oh I’m all on an angle!
I had more of that red jersey cluttering up the stash – you remember, from February’s make? I haven’t worn that out of the house, but I’ve worn this t-shirt two days in a row (yes, I’m putting it in the laundry later). The pattern, sunshine tops from Hot Patterns, is what I can possibly call a TNT (tried’n tested), since I’ve now made a second and I’m as happy with it as the first. Incidentally, I just used the pattern pieces I’d traced and cut for the first one, and do you know, it fits pretty darn well. There’s a little issue with some pulling round the mamas, since they’re still a bit larger than before, but it’s not enough to make me want to howl and tear the t-shirt into pieces.
ok that’s a little better…
The thing to remember with Hot Patterns is that they are cut looser than your big 4 (in my experience), so to get a closer fit I think I made a size down from what was suggested by my measurements. I just like a t-shirt that doesn’t swamp me, but you might want something more floaty. I do really recommend this pattern, but don’t take size recommendations from me as gospel – see what happens in your sewing room, with your body and your fabric. Or, to use an ancient internet term: YMMV.The only thing I would change could only be remedied by the purchase of a twin stretch sewing needle – apparently the twin stitches can prevent the lettucing effect you can sometimes get on a knit hem with only one line of stitching (think cover stitch machine finish). I actually didn’t get any lettucing this time around, and maybe this was because I was good and did all the pressing I was supposed to, and maybe I was just lucky. Whichever, July’s make has Win written all over it. (Not literally though, because I probably wouldn’t wear that.)
I like this, very much…not just because its red…it looks very good on you…
Thanks Pennie. It’s nice to have a t-shirt pattern to go to when all shopping expeditions seem doomed to end in failure lately…
Looks great on you Jo. I would like to venture into the realm of knits but not sure that how successful I’ll be without a serger. I am only now tackling sewing clothes again as I realised it was me that was my body image that was putting me off rather than my sewing skills.
I’ve sewed knits without a serger really successfully – you just need to make sure you have the right stretch needle for your fabric, so get a few of different sizes and test them out on the fabric to check for skipping stitches. You can finish off the raw edges by pinking, zig-zagging, or if your machine has one, an overedge stitch. Trudy from Hot Patterns recommends sewing with the narrowest possible zigzag stitch, which will be almost straight but have some stretch. Very very possible without a serger, and not as scary as you’d think. Plus, really quite forgiving because of the stretchiness
It’s gorgeous. I love this top on you. Flattering fit and color. Don’t stop making things for yourself. I still have a post partum body and it still feels good to make things that fit it now and knowing that I can make more things later if I ever do lose the baby weight. Cheers!
Thank Elizabeth – nice to have some encouragement. Figure I need my own Thea to come and teach me about adjusting things though. That’s the next hurdle…
Your new top is great, red really looks fab on you too.
Everyone seems to agree about the red, Ruth. My only sadness is not having more of this particular jersey, and not knowing where it came from!
You do look very lovely in red…I know just which shoes you will be putting with it too. It’s gorgeous – love it when you know a pattern will work…takes the feeling of fear out of a sewing session. x
Yes, still love those shoes. Quite tempted to just buy lots of knits and make several of these for daily about the house wear. They’re easy but not exactly as dull as a basic gap t-shirt if you know what I mean. I’m about to start sewing a thing in cotton – much more trepidatious about that! x
This really looks great. It’s nice to see you making clothes.
The fabric for my summer dress muslin is still sitting on top of the dresser… I’m hoping for summer break.
I’m sure you’ll get to it. Hopefully before the end of summer break, given that it’s a summer dress
It looks great on you! Red definitely is your colour! I haven’t make anything for myself because I hate measuring me but I think I will have a go at it.
I found measuring myself really hard, but on the plus side it was nice to see when I’d lost inches even if I wasn’t really shedding much weight post-partum. Besides, it’s nice to make something at home that fits as opposed to having the horrors in a shop changing room
I really like that top, it’s exactly the kind of thing I wish I could make for myself (and would have one in every colour!), but I’ve not yet tried my hand at making clothes so am a bit nervous, especially at the thought of tackling knits!
It looks great on you!
I too have decided to throw caution to the wind and make myself something – a dress. Mainly, I am so sick of wearing the same 3 pants and 4 shirts. ung.
It looks great – and like a better version of a t-shirt I own. Do let me know if you find a twin stretch needle – around here I have found twin needles and stretch needles, but no twin stretch needles…