Square neck top

A newsreader on TV wore a square neck top recently and it reminded me of a knitwit pattern I have. It went together very quickly and is very comfortable to wear.
Pattern 1500: Square neck raglan top and culottes sizes 6 to 22 Knitwit 1985.

Front view

Inside out to show construction of neck

Simple Modern Sewing Book - project One

Cap sleeved wrap top

Notes so far:

• Small is the same as my normal size 10-12
• Peplum doesn't need much gathering at all to match the bodice
• Quilting fabric may make rather crisp cap sleeves (or have I sewn them wrong!)
• Internal ties (strap B) could be made of ribbon or some other readymade substitute



Inside out view of sleeve cap and binding



Sleeve right side out

Sewing peplum to bodice - notice how slightly the fabric is gathered.
If I make another one, I'll think about concentrating the gathers in
particular areas or putting in small pleats instead.

Not on the 2012 Goal List but D.O.N.E.

Ah yes. I had the fabric. The table was clear. And changing the thread in the overlocker went smoothly.

Fabric: a single knit cotton - loud apricot with maroon line drawings of flowers
Pattern: an old by the fortnight series called 'Make It Easy' pattern 9 Marshall Cavendish 1984
Modifications: No neck binding - just overlocked and then turned and top stitched and a button placket added for ease of access. No buttonholes, I used soft velcro under the buttons.
Sewn: a simple nightie with button placket (that looks quite loud in colour)

Yes, I'm proud of the finish on the placket!

Completed placket showing soft velcro closure

The finished garment

Button placket

In order to make it really easy for the nursing staff to dress Mum without causing her pain, I wanted to add buttons to the kwiksew tank top to increase the opening size.
This is the site I used to create the button placket - it works http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-mans-shirt-with-mandarin-collar-and-button-placket/2009/04/17/ once on the site click on the tutorial link and you get to a google docs slide show.

100% cotton knit, size XS, Kwiksew2867

Close-up of placket, I hand stitched the buttonholes.

Sewing goal progess

Sewing Goals 2012
Dot point 1. A singlet style top for Mum

• Using KwikSew2867 I cut out both a XS and S top from blue knit fabric.
• I cut a thin band of light weight interfacing to go around the neck & armholes to prevent them stretching out of shape.
• I did the same for the shoulders.

Next step

Next step
Choose fabric and cut out pattern pieces.
Problem....must do housework first.

Simple Modern Sewing book - pattern 1

Simple Modern Sewing (8 basic patterns to create 25 favorite garments)

The book and its included pattern sheets

Layout of the book, showing
design variations for wrap-around dress

Tracing the sleeve. Tracing from these pattern sheets is
tedious, all the lines are black, most are solid, it is very messy.

I chose this top because of the
recommended fabric - quilting cotton
Also because it is part of pattern one
in the book - thought I should start at the beginning

Pattern pieces for the wrap top

Simple Modern Sewing Book

With a fanfare of much aggressive dog barking "Simple Modern Sewing - 8 basic patterns to create 25 favorite garments" arrived.

I like the idea of it. I love the use of linen fabrics. I like the classic styling and the comfort and practicality of the designs.

I'm worried that I will look lost in them. There is a lot of layering going on in the photos. I live where its is humid and warm, we de-layer!

Not to worry, first things first, choose pattern and trace it.

Mind blocking sewing

Last night I overlocked until the needle was blunt and beyond. Sewing to calm emotional distress keeps the thoughts out (or at least damped down) but dosn't always make for great construction and technique.

Sewing Project Goals

This list of what I would like to sew in 2012 is by no means complete. However, I had to start the process or else time just marches on by and nothing gets done.

• A singlet style top for Mum
• Dressing gown
• Shift dress
• Straight skirt
• A-line skirt
• Vest for Dad
• House shoes
• Items from the Kwik Sew Lingerie book
• Items from a Japanese sewing book