Saturday, April 18, 2009

Sewing ADD?! (aka Ooooh, something shiny, I'll chase it!)

How is it I end up making something that was not on my radar at all, and the projects that I was excited about a week ago sit in limbo? Must be sewing ADD, I just get easily distracted by all the beautiful things that you ladies in Blog Land are making. Bunny's been working with chiffon, as was Amanda... it was silk with Sommerset, and Angie made a cute short sleeve top. The weather's been gorgeous (70 yesterday, 72 today!) so I set the denim dress aside, and made myself a pretty silky top. (Sorry, the FF/photographer is unavailable, so the dressform shot will have to do!) I first reached for the chiffon, but decided to hold off and use this gorgeous cotton silk from the co-op. The color is so beautiful, and the weight is light without being airy. I picked up this Simplicity pattern a week ago for $1, and figured I could turn it out in a day (with Little Miss Princess at Kindergarten and my son still napping in the afternoon). I was right (mostly), but man did this pattern throw me some curve balls! Here's a better shot of the details of the top.
Here's my detailed review, but to make a long story short, this pattern runs big. I know, you're all shocked that a Simplicity pattern would run big, but I'm telling you, it ran HUGE. Falling off of me, could've stepped into the stinking thing, HUGE. At first I was so mad, because I absolutely loved the fabric and should've known better (make a muslin, you idiot!), but there was no way I would let this be a wadder! I made a few alterations (created a center back seam and took it in 2"), and it's much better now. It's not as amazingly fantistic as I pictured in my head, but I'm sure it will grow on me. (As soon as all of you comment on how amazingly fantastic it is! Just kidding...) I also had to adjust the shoulder elastic and eliminate the side elastic at the waist (I want to tuck it in sometimes), and I'll be adding some bra strap holders, too. I'm not pitching the pattern, I'm going to make a muslin of view D or E for summer in a 14 and see if that will fit properly! Here's the back with the added seam (pretty boring...)
My Spring Break from school is drawing to an end, and I really can't complain. I made 3 pieces, read a book (Janet Evanovich "One for the Money"), went shopping for myself, did some spring cleaning in the kids' rooms, and enjoyed beautiful weather. Now I have to bring myself to grade some papers... yuck! I think the denim dress is intimidating me, and I know there are easier garments that I could do faster. We'll see what develops, I bet another "something shiny" comes along!

10 comments:

Dawn said...

OOOOOOOOO, shiny. I love it. It's too big their patterns run so big. That's why I finally gave up on the Big 4. And you are just now reading the Evanovitch series? I love Stephanie Plum, she's my hero.

Amanda S. said...

VERY pretty! I love your fabric - the color is just gorgeous. Great save!

Julia said...

It is gorgeous and fantastically beautiful. Hope you enjoy it more after wearing it a few times. That color is wonderful!!

Bunny said...

It's "amazingly fantastic"! I love center back seams. I find them slenderizing andlike how they draw the eye up, great save on that one. This pattern and fabric is gorgeous! Who on earth would sew denim when they can sew this?

gwensews said...

Beautiful top. The neckline is really pretty. Great job!

Cennetta said...

Just beautiful.

Ann Made Studio said...

What a beautiful color and a very pretty top.

Gail said...

I hate Simplicity patterns for this reason and that the pieces never fit together the way they should. Very nice blouse by the way...

Summerset said...

Oh what a gorgeous color! You will look marvelous in it.

elbereth said...

Just saw your message on the co-op & had to come right over. It's gorgeous! What great fabric. The EFQ rocks! btw, I too love reading Evanovitch. If you can, it's great to hear one read by Lori Petty (A League of Their Own & Tank Girl). She IS the voice of Stephanie Plum and is very funny.