Sunday, April 26, 2015

Simplicity 1280: Even When I TRY to Sew Slow...

So let me give you a little insight into the craziness inner workings of SewCraftyChemist...Make a coat? Sure! Jeans? Sounds fun!!! Soft flowy top? FEAR AND TERROR!!!!!!!!

I wanted S1280 so badly. So. So!!! But I was afraid of it. And I would see versions pop up and swoon and think "maybe, one day".

This Saturday the hubster did a Habitat for Humanity thing so he was gone all day. Son was away at a friend's house. Daughter was in bed, sick (she's doing much better now!!). I didn't even have any intentions on sewing anything this weekend but I was bored to death and had finished two books in the past two weeks and am not a huge tv fan. So...

To the cave!

Wait; The layoff occurred April 8. I have sewn 9 things since then. Sheesh. And I had made a point, except for the jeans and maybe a couple of small bits, not to sew in the evenings once everyone was home! Plus there were a couple of days that I didn't sew at all! The speed just happens on it's own you guys!

Anyway, I went to the cave and was determined. I was going to make this top and I was going to make it good!

Step 1) Choose good fabric.

I found this sandwashed rayon at SR Harris during one of the meetups recently. I did not know that sandwashed rayon was a thing.

It is fantastic! Completely opaque, stable enough to not be a headache, yet possessing lots of drape...I need more. more. MORE!

Step 2) Choose the right size.

Ah. S/M/L. Okay, I always take a Medium. Let's go with that. wait. Ah, I had attempted this pattern before! It was already cut out! The polka-dot chiffon that I first tried it with must have instilled extreme fear in me!

Step 3) Adjustments.

Oh, the interwebs. So many notes of "so much ease!" "No adjustments needed!". I didn't even attempt to change the body but knew I'd better look at that sleeve. I ended up adding 1" to the bicep.

Step 4) No rush.

I had no sewing plans all weekend so, so what if this takes me a couple days.  I shall French seam all the seams!!!!

Which I did, except for the sleeve. I found the tutorial on Grainline's site and was gonna do it but...too chicken. I sewed and serged that one.

So with french seams, making my own bias tape, super careful sewing...I still finished this in the course of a few hours on Saturday.


I finished at around 6 p.m. and was rapidly losing daylight. So my pics aren't great.


It looks good on Lily. Lily does not have enormous biceps though.


I just love this :)



SUCH pretty insides!!!

I mentioned well meaning sewing friends. So many people made this in a knit...and then commented on how roomy it was. WAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is intended for wovens!!!!  So using a knit is changing things. That's okay but mention that it is intended for wovens but you used a knit! Wah! Wah! Wah!

Ok, I over dramatize...but still. You get what I'm saying, right?

I mentioned adding 1" to the bicep and holy cow it's still snug! so snug! I have to 'arrange' myself into the top when I first put it on, then it's okay. Not sure if I'll make this top again (quite distinctive). I do like the other view but it's gone. It wasn't in the pattern envelope. I misplace pattern pieces often. It's so sad. :/

If I made it again I would add another 1/2" to the bicep, do a slight FBA and worth noting instead of 1/4" elastic I used 1/2" in the hem and 3/8" in the sleeves. I'd probably do the same.


I'm not sure what's next on the cutting table but know I plan to make a floral moto jacket using the Lisette Butterick pattern.

I like both of these for different reasons but having a tough time deciding. Both are cotton; the blue/white is a sateen, the other is a pique. Scale is about the same...

Decisions, decisions.