Two weeks ago my “IRL” (in real life) sewing group, the Sewing Fashionistas, kicked off another “Wardrobe Sew-To-Fit Along” with the knit top and t-shirt as the topic of this months focus. Alongside the IRL group, I participated in another Wardrobe building challenge/Sew-To-Fit Along with my online sewing group, the Pericrafters. I taught class for my group here in Houston, called “Fit Diagnosis: The Knit Top” as well as created a few videos to help demonstrate how I sew my tops. This video and blog post is the first of a series of post and tutorials you will be seeing over the next couple of weeks on how I fit and sew my knit tops and t-shirts.
In preparations for teaching the classes, I made a host of tutorials on knit tops and t-shirts, as well as all the possible pattern alterations necessary to make it easier to help the folks in my groups. The above photo is just a couple of the tops I have made. You will be seeing those in some of the upcoming videos or upcoming blog post. I have demonstrated how I make alterations for myself and my daughter using a good selection of patterns. I hope you enjoy.
For now, here is the video on how to sew-in the sleeve using the flat insertion method I use for sewing a sleeve with a high cap. Click on the picture above if you can not see the video here.
About a month ago I agreed to be added to a pool of folks for a fabric swap and be randomly paired with a swap partner. We were required to exchange any piece of fabric from our stash. We were to sew it up in any way we felt best represents us and our esthetic. This group thing is bringing forth some serious sewing mojo out of me. Because, I need, absolutely need, human interaction, not just online contact. Combined with Periscope, this group provides the interaction of an IRL sewing group. Okay, I think I have done my fabric justice, as well as made my swap partner proud. I present to you #thegreatfabricswapsmt finished garment.
I admit, I was apprehensive about working with this chiffon, with hopes I could produce something that would give it life beyond your imagination. I had an idea immediately when I laid eyes on it for a shirt dress. But, as I began manipulating it and considering my options, I decided that a shirt dress would make the fabric a little too “business” and take away from my style choices of “fun and frills”. I wanted some type of frills added in to soften the hard stripes while at the same time maintaining its true nature. So by juxtaposing them with chevrons and ruffles throughout, I felt I was able to get that fun feminine look with an obvious “manly” print. Something, I learned, is normally a fashion faux pas. The fashion world is not my go too place for making decisions to fit my own since of style and taste. There just may be too many limitations for me. So, thank you for challenging me to think outside the box.
For those Pericrafter folks who were up all night with me while I sewed this dress during my “LIVE” broadcast…I say thank you!!! These ladies took the time to vote on the design layout of the skirt. Whether to put the chevrons in the front and center or to use the straight lines on the front. Click this link to see the 1minute video of what we did.
You all are wonderful. But for me, I must apologize, because, as soon as I got off that last “sewing” and “voting” scope, I totally, sewed the skirt on inside out. So although, the Chevron was the clear winner, I just ended up with the straight stripes because I refused to take out all the stitching I had placed in the waistline for added security. For those who voted on what color I would wear underneath…well, I guess I just broke my own rule. The bra won out in the end, because I did not like the red slip I made right before taking these pictures. With this being a Polyester Chiffon and the lining adding to the layers, it is just too much for our Houston humidity!! I was sweating while trying to get these pictures taken.
I believe it was the shiny tricot/something I got at Hancock that threw off the look of this dress. I will still search for a more suitable lining later. The black turned out just fine. It actually made the dress look good…yet again, the layers are just too much for this heat. I will save this dress for the cool fall/winter months. Just know however, that it will absolutely get a lot of wear eventually. Just not this summer. (sad face).
OOps…forgot to hide the bra straps.
Construction Details:
The pattern is Vogue 1245 made into a dress. I cut a size medium and lengthened it in the bodice by 1.5 inches and about 16 inches on each flounce/peplum piece. All seams are french, and the hems are all machine rolled.
The neckline and the waistline are finished with a banded channel for the drawstrings, which I cut on the crossgrain to give it a contrasting affect. I really like how that came out.
Until next time, you can always find me hanging out at Periscope.tv/Sewtofit. What skirt design and underlay would you have chosen?
