Made For Me - January

One of my little resolutions this year is to make at least one item for myself every month. My January "Made For Me" is this sparkly blue top. This fabric caught my eye when I was shopping at Spotlight before Christmas. Between it being on clearance, and having a special Spotlight save $40 voucher, the fabric for this top only cost about $5 or $6.

The fabric sat around for a while, waiting for the right pattern to come along. I knew I needed a knit pattern, but not a close fitting one. I really don't think that stretched out sparkles would be very flattering for me! One night, I was doing a bit of a search around and came across this pattern; New Look 6648 and decided that it was "THE ONE".




I kind of liked that it was down-loadable, but was concerned about some of the terms and conditions associated with downloading it, and asked some of my friends on facebook if they had ever purchased a digital New Look pattern. It turns out that no-one had, but one of my friends, Susan from The Brissmiths had the paper-pattern that she hadn't used, so I bought it from her.

A common problem I have with fitting is my long torso. Generally, patterns really only get bigger from size to size in the horizontal direction and there is very little difference in the vertical direction. Many patterns have a shorten/lengthen line for those who have a shorter or longer than average torso. This pattern does not have such a line. Concerned about the opening of the sleeves, I didn't really want to add any extra to opening edge of the sleeves, so I added the extra length to the bottom part, below the sleeve. After wearing the top, it could just as easily been slashed higher up, through the sleeve area and would have been fine.


I also had another issue, and that is the chest measurement on the largest size was not quite big enough either. There is a lot of ease in the pattern, so it probably would have been okay, but I slashed and spread in the other direction too, outside of the neckline area, before the sleeves.

Upon researching other people's experiences, I found that a lot of people found the neckline a bit too wide. I brought mine in about an inch on each side. When I had it half-sewed together, I tried it on, and found the width of the adjusted neckline to be great, but decided that the boat-neckline style was not for me and scooped out the front a little. In the end, the whole length of the neckline was about the same, it was just narrower and scoopier. I ignored all the markings on the original pattern piece for the neck-binding and just quartered and pinned.


Something interesting I noticed with the pattern is the lower band. In the instructions (and on the pattern piece), I noticed that it indicated the grain going across ways, rather than up and down - so the greatest degree of stretch would have been in the vertical direction, rather than the usual, horizontal direction. I found this a bit odd. From my observations, many other people who had made this top had made it with stripes and it was clear that they had not followed the pattern instructions, so neither did I.

So in summary, I took my pattern, I slashed and spread it horizontally, and vertically. I cut my lower band against the grain indicated in the instructions, totally changed the neckline and voila, I have a top that I LOVE!!! It still does look like the picture on the front though :)

Ottobre Creative Workshop 303

The most interesting thing I found out about this pattern is that the fit is pretty much identical to the Ottobre t-shirt I made for myself here. The great thing is that this pattern has three different sleeve options - short, long and singlet, and also, three different necklines, round, scoop and V. I can tell you now that the round neckline, as per my photo above, really doesn't suit me. I would do well by making this in a V-neck next time. Perhaps in a gentler colour than hot pink!

I do think it needs a FBA, but as it is just a t-shirt, I can live with it as it is. I added my usual 7cm to the bottom of this top, but it really didn't need it. Ottobre make their t-shirts a generous length, unlike most other patterns, and certainly ready to wear! I did no adjustment on the sleeve length, as I held it up to my arm and could tell that it would be long enough. It is actually a luxurious length for me. I tend to find that long sleeves are more like 3/4 length on me, whilst these actually reach well past my wrists and onto my hands, with just the right fit, so that they don't get in the way.



SYST13: I used aproximately 9 fat quarters from my stash
Running totals: in = 180, out = 95, total = +85

Snitmønster

I have just recently tried my first Onion Pattern; "Snitmønster" 2022. I purchased it from Shop Onion, in Denmark, who also provides English translation. Out of curiosity, I plugged the word "Snitmønster" into Google translate and apparently it means "the pattern". I was so excited to get my pattern, I traced the pattern and sewed it all up, except for the hems on the very day it came in the mail. I love this pattern, and plan to make more of these, and eventually the dress version. I would love to make a comfortable, jersey dress that fits me nicely.


I was pleasantly surprised by the fabric. It was in my stash already, and I chose to use it for this "muslin" because I didn't love the fabric. As a muslin, it works quite well, camouflaging the unfavourable seam lines, and I think it is fairly flattering as well, despite my aversion to florally patterns. Perhaps I should revise my feelings on florals?


Alas, fit is the issue I have with this pattern. I have traced the under bust seam line in the photo above, and you can see it is far too high. It is too small in the bust for me, and therefor needs a FBA done to it. I am not sure how to do it.


This is what the pattern piece looks like. How would you do it? Any ideas?



SYST13: I used aproximately 10 fat quarters from my stash
Running totals: in = 180, out = 86, total = +94 (woo hoo, under 100 now!)

Fingers in Pies.....

Jodie says she has so many irons in the fire she could be a blacksmith. Me, I have my fingers in so many pies I could possibly be Little Jack Horner. Starting with a dolly I need to finish before next weekend.



In an effort to head off second-sock-itis, I have started my second tropical fish sock...



Slowly working through my cherry tree swing embroidery...



Trying to keep up with my growing boy and supply him with some long sleeved tee-shirts to keep him warm...



As well as a wind-cheater...



And of all things, a picnic basket make-over.... and I believe I may have promised someone a sashiko tutorial? Busy, busy, busy!

Here's the deal. Let's say I finish at least four of these before I start anything new...

What are you working on? Can you stick to one thing at a time?

Amélie's Hilco Stripey Shirt

You may have seen this Ottobre top before. It's Ottobre's Striped T-Shirt from Issue 4, 2007. Here's one I made earlier  I'm a bit happier with this one. I cut into some of my more precious fabric this time, with a bit more cover-stitch experience under my belt.



The fabric is Hilco Campante knit from Crafty Mamas. I happened to have some ribbing in my stash that was a nice match.



It's a bit easier to see the neck-band detail in this lighter fabric too.



I am participating in Blogtoberfest. I also have a giveaway running at the moment - you have until the 11th to enter.

Another T-shirt for Liam

After finishing the other t-shirt yesterday, I got stuck into this one. When it was finished Liam asked me "Shirt off?" so that he could try it on, and as you can see, was happy to pose for more photos. I've used this Ottobre free stencil design before, for a long sleeved t-shirt that is also one of his favourites.

New T-shirt for Liam

As you can see, Liam is pretty pleased with his new T-shirt. He doesn't seem to have enough of them at the moment, so I've got a few to make. This one was made from some fabric from my stash. I'm pretty sure that it's left-overs from mum's.



The stencil is a free design from Ottobre, and I used freezer paper and some orange fabric paint from the old stash (yes, it's still good). The pattern is my stand-by t-shirt pattern from Kwik-Sew Sewing for Toddlers. I did a size three with an extra inch or so added to the bottom. I used twin needles to do the hem and to apply the neck and sleeve bands.

Cross-over Top

This is the top that I made using the same pattern as this skirt, New Look 6470.

I made it ages ago, but I don't wear it much, because the cross-over bit spreads as I am wearing it, exposing my (ahem) bra.



I very much doubt that I will be wearing it this summer, as I kind of made it longer to begin with, and it doesn't really fit me now. But does anyone know how to solve the gaping problem? There is a Jalie pattern that can be made into a maternity top that I have been thinking about, but will I have the same problem with that pattern?

Stripey T-shirts

Here are my beautiful boys wearing their new t-shirts that I made before we went away. They are fresh from their Saturday morning swimming lessons here, so please forgive the hair-dos.

I used the Kwik-Sew Sewing for Toddlers t-shirt pattern and just extended the sleeve a little since I wasn't putting band on the ends. I also made the t-shirts a bit longer, as the kids are a little bit long and skinny in the body. I used some of the fabric from the stripes to make the neckband so the colours would match.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...

....is Liam's favourite song, and what he started singing when he saw what I was making him.

The stars were added to the front by way of freezer paper stencil, before I sewed it together.

I did a little overlocker experiment to sew the neckband, shoulder seams and the hems. 

The pattern is Ottobre workshop 301. I did a size 98, to give Liam a little growing room.

I ran into some problems with stripes early on, but I will come back and post how I over-came that.

Retro Rocket Tee

 

I made this t-shirt for Liam today. I used the "Octopus" t-shirt pattern from Ottobre 3/2008. I have made heaps of things from that particular magazine. I was a little unsure about the red for the neckband and cuffs, but I'm glad I went for red instead of safe, boring, reliable (and easily stained) white. The rocket is from the same set of embroidery designs as from Liam's hat from yesterday's blog post.

 

Actually, I did the embroidery last night whilst checking out other people's blogs, but I put together the rest of the t-shirt today, I even traced the pattern. The embroidery design reminds me of the Michael Miller Space Kids fabric.

Aarrrghh!! Shark! Shark!

Old, hand-me-down t-shirt.

What is THAT? Is that a hole?


Why, YES it is!

Luckily it was easily fixed using one of the iron on motifs that my mum gave me recently.

This particular motif makes me smile.

It reminds me of one of my nephews, who I don't get to see very often.

One day my nephew was at Kinder and the teacher wanted everyone to sit on the mat. She asked the children to pretend that the mat was an island (or a raft?) and the surrounding area was the ocean. My nephew jumped up and danced around the room, screaming "Aarrrghh! Shark! Shark!"

Don't you just love kids' imaginations?

Airplane T-shirt

I made a t-shirt for one of my nephews for Christmas using this stencil. The picture is freely available from the Ottobre web-site. My nephews got Ottobre t-shirts, but for Liam I used my trusty Kwik Sew Sewing for Toddlers pattern.

I did a different type of neck finish this time. I sewed the right sides of the t-shirt and the ribbing together, folded it over towards the back, pinned and topstitched with twin needles. Then cut the excess fabric away from the back. For the neckband, I used the same fabric type in a different colour, so the length is 3/4 the circumference on the t-shirt. If I was doing it with ribbing I would probably do 2/3, depending on how stretchy the ribbing is.

I did the sleeve ends and the bottom hem the same way I did the hem on the solitary giraffe t-shirt and the number two t-shirt. Only thing is, you know how I have been adding to the bottom of my t-shirts and the sleeves because of the cuffs that are on the original pattern? Well, I need to be taking the extra (or at least some of it) back off as I am technically adding cuffs. I looked at a couple of t-shirts, thinking they looked longer, but it wasn't until I did this one and saw that the sleeves actually were longer that I realised what I was doing. So I have to go back and re-do the sleeve edges on this one. After it comes back out of the wash.

Solitary Giraffe

I completed this long sleeved t-shirt yesterday. I used the same pattern pieces as I did for the "Number Two" t-shirt, and used the fabric from the giraffe t-shirt to applique and trim the shirt.





I cut out one giraffe and appliqued with a straight stitch around the edges.



The rest of the trim is the same as the Number Two t-shirt, but I have also added a band to the bottom. I saw this finish on a purchased t-shirt of Noah's and wanted to try it out.

I used twin needle top stitching to finish all the edges in matching thread as I thought contrast would be a bit much given the colours.

Brought to you by the number 2

I completed this long-sleeved t-shirt yesterday, just before dinner. It was too late to take pictures then, so Maxx took some pictures for me this morning.

I used the same long-sleeved t-shirt pattern from the Kwik Sew Sewing for Toddlers pattern book, with the same modifications as before, as well as a few new ones.

For the sleeves, I traced a short-sleeve, and added the same extra to it that I added to the long-sleeve last time, as it is also designed for a ribbing cuff. I placed the long sleeve pattern over top of the short sleeve pattern, allowed enough for the hem and overlap, and drew a line across the long-sleeve pattern. I folded the pattern across this line so I was really only cutting out three quarters of a sleeve.

I finished the bottom edge of the short sleeve, and the top edge of the long sleeve, using my overlocker. I then folded the hem up for the sleeve and pressed it. I placed the short sleeve over the top of the long sleeve, and then joined the two using a twin needle.

For the neckband, the normal amount of ribbing to use for this pattern is about 29cms long, by 7 cm wide. I cut two 29cm strips in grey and navy, joined them length wise, and then trimmed the navy to 4cms from the seam, and the grey 3cms from the seam. I thne treated this as one piece of ribbing and attached the neckband as normal with the grey showing on the outside.

Before I added the sleeves to the shirt, I realised that it would be a bit boring, so I cut a big number two from some robot fabric I got from Spotlight. I made some of my nephews t-shirts out of this at Christmas and forgot to take pictures for my blog. The fabric was so good, I went back and got more, so I have a couple of metres of it in my stash.

Overall, I am pretty happy with how this turned out. It is a good fit, and my pattern is right to make more of these the same.

I bet you can't do that again!

Check out this picture that Maxx took of Liam in his new shirt! See the ball that Liam threw at him? Liam is quite good at throwing, he seems to have pretty good aim.

I whipped this up this afternoon. I traced the pattern and everything. The pattern is the set-in sleeve t-shirt pattern from the Kwik Sew Sewing for Toddlers book. The only adjustment I made to this one is I made the sleeves longer and tapered them more. The reason for this is that the pattern is designed for cuffs.

Recognise the fabric? Its the same as the stripey bodysuit at the start of my blog. It has some nice colours and has a bit of a retro feel about it. I still have more left (isn't it great how much you get out of fabric when sewing for little people!) so I will definitely be sewing more with it.

A Sparkley Surprise

This is my first attempt at stenciling t-shirts. They were Christmas presents for my nephews. I had purchased (what I thought were) some basic colours from Spotlight. I decided that the blue would be a bit harsh on the eyes, so mixed the blue with some black to make a navy (ish) colour.

It turned out pretty good, or so I thought. I tested some on a scrap of red fabric, and it looked alright. I then stuck the stencil on the cut out front piece of t-shirt, and started dabbing with my sponge. Boy, was I surprised to see the glitter! Upon closer insection, the blue fabric paint had glitter in it. There is nothing on the label to indicate this. Since I started, I decided to

continue.

Busy and Productive Day

Haven't been in here for awhile, there was a bit of time there where it was a bit tricky finding the time and space to sew. Paige has moved back to her mum's, so now that she doesn't need her room full-time, it was decided that Liam could have his own room, and Paige would share hers with the sewing equipment. When the new baby comes, he or she can share with Liam.

So Paige moved out at the

start of April, and I think it was May before I started moving my sewing stuff out of Liam's room, and into Paige's. There is still stuff to move, but its nearly there. The great news is that I have a sewing room all to myself most of the time.

Somewhere in there, I managed to sew Liam a pair of denim-look jeans. They are really a very stretchy Lycra that looks like denim, not denim at all. When I get around to taking a picture of them, I will post them on here. They were really plain, just a pair of pants with some elastic in the top. I put the elastic in using stretch zig-zag. They are a little loose around the waist so he has a big nappy pin holding them up, haha.

May 30th was a big day for me sewing-wise. I managed to make two hoodies and a long-sleeved t-shirt. I used the Kwik Sew - Sewing for Baby pattern book to make these. I was surprised at how quick it all was. The hoodies have snaps up the front, so are easy to whip on and off, and there is a bit of elastic across the top of the hood to keep it on if we're out in the weather.