Quick Slipper Gifts

Edited on 12/6/14 to add:  I download this version of the pattern from Sew News.  If you need multiple sizes, Rhonda will happily send you a PDF with 3 sizes included if you drop her an e-mail requesting it.

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If you are familiar with Rhonda's Blog, you know that she is so generous to share patterns, techniques, recipes, and so much more.  

I had originally thought I would knit some slipper socks for a few good friends for Christmas, but time got away (you know the story) and several pair need to be sent via mail, so I had to come up with another idea.  I remembered Rhonda's post about the polar fleece slippers.  They seemed to be the "just right" replacement for my intended knit socks gifts.

Yesterday, I had a couple of hours to play with the pattern.  I could tell right off the bat that the original pattern would be too small for me and the intended recipients.  I took the original pattern and added a bit around the edges of the sole and about 5/8" to 3/4" to it's length in the toe area.  I adjusted the other pattern pieces accordingly.  This one that you see below (the purple and striped version) was my first go at it.  It fit the foot area much like a real sock, but I wanted just a bit more width and length.  

The red a blue version I added even more, and I think this will fit a ladies size 9-10 shoe size which is one of the sizes I needed.

With my adjustments I now have three sizes to work with.  I'm calling them Small/Med (for approx a size 6-7 ladies), a Med/Large (for approx a size 7.5 to 8.5 ladies) and XL (for approx size 9-10 ladies).

The pair below is one that I will be giving as a gift. It has a double sole of black polar fleece (for extra padding on the sole of the foot), the red toe and the hounds tooth leg portion.  I just turned the top hem to the outside and zig zagged it down.  All other sewing is on the serger using exposed seams.  So quick to sew!

These were just remnants of polar fleece I had picked up at Hancocks over time and various visits.  I plan to make 3 more pair for gifts.  I need to dig through my remnants to see what other prints I might have.

If you are looking for a quick/easy gift, this might just be the one for you.  Thanks Rhonda!

Guilty

In a very short trial and quick jury deliberations, Williams is found guilty of murdering Cynthia McClellan, wife of Kaufman County District Attorney.

There was no defense.  Defense attorneys called no witnesses, cross examined none of the prosecution witnesses, and only made a closing statement.  Trial began Monday and the defense rested yesterday.  Jury deliberations lasted less than two hours.

Sentencing phase will begin Monday.

Thanks for enduring my sidestep from sewing.  This case has been weighing on my mind and the minds of many in our County for the last year.

Next post will be my version of Rhonda's slippers. 

The Trial Has Begun

You may remember this post I wrote about the murders of the Kaufman County District Attorney, his wife, and an Assistant District Attorney in 2013.  The trial being held now is for the murder of the DA's wife, Cynthia, an active member of the local Quilt Guild and teacher at the local Quilt shop.  I did not know her, but many of my sewing friends did.  So, so sad.

The trial of the suspect began yesterday.  The sitting Judge brought out from Dallas granted a change of venue (to the city requested by the Defense team).  The suspect is a former County employee (and lawyer and Justice of the Peace) who was convicted of stealing computer monitors from the Courthouse.  As a result of his conviction, he decided to murder the two DA's that brought him to justice as well as the innocent wife of the DA.  That seems reasonable, yes?  NO. NO. NO.

Without going into details (you can google the story--just search for Eric Williams murder trial), it took several months for the arrest, but there is little doubt he is responsible.

A friend of ours, who happens to be a County Judge in Dallas, has said for years, "Criminals generally don't get caught/convicted because they committed the crime--they get caught/convicted of being stupid."  I think the same can be said in this case.

Let's see, he was caught on surveillance video taking the computer monitors out of the courthouse offices and placing them in his car...........hmm. #1 stupid act that led to his conviction that started this whole chain of events.

He was seen on surveillance video driving his personal vehicle to a storage facility to pick up the Crown Vic used in the murders and returning said vehicle after the murders.  He failed to pick up spent shells used at the murder scene that matched the shells found in the storage unit where the murder weapons (that matched ballistics tests) were also found.  His now ex-wife, who drove the getaway car in the first murder and accompanied him to the second murders, has turned state's evidence and will be testifying.  She is also charged with capital murder, but may escape the death penalty.  There are many more stupid "mistakes" he made that lead the police to him.  BUT he was convinced he was too smart to get caught!  Too stupid to realize there are video cameras EVERYWHERE these days?

His defense attorneys are in a tough spot.  They made no opening remarks, and as I understand from news reports, are not cross examining the prosecution witnesses so far.  I think their only purpose will be to try to save his life in the penalty phase.  If by some strange set of events, he is not convicted of Cynthia's murder, he can (and I'm sure will) be tried for each of the other two murders.  However, I'm confident the jury in the case will get it right.  The evidence is overwhelming.

Vogue 9060 - Love this Tilton Skirt

I have wanted to make this skirt for several weeks, but just had too much of "life" going on to give it any attention.  It's now finally complete!

I stopped in Hancocks on Wednesday of this week.  I wanted to pick up some polar fleece remnants (if they had any) for my charity sewing chemo caps.  They did have some cute prints, so I picked up a few of them.  Of course, I had to check out other fabric since I had a coupon for 25% of entire purchase.  I like to checkout their rayon/poly ponte fabric and hope to find something in a print that grabs my attention.

The fabric above is not RPL, but a poly knit.  While I choose not to use poly for tops (too hot for me), I will use it for skirts.  I found this and a nice royal blue on black.  Since I have a lot of blues in my closet, I chose the red.  I came right home and washed the fabric.  By the next evening it was the Tilton skirt!  I have several black tops that I think will work with it, and I'm hoping a red Tea Garden Tee (pattern shown below) that I made years ago will work with it.  I haven't taken the time to check the reds together.

After I completed this red one, I pulled out some black mystery knit fabric that I think came from Walmart a number of years ago.  I'm sure it's a poly, but it has a pretty nice feel and good drape.  I thought DGD would like this pattern, so I cut her one in a size small (I had used the size M for myself) and zipped it up on the machines.  I used both the serger and sewing machine.

I made two changes for mine.  I cut off about 1" from the hem and I made the waistband more narrow--a finished width of about 2.5".  DGD is taller so I didn't cut off the hemline, but I also used a more narrow waistband for hers.

A really fun pattern!  I like the finished result.

A Sweater is Done

One of my goals for this year was to complete some of my knitting UFOs.  One is now done!  

When I saw this cuff to cuff sweater last year or two years ago, I really wanted to make it.  It is knit side to side and sewn together at the side seams.  Looked pretty easy.  (I wanted to link to the free pattern, but I cannot find it on their site any longer.)  

I liked the colors used in the pattern photo so ordered the Red Heart Boutique Treasure yarn in the color of "Watercolors."  If I remember correctly, I got lucky and found it on sale.  When it arrived, I was all gung ho to get started, and I did get off to a good start.  But my knitting goes in fits and bits.  As warmer weather arrived, who wants to knit with wool/acrylic "fabric" sitting you your lap?  Not me, of course.  At least, I carefully placed all the yarn, instructions and partially completed sweater into a plastic bag and put it away for the summer and then some.  As I mentioned above, I really don't remember when I started this project.

As cooler weather began to arrive and the days began to get shorter, I remembered this sweater.  I actually got inspired to work on it again.  I realized I was more than half finished, and that gave me more inspiration to get it finished.  It's been finished and photographed for several weeks, but I couldn't get the mojo together to blog about it.  Finally, today was the day.

The colors are not reflected accurately in my photos.  The one above (a side-ways view of the sleeve) is closest to the true color.  It's not nearly as gray or green as the photos reflect.  Inside photos, room lighting, my camera--oh well.

I'm very happy with it!

I've also been spending some time with the sewing machine.  Hopefully, I'll get those posts done quickly!

Slow Motion

Sewing is happening here.  Most of my time has been spent with more community service sewing.  I did finish a linen dress that I cut out last summer--one of the Tilton dresses.  I wore it today, but didn't get a photo.  I have a couple of things I need to photo and get up here on the blog.  I keep telling myself I will get to it.  All in due time.  Seems like I'm moving in slow motion these days.

I'm now pondering how to cut this cotton print.  It will be a top of some sort.  Perhaps I'll have an epiphany if I keep seeing in draped over Saphroni.  Probably need to peruse some of the pattern stash for pattern ideas.  Any suggestions?

End of summer? Fall Sewing?

I find it amusing that so many bloggers that I follow are talking about the summer ending and their plans for fall sewing.  Please don't misunderstand, I am not criticizing and making fun of those bloggers.  It's just that in my part of the world, we will be dealing with summer temps possibly into November (or later).

Back in the "old days" when I attended public school, the first day of school was always the day after Labor Day (September).  None of the public schools at that time had air conditioning.  We were doomed to sweat and stick to our desk seats for at least a month.  By October, we often had cool mornings with the afternoons getting into the 80's or low 90's.  I HATED that first month of school.  I HATED sweating. I HATED sticking to my desk and the lunch room chairs. and I HATED being HOT.  Open windows and fans only blew HOT air.

This year, we have been blessed with a rather mild summer.  The temps have been running high 90's low 100's.  So far, no sustained 110 degree days like last year.  BUT we still have to get through the rest of August and September.

So, I won't be thinking of fall sewing for a while yet.  AND, fall sewing will likely just mean sewing with darker colors of cottons, rayons and blends.

Regarding my sick pup that helped prompt the previous post "Phone Shorts," I'm  happy to report that Miss Freckles is on the mend.  After LOTS of tests at the Vet Specialist, and ruling out several things, she tested positive for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease.  Both are tick borne. AND yes, she faithfully gets her flea/tick meds, but sometimes things just happen.  She will be on antibiotics for 4 to 6 weeks, but she is feeling more like her old self every day.  I am thankful for that.

I've been sewing PJs for the children's shelter.  That easy sewing has helped me keep my sanity during this uneasy period with Freckles.  I'm thankful for that, too.

Phone Shorts - S 2224

I generally don't feel the need to wear my cell phone on my hip.  But these past few weeks, I've wanted it within reach waiting for calls from Vet clinics and test results.  One  of my fur children is not doing well.  Plus, my DH wishes me to have it at hand when I'm out in the pasture "just in case" something happens.

I've found that the shorts with the side seam pockets make me nervous.  The phone just doesn't feel secure to me in that side seam pocket.  It might drop out and I'd never know it!

So, Simplicity 2224 to the rescue.

Back

The short has 5 pattern pieces: front, side front, back, side back, and pocket.  One side of the pocket is sewn into the front and side front seam making it very secure.  I then top stitched that seam from waist to hem.

Front

You can see the pocket better here and you will notice that it wraps around to the side back section of the short.  Plenty of room for my phone, and I'm not worried about it accidentally falling out.

The striped version below is my muslin.  I cut a straight size 14 with the muslin.  It was a bit tight at the hip.

Back fit pretty well.  Just scooped the back crotch seam, and it felt better (revised seam not sewn on the following photo).

The final version is a light weight denim that was in the stash.  I have no clue where it came from or how long I've had it.  I had just enough for the shorts.  The waist band is a sew on band that calls for a drawstring.  I much prefer elastic to a drawstring.  The waistband piece is a bit narrow for elastic, but I managed to make it work in this version.  Next time I will make the cut on band wider so that I can easily use 1" or 1.25" elastic in the casing.

After the stripe muslin the changes for the denim pair were:  scoop the crotch about .5" at the curve, take 3/8 seams on all seams except the crotch seam, and I cut the length 1" longer.  I will use these same changes for the next pair and will add one more - cutting the waistband wider.

I like this pattern, and it's just what I needed for the purpose in mind.  Now I need to peruse the stash for fabric for another pair.

McCall 6359 Number 2

The items I made for DGD were generally a hit.  She said she loved them all, BUT the yellow and green voile top was too big.  As she put it, "Grams, my girls don't fill it out, and the neckline is kinda low."  I assured her that we win some and lose some.  Hopefully, she will be able to find a "home" for it with one of her friends "whose girls will fill it out and the neckline will be appropriate."

She loved the other top (with lace) so much that she said she would love to have another one of the same pattern in  gray, bright blue, or black. When DGD asks, what can Grams do but comply??

I began to mentally survey the stash.  I knew I had some silver gray lace, some black lace, and the left over brown lace.  I don't buy much lace.  I should probably get some other colors since lace has become so popular with more casual wear.  Another excuse to add to the stash, yes?

I'm getting to the age that I prefer not to sew black if I have a choice.  I have lots of rayon/lycra knit, but no bright blue that I could turn up. Knit was not a requirement as a soft cotton, rayon, or poly would work nicely.  The previous one was made from rayon crinkle.  I had none of the colors in my stash in woven rayon or light cotton.  I seldom buy (and therefore do not stash) poly.  Most poly is yukky to me.  I do have some ITY that I would consider using if it were a solid color--alas, all I have is print yardage. Long story short, I needed to place an order for something.

front

Lucky for me (and DGD) I got in on the $1.99 knit sale at Fabric Mart, and I found a piece of silver/gray poly matte knit.  DGD is OK with poly.  I ordered 2 yards (and only ended up needing 1 yard).  I finally found some time Friday to sew.  I had cut it on Thursday.  Oh, and it matched so well with the gray lace fabric I had on hand.  I think it was from the remnant bin at Hancock's months ago.

back

I sew with lots of knits, but this one tested my religion!  While I didn't have any problem with the jersey needle, the fabric was so obstinate feeding through the machine.  Having recently watched Linda Lee's Craftsy class on sewing knits, I started with the walking foot.  Mistake!  Then, I put on my teflon foot which I use almost exclusively.  Still no go.  I adjusted the pressure of the presser foot several times to no avail.

In desperation, I pulled out my "roller foot" that I've not had good luck with in the past.  It wasn't great, BUT worked better that the other alternatives.  I sewed as much as I could with the serger, but I had to use the machine to stitch in the ditch so I wouldn't have to hand stitch the binding down to enclose the neckline and arm seams.  After several stops and starts, ripping and resewing, I finally got it done.  Yikes!  I best toss the rest of that fabric now so I don't accidentally try to sew with it again!!

The Price of Sewing Over Time

I've been making some children's pj's for the local Children's Shelter as part of our ASG Neighborhood Group project.  Some cotton fabric was donated to us, and children appropriate prints are being used for pj's.  One of the patterns called for bias binding to finish the sleeveless armhole.  I seldom use bias tape, but I have a small stash.  I pulled the box from the top of the closet and started checking colors on hand.

While doing that, I began to notice the different prices on the packages.  As you will tell from the pricing, some of these have been around FOR.A.LONG.TIME. and likely BEFORE.MY.TIME.  I'm sure I inherited some of these from Mom's small stash (she wasn't the hoarder stasher that I've become).  I expect some one or two of these came from a potluck of E-bay purchases that probably included buttons, needles, etc., or maybe from a couple of ladies at church who gave me some things since neither of them sew any longer due to eyesight problems.

I thought sharing with you would be fun!

From left to right above::

Package of black single fold bias tape from Penney's sold for 8 cents!

A package of Wright's 4 yd. gingham bias trim for 15 cents.

Wright's Flexicloth  Bias Tape 5 yrds - 19 cents.

Bioltex Seam Binding (oops - snuck in with the bias tape) 25 cents

Wright's 5 yd. bias tape 25 cents.

Wright's poly/cotton bias for 45 cents

And more red single fold (this time 4 yrds. Walmart red tagged at 67 cents.

I'm pretty sure I purchased the one from Walmart some years ago--probably because it WAS red tagged.  I happened to be in Walmart earlier today, stopped by the small sewing section and noted their price for single fold bias tape was around $1.68.  I forgot to notice if it was a 3 or 4 yard package.

Just a little bit of history found in, of all things, single fold bias tape.

Weights

Pattern weights, that is.  I have always generally pinned patterns to fabric.  Not sure why.  Mom always used weights rather than pins.  Her weights were the silverware from the kitchen.  She especially liked using the knives in the stainless steel collection (not the sharp steak knives).

However, lately, I've been using fewer pins and adding in some form of weights to hold my patterns down.  I need more weights.  I know there are all different kinds out there and many tutorials on making your own.

My sewing buddy has some black ones that I refer to as her "earthworm weights" - long, skinny, wiggly.  I decided to make some - no pattern, not hard, just some scraps and BBs from Walmart.

I've been sewing some community service dresses for the ladies at the State Hospital.  I had some self bias left over from finishing necklines and some nice selvage strips left over.  Both of these were perfect for the "earth worm" weights.   Just sew the strips down the long edge and across one end.  Using a small funnel from the kitchen drawer, after I turned the sewn strip right side out, I filled the strip with BBs until it was "almost" full.  I left enough room at the open end to be able to get it under the pressure foot of the machine.  I turned in the raw edges and simply top stitched closed.  Easy!

Then I sewed some small (2"x 2" finished or 2"x 3" or close to those measurements) squares/rectangles, turned right side out and filled with BBs (again with the help of the funnel), sewed the ends closed and "poof!" I had more pattern weights.

And here they are in action holding down a pattern for a pair of shorts I muslined this afternoon.  Pretty cool and useful!  Now I have my own wiggly earthworm weights!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the responses to my last post regarding fabric/material terminology.  Thanks for taking the time to leave me a note!

Fabric or Material?

I grew up with Mom making most all of my clothes.  I loved it!  I never saw myself coming down the street, never worried about another girl in my class having the same outfit, AND whatever it was, it fit me.  The only thing I didn't look forward to was trying on the outfit while it was being made.  Mom was a firm believer in fit as you go" and my sister and I tried on "in progress" garments again, again and again.  At times, we didn't feel a garment was new by the time it was completed because we had tried it on so many times! :-)

At that time, Mom (and, therefore me) called the cloth "material" as in "I'm going to buy material for your new dress."  It wasn't called "fabric;" it was called "material."

I'm not sure when I switched terminology and began calling it "fabric."  Perhaps it was when "fabric" stores were born.  In my earlier days, material/fabric was purchased at places like J.C. Penny's, the Singer Sewing Store (where Mom bought her new Singer when I was about 6 years old), and other various department stores.  As department stores began to give up their "sewing" sections, I seem to remember stores popping up that were dedicated to selling sewing supplies and fabric.

I still catch myself every now and then calling "fabric" "material."  It's OK; I know what I'm talking about.
What about you?  Do you remember material?  Do you still use that terminology?  Or is it just me?

Fabric - Border/Panel Prints

I was very excited to find these fabrics at Super Textiles in Dallas.  This first one is a panel print; I got 3 panels.  it is a cotton voile and this is the "washed/dryed" version shortly after it came out of the dryer.

This panel print is also a cotton, but heavier that a voile.  I just love this colorway.  I got 4 panels in this cut.

And this is a true border print with borders on each selvage.  In this photo, it is hanging with selvages at the top and bottom.  It is a rayon somewhere between a challis and a crepe.  Hard to describe.

Closeup of the rayon.

I have no idea yet what I will do with these lovelies, but I hope to get a pattern picked and at least one sewn in the next couple of weeks.  Don't want these fabrics to languish in the stash.

I had a couple of hours in the sewing room this afternoon.  I got a Louise Cutting Anything but Ordinary "GO TO" top cut out.  Then I sewed some pillow cases for the Ronald McDonald House.  Our ASG Neighborhood group delivers colorful, fun pillowcases we have made at least once per year.  These are my first 10 that will go into the collection.  Last year we donated 283 total.  It's a worthwhile project, and it helps sew down my stash of those quilting cottons I never got around to using as well as those remnants I pick up along the way just for this annual project.

McCall 6751

Recently sewn tops and skirts for DGD are now packaged and ready to be mailed tomorrow.  This top is really a simple, fun top to sew.  I, on  the other hand, had to make it a bit more time consuming.  This cotton voile from Fashion Fabrics Club washed up lovely.  It is soft and flowy and feels very "summery."  As most voiles are, it was very sheer.  I decided to line it with white cotton batiste I had in the stash.

Here's a close-up of the print - a dainty leaf print in green/yellow.  These happen to be two of DGD favorite colors.

I sewed the fashion fabric and the lining as separate garments at the shoulder seams.  Then I sewed the two right sides together along the neckline, understitched and turned right side out, thus, the neckline was finished nicely.  I did top stitch.

Sewed the side seams and serge finished.  The armholes are finished with self bias, wrapped to the inside and top stitched.

Front view

Back view

After serging the batiste and fashion fabric together along the hemline, I then turned up a 5/8" hem (treating the doubled fabric as a single layer).

I think she will enjoy it.  Hopefully, she'll take some selfies so I can check the fit.

I took the vehicle in for service yesterday and while I had the loaner, I hit the "garment district" fabric stores.  I came home with some lovely cotton border and panel prints.  I'll try to get photos up maybe tomorrow.  Of course, I'm not sure what I will make just yet.  The store owner told me the designer's name, but I wasn't immediately familiar with it so, naturally, don't remember now.

Perhaps...........just for mowing

I picked up this linen Zegna men's shirt at one of the thrift stores I stop in every now and then. As soon as I saw it, I loved the light weight linen and the COLORS!  I don't remember what I paid, probably $4.95.  That's generally my limit for men's shirts at that particular store.  As I recall, I also picked up a solid light blue silk shirt the same day, but it's still in the "to be reworked" bin.

The collar on this shirt does not have a separate band and collar.  Can you see?  I don't know that I've seen the cut on band in men's shirts that often. Or, maybe I just don't look at men's shirts that often.

Win a few - lose a few.  I had high hopes for this shirt.  I wanted it to be a fun, loose summer top.  I worked on it a couple of weeks ago.  At that time, I took in the side seams and the upper part of the sleeves to cut down on volume under the arm. Then it sat draped over the dress form waiting for me to decide what to do next.  I knew it needed short sleeves. The 90 degree weather is here (and the 100's aren't far behind) and the humidity has been pretty high already.

I cut off the length and really cut off more of the front than I liked.  No problem, I thought; I'll figure something out.  I took the original curved hemline that I had cut off and pinned a section of the old hemline to the bottom of the shirt, a la Marcy Tilton. I made the back hemline a bit longer at center back like the previous woven T shirt I had made.  I'm not really a "high/low" hemline person, but in these tops, I'm ok with them since the wrong side of the fabric doesn't show in the back as it would on a dress.

The buttons:  my first thought was to replace the buttons with something more colorful, and then I realized the buttons had the "ZZ" mark on them.  I decided to keep the designer buttons at that point.  That saved me from going through the button stash and trying to make the "perfect" button decision.  Oh, and there is a ruffle peeping out of the top of the pocket that I left sewn in place.

In the end, it's OK, just OK.  I think it  just still looks too much like a men's shirt.  Either the magic closet will do it's work OR I will be mowing the pasture wearing it.  As a linen, it will definitely be a cool shirt that will get softer with many washings - something nice and comfortable for riding the mower in the Texas heat.  So.... not a total loss!

The fabric for DGD's top arrived this week.  I had hoped to get it cut, but all I did was get washed and in the dryer.  Perhaps I'll get a chance to work on it this weekend, if the garden doesn't keep me too busy in my spare time.

I Worry that I'm Losing It!

Is it just me, or do you lose things in a matter of minutes in your sewing space?  I can't say that it happens on every project, but it happens all too often.

My scissors--I just had them!  I just cut a section of pattern.  Are they buried under the scraps?  What happened to the pattern envelope?  I really need to see the photograph of the garment I'm working on!  What happened to the collar section of the pattern?? I just had it on the cutting table!  Did it slide off the back of the table?  Sometimes, yes; other times, no.

Have I been to another room in the house?  No, I've been in this sewing room for the last hour.  Did the phone ring?  Did I lay the item down to answer the phone?  No, no calls since this morning.

It must be the ghost.  I can't explain it any other way.  It's that darn sewing ghost toying with me.  Sometimes I find what I've lost; sometimes not.  I seem to be digging through my trash can and my fabric scrap bag that is hanging on the closet door knob fearing I've absentmindedly tossed something in one or the other.

I might think I'm losing my mind, but this phenomenon has been going on for years.  I hate to admit it, but once I found my sewing scissors in the fridge.  Yep.  I can only guess that I went to the kitchen (with scissors still in hand) to get a soft drink, probably had to move some thing on the fridge shelf to get to the drinks, laid down the scissors, got the drink and headed back to the sewing room.  It was only with "back tracking" did I find my scissors, AND had wasted a good 30 minutes looking for them!  Of course, that one can't be blamed on the friendly, but annoying ghost!

Someone please tell me this is not happening only to me.......................please................

S 2416 Skirt

While waiting for the latest fabric order to arrive (to make DGD's 2nd top), I made her a skirt.  She had asked for a couple of new skirts so here is one.

I've seen this skirt made up in blog land several times.  I'm not sure what took me so long to make up a version. It goes together easily and looks great.

I had a piece of the "faux linen" from Hancocks (the 50/50 poly/rayon).  That fabric has a nice drape and
washes and wears pretty well--just what DGD needs.  I chose view E - the shorter version of the faux wrap.

As I was cutting it out, I noticed the selvage and thought "that might make a nice finish for the overlay faux wrap."  I did some "playing" and decided to give it a go.  I cut a strip of selvage and sewed it right sides together at the edge of the side/hem of the overlay.  I then ran the raw edge through the serger to finish the raw edges.

Then, I simply flipped the edge to to the wrong side and top stitched.

Close-up of finished edge.

Pinned (a little wonky) to the dress form.  Hem is even IRL. 

The skirt was a quick make, and I think DGD will be happy with it.  I'll know soon.  Before I pack this pattern away, I will make a version for myself and probably for Sis.  Those will likely be made of rayon challis.  I have several options in the stash.  

Loose Woven T - McCall 6566

I'm waiting for fabric to make DGD's next top.  In all of my stash, I didn't find any appropriate fabric in a print I thought she would like.  So, I ordered a cotton lawn and am waiting for it to arrive.

So, while shopping the 99 cents McCall patterns last week, I picked up #6566 for make for myself.

I'd been wanting to make a cool, woven T-type pull over in anticipation of our triple digit summer that will be here all too soon.  Loose is cool and non restrictive--hangs from the shoulders/touches almost nothing.  When I saw this pattern, I thought the view of gray one at the bottom right might just be the one.

The fabric is very soft; it is a rayon/lycra woven from fabric.com.  It's been in the stash for a couple of years I think.  It wasn't one of my favorites when it arrived.  The colors were more muted that I was expecting. On my monitor the colors are showing brighter than in real life. The fabric felt so nice, though, I knew I would use it eventually.  It seems perfect for this top.

You will notice that the back of the top has a rounded hem.  The front hem is straight.  I really like this.  I'm not sure why, but I hand stitched the sleeve hems so they are basically invisible.

I finished the neckline with the same method (Louise Cutting bias method) I mentioned in my previous post. One thing I did differently than Louise's instruction was to understitch the neckline seam to the bodice to help with the turn of the bias binding.  Rather than topstitching the binding down, I hand stitched it to the blouse front.  I suppose I was just enjoying listening to the radio in the sewing room and was willing to take the time to hand stitch today.  I wasn't in a rush (for a change).

When I make this top again, I will narrow the neckline a bit.  I don't think I'll have a problem with my bra straps showing on this one, but narrowing the neckline will alleviate any fiddling with the neckline while wearing.  I've already made this adjustment on the paper pattern.

I will try to remember to snap a photo the first time I wear this T.

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