New Look 6940

Ever go though your fabric stash and "find" things you forgot you even had? Yep- happened to me a couple weeks ago. I was digging around in the shelf where I keep my fabric, and out rolled two remnant pieces I forgot I even had. Both knits, both about 1 yard. When ever I am in JoAnn's or Hancocks, I always check out the remnant bin. You never know what kind of goodies you can find in there. While one yard of fabric isn't much, it is usually enough for a knit top (short sleeved or sleevless) or for a skirt. I also find pieces of by-the-yard batting in there, which are big enough for a quilted table runner. And with Hancock's new remnant price structuring, most pieces are $2.00. Bargain!

This piece was a knit from Joann's. I love the berry color, and I only paid $4.58 for it. I didn't have a project in mind, so into the stash it went.

I have a tentative weekend trip to San Antonio in April, so decided to make a coupe knit tops for the trip. For this one, I used New Look 6940. This is a pattern I have used before, so knew there would be no fitting issues. I made view B, but without the slit up the front. (not sure who that slit would look good on, but it defiantely wouldn't look good on this 40+ year old body that's had three kids!)



 

I love how this top turned out. I would like to try view C next. 

Here is my review:

Pattern Sizing:Size A (4-16). I made a size 10.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes they were.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the variations of this pattern. And that it is an easy top to make, but is a notch dressier than a plain t-shirt.

Fabric Used: I picked this fabric out the remnant bin at JoAnn, so I am not sure of the content. I think it is a polyester interlock, with two-way stretch.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I sewed clear elastic all the way around the neckline and then turned it under and top stitched. This holds the front close to the body, so no gaping. I have made this top one other time, and use a self-fabric binding, stretching it as I went. That worked well too.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? This is the second time I have made this pattern, and both tops look very different. If you are looking for a "dressier t-shirt", this is a great pattern.

Conclusion: Cute, easy top. I could see making a few of these to fill out my summer wardrobe.

Blessings-

Lisa

Butterick 5493- In a Woven, oops!

I was drawn this cute polka dot fabric at Joann's a few months ago (who doesn't like a cheery polka dot, right?) First off, I really liked the colors. As someone who works in a corporate environment, I have to dress up for work, and any fabric that has black in it is always a conender for me, since I wear black about 80% of the time. My coworkers and I joke about how much we wear black, but it really does go with everything, and it makes choosing something wear so much easier. I am determined to branch out and get away from so much black, but that is another post for another day. Sorry for digressing. Back to today's post....

I also liked the light blue color in this, since it is something different. The fabric is a poly-silky-something-or-other, and it was suprisingly easy to work with. It held a press well, which is what I usually get frustrated with in a poly. It also has a nice drape, and while it is satiny, it isn't really shiny.

When I first spotted this fabric I thought it would make a cute bow-front blouse, and that was my plan for it until I got to the cutting counter and there was only a yard and an eight on the bolt. Bummer. But I bought it anyway figuring I could find a pattern in my stash that takes only a yard. Enter Butterick 5493, view A: (the brown and white)


So I cut out the pattern, and started sewing (this pattern goes together really quick, only 4 pieces). It wasn't until I got to the instructions where they have you sew the neckband on, streching it as you go, that I realized my mistake. This pattern is for KNITS, and my fabric was a woven. Uh-oh. My first clue (besides reading the fabric suggestions) should have been the pattern layout. If it was made for wovens, it would have been laid out on the bias. At this point, I had much of the construction done, so I decided to continue and seee what happens.

I couldn't use the neckband, so I had to modify the pattern at the neckline. I sewed the ruffle to the front matching the right side of the ruffle to the wrong side of the front. Then i turned it to the outside and topstitched on the front. Then I serged the back neckline edge, and turned it under and stitched it in place. I then sewed the front and back together at the shoulders.

The front was a little low for my liking, and the armholes had a lot of room, so I just took up the shoulder seams about an inch, and that solved the problem.

Here is how I will wear this top to work, with a cardigan (black, of course!) But I will be on the lookout for a cardigan in the pretty light blue color. I will carry a swatch of the fabric in my purse while shopping so I can get the right shade of blue.

The top fits great, even as a woven. I am happy with my top, and can't wait to wear it when the weather get a little warmer. The temp here has been in the single digits most days for the past week. Too cold to wear a light top and cardigan!

Up next, I have a couple one-yard knit pieces i snagged from the remnant bin that I am going to make a couple summer tops with. Can you tell I am wishing for warmer weather? I am sick of winter!

Blessings-
Lisa