Sep 30 2007
smock top & mosquito bites
It sounds like there is a bit of interest in a swap (mentioned below if you have not read that blog entry yet:), so I will definitely be posting details tomorrow (Monday) and anyone interested can sign up. I am excited, it will be the first swap I host and I already have some ideas and even a few inspiration photos.
Yesterday I got a bit of sewing in (and blog reading:). I had some jersey knit material that I had bought on sale from reprodepot and decided to make a top with it.
I made my own pattern, inspired by a grey top I own and the top I tried on at Renegade that I didn’t buy. I really enjoy making patterns myself rather than following a store bought pattern, now if only I had a better idea of how to make more complicated patterns… (If you have any suggestions/books to read on this I would love to hear them!)
It was actually my first time sewing something with a jersey knit material (other than 1 or 2 store bought shirts that I have re-sewed the seams together after the poorly done sewing came apart). I am not sure that I like sewing with knits after trying this… Although I have to admit I didn’t do much research on how to sew knits properly, so maybe it was more of a pain than it needed to be. :)
A close up of the cute cherry fabric…
And because it is my blog and I can complain if I want to:) On Friday, at the park we took a walk in the woods and I forgot to put on bug spray… I have (quite literally) 22 mosquito bites! Ouch, and I just happen to be a bit more allergic to mosquitoes than most people so all of those bites are driving me quite crazy… How long can a mosquito bite last before it stops itching and the swelling goes down, that is the question (or at least the question I keep asking myself)!
wow, that is a cute top! I haven’t stitched with knits before (except, like you, to sew up where stitching came undone on a store bought shirt) so I can’t give you any advice.
I am impressed that you made this pattern up from only an existing shirt. way to go, Chara!
hope the mosquito bites heal up quickly.
wow, that is a sweet top! I admire your sewing capabilities! I hope your mosquito bites stop itching soon. I’ll check back tomorrow for swap info!
What? You did that with NO pattern? That’s a dream of mine, to not have to mess with the store bought patterns and create clothing for myself. Or at least alter patterns without fear - that would be nice! That’s a long way off, though, I’m afraid.
The top is so cute! I don’t particularly like sewing with knits myself. It was such a headache for me when learning in school and now that it’s not required for me to sew using knits I avoid it like the plague! But patternmaking is fun! There is something so fulfilling about creating items from your own pattern.
Cute top!
lovely top! sorry I can’t give you advice… I’ve never used stretchy fabric… you’ve done a great job though!!
My advice won’t help you know but if you put ammonia on a mosquito bite soon after being bit the bite does NOT itch the next day. Workd on fire ant bites too.
Love the top, super cute! So styleish, i’ve seen many similar to this in the shops recently! -kb
tha top totally rocks!!!! super cute. feeling your pain on the bug bites!
That is so cute!
I love the top. Do you have a serger? I wouldn’t know where to start without my serger.
I hope those bites have disappeared.
Gorgeous top - that material looks nice and soft and falls really well!
I love this top. I have seen a lot of these in the shops too! I would like to try something like this, but I wouldn’t even know how to go about it.
I have a book called “How to Make Sewing Patterns” by Donald H. McCunn. It teaches you how to draft patterns from scratch, but I haven’t really done much with it, because it is a lot of work. I did use it to draft a new sleeve for a dress bodice, though, and it worked great. Also, Sew What Skirts! is cool. I’m much more comfortable with its level of pattern drafting. I’m such a wimp.:)