Teenage sewing entrepreneuer shares her love of sewing

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It's always thrilling to see talented young people enter the world of sewing. And let me tell you, Sara Trail is one talented young woman!

This 14-year-old already started her own sewing business and has now branched out into the world of teaching via book and DVDs.

Her video clip, which promotes her sewing DVD, shows a self-confident teen with a vibrant personality. Full of energy and eager to share her love of sewing.



According to C&T Publishing, Trail "started helping her mother quilt at age 4, and now quilts, teaches sewing, and sews custom clothing for herself and her growing clientele. "

You can read more about Trail and find out about her book and DVD here.

Sewing Studio Sunday - round two

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Sewing Studio Sunday, with Julie (and whoever else wants to join us) was supposed to be a monthly thing, but it hasn't happened since Jan.

Between our busy schedules we just couldn't seem to come up with a day that worked for both of us. Until today.

Julie arrived with her sewing machine and latest project in hand - Vogue 8522. The pattern is her first attempt at garment sewing and is a trendy one-button cropped jacket with short kimono sleeves, a shawl collar and lining.

I had no idea what she had decided to purchase until she arrived. She pulled her pattern and fabrics out of the bag and told me how helpful everyone at the fabric store had been. They were pretty excited when she explained this was to be her first article of clothing.

She had entered a Hancock Fabrics envisioning purchasing striped fabric for her new jacket. Fortunately the saleswoman, when she learned this was her first jacket, explained that a solid color might be a better choice this time around. She helped Julie choose a turquoise linen-look fabric with coordinating lining and a big gold filigree button.

Kudos to the salespeople at Hancock Fabrics! Those ladies (and some men) know how to sew and are willing to take time to help a customer so the customer will have a successful sewing experience.

We got right down to the business of what size to cut out, how to read the instruction sheet, how to correctly cut out the pattern pieces and finally it was time for the fun part - the actual sewing!

Julie learned a few new things today such as sewing a dart, stay stitching a neckline, fusing interfacing, the importance of pressing, basting, and even she even got to rip out a seam.

When she left for the day, she only had to add the lining, the snap and the button and was still debating whether or not to try finishing it on her own or to wait until we could get together again.

Here's hoping she jumps right in knowing that I'm just a phone call away. After all, the sooner she finishes the sooner she'll experience the thrill of wearing her own one-of-kind creation.

Flashback Friday - Simplicity Fashion News Nov. 1970

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I recently came across a number of these 1970s pattern fashion leaflets, and since last week's was so much fun to look at I thought we could take a peek at another one.

Simplicity Fashion News, November 1970
Look fabulous for the holidays
Front and back covers

Pages 1 to 4

• Page 1 ad is for the mini, midi or maxi dress or skirt
• Page 2 tells us about the upcoming season and features Simplicity 9080
• Page 3 features Simplicity 9060 (coral dress) and 9059 (turquoise dress)
• Page 4 features a lilac pantsuit, Simplicity 9062

Pages 5 to 8

• Page 5 tells us to sew dazzling new bright fabrics, such as this green dress, number 9076
• Page 6 once again features a coral dress (9085) and a turquoise dress 99083)
• Page 7 begins the luscious velvet fabrics in rich pink colors, Simplicity 9068 and 9065
• Page 8 combines navy blue with pink in Simplicity 9068 and 9070

Page 9

• Smashing separates using Jiffy patterns, 9075, 9071, 9066, 9102 and 9066

Page 10 to 14

• Page 10 and 11- Awwww...aren't they cute? Pillow-sized stuffed animals from Simplicity 9098 and fancy dresses for the little girls, Simplicity 9089. On page 11 you see a sweet little smock tops and pants, Simplicity 9090. Lucky me, I believe I have this toddler pattern in my stash. Now I just need a toddler to sew for...
• Page 12 and 13 - pant suits and dresses for the tween set begin here with Simplicity 9093 and 9096. The teen-doll wardrobe is from Simplicity 9097. I know I still have this one tucked away.

Page 15 to 18

• Page 15 and 16 features the ever-popular holiday gift - robes and nightgowns. Left to right are Simplicity 9073, 9094, 9100 and 9095
• Page 17 and 18 feature Simplicity 9067 shows how two different fabrics result in completely different looks - kinda. It's hard to not notice that each has a mini-dress worn beneath the midi skirt.

Last page has the 3-minute sewing lesson. This month it's called up-dating minis.

Hope you enjoyed this fashion trip back to 1970. Next week we'll peek at another Simplicity Fashion News.

My favorite spring event returns

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My fave spring event is back - RetroRama!

My girlfriends and I already have our calendars marks and are busy telling all our friends and planning what to wear. You do know that half the fun is deciding on the vintage look to wear.

This year the event - RetroRama: Fashion Comes Full Circle - shifts its focus away from strictly 50s fashions and trends.

The first time we attended, the focus was on fashion - RetroRama: A Celebration of 50s Style. We missed the second event but arrived early for number three - RetroRama: A Celebration of '50s Suburbia.

We knew to get seats for the fashion show early and that if we wore vintage-inspired or vintage attire we could walk the runway once the designer portion was of the show was completed.

This year the runway show will once again feature Twin Cities designers, but they'll be allowed to move beyond the the 50s decade. Their inspiration this year will come from the 1920s through the 1960s.

You know, I think for future RetroRama fashion shows they should ask some of us non-designer RetroRama groupies to design something for the runway show.

I'd do it. Would you?

Are ya kiddin' me? Or one more reason I'm glad I sew

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Reversible pillows from Anthropologie.

Gorgeous fabric fronts, piped edges, side zip, with a coordinating fabric back.

Display pillow with gorgeous fabric facing out. Turn the pillow over and it's reversible. Simple.

Sizes range from 18" x 30" to 24" x 24"

Only $78 to $118.

One more reason I'm glad I sew.

And if you need a tute on how to create a piped-edge pillow with a side zip entry let me know and I'll put one together.

Do you give yourself permission to quit?

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Quit
–verb (used without object)

• to cease from doing something; stop.

Do you ever give yourself permission to quit?

• I have no problems not finishing a book if I don't enjoy the story.

• I have no problems returning a DVD unwatched if I don't enjoy the movie.

• I have no problems not finishing a meal I've ordered if I don't enjoy the food.

• But I just can't bring myself to say "Enough! I quit!" when I'm sewing something and I'm not enjoying the experience.

Let me share one of those somethings with you.

Two weeks ago, I pulled out a blouse I had begun work on quite some time ago. How long ago? Oh, I don't know. Probably a few years as I do remember purchasing the fabric from a JoAnn's store about seven yeas ago.

The pattern was an OOP Vogue Attitudes - Vogue 1620 - a Byron Lars design. It was one of those projects that I cut out; began sewing; got bored; put it aside; gained a few pounds; tucked project away; lost a few pounds; pulled project out; began sewing.

And quickly reached the "I'm bored" phase.

Bravely, I kept on going.

Every day I pulled the blouse out with the intent of finishing it.

And every day I would complete one unit of sewing and decide I really wasn't in the mood for sewing after all.

Slowly, slowly, slowly I reached the point where all that needed to be completed was the facing, buttonholes and buttons. But each step felt like a chore. Rather than take an hour to finish up, I put it aside and left the room.

I just.couldn't.do.it.

I began dreading going into my sewing studio, knowing that white blouse was mocking me where it sat, unfinished, by the sewing machine.

Monday evening I finally faced the inevitable.

I don't like this blouse. I'm never going to wear it.

And I gave myself permission to quit.

The blouse is now sitting silently in the trash and I am free to begin sewing something I'm excited about. Another version of Simplicity 2701 (blog post here).

So tell me. Do you ever give yourself permission to quit?

Puppet, puppet, who has the puppet?

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Well, based on the comments from my last post, it appears I'm in the minority when it comes to being unknowledgeable about puppets and puppetry!

Beth - great job converting those kids of yours to Muppet fans!

Stacy - thanks for the tip about the puppets in Japanese craft books. I'll need to investigate some more.

Lisa - sadly, I missed the first competition night - which was the puppets - but caught the creative ministries competition. Wow! Powerful stuff. Human videos was another thing I had never heard of before. BTW - that's so cool that your kids are involved in puppet ministry at your church. The kids I saw there were really into it - and really good!

Sewing Chick - love that your cousin is so talented in the world of puppetry that he was a puppeteer in a movie.

Kathleen - thanks for sharing your directions for making a puppet. I think I can handle that one quit easily!

Then there's "Anonymous", who's actually my friend Linda. Turns out Linda not only has some training in puppetry but she may have a puppet I can borrow until I get mine sewn! Jeesh! If only we would have talked about puppets over lunch instead of kids, and work, and husbands I might have discovered this fun little tidbit.

And tomorrow, I return to a subject I do know something about. Sewing!

Thoughts on a puppet festival

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As if I don't have enough interests in my busy life, when I heard about a puppet ministry festival that was going to be in town this past weekend I decided to check it out. After all, I've always been a huge fan of the Muppets from the Muppet Show. So much so that I bought my daughter a DVD of the original Muppet Movie a few years ago because I remembered how much fun we had when we saw it in the theater. Turns out I loved it more than she, and the DVD soon found its way onto eBay...sigh.

Anyway. Back to the puppet festival.

Another clown had contacted me to tell me about the event and since it was a minimal investment of time and money I went ahead and registered. I thought I might discover a way I could use puppets either in my clowning or with the children's sermons at church. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect.

I guess in my mind, I was envisioning an event more like some of the clown conferences I'd attended in the past. A fairly small group of attendees - less than 100 - and mostly adults. Small enough that when I arrived by myself I'd certainly find someone to sit with and chat to.

Wow! I sure wasn't prepared to walk in to the noise and high-energy of hundreds of middle-school age kids! Who know? I guess puppet ministry must be quite popular in a number of churches. With crowds that large everyone was pretty well paired off with one another so I ended up spending the first evening on my own.

I have to admit I was lost that first night. I have zero experience with puppets and had no idea what was meant by shadow puppets, Bunraku puppets, rod puppets or moving mouth puppets. So I sat in the large auditorium, gazing about, listening in on conversations, all the while trying to determine if perhaps I was in over my head.

The evening opened with a puppet performance, which was quite entertaining, but then we broke away to attend one of five breakout sessions. With no explanation given to go along with the session titles, I debated between "storytelling" and "rod arm puppetry: basics and beyond".

I choose the basics and beyond class thinking it would be perfect for a beginner like me. Wrong! I should have stuck to something I knew, like storytelling. I did learn a few things, but most of the time in class was used for people to practice with their puppets. *Sigh*

So I debated about attending the second day. But, cheap-skate that I am, I couldn't stand the thought of having paid a registration fee and not attending any workshops. So I bravely went back for day two.

Fortunately, this time I ran into someone I knew and was able to sit with her for half of the day. The morning workshop was fabulous and I did end up with some great, creative ideas that can be used for more than just puppetry.

The afternoon breakout session was just okay. The one I wanted to attend was "beginning ventriloquism" because, well, just because it sounded like fun. Who wouldn't want to learn that skill? Sadly, it was held in a room that was too small. We ended up standing along a side wall in an overcrowded room with poor ventilation. I ended up leaving in search of my second choice - "balloon sculpture". *Sigh* That class also was standing room only. Only one workshop had plenty of seating space and while it was interesting it was not only way beyond my level of puppeteering, but it was another hands-on class.

While some of the day was not quite what I expected, I did manage to catch the "I think I want to try this" puppet bug and purchased a few skit books as well as an intro to puppetry DVD. While it would have been nice to purchase a puppet, at approx. $80 per puppet, it was too much of an investment for something I may or may not end up using.

After coming home from the festival, I popped in the DVD and hubby sat down to watch. Turns out he might be interested in learning puppetry with me.

Which means we' re going to need puppets for practicing.

But I sew! Surely I can make one of these puppets.

As I searched the Internet for puppet patterns I stumbled across a fabulous set of videos on how to sew your own moving mouth puppet! Now I can hardly wait to begin creating our new puppets and begin putting into practice a few things I learned this weekend. Who knows? Maybe at next year's festival I won't be the one who looks lost and bewildered.

Flashback Friday - McCall's Fashion News 1972

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Since it's never too early to think about your Christmas gift-making, Flashback Friday this week is a peek inside a 1972 McCall's Gift Catalog leaflet.

On the cover: Smiling family unit dressed in their Christmas best - sewn by Mom I'm sure.

Oooo! Bright colors! A yellow jumpsuit for you, red pants for your special guy, and matching orange dresses for your little girl and her life-size doll.

Pink or plaid? Apparently both were popular for festive wear this year.

Cute alert! Sew the little ones a stuffed panda or kitty and matching nightgown.
For the pant-wearing gourmet cook - the chap apron.
And the 90-minute wrap around skirt trimmed with embroidered braid.

Another festive plaid holiday attire - this time complete with an applique pocket.
Oh, and look at the face on that little boy. I mean, c'mon, what little boy wouldn't be thrilled to find a white fuzzy poncho and matching stuffed animal nestled among his gifts?

More plaid party maxi-skirts, as well as a maxi-dress for the younger set.
And a vest for the guys.

Faux fur slippers and mittens, aprons, rag dolls, and yet another plaid skirt.

And of course, you can't forget the bathrobes and nightgowns. Although you might want to make sure you put the right name on the package or Tim might end up wearing the animal print robe you meant to give to your Sally.

Back cover: A two-in-one tie

So...what was your favorite from this 1972 gift catalog?

Back

Simple scrappy tote

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Well, the monthly Sewing Studio Sundays with Julie have yet to become a regular monthly event, but that didn't keep Julie from doing some sewing on her own this past weekend.

Look what she whipped up on Sunday! Another simple tote based on the tote from Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing book.


This time she took samples of fabric she had purchased at Crafty Planet (and yes, you can all be jealous as she lives close enough to visit in person whenever she gets the urge to look for some great fabrics!).

Some time ago she had purchased these fabrics with the intent of stretching fabric around canvases for her kitchen decor, but choose to add other decor in the kitchen instead. That meant she had 4-1/2" by 45" strips of fabric that needed to be used.

So, ta-da! She's obviously a natural at this sewing stuff!

The Review: retro inspired jacket - Simplicity 2701

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As promised, here's the complete review for the retro inspired jacket sewing using Simplicity 2701.

The pattern:
The basic jacket is princess seamed front with one or two button closure, round or v-neckline, with or without collar, welt or pleated pocket, short pleated sleeve or 3/4 sleeve with or without notch.

Tip on yardage:
If you're purchasing fabric you'll want to know which elements you want on your jacket before you begin as yardage for each piece is given separately. For example the jacket body requires 1-3/4 yard and the short sleeves require 1/2 yard so you will need to purchase 2-1/4 yards. But wait a minute! If you want a collar you won't want to forget additional fabric for that! See? It's just a bit confusing so choose the elements before the fabric.

Or do what I did. I choose my fabric, then choose the jacket I wanted to make, and then used as many of the elements as I could. All I had to leave off was the notched band on the end of the 3/4 sleeve.

The instructions:
Like the other Runway Inspired patterns, the first sheet of the instructions is a "Sketch & Stitch" sheet. It includes a croquis that allows you to mix-and-match the elements of this jacket to create the exact look you want.

The instructions are very thorough and written in much the same way. As you sew each piece - whether it be the front, the collar, the pocket or the sleeve - each option is given. That means you do need to jump a bit through the instructions which some of you may not like, but I didn't find it a problem at all.

Fabric:
Without doing a burn test, I can't tell you exactly what the fabric is. But I can tell you the story behind the fabric!

I purchased the fabric in the early 1990s from a friend's sister. She was moving and needed to sell her fabric stash. He knew I sewed and told me about her need to sell her fabrics. She had tons of gorgeous fabrics that were much more expensive than anything I had ever purchased before. However, I didn't want to hurt his feelings (ha! how silly was that!) and proceed to purchase a few pieces of beautiful imported wools as well as this cream colored piece. If I remember correctly, I was told this piece was from Ireland. While I have no idea what the content is, I can tell you it was perfect for this jacket.

It has a slight nubby texture, and a wonderful hand and drape. I paid so much for it that I never wanted to cut into it. Which is absolutely ridiculous to have let a great piece of fabric sit unused for almost 20 years.

Interfacing:
Palmer and Pletsch Perfect Fuse Medium. Fabulous interfacing! Not much more I can say about that...

Buttons:
One inch shell buttons from JoAnn Fabrics.

Jacket details:
Princess seams with an inside pockets behind the welts sewn into the front seams.

A button and loop front closure. The jacket is designed for a 1-1/4" button. I had difficulty locating one I liked in that size so the loop is just a tad too large. I'd suggest choosing your button before you finish sewing the loop.

Optional rounded collar sewn to the v-shaped neckline.

The jacket is designed for 1/4" shoulder pads.

The back is pleated with a decorative tab and button, which are off center. The pleat gives a slight swing shape to the jacket and helps give that retro inspired look.

The jacket is unlined. While the instructions tell you to encase the seams, they don't tell you how. I used a matching lining for the hong kong finish on the seams.


Conclusion:
Buy. This. Pattern. You won't be disappointed.

And watch for my next version sewn from an interesting burgundy metallic linen from Emma One Sock.

(Full review on PatternReview here)

Flashback Friday - 1964 four girls and a birthday

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Which one of these little cuties, dressed in their 1964 finery, turned 50 this week?

From the left:

• Was it sweet little Sue, with the huge brown eyes and long brown pigtails? Nope, not Susie (aka O-Susanna by our Grandmother because it made us giggle). She hits that milestone this summer.
  

• How about adorable little Teri wearing the "I Love Mommy" t-shirt? Nope, not Teri (nicknamed Monkey by our dad because of her incredibly contagious giggle that would burst out of her very frequently...come to think of it she still has a contagious laugh that bursts out of her frequently!) She's still a youngster ... only in her 40s.
  

• Maybe it's oldest sister Sharon, wearing her little white blouse with the peter pan collar and most likely sporting a skinned knee or elbow. Nope, not Sharon. Remember? She had that big summer birthday party last year?
  

• Could it be Barbie? The one little Sharon is clutching tightly in her fist? Yes. Barbie turned 50 this week. But you knew that already didn't you?
  

Like many girls in 60s, I had a Barbie doll - more than one actually. And a grandmother and great-grandmother who delighted in spoiling me with the tiny couture outfits for the fashion doll.

Barbie was actually one of the few dolls that I enjoyed playing with...probably because of the clothes. How fun it was to go into a department store and look at the little outfits on the display racks on top of the glass counters. Or to given a complete, hand-sewn Barbie wardrobe. My grandmother's must have enjoyed buying the Barbie outfits because I certainly received a lot of them.

One of my favorite outfits was the blue jumper with felt flowers and a birdhouse on the full skirt complete with a tiny tray that held two tiny little drinks. Oh how sad I was the day that tiny little tray fell down that big furnace grate located near the middle of my grandmother's old house. Well, after that I certainly didn't need to be reminded to not play near that grate!

I have so many more fond memories of Barbie, as I'm sure you do also. Enough that I could probably write a post a day for months with Barbie tales.

So tell me, what is one of your favorite Barbie memories?

For a fun look at Barbie thru the years, check out the photo essay on Time.com or the Barbie timeline at Mattel.com.

Dogs on Thursday - everybody's doing it

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Showing off their puppy's noses that is!

First there's Sophia with her little pink nose. She wasn't too sure she liked the camera that close to her face so hubby had to provide some assistance in keeping her still.



Then there's the big girl, Abby. All we had do was tell her to sit and hold out a toy. She was so fixated on when that toy was going to be tossed that I doubt she even saw the camera flash.


Thanks to Sue and Gaylen for the idea of sharing photos of the dog noses.

More Dogs on Thursday posts here.

Craft book giveaway

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Not here - although maybe sometime in the future as I certainly could stand to thin out my bulging bookshelves.

The book giveaway is going on all month over at The Naughty Secretary Club blog.

Week number two's book is Sew Darn Cute: 30 Sweet & Simple Projects to Sew & Embellish. It's currently underway and I believe you have until next Monday. At that time a new book to be given away will be posted. Go check it out!

Retro inspired jacket - Simplicity 2701

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Simplicity 2701 - another keeper from Simplicity's Project Runway patterns.

Full pattern review in a few days.

Lining, buttons and thread

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Lining, buttons and thread.

That's all that was on the list.

Lining for a skirt that's in progress. It's another version of McCall's 5431 using stash fabric.

Thread so I can begin sewing a Simplicity 2701 jacket. Using stash fabric. Stash fabric that had no matching thread.

Buttons so I when above jacket is complete I won't have to wait to add it to my closet.

Lining, buttons and thread.

That's all that was on the list.

And I was sticking to the list.

Except when I accidentally walked by the remnant bin and saw some lovely cottons, including some Amy Butler prints.


*Sigh* I forgot the thread.

Must. Sew. Purple.

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Clearance.

DSW.

Any other questions?

Sisterhood Award!

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I probably shouldn't get excited by these blog awards, but I'll admit it. I do.

So thanks Lori for sending it my way!

(If you don't know, Lori's blog is Girls in the Garden and she also hosts the Sew Forth Now podcast. )


Now for the rules and then the nominations:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award.

Just as Lori did, I'm not listing these in any particular order. And I also would like to nominate all my Blogline feeds - but I just checked and I have over 300! So that won't work.

Lizz from Back to Sewing
Mary from Mary is Sewfast
Alicia from AliciaJeanae
Becky from Sew and so
Renee from Candy Stick Lane
Beth from Life is a Musical
Heather from Blue Bird Studio
Dana from Lean Mean Sewing Machine
Miss Linda from Threads of Loveliness
Keri from Quaint and Quirky
Stacey from JameeForever (and StaceyCrossley Designs)

Sewing tutorial: Sew a 90 minute beach cover up

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(Warning: Lengthy post with many photos follows)

Ditch the t-shirt this summer in favor of a bit of glamour with this oversized beach cover-up.

The inspiration for this cover up came from a Neiman Marcus mailing. When I saw this black polyester caftan my first thought was “oh, how cute” followed by “I can sew that for a lot less than $120!”

You can too. Why spend big bucks when you can sew one that's unique to you in 90 minutes or less?

Sizing:

• One size fits most.
• The length of the cover up is approximately 36".
• The width of the cover up is approximately 78" at the bust and 58" at the hem.
• Pattern can easily be made larger or smaller.

Materials:

• 2 yards fabric. Choose a lightweight fabric that drapes well. This sample was sewn using a lightweight semi-sheer knit with a hint of sparkle sprinkled throughout. (From a Fabric Mart Fabrics mystery bundle.)
  
• 1/2 yard stay-tape
• thread
• Ruler
• Chalk or marking pencil

The pattern:
You can draw the pattern on paper or directly onto your fabric.

• If you draw directly onto the fabric, make sure your fabric is folded in half before you begin.
• Using a ruler, draw two rectangles that measure 36” (long) by 20” (wide)
• Along the top edge, measure 3” from the fold and make a mark.
• Along the bottom edge, measure 15” from the fold and make a mark.
• Along the right edge, measure 12” from the top edge and make a mark. This will be the armhole opening.
• Draw a diagonal line connecting the 15” mark along the bottom to the 12” mark along the side.
• On the front pattern piece, measure 8” from the top edge along the center front fold and make amark.
• Draw a diagonal line connecting the 8” mark along the center front edge to the 3” mark along the top edge. This is the front v-neckline.
• On the back pattern piece, measure 1-1/2” along the center back edge to the 3” mark along the top edge. This is the back neckline.

Prepare to sew the cover up

• Seam allowances are 1/2”.
• Cut out the front and back pieces. Remember both pieces are on the fold of the fabric.
• Cut one piece of fabric 1-1/2” by 30”. This is for the neck binding.
• Cut 2 pieces of stay tape each 7” long. You’ll use this to secure the gathers at the shoulder seams.

Sew the cover up
Shoulder Seams

• Gather each shoulder edge beginning and ending 1” from each edge.
• Pull up gathers to measure 7”. Secure in place by sewing stay tape over the gathers.
• You can easily make your shoulder seams longer if you want them to fall lower on your upper arm. Instead of pulling the gathers to 7" try 10" or 12".
  
  
  
  • Sew left shoulder seam together.
  • Sew right shoulder seam together, ending 2” before the neck edge. You’ll finish the shoulderseam after you add the neck binding.
  Binding the neckline
  
  • Stay stitch the center front point of the cover up. Clip to point.
  • Beginning at right shoulder, pin binding to neck edge right sides together. Sew together.
  • Fold binding to the wrong side, encasing the raw edge. Pin in place.
    
  • With right side up, stitch in the ditch to secure binding in place.
    
  • Trim excess binding fabric on inside of neck edge
  • To get a nice point in the binding, fold the binding with right sides together at the center front.
  • Stitch a small vertical seam from the point on the cover up to the top of the binding.
    
  • Finish sewing right shoulder seam.
  Side seams and armholes
  
  • Right sides together, sew the side seams ending at the mark you made 12” below the shoulder edge.
  • Hem the armhole opening.
  • Hem the bottom edge.
  
  Done!
  Enjoy wearing your new cover-up at the beach!
  
  
  
  
  
  

Red, White and Blue ...

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... and black for good measure

Vogue 2925.

So incredibly simple you just can't stop at one.

Kwik Sew 3419 - A broken promise

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It sure looked promising.

• Kwik-Sew pattern- check. Always a good choice for basic t-shirts.
• Royal blue knit - check. Always makes me happy to see this color back in vogue. Plus it coordinates with the summer skirt I recently sewed (Simplicity 2655).
  
• V-neckline - check. Always a good look on me.
• Close-fitting design - check. Always like to have a close-fitting tee for tucking into summer skirts.
• Fullness at bust - check. Always like the ability to easily do an FBA

So what's the problem?

• The finished t-shirt is too large.
• The shape is more boxy than close-fitting and for this style to be flattering it needs to be close-fitting.
• The neckline is too high. Too much fabric from the empire waist to the bottom of the neck vee gives an optical illusion of a larger bustline.
  

So what went wrong?

• Cut and sewed a size M without measuring the flat pattern.
• Made an assumption I would need additional length added to the upper bodice. Added 1" to the bottom of the upper bodice so the seam would fall under the bustline - without doing any measurements.
• Brought the neckline up by 1-1/2" assuming that it would be too low. However, I also forgot to take into consideration that I was going to add a binding, instead of facings. The end result was a neckline higher than I wanted.
  
• Didn't stop to pin fit the top as I sewed. I completed the entire t-shirt - including hems and neck binding - before trying the top on.
  

So what's the solution?

• The short answer is to restitch the underbust seam to remove 1/2" to 1" of the additional length originally added to the upper bodice.
• Sew deeper side seams to remove the bagginess and create a closer fit.
• If that doesn't solve the fit issue, I may need to remove the sleeves and move the shoulder line in as the shoulders are just slightly too wide.
• I may need to remove the binding and move the neckline lower.
  
• For a $10 t-shirt do I really want to invest this much time into the fix?
  

Did you write a pattern review?

• Yes. You can read the entire pattern review here (on PatternReview), including instructions for sewing a neckline binding versus facings.