A top from BWoF 1/2009, a mock wrap top.

I used a small print jersey for this, cut in size 38 and elongated. I chose this top since I thought it would flatter my figure, which it did. I like the gathering over the stomach as it hides the stomach (mine is a little out of shape at the moment). I like V-necks on me, this however is a bit too low, so I must wear a cami underneath it, the technical drawing looked higher, but I read on some websites that the neckline came out lower than expected.

While looking a bit complicated it actually wasn’t, it was mostly my screw-ups that made this top more difficult (my machine settings were off, despite my changing them and I accidentily put on one sleeve upside down). But eventually I was able to finish the top, I’ve worn it to work since then, it’s comfortable and stylish.

I haven’t been updating here lately, for reasons I don’t want to disclose at this moment. My inspiration for sewing just hasn’t been there, I haven’t had much time to read and I’ve been tired this fall generally.

But I will try to put up at least one new creation tomorrow and perhaps a book review will follow soon. The blog isn’t dead, it’s just resting. In a coma perhaps.

This next creation is taken out of BWoF 2009-01. It’s a simple top, I think, however the sleeves makes it interesting. It wasn’t very hard to do, which was good, since I’m using these simple tops to get comfortable working with jersey and knits.

I used simple white cotton jersey, interfacing and threads. That’s it. It was quick to cut and sew, once the pattern was cut it took me 2 hours.

OK, I’m starting with the creation I did today, a star t-shirt. I combined to patterns from Burda WoF 01/09 namely this top and this top; the bodice from the first and the sleeves from the second. I have made both of those tops, so today’s adventure was a quickie.

The fabric is a navy (very dark navy) jersey with white stars (further details here). It was a simple top to put together, just side seams, shoulder seams, interfacing and then the sleeves. Although I did mess up with the interfacing, putting it in the wrong direction so it got stuck to the iron in stead of the fabric. And there was an incident when I threaded the machine wrong, but nothing serious. And still I finished the t-shirt in one day and I didn’t even work very hard.

Enough talk, here’s the pictures!

Yup, I’ve been playing those TV shows all day (PR=Project Runway, ANTM=America’s Next Top Model)

That means that I’ve sewed one T-shirt (although I know on PR it would have been followed by a skirt and a jacket as well, in the time frame of one day) and then I’ve finally photographed some of my long overdue creations. Three, to be precise. At least one of them will make it onto the blog tonight.

Just the finishing touches on the pictures (such as uploading them to Photobucket and then edit, and then blog). But one new creation will come later.

aka. “what happens when you’re not paying attention”.

My top is finally done! Again. After assembling one sleeve upside down I’ve now taken it out and put it back, the right way this time. I hate ripping seams and I hate it even more in fine jerseys, when the seam is overlocked. Ah, an evening spent with my seam ripper.

I plan on wearing the top tomorrow so I will photograph it on then, in the mean time enjoy this sneak peak. Or see the stupidity that was me!

What happens when you're not paying attention

…and I’m stupid.

You won’t get a picture of my new mock wrap top today. I put it on this morning to wear it today and noticed that it was bulky in the let armpit. Turns out I’ve put in the sleeve upside down. SIGH!

I hate using the seam ripper. It’s bad enough that I’ve made mistakes that mean I must use it, now the mistake is in an overlocked seam in jersey, which is even harder. I’m so tired with myself for making these mistakes.

All I can do is go back, and do over. The sleeve in the right position this time.

My mock wrap top is finally finished. However, I’m too tired to play model today, so the pictures will have to wait until tomorrow. It’s not just setting up the picture, I also must change out of my sweats and that’s a sacrifice too hard to make at the moment.

I can give you a brain teaser to keep you busy. I did this today and I wonder if I’m alone. I noticed that one of the threads (when I was sewing with the twin needle) was nearing the end, so I began to sew slower. As if the thread would last longer… Why did I do that? Am I the only one?

I will try to post pictures tomorrow…

My top is really making a slow progress. Yesterday I decided to take some time to sew, so I finished the neckline (no casulties regarding needles). Then I was going to baste the part where the gathers go. True to form (my form, that is) I used the baste function on the sewing machine. The thread went crazy and a bit into the sewing the fabric just clogged the machine.

I realised that I had the wrong thread tension so obviously I corrected that (the problem of having an automatic sewing machine that adjust certain things on its own, but not everything). Then it got even worse! The bobbin thread was totally mucked up (so I didn’t see it and glady started pulling the threads – they snapped immediately). OK, that the machine doesn’t do it right when I don’t do what it tells me to. But when I do exactly as I tell it, then it should follow my lead. Maybe there was something else I overlooked.

Anyway, after ripping seams more than putting them together, my motivation failed me. It didn’t feel constructive anymore and I didn’t feel like going on a trouble-shooting hunt. At least I finished the neckline on my novelty vest, hopefully I can figure out my machine and get further today. Fingers crossed! (Don’t know what they’re crossed for, that I shall begin thinking?)

but all I got was this vest?

On Thursday I finally found the inspiration to get sewing. Once I find insipration to do something I want to get going, do as much as possible, until I fall over exhausted, usually with a tender neck as well. This is how far I got.

If I wear it as a novelty vest, I'm done!

I did the shoulder seams, as the instructions said, and then it was time for the finishing of the neckline. I’ve tried using a twin needle before but I couldn’t get it working. This time I figured out the threading of the machine, pressure and everything and happily got sewing. Until my twin needle broke. I didn’t even get very far. I only had one twin needle so I just couldn’t replace it at home and I wasn’t going to the next town with the great habadasher’s.

My poor crippled twin needle

I don’t like working on several projects at once, I want to finish what I’ve started, mainly due to the fact that I don’t like rethreading the machine and keeping track of bobbins, also I would have to prioritse – I make that decision when choosing a project. So today I bought two new twin needles. Should one break I have a spare (should that one break…). I also bought a stash of needles, I should get through fall now.