Tie dye frilled jersey fabric from Rainbow Fabrics, Kilburn
Having recently re-visited my ‘Mona’ top I knew that it would be a great pattern to use just 1 metre of this tie dyed frilled jersey fabric that I bought from Rainbow Fabrics, Kilburn in their sale.
Whilst I still had the sewing machine and overlocker set up for jersey sewing with White thread it took no time at all to complete this latest top, especially as no hemming is involved!
I stabilised the shoulder seam with some fusible seam tape and then cut a neckband from some Pale Blush jersey remnant, this time 1¾ inches wide. Previous neckbands have been cut 2 inches wide and I knew that this time I wanted a narrower, neater finish.
The neckband stitched on like a dream. The resultant top fulfills the requirement of a distinctive top, fits into my ‘Spring Greens & Daffodils’ collection and I look forward to wearing it.
Hot on the heels of the Audrey #2 that I made for myself using some textured Ponte Roma that has long been in my stash, Catherine gets version #3 using yet more of this fabric. I don’t recall how much I bought but even after cutting out Catherine’s Audrey there is still sufficient for a short sleeve top for me!
Textured Ponte Roma from Minerva
I think that I have now ‘cracked it’ in terms of getting the neckband to sit nice and flat against the body. I used the ‘hack’ as shown by Andrea of ‘Beyond the Pink Door’ in a recent vlog.
For Catherine’s measurements I cut a size 14 at the bust, graded out to a 16 at the waist and then back to a 14 for the hips.
Most of the construction was completed on the sewing machine with a narrow zig-zag stitch set at 1.00 width and 2.5 length. I machine basted the neckband in place before finishing with the overlocker. A good press and then top-stitched with the zig-zag stitch.
Hems on the sleeve and body were overlocked first and then stitched in place again with zig-zag stitch.
Audrey for Catherine
The top was completed in just about ONE hour and I am delighted with the finished result. I hope that Catherine enjoys it – and that it fits!
I don’t mean the Hyde Park in London, this is the name of the design of cotton fabric that I used to make a version of the Libby Shirt by Sew Over It.
This will be the 4th iteration of the Shirt which is definitely one of my favourites to wear although I always have a little trouble making the collar. I don’t let that prevent me from making the Shirt but I always use a nice stable cotton fabric as this helps enormously.
For this version I made my usual alterations to the pattern by extending at the side seams by 1/2 inch and extending the length of View 2 by 4 inches. I wanted to keep back some of the fabric for patchwork and quilting so had to use some White Lily of the Valley printed cotton just for the undercollar. There is also a centre back seam in the Upper collar.
As this is a good stable cotton fabric I did not feel the need to make French seams. Instead all seams are finished with overlocking.
Having attached the front and back bodice to the yoke it was now time to tackle the collar. I revisited the notes on the Sew Over It site and also the ‘sewalong’ that Lisa had made during lockdown. I finally completed the collar and attached together with the front facings. The end result is good but I am still not over confident with the construction.
The instructions for Libby have you attach the sleeve cuffs before sewing the side seams. I like to attach ‘in the round’ but in this case it was not the wisest decision. Next time I will follow the instructions!
Finally the hem was overlocked and then turned up twice before top-stitching. Five buttons from my stash and corresponding buttonholes, all sewn on my Brother 4000D machine which is ‘ace’ at these functions.
Libby Shirt #4 in Hyde Park quilting cotton
Ta dah! A lovely new Libby blouse that fits perfectly into my ‘Spring Greens & Daffodils’ collection.
The Audrey top by Sew Over It has been in my pattern stash for a long time. I first made a version with long sleeves and a bow neckline using some modal from Stitchy Bee but unfortunately it was not a 100% success.
Having watched the sew-a-long posted by Andrea of Beyond the Pink Door and seen several great versions on Instagram I decided it was time to revisit this pattern.
The Audrey Top is a vintage-inspired knit top straight out of Midge Maisel’s wardrobe! A t-shirt with a difference, Audrey’s ready to give any outfit a touch of elegance. The flattering wide neckline shows off its deep neckband, which comes complete with three options. A standard flat neckband, add a cute little tie, or go big with a showstopping bow. Depending on the season, you can choose from short, 3/4 or full length sleeves.
Designed to be sewn in light to medium weight knits, Audrey looks beautiful in cable knits and Ponte Romas for cooler weather, but sews up equally well in cotton jerseys for when the sun comes out.
The Audrey Top is an advanced beginner level sewing pattern, ideal for those who have sewn a few garments before. It’s a great pattern for those new to sewing knits.
Textured Ponte Roma from Minerva
For this version I used some textured Ponte Roma that I purchased over a year ago from Minerva. I don’t know what I was thinking but there are yards and yards of this fabric, even after making a Jenna cardigan at the Sewcial Retreat in March 2020.
The previous Audrey was made in size 24 and was way too big! This time I cut the 22 view 2 with the knot neckband and took the full 1.5 cms seam allowance. For stitching I used a narrow zig-zag set at 1.0mm width x 2.5mm length. Using Andrea’s guidance I made the alterations to the neckband by changing the angle of the shoulder seams, this did help enormously in getting the band to lie flat.
All was going swimmingly well until I got to the stage of attaching the neckband to the bodice. First I tacked with the knot on the wrong side i.e. right hand side when I wanted it on the left! Next attempt I attached the back neckband to the front bodice! Finally, at the third attempt I managed to get it right! I pressed then overlocked the seam before again pressing the ‘bejesus’ out of the thing. By now I was thoroughly disheartened so rather than setup for twin-needle top stitching I finished off with narrow zig-zag top stitching at the neckline plus hems on the sleeves and body . More pressing and now it is done.
AUDREY view 2 + knot neckband
Conclusions: I can foresee many versions that I would like to make, but first I really need more practice to get the fit – and that darned neckband exactly right. I will make another for me before tackling the Audrey in the same textured Ponte Roma that I have promised to my sister.
I bought 1.5 metres of this viscose jersey called ‘Sunny Spring’ for £15.00 from Stitchy Bee just last month. Remembering how well the Cowl neck Freya from Tilly and the Buttons book ‘Stretch’ works with this substrate, decided that was exactly what I would make with this length of fabric.
Sunny Spring viscose jersey £10/metre from Stitchy Bee
My copy of the pattern is now Tried and Tested so this time the construction was very straightforward. I stitched mostly using my overlocker but also the sewing machine for the top stitching around the neckline and twin needles for the hem on the body of the Freya.
Cowl neck Freya in Sunny Spring viscose jersey
It took just a couple of hours this afternoon to complete the top which fits very nicely into my ‘Spring Greens and Daffodils’ theme. The top looks good with both Grey and Blue denim jeans and will be comfortable and smartly casual.
Time to revisit the Sewaholic Fraser top view B. I last made this back in February this year with some inexpensive Ponte that I had purchased from an eBay seller.
HAPPY STRIPES French Terry from Stitchy Bee
This time I was using a stunningly soft, fine French Terry called Happy Stripes designed for you by POPPY Europe Oeko-Tex 100. This has beautiful painterly stripes on an ivory background. A gorgeous fabric with a fine looped reverse from Stitchy Bee. The fabric costs £15.00 per metre and I bought 1.5 metres but worth every single penny!
The fabric is 160cm wide, has a composition – 95% Cotton 5% Elastane. Oeko-Tex Confidence Compliant – Tested for harmful substances. So I wanted a top that would compliment this fantastic fabric.
For my Fraser top there were just a few minor alterations to the pattern; I cut a generous size 20 and used only ¼ inch side seams. Lowered the front neckline 1 ½ inches at centre front then graded back to the original neckline. Added 3 inches to the length of the front and back body patterns. Added the neckband (cut 2 inches wide) and sleeve bands cut so that the stripes were vertical and ignored the hem bands on this version.
Matching stripes was relatively easy, especially as I had noticed that they were uneven so made sure to cut out all pieces in the same direction.
Fraser view B in HAPPY STRIPES
Conclusions: The sleeve hem bands were great but I will probably go back and re-cut the neckline wider and lower so will need another neckband and this time a little narrower than before. Other than that a great new top that will coordinate with many ‘bottoms’.
Having completed the Kitty dress in Autumnal tones Feather print viscose I began planning my Spring sewing collection which I have called ‘Spring Green and Daffodils’.
First I made the pin tucked tunic top (B6024) that has been on my ‘to do’ list for several years. Then I wanted to make another Yellow/Mustard dress that would have different features to my current Yellow Springtime dress.
I bought a length of Golden Yellow/Pale Mustard Floral Breeze viscose from JJTextiles, Manchester for £18.00 back on 13th November 2020. I had 4 metres of this fabric and decided to use my TNT ‘Moira’ pattern to make a dress with deep hem frill. Originally I had intended to add full length sleeves gathered into a cuff. Then I thought I would draft a fuller short sleeve that would be gathered into a frilled cuff but when it came to cutting out, I stuck to the standard sleeve. If I had sufficient fabric I would possibly add a frill to the hem of the sleeves.
Construction of this dress is like a well-oiled machine. There is a full lining in Ivory Viscose Voile that was purchased in bulk from the Fabric Room. I can usually complete the sewing in two sessions but this time due to interruptions and a bout of illness it has taken several.
Moira #9 in Viscose from JJ Textiles, Manchester
At last it is completed, as usual I am pleased with the resultant dress that is so comfortable and easy to wear. Now I can get on with the next project on my ‘to make’ list.
I have had this tunic top on my eBay watch list for over a year. Having checked the price for this 90%polyester/10% cotton blend and read the reviews which were not particularly good I knew that I would have to make my own. Now finally I have got around to making my version using this pretty quilting cotton print fabric.
Quilting Cotton fabric bought at Festival of Quilts pre 2018
I bought a length of about 3 metres several years ago at the Festival of Quilts and have made view B of the pattern Butterick B6024.
I have used this pattern before for both a tunic top and also extended to full length for nightdresses so did not feel that it would be necessary to make a toile. I made just 2 changes to the pattern by shortening the sleeves by 2 inches and the body by 1 inch before cutting out the fabric. In my haste, I forgot that the fabric had not been washed so I hope that there will be problems once the tunic top has been laundered.
Construction was straightforward, the only change that I made was to stitch the bias binding on the neckline in reverse, i.e. stitched to the inside first then turned to the right side and top-stitched in place. The sleeve elastic casing was made ½ inch wide. I used cord elastic cut to a length so that once in place there was no tension and thus no impression left on my forearm should I push the sleeves up beyond my elbow. All seams were overlocked and the narrow hem was overlocked, turned twice and top-stitched in place.
B6024 view B in Quilting cotton fabric
Conclusion: There is some ‘dressing’ in the fabric which means the tunic is not as soft as I would like. I hope that this will improve once laundered. If I make the top again, probably in viscose to improve the drape, I will add back the 1 inch length but leave the sleeves as before.
