New Look K6035, Skull Vest

I've been eyeing up this fabric for weeks! But it's rather see-through quality left me unsure what to make. On a trip round town I fell in love with a cute little crop top in M&S and knew it would be perfect, maybe a bit flirty (!), under a sheer top... So I set to- deciding to make another New Look K6035.

It's a pretty simple top, and I think with that in mind I maybe didn't make the best job of putting it together. Instead of trying it on when gathering the front, I just let Celine wear it and pulled the gathering stitches to fit her. In theory this should have been fine, but on account of me having proper arms, after sewing it all up and trying on I found that I'd gathered a little too much and it pulls ever so slightly across my chest. Good job new crop top isn't padded, eh!


When I finally did try on I realised that the side seam placement made the top much too roomy- I'm not sure if this was just because in this top you can actually see my body underneath and it just looked a bit weird? Because my blue version of this same pattern fits really well? Anyway, this was particularly annoying because I'd used french seams on the sides and ended up just hacking them off with the overlocker, making for a bit of a lump-fest where the armhole binding joins. BUT I'm glad I did change the seams as it fits so so much better.

Not massively happy with this top, but I am still in love with this fabric. Any suggestions of other things I could make with more of it would be great? I thought possibly another kimono, but we never get the weather to wear the ones I've already made... Plus I'm not mad on those massive sleeves. Any ideas?

x

Currently listening to, Firecracker, Ryan Adams
Location: Chelsea Park, Sheffield

Gertie's New Book For Better Sewing, Shirtwaist Dress II

It was inevitable after such success with my first shirtwaist dress from Gertie's book, I was going to make another ASAP. All I needed was some fabric to catch my eye, which I found again at Hillsborough fine fabrics. Picking such a bold print meant I wasn't going to have to worry about pattern matching which saved loads of time when cutting out.

After having already made one, the second was a breeze! The fabric is a bit softer than that of my first, so could get away without taking any out of the side seams. This time I was extra careful when making the sleeves. I took 2cm off of the yoke/shoulder area and cut the sleeves down quite a lot. I made sure each side matched (!), and gathered the sleeve caps so they puff out a tiny bit on the shoulder. As sleeves go I was very happy- especially as I'd made it up a bit as I went along! I have since committed these changes to my paper pattern- so no excuses next time!

Super happy with the back view! Shirring is super straight, though I found gathering with elastic at the yoke loads harder than last time! Think I must have done something different, bit it worked out pretty neat so who cares, eh?

Only bit I'm not super happy with is the button placement! I think my button holes are a teeny bit too far away from the edge of the opening, so it sticks out a tiny bit when it's done up. But no matter, pretend I never said anything and please don't look!

x

Currently listening to: Bartering Lines, Ryan Adams
Location: Bolehills Park, Sheffield