Saturday, January 18, 2014

Forgetting seam allowances!!

Well I have been enjoying my freshly painted sewing studio very much.  The reorganisation was well worth the time and pain.  I have been working on a quilt but need to hand sew the bindings and gift it before I can show you pictures.

This week-end I decided to do some quick and simple clothes sewing to clear the palate after the quilting. 

I bought 1m of fabric of the clearance section of Spotlight for $5.  However it was not as noted on the tag.  I did realise the fabric was not nylon/poly as noted on the tag.  I could see and feel that it is a nice soft knit - I suspect rayon.  However it was folded double on the roll and I wondered how wide it was and believed the swing tag that it was 150cm wide... why??    I had planned to use it to muslin a Kwiksew tee shirt pattern, but of course as the fabric was not as wide as needed so I had to look for another pattern - Ottobre 02/2010 -1 the Linnea top to the rescue.  I have made this top twice before but one version shrunk so as this top is a similar colour it will replace it.  


Sad tale continues... I forgot to add the seam allowances as I cut it!  Sooo... I have a nice top which I have sewn the smallest of seams on and I will wear it even though it looks a little tight over the bust.  I get a few of the pull wrinkles there... *sigh*.  However for $5 I am declaring it good enough so this is my finished top on Diana... fits her a bit better over the bust as I have put on weight, but Diana hasn't...


This is a great top to wear with the Tessuti Suzy pants I have made.

And while I was on the theme of forgotten seam allowances I thought I would fix a top I made back in April of 2012.  It is a another Ottobre - Cool Hippie from 05-2011.  


It was made sleeveless as I didn't have enough fabric for the sleeves but had a big opps moment with the collar.  I cut it the wrong way the first time, then when I cut it the second time I forgot the seam allowance... and of course, did not have enough fabric to cut it a third time.



I did wear it a few times but the collar was way too tight and uncomfortable so it was relegated to the 'to be fixed' wardrobe.  Finally I have got a around to it.  I cut the collar out and used chalk to mark a new neckline which was based on the neckline of the Linnea top's sister Morning Blush 02-2012-18.  Same pattern as the Linnea but with a different neckline.  Then I turned under and stitched... new top in the wardrobe.  


I am really pleased to have it back in the wardrobe as I find this teal/turquoise colour works really well for me.

Well thank you for listening to my tales of woe... Hopefully more successful sewing results to show you next time...Ciao!

6 comments:

  1. Both tops look lovely Sue, the second was a great save! How pesky about the seam allowance and so easy to do. Glad the first top fits well enough and $5 is a bargain.

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  2. Great tops and great rework on the last one. I was caught out with my first BWOF pattern and now add seam allowances when tracing.

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  3. Glad you saved the teal top it is a really lovely colour.

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  4. Both tops look lovely...and I'm impressed with your follow-through on the 'saved' top. That takes some willpower. Forgotten seam allowances happen to everyone - don't sweat it.

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  5. Good old Spotty clearance table - first place I head! Both tops look good and just what you need for this time of year.

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  6. Salvaged tops are very nice and I have sewing studio envy. It must be lovely to have this fabulous space to do your sewing and quilting! (Also a bit jealous of Diana :-)

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