Tuesday 8 September 2015

The Sailor Top and Other Things

The day before I returned to school I decided to make the sailor top.

I have been following Sarah of Crafts from the cwtch for a while and have been following her series of blog posts about her handmade wardrobe.  Sarah has been extolling the virtues of Creative bug (subscription site for crafty tutorials) for a while and has made a few sailor tops from Fancy Tiger Crafts.  She then mentioned a blog called Curious Handmade and their handmade wardrobe challenge.
So, what did I do?  I have been sewing a few pieces for a while now, but, in all honesty, I cut too many corners and very few of my projects are finished well (I do love my Megan dress but even that could have been much better.)  I took the free trial subscription and got the tutorial for the sailor top. I declared my intentions on the Curious handmade thread on Ravelry and cut my fabric (I have quite a bit!)  I watched the tutorial through and then took the plunge.
What a revelation! They used only equipment that I already had, but explained each step and the video was shot in such a way I could follow exactly.
What did I learn?
How to piece the paper together - I have always been a little scared of buying a PDF to print, but now it doesn't worry me at all.
Some simple finishing techniques - all of my raw edges are finished, either with pinking shears, zigzag stitch or hidden from view and not a serger in sight.
To use the tension on my machine - I had no idea increasing the tension would gather the fabric - ingenious!!

So here is my first one!
I love it - I love the fabric (something cheap I got from Minerva crafts), I love the fit and I love the finish.
What would I change?
I failed to catch all of the neckline when I 'stitched in the ditch'(!), so this is something I will rectify and pay attention to next time.  I would ideally like a slightly longer length at the front, again something I will alter in my next one.
Other progress, I have made progress on my Rhombing around although I haven't taken a new photo since this one I have done a further ten or so rounds.
I finished my slipper socks, but they need finishing before photographing.  
I have read no more of The Seas - I hope to take it with me next weekend and plow on before I have to return it!
Linking with Nicole and Ginny

12 comments:

  1. I wish there was a "like" button on blogger. Love the fabric. It's perfect for that pattern and I'm impressed with your fitting.

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  2. Oh isn't it pretty! I've seen a few sailor tops around on blogs and the more I see the more convinced I am that I'm going to have to make one!

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  3. Love your top, especially the neckline! It fits really well.

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  4. Thanks for pointing out the Curious Handmade blog, Lucy. I've been curious. ;^) And I'm so glad you explained how the tutorials work - enough that my questions and concerns were addressed, anyway. I'm glad you're enjoying what you're learning.

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  5. it's a beautiful, well tailored top. the colors are perfect!!!!

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  6. Your sailor top is gorgeous! It is so great when you sew something and it fits and looks right. I just keep using the same patterns once I know they are good for me.

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  7. How pretty that top is! I like the fabric's design, and what a pretty purple you're knitting with!

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  8. beautiful top!! And so is your knitting :)

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  9. Fabulous top, I love the fabric.

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  10. I love that every project teaches us new things just by doing. Your top looks great and so does the knitting, it's great to see someone as busy with creative projects as I am :)

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  11. I made a Sailor Top too and can't wait to make another one!

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