Style Arc Adele Top, Done

This was meant to be a muslin-turned-quite-wearable.  By looking at the drawings on the pattern envelope, I knew the neckline wasn't going to be right for me. 

I have a relatively short neck, and wide lower jawline. I try hard to avoid anything that has a high neckline, turtleneck included, and even regular shirt collar look odd on me, so I hardly ever wear shirts with standing collar. I pulled out Style Arc Susan Top pattern and traced the neckline, but raised up by 1" and incorporate it into the Adele top.   Here is the Susan Top.

 

The Susan top's neckline worked out so well for me, but for the Adele tunic design, I thought the Susan top's scoop neckline was a bit too much.  Also, Adele is a tunic, and for a 5'1" person, the "standard"  length is always an issue.

Anyhow, I picked a not-so-great quality polyester knit fabric from my stash to sacrifice for the muslin. While I was picking the fabric from my stash, I noticed an old tunic that is torn with the very narrow seam allowance therefore unfixable and unwearable, but I kept because I liked the fabric.

That's when I got inspired, and my creative energy just began bubbling up. I decided to forget this was meant to be a muslin, and just decided to have fun with it!

Here is the result.  I'm pretty happy with the neckline, both the neckline height adjustment and the embellishment I added.  Also got carried away and added a faux scarf look.

Many ways to wear.  Like this, first.

Both tails in front.

Or, to the back.

Tie a little bow.

Slightly closer look here.

This is what I did.  Take the original neckband with the main fabric. Cut the embellishment fabric larger than the neckband.  

Stitch the embellishment fabric onto the main fabric, but with a lot more embellishment fabric loosely gathered here and there.  In retrospect, I could have had a lot more loose gather. That would have made the affect more interesting. 

Anyway, the looser and more sloppy it looks, the better and more interesting result it brings. How easy is that?!

Here is the finished neckband with the faux scarf.

I stitched two pieces of " faux scarf" pieces into the neckband.

They lay like this.

I decided to do the same for the sleeves.

The actual color of the main fabric is a lot darker. It's teal.

By the way, a little sewing tip, trick, whatever you may want to call it.  This is helpful, I think, if you are not sure if your cutting line is completely straight and therefore can't count on the consistent seam allowance width would give you the correct stitch line.  Perhaps you had to adjust the stitch line for sizing so that you can no longer count on the seam allowance width as a stitch guide. Or, if you are like me, you'd rather mark the stitch line so that you know that is the exact line you need to sew.  And, especially if you are working with slippery fabric without an aid of walking foot or anything fancy like that.

Baste the stitch line first so that the pieces are together and there is a less chance of fabrics slipping. (or so that you could try on the garment before you do the final stitching).

When you are ready to give it a final, real stitch, pin outside the stitch line on the seam allowance so that the fabrics won't slip. 

Undo the first couple of inches of basting stitch.  (You could stitch over the basing stitch, but it will be harder to undo the basting stitch.) 

Mark the stitching line where there is no longer basting stitch.

Sew.

When you catch up to the basting stitch, repeat the process. 

I first saw the above on facebook.  I traced the source, and found that you could order a t-shirt with this art! At redbubble.  Isn't that cute!?


Well, it was meant to be a muslin, but quite wearable and I kind of like it.

I shortened the length by 1.5".  Or was that 2"??

Due to the fabric (100% polyester - not my favorite) it clings on a bit.  The armhole was a bit too tight as you can see.  I'll make it wider next time I make this top.  I'd like to make it with a comfortable fabric.  I will definitely keep the lower neckline, and I may add a colorful neckband like this again.

Are you sewing? I'm a bit frustrated lately that I don't find enough time to sew.  Patience, I tell myself. I try to do something to make a progress in my sewing project even if I only have 15 minutes.  All the fabrics I bought at the Sewing Expo are staring at me as I stare at them.  Patience.

Muslin -- A Must?

Time flew.  Last week was busy, and before I knew it, it was OVER.

The weekend included trying a new Yakiniku, Japanese style BBQ, restaurant. Oh fun!

I've been thinking a lot about muslins. For the longest time, I didn't know people made muslins. How and where I learned to sew, muslin making was never mentioned. (Another topic, another post)

I've been an occasional and casual garment sewer for a long time -- I like things that are quick, not so serious, so that's what I did a lot of.  I'd like to avoid something like muslin making if at all possible. Sounds so time consuming.

I hadn't sewn for a few years until this year. Now ## years later, I want to get serious. I will still make bags and other fun things, will not give up on improv sewing.  But now I'm aiming for making some serious garments.  Something I'll actually really like and will love to wear.

So I started reading on something like this, how to make a muslin. And like this on Burda. (Muslin is called Toile [tou-wa-le]?? outside US, it seems.  In Japan, it's called [Toware], I'm finding.)  Lauren, who by the way spits out dresses faster than I can read her blog, at Lladybird says in her tips on sewing post to make a muslin.  Reeeaaally? Do I have to? Should I?

After so many years of not sewing a thing for me, I made an impulse purchase of a pattern and fabric this summer and made this.

It was fun, and it was mainly to test and to get to know my new sewing machine. But, as you can see, the result isn't so pretty.  I'm afraid I chose a wrong kind of fabric, and the size adjustment I made directly onto the dress as I was making it, didn't really turn out great. Totally out of practice. It was an experience. A learning experience. (The word "Muslin" crossed my mind.)

Now that I'm really looking forward to receiving and sewing with the patterns I ordered (yes, I did!) from Style Arc , it's really time to practice.

By the way, these are the patterns I ordered.

Adel top

Susan Top

Linda Stretch Pants

They will also throw in a free one.

What a great marketing idea. A free pattern with every purchase. I don't even mind the shipping charge now. A win-win, consumers & Style Arc. I can smell this is a great company. When I emailed them with a question on sizing, I received a prompt email from Chloe who I believe is one of the founders of Style Arc.

In trying to select what my first Style Arc patterns purchase was going to be, I wanted to see what others have sewn with Style Arc patterns. I came across this blog.  The wardrobe put together by Margy from A Fool for Fabric sold me! This was it!

It could be two weeks before I get them as they are sent from Australia. Meanwhile, I decided to 'practice' while I wait for the patterns. I pulled out a pattern from my pattern stash drawer, and I pulled out this green fabric, formerly known as bed sheet. I remember reading about 'sheet shirts' on Peter Lappin's blog, Male Pattern Boldness, so I thought, why not a sheet dress?

The actual color is slightly brighter hunter green than the photo sows here. I actually like it a lot.  In this fabric pattern, I spy a jack-o'-lantern picture! (or is that supposed to be a flower, upside down?!)

Pulled out a few of my vintage sewing tools.

The pink one and the tracing papers came in one of the drawers of the cabinet with my Elna blue top machine. The spiky one, I bought at the monthly vintage market in my neighborhood. I love the pink one. It's so handy. It's really two-in-one. You can use both the spiky wheel side and the pink plastic end just like a Hera Marker.

This envelope contained seven large unused tracing papers in five different colors. Marked 29 cents!  

By the way, I am using Jeri Bee, my New Home/Janome, for this dress. She is SOOOOO smooth and quiet. I'm really loving her. The only thing I had to get used to was that her needle position of LEFT being normal. Not a biggie. Just different from what I'm used to.

 Oooo, note my brand new shellac nail polish, too~!

So, do you make a muslin with every project you sew? Can you tell that I'm trying to convince myself that I must.