: XS - 6X  I made the XL

 

Adjustments: The only adjustment I had to make was for my sway back.  The pattern includes petite adjustment lines. I debated over a FBA adjustment. I decided not to make the adjustment.

 

Construction Details: I stabilize that shoulder with clear elastic.  I use both my machine and serger.  I used the stretch stitch on my machine for all the seams including the hems. I serger the allowances for a clean finish. I used my new friend around the neck.

 

Recommendation:  I recommend this pattern.  The possibilities are endless.

 

Now you maybe wondering who is my new friend.  My new friend name is fold over elastic.  I had purchased stashable yardage last year in NY in basic colors. I was looking to use it at some point. I like it on the tee's that I have seen in RTW.  So, I decided to use it on my tee shirt instead of binding. It's incredibly simple to apply. You just have to be careful not to stretch too much.  To apply it, I stabilized the neck with stay stitching about a 1/4 inch from the raw edge. (The pattern neck sa is 3/8 inch) I  stitched one shoulder seam. Then place the elastic on the neck edge and folded over as I stitched.  I used a semi-wide zigzag stitch.(about 3.5) Then stitched the other shoulder seam. Fold over elastic and I are going places.

 



Real quick.  I recently downloaded this app on my IPad call notability.  I have been having so much fun sketching my sewing ideas.  Take a look.  Now, I can't sketch/draw worth a penny. So be gentle. lol.  I have been playing with color blocking ideas for a project I have in mind.

Up next is my Easter dress and thoughts from my sewing room.

Until next...........keep sewing!!!!

V8831 - Third Time a Charm

Well, I have gotten a little behind on my blogging.  However, I'm happy to report that sewing is still taking place.  I have been planning spring/summer wardrobe, working on my Easter dress and making a few warm up suits for an upcoming road trip.

My last post, I was about to finish V8831 knit top and a pair of wool blue pinstripe pants.  Well both items are finished.  But there is a little story behind my knit top.  But first, here's a look a the finished garments.

As they say......here's what happened.  Well in my last post, I showed  you the top on my dress form.  Little did I know that I had cut a hole in the upper back when I once again was trimming the seam allowance.  My only word was SERIOUSLY!!!!.  Now you may be wondering why didn't I just use my serger and call it a day?  Well the answer to that question is that I'm a little OCD about my serger thread matching.  Thankfully, I had enough of the fabric to make another top.  But now came the moment of truth for me.  Do I purchase the exact match of serger thread or do I use the rose in my thread collection that would blend nicely?  I took a deep breath and decided to use the rose in my collection. Now, I had to self talk through the whole process.  I did have a few Monk moments. I wanted to stop and go purchase the exact matching thread.  But, I would take a  deep breathe and say Renee you can do this.  A little contrast never hurts. (LOL)  Anyway, I completed my top with the rose serger thread.  Here are the details.

Fabric: Top-Wool blend knit from Fabric.com Pants - Wool flannel from fabric mart.

Pattern Description: Close-fitting, pullover top and tunic have double-layered, draped collar, side front/side back seams and stitched hems. C: narrow hem, back longer than front (wrong side shows). A, B, C, D: cup sizes.

Pattern Adjustment:  This is a custom fit pattern, therefore, no FBA was need.  I really like Vogue Custom Fit Patterns.  I started with a 22 in top and added an additional inch to the hips.  That ended being too big. So, I ended up with a size 20 for both top and hips.  I also petite the pattern by an inch.

Would I make again? Yes.  The princess seams a very flattering on me.  I'm looking to include a sleeveless version in my spring/summer collection.

Also, I was trying to capture the shoes that I wear with this ensemble. But, I wasn't able. So here is a peek.

 

This week I will finish my Easter dress.  I am making B5862 in a rust ponte knit from emmaonesock. Once my Easter dress is complete, I will finish up my warm up suits.  Then I will begin working on spring/summer wardrobe. 

Starting with my next post, I will include a very short paragraph titled.....thoughts from my sewing room.  I will share the thoughts that cross my mind when I'm sewing.  I hope you will enjoy.

Before I sign off, I leave you with a little sewing humor.

Well, until next time..........keep sewing!!

Knit Top - V8831

This has been a busy week, but I managed to fit in some sewing. Last Fall, I had planned to make two pair of pants with coordinating blouses. I was interested in V8831 because of the princess seams and cowl neckline. Lately, cowl necklines have been appealing to me. Also, this pattern is a custom fit pattern. Since I had success with V8649, I thought I would try another Vogue custom fit pattern.

 

For my pants,  I used OOP V2931.  I have made these pants before.  Out of all the pants patterns I tried so far, I like this pattern then best. It gives me the best fit. During the week, I worked on dark navy wool pinstripe pants. Their almost complete except for the hemming.

Now, let me tell you about my moment of truth while making V8831.  I cut the pattern out in a taupe lightweight rayon jersey.  I purchased the fabric from Fabric.com last year.  I was planning to pair it with a dark brown  wool herringbone.  Things were going great and the momentum was right on. I knew I would complete the blouse over the weekend.  Then it happened.  While I was trimming a seam, I cut a hole in the body of the back.  I couldn't believe it and my exact words were  "are you serious?"  I almost felt like crying, because I didn't have extra of the fabric.

I had a 10 minute pouting session and decided to place it aside. Then I looked for another piece in my stash.  I had been looking at a mauve wool blend knit in my stash to pair with the navy pants.  I wanted to use it for something different, but decided to use it for this pattern.  So, I started the process again, this time taking more care with trimming.

I cut the blouse in a 22 in the top with a D cup and 24 in the hips.  My word, this ended being too big.  I had to trim it down quite a bit.  I ended up with a 20 in both the top and hips.  I thought maybe the pattern ran big, so I checked patternreview.  No one reported it running big.  So it could only mean one thing, I lost inches.  Hooray!!!  I hadn't notice while making my pants because I made them to fit a little snug for future weight lost.

 

Well both my pants and blouse are almost complete.  They just need hemming.  Here's a peek.

 

Now, I got to thinking about how much I had to take in on the blouse.  Then it hit me, that was the solution to fixing the taupe.  The amount I had to take in on the back might cover the cut.  I'll see how it works out this week.

 

So the plan is finish both blouses and pants. If all goes well, I will have pictures and formal reviews at the end of the week.

 

Next on the list is V1329.  I going to step out of my comfort zone on this one.  Instead of using solid colors for the color blocking, I going to use this mint and black wool as the contrast with a black wool as the base of the dress.  I have made the pattern adjustments.  Next is completing the muslin.

Well that's it for now.

Until Next Time.......Keep Sewing!!!!