Diagonal stripes

This is one of my favourite tops. I like clothes that are rather simple but with an odd twist. The diagonal stripes on this one is perfect. The gathers over the stomach area isn’t too bad either since I’ve gained some weight the last year. The pattern has stripe placement lines so it ain’t just my perfect sewing that gave the spot on stripe alignment under my left arm.

 

Pattern: Asymmetrical Jersey Top 01/2014 #122 from Burda

Fabric: Organic Cotton/lycra jersey from Jofotex (no longer available)

Other: Clear elastic

Modifications: It’s unusual for me to not have enough fabric. But this fabric wasn’t bought especially for this so I didn’t have enough for the long sleeves. It’s actually a good thing since I really like 3/4 length sleeves.

The neckline in the front is really high. I’ve chopped off a bit as it is. For the next one I want it even lower since I hate it when it touches my neck. Maybe I’ll try to take a wedge out of the top at the cross-bust or thereabouts.

The gathers at the raglan seam needs to start closer to the underarm. As I did on this one ,the side gathers are extended higher than in the pattern.

 

Spring/Summer 2015

I am still pondering what to include in my plan for spring and summer for 2016. In the meantime I’ll share my plan and results for Spring /Summer 2015.

I managed three of the planned items. Plus I did do most of the necklace but I can’t decide how to finish it. I also made my first pair of panties.

My first tights

Well actually two of them. One pair of black and one in navy. They are really quite comfortable. The seams don’t bother me at all during wear. They are quite quick to make as well.

I used a the Alice tights pattern from Marilla Walker. I’ve tried both view A and B. View B is slightly quicker to sew up. For view A there is both a seam at the thigh and the heel pieces to attach. The more anatomically correct feet of view A makes them sit slightly better. So it may just be the amount of fabric you have that determines which way to go – at least if you make plain like mine.

Navy Tights – view A

Pattern: Alice tights by Marilla Walker

Fabric: Organic Cotton jersey with Lycra from Jofotex

Thread: Multipurpose polyester

Other: Elastic

Black Tights – view B

Size: Black in size 5 navy in size 4. Both with short leg and size 38 foot.

Modifications: The black tights turned out to be too big. There are instructions in the pattern for this – chop em off at the thighs and sew together again. Don’t know if I misjudged the stretch in the fabric or just picked a too big size. Well for the navy pair I opted to make a size smaller – worked out great.

I have wide feet so I chose to do a size larger for the feet I usually wear a size 37 shoe, at least if I can find good looking wide shoes. And apparently I have abnormally small ankles. I’m a full centimetre smaller at the ankle than the patterns smallest size.

My first pencil skirt

I’m not really a skirt person or at least I haven’t been. But when I saw the A-frame skirt I wanted one. That was a given for my fall plan but I only used fabric from the stash incase it didn’t turn out to be to my liking. The fabric is too green, I’m more a teal kind of gal.

Pattern: A-frame skirt by Blueprints for sewing
Fabric: Baby corduroy and viscose (rayon) lining from Stoff och stil and quilting cotton for pockets from Quiltstudion
Thread: All purpose polyester (Stoff och stil?)
Zip: Invisible, SoS
Button: Prym fabric covered

Size: D waist, F hip
Modifications: I followed the instructions for grading between sizes. A quick basting of all seams to tweak the fit before cutting the lining was very beneficial. Besides taking in the sides about 6mm (1/4″), I pegged the skirt at the side seams. It is also shorter and I had to make a longer zip opening to accommodate my apparently super sized hips.

Since the plan was to use the skirt with tights it needed a lining. At around the same time I found this pattern I also found a tutorial for a Hong-Kong finished underlining. Bingo, that’s what I did. In hindsight, a skirt with panels aren’t the ideal choice. But it’s pretty.

Results of the f/w 2015 SWAP

Three of the planned items were finished before Christmas. The two tops have been cut out and are halfway through construction. As for the cardigan, I haven’t even printed the pattern. Most of it due to the fact that the gray jersey I ordered for the lining isn’t a good colour.

Results f/w 2015

I’ve used the skirt and black tights on several occasions and really like them. Haven’t had time to use the blue ones yet except for the photos. I’ll try and post more images of all of them and the other things I finished during 2015 in January.

Autumn planning

The last six months have been quite tough. I have planned plenty of sewing and started a few things. But finishing isn’t easy as small issues / problems seams insurmountable. However, if I’m gonna keep paying for the url I should use it so I’ll try to post a little. At least the things I have finished.

Fall 2015 SWAP

Above is the plan I settled for at the end of summer for the Facebook group. There were so many things I wanted to make I actually made the next plan as well, at least in my head. Sewing went slow so this sort of turned into my winter plan as well.