Tablecloth or Top???

Yesterday I decided it was time to tackle another ME project with the knits I bought on my NYC trip. Its been getting hotter and steamier and really feeling like true summer so why not a picnic?
This yellow and white giant check cotton jersey from MOOD seemed quite appropriate.

I had these two patterns laying idle for just such a day and decided to combine features of each. I chose the very simple A view (purple in pic) from the McCalls 6960. The photoed one is great but not  in this fabric for sure. I added the little flutter sleeve from view D of the New Look 0190 which is not a pattern suggested for knits.

 Laying the fabric out for cutting I experienced a dilemma. The check is printed slightly off grain. When folding  the center front fold the lines don't match up. Oh well. I went with a nice straight center front. It didn't prove to be a real problem.

The I eliminated the front and back facings. They would look clunky in this lightweight fabric and complicate adding the little sleeve.

Stay-stitching the neckline.

After serving the shoulder seams and slipping this over my head I saw I had the same problem I always encounter due to my height (or lack of). The v-neck  and the underarm were going to expose my under garments. I should have adjusted the pattern ahead of time but when I held the tissue pattern up to my body it didn't seem so bad. Easy fix. I re-serged below the previous stitching.

                                                  Then re-trimmed the back neck a bit.

Blech! That ironing table cover is disgusting. Thats the spot that gets used the most. The rest of it looks great

I did my first non-practice rolled edge with my serger. I'm OK with it but when photographing it, hubby said he thought it wasn't finished.

                   This is the strip for the neck-band. The darker side is going to be the exposed side.

I used the stretch stitch on my sewing machine since the V neck turn was not going to work very well on the serger. After getting it set in place I did go back and serger the raw edged to clean them up. Forgot to take a picture.

The whole underarm was now unfinished since I didn't use the facing. I was able to turn it under and using a wide double needle I faked a nice coverstitch.  

                        Wondertape stabilizes the hem which is sewed with double needle method.

                                                  Here it is on my display mannequin which is not really my size.*

                                        And here it is outside in the glorious sunshine.

Its so dazzling out here that I am wearing my giant sunglasses that are in the frames I bought at the NYC flea market in May. Also I didn't have to bother putting on eye make-up for the shoot!

*I'm thinking of trying to alter the mannequin to make it a real fitting model. The padding out here and there won't be too hard but her shoulders exceed mine by slightly more than 2 inches. How would I whittle them down?

Serging Knits for Fun!

I knew I had to get into sewing with the knits I bought at Mood in NYC right away or I could see myself putting it off and then failing to ever do it.  I have no excuse because the new serger makes it so much easier.

I decided to use a very simple pattern.

I picked this pattern up at Joann Fabrics one day when the McCall's patterns were 5 for $7. I really hate paying anymore than $6 tops for a pattern and this one seemed a real bargain because it has 4 garments. The rolling bag is not included!

The Mood fabric is too precious to me to mess up so I got out some knit in white with black polka dots I had found on a Joann's bargain rack to use as my muslin. I NEVER make a muslin but this great because it is the same weight as my good stuff. I think it turned out great even though it has a few issues.

The instructions, I thought, were weird. This pattern is meant for knits but the instructions barely acknowledged that fact.  The parts that wrap around the neck are shown sewn with wrong sides together and then the seam opened flat, stitched down and clipped. EEK! I couldn't make myself do it. I could only foresee a mess.

 I did follow the pleating instructions but fear I did a crappy job here.

I really have know idea what this might look like. Maybe I'll play around with the scraps and see what happens.  Overall I am happy with it and I made some adjustments in the shoulder width for the next version.  I also ditched the pleating in the back neck and instead sewed a thin elastic in the seam line to gather it.

 I love the colors and pattern in this. I have any number of things to match it up with. Its a great summer wardrobe piece when you go into blasting air-conditioning or need a little sun protection.

The back of the neck is scarf-like.

The next project is a dress! I never wear dresses but with this patterned jacket I think it is a real possibility. The machines are all loaded up with the right color thread for this teal... aqua...turquoise?? 

solid so I might as well dive in. See you if and when it turns out.

Added note 6/1: I also did not follow the directions in this pattern for sewing up the side seams first and setting in the sleeve. I sewed the top of the sleeve to the shoulder (much easier to ease) and then sewed all the way up the side seam and down the sleeve. 

Peter Made Me Do It

Yes, it was reading Male Pattern Boldness and seeing all the great things Peter whips up for himself that not only drove me to try sewing some clothing again, but traveling to fashion fabric heaven in New York City.

 The first stop was Butoni where  inexplicably photography is not allowed.















                                           Then to the TV famed MOOD. You do watch Project Runway, don't you?

Cameras were no problem and the staff was very helpful AND friendly...especially my cutter.

My purchases below. They are all knits because they are so hard to find in my locale.

This was snapped through the window of another shop. I like color but I'm not a glitter or sequin fan.

We spent all afternoon shopping, walking, gawking and lugging and then saw the Broadway show "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical". It was terrific and I'm hoping Jessie Mueller wins the Tony for her portrayal of Carole.   

Saturday morning we headed off to the Flea Market at the 25th St. Garage where I encountered these eyeglass frames. I love colorful frames and I bought these. 

                    They will look better with the tinted sunglass lenses I am going to put in them. 

Also bought a book on fabric.

A short hop down the and across the street is City Quilter which stocks a some really nice quilting cotton with a NYC theme. These are for non-clothing items I'll be making for my Etsy shop.

The blue on the left is a laminated waterproof fabric and fits into the theme since we race walked 12 blocks in a drenching rain after the show when we couldn't get a taxi and had no idea what subway to take!

                         I LOVE NEW YORK!