Monday, May 5, 2014

Selfish Sewing Week Wrap Up




It is time to share what I sewed for myself during Selfish Sewing Week.  As per usual I can really only sew on the weekends, so none of this was finished until yesterday.  I did get a couple hours to sew during the week, but a serger mishap ate into some of that time.  I completed three items, although two I had started sewing before SSW (long before!).  But SSW actually inspired me to finish them, so that is a good thing!

First up is a top I made from the Deer and Doe's free Plantain Tee pattern.  I love the color of this fabric!   It's actually pretty similar to the color of the fabric I used for the zip-up hoody I made here.  Definitely one of my favorite colors.  I got it in the $1/yard barrel at the fabric store near where I work (I got  a lot of great fabric there!  Unfortunately lately there hasn't been anything good)

Tangible Pursuits: Plantain Tee for Selfish Sewing Week

The scoop neckline on this top is perfect.  Not so low that a tug from my two year old will create a wardrobe malfunction, just a flattering scoop to elongate the neck and create a nice open look.

Tangible Pursuits: Plantain Tee for Selfish Sewing Week

Here is the modeled shot. I don't really like to take pictures of myself and my hair wasn't washed and I was in a bit of a rush because the little guy was waking up  from his nap, but here you go.

Tangible Pursuits: Plantain Tee for Selfish Sewing Week


You wanna know what the best thing about making tops for myself is? The sleeves are long enough!  I'm a little taller than average so sleeves on most of my store-bought shirts end a couple inches above my wrists (especially after a few washings).  It is nice to be able to make shirts with true long sleeves.

Next up is some work clothes.  This shirt was made using a basic tee pattern that I have, that I cut and spread  at the neckline to add pleats.  I used  a fabric that was left over from making my big kid a batman costume two years ago.
  

Here's a closeup of the pleats.  It might have been better to do the top-stitching on the neckband rather than below it.  I also think it would have been better to make the shirt a little wider so the fabric could hang more freely from the pleats.  As you'll see below the top is a little tight at the bust.



Here is the top modeled with my third completed item.  I am really proud of this one.  It is a skirt I made using Melly Sews instructions for drafting your own skirt pattern out of a stretch suiting fabric.  I had started this ages ago and then procrastinated about finishing it.  I was a little intimidated by some aspects of the construction and didn't know quite how I wanted to finish it.  I am glad Selfish Sewing Week gave me the incentive I needed to actually finish it.


What I had at the beginning of the week was a two pattern piece skirt with darts, with the sides and back already sewn together and zipper inserted. I thought about adding a waistband but I couldn't figure out how to do that since the zipper was already in (without pulling out the seam ripper), so ultimately I decided to face it with a  piece of the suiting fabric and then attach lining to the facing piece. 

I probably could have made it a little tighter in the hips - especially since it is a stretch fabric.  I am noticing in the pictures above that there seems to be extra fabric around the middle.  Oh well -- it is comfortable.  By the way, do you like my checking the Blackberry pose?  You will see me doing that pose all day long at work.

The skirt started off pretty plain, but when I tried it on yesterday I realized it was a little shorter than I like for a work skirt, so I decided to add a pleated ruffle at the bottom.  Makes it a little more fun, but still very professional looking.


I also did an exposed zipper in the back.  I see a lot of exposed zippers these days, so I thought I would try it.  It is pretty easy to do and, again, adds a little interest to the skirt.


So that's what I got done during Selfish Sewing Week!

Come back on Wednesday for a pattern tour featuring three lovely bloggers who have sewn up their own versions of my fox lovey pattern.  One lucky reader will win a free copy of the fox lovey pattern!

9 comments:

  1. Ahh!! I love, love, love everything. That skirt and shirt combo is perfection. Great job.

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    1. Thanks Lisa! I hope to get a lot of use out of everything.

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  2. Found your blog through "We Did It Wednesday" and I must say I am glad I did. I love how you tackled a 'too short' skirt. Adding pleats at the bottom makes it look very professional. I will add this to my memory when I end up with that problem. Great Job!

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    1. Thank you! A bonus to adding the pleated ruffle at the bottom was that I didn't have to hem the skirt. I folded the fabric for the pleats in half so the bottom is the folded edge.

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  3. Love your color choice! The pieces are beautiful and so easy to add to a wardrobe.

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  4. That skirt looks so great, I hope you tell everyone you see that you made it (and the pattern!)

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