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Final 2018 Makes
I've had a ton of fun building up my wardrobe - with and without the challenges I participated in - as well as the garments that gave me pause - like my Pink Challenge Top did! LOL!
Click
here to check it out!
About These Tops!
All 3 of these tops were made using
Simplicity 8529 with a few minor changes. It is now one of my TNT (tried and true) patterns. I love the slightly over-sized fit, the dropped shoulder as well as the over-sized push-up sleeves with cuffs.
I tend to only wear t-shirts around the house. But because I have to go out sometimes, adding these pieces to my wardrobe is perfect! I'll definitely be making a few more!
This 1st top is a
100% Cotton Ribbed Knit. I purchased it for a different project, then held onto it for about a year. When I saw this pattern, I immediately thought about this fabric! Because cotton ribbed knits usually shrink like crazy, I pre-washed it first. Surprisingly, it did not shrink! But it turned from off-white to this beautiful buttery yellow! I love the color!
I made view B using my serger for the construction and my sewing machine for the finishes.
I hacked it by lengthening it, dropping the front neckline, making the finish of the side slits pretty narrow, and making the bottom hem 1 inch wide. This is so comfy that it definitely qualifies for secret pajamas! 😎
Making this top with
Red Stretch Velvet was SEW fun!
I chose view C, but after trying it on after the sleeves were in, I was not happy with that neckline! It just did not look good on me!
I usually give designs a day or so before I alter them, but this was just not working! So rather than fretting over it for days, I just started cutting away at the neckline until I got exactly the look I wanted.
This fabric was gifted to me last year, so I'm sew happy that I changed it, rather than relegating it to the back of the closet!
Please know that you
can press velvet and stretch velvet. My iron was set on cotton with steam (always test first). I used a
silk organza press cloth. I pressed - vs. ironing the fabric. I pressed it lightly with a shot of steam! In the areas I need crisp seams (like the splits and the hems, I used my clapper.
I used
Knit Stay Tape on the hem and side slits to stabilize them, which also gave them enough body to hang properly.
This clapper is Angela Wolfs new mini clapper! I love using it for large and small areas!
You can purchase her clappers as well as anything else on her website for
15% off! Just use the code
CARRIE15 at check-out. Make sure you use CAPS! Click
HERE to purchase!
My other hack was obviously the sleeves. I cut the sleeves shorter and made the flounce by making a circle template with
Medical pattern paper. I measured the circumference of the sleeve and determined how long I wanted the flounce. Both circles were made with my
10 inch Clover 5 in 1 ruler. I love this longer length ruler!
I did NOT cut the flounce open, I simply placed the sleeve in it - right sides together and stitched a 5/8 seam allowance with
my serger.
To finish the sleeve hem, after serging I turned under a 5/8" hem and top-stitched it with a 3.2 stitch length.
I had sew much fun using stretch velvet that I had to use View B with this
Blush Stretch Velvet which was left over from another project! Scrap busting at it's best!! 😃 This was also constructed on my serger.
Believe it or not - I did not hack this one at all! I love the sheen on it!
And yes! I pressed it and used my clapper on it! Yaaay!
Just like the red stretch velvet, I did not have any unwanted or strange looking impressions on this beautiful fabric!
I also used
Knit Stay Tape on the hem and side slits to stabilize them, which also gave them enough body to hang properly.
All of these tops can be dressed up or down! Jeans, skirts, heals, boots, booties, even over maxi dresses - just make 1 or 2 and go for it!
Now on to 2019 sewing! What are your sewing/crafting plans for the New Year?
My sincere thanks to all of my followers, clients, subscribers, supporters, family and friends! I wish each of you the very best in 2019 and beyond!!
Happy Endless Sewing!
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