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