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)!

14 comments

1 amandajean { 09.30.07 at 9:00 pm }

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.

2 hrsj { 09.30.07 at 9:17 pm }

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!

3 linda { 09.30.07 at 10:52 pm }

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.

4 rashida { 10.01.07 at 5:08 am }

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.

5 angie { 10.01.07 at 7:41 am }

Cute top!

6 monica { 10.01.07 at 4:17 pm }

lovely top! sorry I can’t give you advice… I’ve never used stretchy fabric… you’ve done a great job though!!

7 Laurie { 10.01.07 at 7:08 pm }

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.

8 Kloth & Bolt { 10.01.07 at 7:41 pm }

Love the top, super cute! So styleish, i’ve seen many similar to this in the shops recently! -kb

9 Heidijayhawk { 10.01.07 at 9:15 pm }

tha top totally rocks!!!! super cute. feeling your pain on the bug bites!

10 beki { 10.02.07 at 8:24 am }

That is so cute!

11 Anina { 10.02.07 at 1:51 pm }

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.

12 Kate { 10.02.07 at 5:55 pm }

Gorgeous top - that material looks nice and soft and falls really well!

13 Nicole { 10.03.07 at 3:46 pm }

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.

14 MadeByAmanda { 10.23.07 at 10:18 pm }

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.:)

Leave a Comment