This weekend I started my first StyleArc. This is the Patsy top which is similar to several designer tops that I have seen over the last couple of seasons.
I made my first version (dare I say the M word) out of pretty lightweight silk jersey (not muslin, watch your mouth). It'll be nice and comfy for weekends, but it really needs to be a more substantial fabric for office wear. I like the design, and the construction was quite easy.
In this feather weight jersey, it stretched 2 1/2 inches and the neckline spreads unattractively.
It also needs sleeves.
These things can be fixed, this is really comfy and the color will look great with those nice new cobalt jeans.
Oh yeah, I need to lose about 20 lbs, which I am working towards.
Seriously, its one of the unintended side effects of MMM.
Its much more stylish than your normal T-shirt, and really easy to make. There are no bindings to worry about and the hem is a built in rolled hem.
Well, at least it would have been easy if my serger hadn't decided to get all loopy in the loopers. Yes, I changed the needles and fiddled with the tensions until I was blue in the face. My next step is to track down the manual and see it is any help. Its a White 534 that my mom got back in the 80's.I ended up turning up the serged edge into a hem. I tried to sew it flat without getting tucks in it, but that didn't work out very well. If I have to turn it under agin next time, I will hand stitch it.
Anyway, I like the pattern. I think I will make another one in some wonderful black and white jersey with short sleeves. I was considering bias
silk charmeuse, but the wrong side of the fabric shows for the front flounce. I considered facing it, but that would mean 3 layers of fabric on the shoulders, too much?
I think I will save the charmeuse for the Colette Jasmine, which I would love to post a picture of... maybe after I figure this new thing out.
ETA: After I published, I was able to go back and edit out most of my problems. I'm still annoyed and considering switching. Any other Blogger advice? This has been nothing but trouble... Is it hard to switch and keep your followers?
Becky, I will follow you wherever you take your blog. I have no advice to offer as I have only used Blogger - and sporadically at best in the last couple of years.
ReplyDeleteIts great to hear from you, I have missed you! I know that life gets in the way, so I won't nag about those new patterns. I do hope that you find your way back to blogging, and you are in fact getting some sewing done.
DeleteI really like your new top, the details are interesting. I've recently delved into the Style Arc world too so it's great to see more of their patterns made up. I'd have thought 3 layers of silk charmeuse would be OK, but you are a braver woman than me to take on charmeuse on the bias!
ReplyDeleteWhat Style arc do you love? So many people rave about the pants, but I already have TNT pants and jeans
DeleteThat's a cute little top, with a really lovely neckline. I know what you mean about self-growing fabric, it can be a bit of a pain :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Carolyn, it grew that much the first wearing, I can't wait to see where it ends up.
DeleteBecki, time for a new serger. You will love having a machine that is easier to use and takes less fiddling. As for Blogger, I left that platform in 2006 and moved to WordPress.com which has been (my fav motto) Cheap, Fun and Easy. The migration was wonderful. But lately they have added a "reblog" feature that totally offends me. Am thinking of a self hosted blog using WordPress software. But I just may be too lazy for that. Good luck with what ever you decide.
ReplyDeleteI know, I'll probably love it, I just hate spend the time shopping and commit. I still sew on my 1978 elna and my 1986 serger, that's a 30 year commitment! I've never shopped for a new sewing machine before.
DeleteIt is really nice pattern - the shipping of the StyleArc patterns is a little too expensive for me - others I would order already at least 10 patterns (prbably including the one you are busy with :-) )
ReplyDeleteSideeffects of MMM? :-D You look GREAT!
Perhaps you could go together on shipping with someone who lives near you? They really do seem to be nice patterns, everyone just raves, and their customer service really is great.
DeleteLove your top Becki - I might try this pattern.
ReplyDeleteHi Becki - I went on StyleArc to have a look at the pattern and the drawing on their site does not have the front bottom the same shape as yours. The bottom hemline on yours is what makes it really nice to me. Is this a change you have made or is their drawing of a "straight" hemline wrong?
ReplyDeleteBecki,
ReplyDeleteI love the top; very nice color, nice workmanship. Recently I purchased my first StyleArc pattern, the Bonnie dress, which has a super low V neckline which will be fun for a vacation. I am curious to see how it stitches up.
Ann
Love your top, Becki! I missed the post about blogger and will have to go read it. I'm new to blogging and could use some advice.
ReplyDeleteOK, MMM?
ReplyDeleteAnd I had I White 534 serger. Notice past tense! A friend of mine bought hers at the same place, same time - hers worked like a charm. Mine, never sounded the same and ended up giving me fits with timing issues. I got the White ATS 2000 and love it!
Me Made May , I'll send you a link. It was a flicker photo group that was started by some blogs in Australia by this year it had grown to 412 participants. I'll send you a link, its really fun and interesting to see, everybody has to wear something that they made every day during May, and post a picture to the photo group.
DeleteBeautiful! This is one of the Style Arc tops I have admired for a long time. It's good to know about the ease in the bust.
ReplyDeleteJust jacked off to the pic of you in that skirt
ReplyDelete