Pattern Review – StyleArc Belinda Jersey Top

Pattern Description: “This stylish top hugs the back neck falling softly down the front and finishing with tucks folds at the side seam. Make it with short or long sleeves.”

Sizing: 6-30. According to the website, “Centre back length 62cm or 24”
3cm negative ease”. I made a size 10. I probably could go down to an 8 in StyleArc.

Fabric Used: Über-soft Rayon Jersey in Black from Gorgeous Fabrics.

Needle/Notions Used: Stretch 75/11 needle, thread. That’s all!

Tips Used during Construction: And Now, a Word from the Pressinatrix

Did it look like the photo or drawing when you got through? Yes

How were the instructions? StyleArc’s instructions are geared to the sewing-experienced, so they are a little sparse. They did supply a construction schematic, which was very helpful when putting this puppy together.

Construction Notes: This is a little tricky, thanks to the drape. It’s not hard, but you have to think about the order of construction. As I say, the diagram really helped me, but I also basted all the seams before running them through the serger, and I strongly suggest you do the same. I serged all seams, and I used a narrow zigzag to hem the sleeves and garment body.

At one point, you are sewing 6 layers of fabric for the drape/side/shoulders, so I recommend that you use a lighter-weight jersey. This might get unwieldy if your fabric is beefy.

Detail shot showing the drape attached to the side/shoulder seams

Likes/Dislikes: I love this top! It’s beautifully drafted. It’s got a nice wide sweetheart neckline, but the drape makes it bra-friendly. I also really like that StyleArc makes their tops long, so I don’t have to worry about it hiking up when I sit down. No dislikes.

Would you do it again? Would you recommend it? I’m going to do it again! I made this as a test-run for a silk jersey that has been in my stash since 2007. I highly recommend it.

Conclusion: Another winner from StyleArc! Here are pictures on Shelley.

Front…

… Back…

… and Side

I’m wearing it now to go to dinner. You know why we’re going out to dinner? Because we have no water in the house until tomorrow morning. Sigh…

Oh well, Happy sewing!

Posted in Patterns, Reviews, StyleArc | Leave a comment

McCall 6506 v.2 – Hana Honey version

I have been busier than the proverbial one-armed paper hanger recently, what with DS the elder’s impending graduation, traveling to the Haute Couture Club of Chicago’s fashion show, working about 70 hours a week, and just doing “stuff”. So I haven’t been sewing as much as I would like. I cast about trying to figure out what to make, and I decided on McCalls 6506. I made this pattern last year, and you can See the Original Review Here. I’ll highlight the differences in this review.

First up, the Fabric
I used Hana Honey floral cotton from Gorgeous Fabrics.

Yes, it’s the same fabric I used for DH’s Aloha shirt.
No, we will not wear them at the same time.

Instructions
Lost them. Didn’t need them.

Pockets
I got rid of the patch pockets and inserted side-seam pockets instead.

Belt Loops
I added 4 belt loops at the waist. Of course, I don’t have any belts that go with it, but I’ll try to remedy that this week. I always wear the other version with a belt, so it was a natural addition.

Darts
Since I lost the instructions, I forgot the darts go on the outside. Oh well. Don’t miss that feature.

Press press press!
Dammit, just do it.

This went together quite readily, and I like the result. I’ll get a bunch of use from it this summer. Here are some shots on Shelley:

Front

and Back

I’m not sure what I’m going to work on next. I haven’t been terribly inspired recently, but hey, who know’s what tomorrow may bring, right?

Happy sewing!

Posted in McCalls, Reviews | 12 Comments

Not So Much of a Pattern Review – Simplicity 5581 Men’s Top


I’ve made this pattern many, many times, but not recently. It’s one of DH’s favorites, and my go-to pattern for Aloha shirts for him. I’ll spare you too many details, since it’s a repeat, but here’s the Reader’s Digest version

Pattern Description: Very loose fitting men’s shirt with short sleeves.

Sizing: Men’s S-XL. I made a Medium.

Fabric Used: Hana Honey cotton from Gorgeous Fabrics. I LOVE this print, and so does DH.

Needle/Notions Used: Universal 65/9 needle, thread, Pro-Tricot interfacing from Fashion Sewing Supply, coconut buttons.

Tips Used during Construction: Press that Bad Mamma Jamma, Sew From Wide to Narrow.

Did it look like the photo or drawing when you got through? Yes

How were the instructions? Didn’t use them.

Construction Notes: DH has lost weight recently, and this pattern is really big on him. My bad for not checking the size, but he likes it roomy, since he can then wear it open over a t-shirt if he wants. The shoulders on this pattern are MASSIVE. Next time I make this for him I’ll make a size S.

Would you do it again? Would you recommend it? Yes, and yes. But do make sure to check the size against your measurements. You may want to go down.

Conclusion: Here are a couple of pictures on Shelley:

Front


Back


And on the Man himself. With a tiki glass.

In other news, I spent last weekend in Chicago to attend the annual fashion show for the Haute Couture Club of Chicago. What a wonderful weekend! It was the third time we got together, with our host Patti (who doesn’t blog), Liana and Nancy. The show was wonderful. I didn’t bring my good camera, so I only got crappy cell phone pictures, but the outfits were inspiring, and Cennetta (this year’s fashion show chair) arranged a fantastic show. Bravo, Cennetta!!!!

While we were there, we also went to see “Inspiring Beauty”, the Ebony Fashion Fair exhibit at the Chicago History Museum. If you are in the Chicago area, GO! It’s not a huge exhibit, but it is breathtaking, and you can get up close and personal with couture. There were some stunning gowns and outfits by the likes of Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino and Bob Mackie. For me, the most memorable piece was a gray day coat by Christian Dior. Compared to the other, showier pieces surrounding it, its simplicity and stillness was profound. The construction was breathtaking, and I could have stared at it for an hour and still not have drunk in all the details.
Ebony Exhibit

As I say, if you have the opportunity to see it, go. It’s a wonderful exhibit and it will inspire and awe.

Happy sewing!

Posted in Fabrics, Reviews, Simplicity | 11 Comments

A Reminder – The Right Bra…

Makes all the difference!

Last weekend, I took advantage of the nice weather to put the top down on the ‘Stang and head over to Nordstroms, where they were having a bra-fitting event. About once a year, it’s a good idea to get fitted for a bra. As I said to the fitter, I don’t really care what the size is, I just want it to hoist them up and point them forward. Wearing the right size can make 10 years and 10 lbs difference in how you look. It really is that dramatic.

So ladies, if you haven’t had a fitting for a year, or if you have gained or lost weight, get to a store with a good bra fitter. You’ll be glad you did!

Here’s the original post: The Right Bra Makes All the Difference

And here’s the follow-up: More on Bra Fitting – Bring a Tape Measure

Happy measuring, and sewing!

Posted in Fit | 4 Comments

Between Projects – a Scarf!

It’s a dress! It’s a top! No, it’s a scarf!

I had some extra fabric from my Milly Pulitzer top. There wasn’t enough to make a garment, but there was a perfect amount for a scarf. So I cut a square, using the measurements from my Hermes scarf (a gift from my husband when we found out that I needed chemotherapy). I hand hemmed it.

I tried stitching it one way on one side, then switched to another on the other three

It’s not the most interesting project, but it’s awfully pretty. I’ll get a lot of use from it – mostly tied to a handbag or maybe wrapped Jack Sparrow-like at the beach. And of course it will look fabulous driving around in the Mustang with the top down.

On Shelley

I am not normally a huge fan of hand sewing, but it was a nice change to spend time in front of the TV or just quietly on the couch hemming all around. I do recommend it!

Next up will be a Hawaiian shirt for DH made with this fabulous cotton, and either a shirt or something fabulous for me, from the same fabric. Can I tell you how happy I am that we seem to have shed winter around here?

Hana Honey Cotton

Happy sewing!

Posted in Sewing | 4 Comments

And There Goes Your Proof – Spoiler If You Haven’t Seen TGBSB

Do NOT read any further if you haven’t seen the finale episode of The Great British Sewing Bee. Watch it here first:

And if you do read further before you watch, don’t blame me. :)

Photo: BBC

Congratulations to Ann Rowley on winning The Great British Sewing Bee!!!!

BTW, I “know” Ann just a little. She is a moderator on a sewing board, Stitchers Guild, on which I participate and am a sponsor and beginners sewing mentor. Brava Ann, from another Ann!

All of the competitors deserve a huge round of applause. My hat’s off to them. I hope they all enjoy marvelous success. And I hope they inspire many more people to pick up a needle or get on the machine and sew!

Happy sewing!

Posted in Sewing | 19 Comments

This Is My City

Like all great cities, when we are kicked to the ground, we get back up and help those around us get back up. Today the streets of Boston, except in the area closed off as a continuing crime scene, were filled with people. They paid respects.

From one end of Boylston Street…



… To the other

Therapy dogs and their volunteers abounded, providing much-needed fuzz therapy.

More importantly, Bostonians of all walks came out to enjoy a beautiful day, to soak up the sunshine on the Common and down Newbury Street, to cheer on the home teams and to Keep On Living.

Because that’s what we do.

Posted in Commentary | 13 Comments

Milly Top on the Hoof

This week was… it was a week. There was some wonderful stuff that went on – the HS band went to Disney, and we got to see DS the elder lead the band as they marched down Main Street, and DS the younger play bari sax and dance. The kids all had a great time and Disney redeemed itself to us (long story involving the death of my sister 9 years ago). Here’s a picture of DS the eldest leading them down Main Street at the Magic Kingdom:
Eddie Leads the Band

Of course, the week was bracketed by awful events here in Boston, which DH and I were home to witness. But the city is picking itself up and healing, as Boston is wont to do. Life will go on and things will go back to normal for most of us. Thank you all for your kind words of support. I can’t tell you how much it means to me that almost everyone seems to understand. We’re in this together.

So next on the list are a couple of mundane projects. I made a scarf of the leftover Milly cotton/silk voile, which I planned to hand-rolled-hem on the plane. Alas, I packed the wrong thread. I had two spools of identically colored tan thread, one of which was jeans topstitching thread. Guess which one I packed? So I’ll finish that this weekend. The other mundane project is hemming some curtains so they don’t get caught on the window seat in the family room. Then I’ll figure out what to make next. BTW, here’s a picture of the Milly/Burda top on the hoof:

I call it the Milly Pulitzer.

I call it the Milly Pulitzer.

Thanks again for your support. Happy sewing to all, and to all a good night.

Posted in Burda, Fabrics, Miscellaneous | 5 Comments

A Note From a Boston Girl

To those who would try to rock my city to the core, and scare us?

(read this with the broadest Boston accent you can imagine)
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck you!

You’ve heard it lots from the TV folks, but let me tell you as a native. This is a city with heart. We’ve lived through lots of bad stuff, much of it self-inflicted (busing, anyone?), and we learned. We saw what we looked like in the eyes of the nation and the world, and we changed. That’s something that lots of people could benefit from. Seeing themselves through the eyes of others and learning from it. Boston is much less “mean streets” than it was in the 70s thanks to learning from mistakes.

Boston opens its arms and its rather crusty heart to many thousands of students from all over the world every fall. Each September the city’s population swells with students from as close as Brookline and as remote as the farthest flung areas of the globe. These students come to learn in a city that prides itself on being the place where people come to learn. Many then stay to earn their livings afterward. And you know what we Bostonians do? We say, “Okay.” We’re not the most demonstrative of people. You try living through February in Boston and you’ll understand why we have an edge. But we take care of our own, including those that settle here. Which is why these idiots who visited mayhem on the most Bostonian of Boston events did nothing more than Royally. Piss. Us. Off.

To the little bastards that bombed the Marathon? Here’s what Bostonians think of you. You’re punks. Nothing but punks. We welcomed you, you selfish little ingrates. You came here as kids, and we all said, “Oh how cute!” We welcomed you at the middle school, at Cambridge Rindge & Latin. We were only vaguely annoyed as you skateboarded around the entrance to the Harvard T stop at rush hour, slowing us as we walked to Out of Town News, the Coop and the Brattle Theater. We smiled at you on a beautiful Monday afternoon as you dropped your backpacks of death in crowds of innocents. We took care of you, you selfish little assholes. And you know what you got for your pressure cooker bombs? You got a whole city angry. And this is the city that notoriously holds a grudge. Don’t believe me? Ask New York. We like New York, really we do. But we also really like wearing our Red Sox and Patriots gear in New York, just to needle them, just because it’s fun and we still carry a chip on our shoulders about all those years that we were the “lovable losers”. Screw that, we prefer to win. And this week, you didn’t defeat us. We won.

And as befits a city of winners, we still welcome people. You won’t scare us. You don’t scare us. We’ll welcome others, 99.99995% of whom will be glad to be here, and will add wonderful things to this vibrant city. Little shits like you can’t make us change. You are nothing to us. You don’t scare us, and you won’t stop us. The president said it best: Boston will run again. You didn’t accomplish anything other than bringing the wrath of Boston down on your stupid, sorry heads, and you will be brought to justice, convicted, and forgotten. Next year the Boston Marathon will go on. Boston will run again. Boston will cheer the victors and the people who just cross the finish line. We’ll cheer for those who carry the spirit of this city. We’ll remember those who died and were hurt. But we’ll forget you. You will have accomplished nothing. But then, that’s what you are: nothing.

So I say it again in my finest Jamaica Plain accent:
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck you!

Posted in Commentary | 50 Comments

There Are No Words

Today one of the premier events in Boston was marred by death and wanton destruction. Dozens of people were injured and two are confirmed dead at the Boston Marathon. One of those killed was an 8-year-old boy. I can’t begin to understand the mind of someone who perpetrates such senseless violence. The collective heart of Boston is broken today.

Posted in Sewing | Leave a comment