Datcat

I bought these polo tops for myself, because I am tired of uncomfortable dress shirts at work. they fitted beautifully through the bust and arms, but were a smudge too tight across the belly (its gravity i tells ya!)

So, since the work shirt that the rest of the staff wear has a light blue panel down the sides, I figured I would slice it up the side and insert my own light blue panel, but taper it so it gives me more room around the middle. The panel is about 2 inches under the arm and down the side bust, but tapers out to just over 5 inches from about the waist down, giving me comfort room. I did the panels in two pieces, to match the style of the regular uniform, and also to make it easier to coverstitch it down.

Or alternatively ….. how to send yourself bonkers by diving off the deep end.

As I have said before, this year is the year of sewing for me.  To that end I sent almost all my baby fabrics to my sister (sigh .. and then promptly bought more).  In particular, I pared my nappy fabrics down to a single container, as I am pretty much over the things now.  I have committed myself to making a new set of “ninny jocks” as N#1 calls them, hence the purchase of new kids fabric.   But, this top for me has been waiting to be finished, and I decided that I had to stop procrastinating, and I wasn’t allowed to sew the jocks until the top was finished.    Pattern is the Ottobre 02/2010 – Design 11. Journal -Tunic and Dress combination.

First the dress (fabric Baby Pink California Knit – from CraftyMamas) – a very simple design, except Ottobre seem to be in love with using lastin (clear elastic) for just about everything.  After unpicking my first attempt, I gave up and went back to gathering the way I have been for the last 20 or so years.  The neckline and armholes were supposed to have the same elastic to support them, but I used my new cover stitch machine to bind them.

Next the tunic (fabric Toptex Sheer Euro knit – from CraftyMamas) – Again a simple design, and except for the fixation with lastin, very easy to make. EXCEPT if you are trying to use a sheer, slippery fabric for it. I couldn’t coverstitch, as the fabric just couldn’t take the tension, no matter how I fiddled. Same goes for zig zag on the regular machine. Overlocking was ok, but tended to ripple. So the neckline especially, needed support. I grabbed some of the sew in interfacing that I use for tracing, and overlocked that on the edge, turning up for the hem, and then trim back the interfacing to the seam line. This produced a very neat finish, with no stretching out. The neckline feels firm and secure, and sits great against my torso …. so a win there.

The front of the neckline is a hemmed finish, but the back is faced. The technique to put them together is one I used ages ago, and I was dubious about it, but the finished result was great.

Next, gathering the bodice to the skirt panels. Here again, Ottobre wanted to use lastin, but I learnt my lesson ages ago, and just ran a couple of gathering stitches. I think you get a much more even result, certainly it is much easier to control the look of the finished product.

And finally the finished product. I was concerned that the shoulder seams were further back on my shoulders than expected, until I went and had a look at the magazine, and that is actually the way it was designed rather than a mistake of mine. That was a relief. The pale pink under the sheer makes the fabric look a bit muted which isn’t a bad thing. The design is quite flattering for a big person, and the use of an A-line skirt panel rather than a gathered rectangle lends a bit of elegance that is often lacking in plus sized clothing. This is an item that I will definitely be wearing.

I have been promising myself more sewing for me, and while I am succeeding, I am finding it hard as I am not a pattern perfect shape. This top is the second try, with the first being too big in the shoulders and over bust area. This one fits better, but it still sits funny. I think that I will need to take it down another size, although the body panels are perfect. I am seeing more and more, that I need to get myself a dress form in my size, as fitting is a major hurdle in my sewing.

Only a bit over a week, and then its back to the daily grindstone for me.  I am enjoying the holidays, but tiny part of me is getting teensy weensy bit bored.  If I could eat chocolate, I would have had her subdued by now, but alas … chocolate is not allowed.

But …. This holiday has been a productive one for my sewing.  I have been working on baby gifts for  a group of preggy ladies in my life (is this something like a virus …. you don’t get it alone, you have to spread it around?).  I finished one last week, as she was due this week. So here is what I made for her

A nappy bag, happily(?) modelled by my goofy husband.

   

Bibs and burp cloths

   

And a muslin – 130cm x 130c … a much more useful size than the store bought ones

In addition to the baby sewing, I have been trying to make other stuff.  Inspired by an online forum, I decided to make my boy a pencil case for the new school year.  He chose the fabric from my stash, but firmly resisted any attempts by me to “tizzy” it up, declaring that plain black was just fine for the inside.  My boy is growing up I think.

I figured while I was making his, I would make a couple of things for my niece, using this fantastic skull fabric I just picked up …… I may use the scrap left for myself … it is so funky.

   

This isn’t everything I wanted to achieve this holidays, but its getting close.