Opinions?
I’ve been sewing and ripping like mad. That’s because after the hot weather we had last week, I was determined to make some clothes for the summer.
So I tried this top again, pattern 18 from ISBN 9784579110438. I was hoping the problems with it would be solved by using a knit. I used the original pattern without altering it. I thought, “oh it’s a knit. It’ll just stretch everywhere.” Well no. It didn’t stretch everywhere as much as needed. It’s a rib knit so it stretched horizontally but not as much vertically. Which meant it wasn’t too tight anymore but the waist still sat too high, all the way in the boob area.
So rip, rip, rip. Cut, cut, cut. Some more sewing and I made it again with the alterations from before. Well then it seemed the waist sat too low. Accck how frustrating! So I cut away some of the top piece to lift the waist area and ended up with this.
Oh my gawd I reworked this a gazillion times and I DON’T love it. I give up!
So, onto the next thing. Pattern 2 from the same book in muslin. Guess how many times I had to make this.
TWO, damn it! I had a total brain fart and didn’t think about the sizing much. I just thought, “it looks gathered. There must be enough room there for the girls.” Ah…NO. It turned out just a bit tight and shorter than I liked. Thank goodness for muslin. And thank goodness this was so easy to make.
So I altered it and also lengthened it by 1.5 inches. The 1.5 inches was an arbitrary amount based on how much paper was left at the bottom of the pattern piece. Because I am a GOOBER.
So opinions on pattern 2? Worth making with real fabric? I think so. But maybe longer…
Oh and don’t you love how Isabelle inserted herself into the picture. I think she was saying “cheese!”
May 20th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
For the first shirt, I think it would work well if the top had a couple of darts in it (sized larger though) to help make the bust area more fitted, and possibly in a light drapey type material, something similar to what a sarong would be made of. I think it needs to fit under the bust moreso in order for it to sit nicer. I had a similar problem with the red dress I made. In the end I had more darts in the bust area and in the skirt area, though with the gathering you have done for the skirt area you shouldn’t need it.
The second shirt/top looks great. If anything I would lengthen it (I like shirts which fall at least to my hip). If you wanted to make it wider you could get away with that due to the gathering around the neck line. Just don’t make the arm holes too much more deeper or it may end up showing too much. You could make this out of a knit, but I think anything that falls nicely,and is soft would work well.
Hope that helps.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
i like the second one. and yes it worth to make it with real fabric with more lenght.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:34 am
Hi Kuky: I found your blog recently and can’t stay away ever since! I love your sense of humor. And, of course, your daughter is so adorable! The second top looks great on you! The only thing I would change is to make it a little bit longer. Go for it! I can’t wait to see how it comes out with a nice fabric.
May 21st, 2008 at 4:34 am
Good for you for making your own clothing!! I so want to do that but just haven’t been inspired by any current patterns…until…I looked at your flickr photos from this book!!! Where did you get it? I did a quick google search and most of what came up was YOUR blog posts. Funny.
Happy sewing…keep it up, I love to see your progress and hear about the process.
May 21st, 2008 at 5:46 am
Judith, esther, Janice - thank you for the input and the suggestions!!
Beth H - I think I got it from Amazon Japan. I can’t remember.
Oh and the group blog, Japan couture addicts, is all Japanese crafting. I think this category is all from this same book.
May 21st, 2008 at 7:42 am
I like Pattern #2 - I think it’s definitely worth re-visiting in another fabric of your choice.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:58 am
I actually like the green one. I think it is flattering. Is it out of jersey? You may want to try that and I agree with the darts in the bust area, I think that would help with that area. The 2nd one, definitely make it again.. hello.. and I’d make it in every color! (I usually do when I find something I love, like shoes, pants..
anyway.. I like the 2nd one best. I think it would be fun to experiment with different trims and lengths around the bottom. Have fun! 
May 21st, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I really like the second one. It’s very cute and summery!
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I love the second pattern…in my opinion it’s worth making in another fabric as is or with extra length.
I just realized that I may have never committed here…so I just wanted to say that I really enjoy your posts!
May 24th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Love the second top, it is super cute! Just think of all the fabric possibilities!
May 26th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
I love pattern #2. I’d love to make one for myself!
June 2nd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I like the green one, but have you considered pleating instead of gathering the skirting to the top?
As for the second top. Alot depends on the drape of the fabric. I would add at least 1/2 inch more to the side seams and make it about 3 inches longer so I would have a heavy enough hem to pull the material propery when worn.