Sewing
I’m still in a sewing slump. I’m finding it hard to settle into my new sewing area and have been working on a few new patterns, but not feeling like I am making great progress with any of them. In past experience, the best thing to do when I’m not feeling enthused by any of my sewing projects is to let them go for a little while and get stuck into something “just for fun” – so I did just that!
Our weather has really started to turn, we are still getting some warm days but there is a chill in the air that is hinting towards Winter and for some reason, cold weather sewing is my favourite. I like making snuggly clothes that will keep me (or the kids) warm and cosy and prefer buying winter-weight fabric over lightweight.
I would usually sew a size small in a top like this, but I didn’t want my raglan to be a fitted tee, more like a slouchy sweater, so I cut out a medium instead. Perfect fit for the look I was after. This is such a versatile pattern and really well written. With just a few little changes you can achieve a different look every time you sew it. By sizing up or down you can get a more snug or loose fit. And the type of knit fabric you use changes the look completely too.
I wanted my raglan to be like a jumper – soft, loose and baggy and used a hoarded french terry knit I bought awhile ago from Ixat. It is the best fabric – a light marle grey with red/blue/purple specks all over it. It isn’t too thick and is really soft and squishy and just lovely to wear. I purchased 2 yards so still have plenty left over but wish I had bought more now because I will use it for everything! I also bought the same fabric but with a black background and multi-coloured specks that I’m hanging out to use too now.
I know this jumper is really going to get a workout this Winter – I have already worn it more days than not since I made it and finally managed to wash it over the weekend ready to wear again and again and again! And yes, I’ve since made another raglan and have been wearing that one on the other days!
I used a piece of chambray (Robert Kaufman Slub Chambray in Indigo) that I have had in my stash for awhile. You can’t beat a good chambray and Robert Kaufman knows how to make them.
This shirt is definitley a wardrobe staple. It coordinates with everything and is easy and comfortable to wear. I’m not a fan of wearing the sleeves down so always roll them up or wear a jacket over the top when I wear the shirt. Because of the loose, boxy fit of the shirt I feel a bit frumpy when the sleeves are down, but I like the rolled up look so that works for me!
I’m debating on whether I should curve in the side seams a little when I make another, just to add a more feminine shape. I made a size 6 and am really happy with the fit.
The only thing that kind of bugs me about the shirt is the blue tone of the chambray is similar to most of my jeans so I feel like I’m a bit “double denim” when I wear it with jeans! Overall though, I give this pattern two big thumbs up – the sew-along is a great reference too for unfamiliar parts of the shirt and it comes together beautifully.
It was only a matter of time before I joined the Bombshell Swimsuit bandwagon. I first noticed this pattern in the middle of 2014, Winter for us, and I wasn’t really interested in spending my sewing time on Summer attire so I popped it away for warmer days. And stocked up on some swimwear fabric in the meantime.
After a few beach trips this Summer, I was well and truly sick of my current swimmers and that was good enough incentive to spend a few evenings sewing myself a new pair – and here they are!
This pair of swimmers is my trial version…I’ve got a few other lovely swimwear fabrics in my stash that I want to use on another pair – or maybe even another pattern? But thought this navy blue fabric (from the Fabric Fairy) would be a good, basic design to start with. I lined the entire swimsuit in nude lining also.
For future Bombshells, I wouldn’t change much at all except increase the shape and support in the bust! I knew that I would like a pair of swimmers with good bust support but for this pair I pulled out some cups from an old pair of swimmers I had in my cupboard and they weren’t very supportive at all!
I really like how modest this swimsuit is, it provides good coverage in all the right places and is comfortable to wear. Nothing worse that being at the beach in something that doesn’t make you feel good! Plus, the extreme gathering on the side and back seams really helps to disguise parts of the body that aren’t in such good shape!
The fit this time is a lot better across the chest, but if I am being super picky, I feel like the sleeves and underarm area are a bit loose and baggy so I would probably reduce some of the bulk next time. I also took in the side seams a lot – I think I curved them in at the waist a bit to give the shirt more shape and like how this looks a lot more than the straight, boxy look the size medium had before.
I also added a couple of buttons to close the front placket up a bit because it was a little too low for my liking.
Prior to this top, I haven’t worn red clothing in a
very long time. I just don’t feel comfortable in it so I thought that
this top would never be worn. But I was totally wrong! I wear it HEAPS. So maybe red isn’t a bad colour for me afterall?! Or perhaps it just works in this particular top and the blue plaid check lines help to break the boldness of the red up a bit? I don’t know, but I am happy that my muslin is completely wearable and wasn’t a waste of my time!
Will there be a third Tova? I do think so. It is such a comfortable top to wear – especially in the cosy brushed cotton fabric.