Sunday, September 9, 2012

Swiss Dot and Triple Stitches

 
 
My sew-jo has disappeared, friends.  I lost it somewhere on vacation, I believe.  I think I may have left it where I left my fancy, ergonomic seam ripper (yes, I really did leave my seam ripper in St. John- sigh).  Since I've been back, life has been crazy.  As I'm sure it is for everyone, so I won't complain.  Only I haven't been feeling the urge to sew like I was before vacation.  Maybe I burned myself out.   I don't know.  I think I'm just going to take it easy for a while and let it come back on it's own.  My new job is fantastic and I've been dedicating most of my time to work.  Which is probably what I should be doing anyway.  You know, instead of bemoaning how work is getting in the way of my sewing time ;)


I finally finished this blouse that I began almost three weeks ago.  I sewed in tiny increments.  A half an hour here, a few spare minutes there.  It was slow going.  But I'm pleased with it in the end.  It seems especially groovy to me.  And art teacher-y.  The shape is not the most flattering.  Looking at the pictures, I think I should shorten it a bit.  The hem hits at my widest part.  The top is a little maternity-ish.  But I knew it was going to be smock-like from the beginning.  I'll definitely wear it to work.  I do love a kimono sleeve.


I used Simplicity 2254.  I've been trying to bust through some of my old pattern stash lately.  This was one I purchased a while ago and never got around to making.  I used a pretty carrot colored swiss dot I found at Hancock.  The mannequin photos are the truer color.  I'm not sure why the others are so saturated.  I really liked the top stitching on view A and wanted to do something fun with a contrasting color.  I used my triple stitch for extra fat top stitching.  I used three different shades of turquoise thread.  I quite like the bit of color, but I kind of feel like the top stitching just screams homemade.   Which is okay.   I kept my stitching as straight and even as possible but there are some wobbly places. I'm not too fussed about it.  It is what it is.  I unpicked one row of triple stitching to fix and decided that was enough.


It's a nice pattern.  This is a good pattern for a beginner who has a few projects under her belt.  I struggled a bit with sewing the back neck band to the back bodice.  I would recommend not stay stitching the back neckline.  I had to do a fair amount of clipping to make the curve fit.  The back bodice/skirt seam line has elastic inserted in to the seam allowances.  I think that helps with the fit a bit but it sure does make for a wrinkly back.  I probably could have made a small instead of a medium.  Also, if I make this again I'll cut the back bodice on the fold.  No need for that seam there.


And that's all on the sewing horizon for me for a while.  I'm working on another blouse, but I think it will be slow going like this one.  Just little bits at a time.  What about you?  What do you do to get your sew-jo back?  Any particular project you like to work on when you're feeling uninspired?

36 comments:

  1. I really like this top on you and don't think it looks unflattering at all. The colour and texture is lovely. I like your additions of the contrasting thread. Looks like a great top to go with jeans...but then everything orange looks great with jeans.

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  2. I LOVE the contrasting top stitching! My machine is an old lady with grumpy tension issues at times, so I shy away from decorative top stitching when she's acting up. I need to just tell her what's up and fix her issues. This top looks homemade in an attention-to-detail sort of way, the way that's makes non-sewers jealous, I think.

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    1. Thanks! And that's a good way to think about it- attention to detail!

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  3. I love your new top! Just the kind of cheerful thing to get you through a day of school! ;)

    I've really struggled to feel creative since school started, too... I think all my creativity and innovation are being used just to keep my class engaged and reasonably behaved! There is nothing left for sewing by the end of the day. Hopefully once school settles down for both of us, we'll get our mojo back!

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    1. Absolutely! All my creativity is used at work. I'm exhausted when I get home.

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  4. Have you checked out the topstitching on a RTW item lately? Ugh! Bleck! Wobbliness to the extreme! It's just most people don't stare as obsessively at the topstitching lines on something that they've purchased as we home seamstresses do on something that we've made. I love the different colored threads and the curved front bodice is really flattering. This top looks lovely on you!

    And technical question: What is triple-stitching? I want the option of beef-ier topstitching lines, but I don't know how to get it.

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    1. I know that's true! I am over analyzing my stitching. Triple stitch is a stitch function on my sewing machine. The button looks like the straight stitch, but three rows side by side. When you use it, it goes pretty slow. Every stitch is stitched three times-- once, then backwards, then forwards again before it goes on to the next stitch. But it does make for a nice fat stitching line!

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    2. Thanks - I'm hoping to do a project this weekend that could really use some beefy topstitching, so I'll see if my machine has that or something like it. I've got a 1970-ish Pfaff (inherited from husband's grandma) so cross your fingers for me!

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  5. I didn't think it looked maternity-ish at all! It's actually quite cute and looks like it will be comfortable to wear. I think everyone's mojo takes a dive during this time of the year...so you are not alone!

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  6. Top looks great! Love the triple stich you used!

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  7. I love the fun topstitching! After ripping out some wobbly topstitching, I've started using a line of masking tape as a stitching guide. Maybe not the most pro solution, but it helps me. It works for straight lines, but the curves are still hit or miss. And if I lose my sew-jo I just put it off til another day

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  8. I really love everything about your new top = the colour and texture of the fabric, the pattern design and the top stitching I think really makes it . I also think the length looks good and not at all maternity. Sometimes I think it is good to have time away from sewing because there are lots of other things in life to enjoy and then when my mojo returns I love sewing even more.

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  9. I really love your top! The colors are so happy, and I have to agree it feels very "art teacher-y" in a fun way. I really love your colorful top-stitching too. And I totally understand about missing mojo. Although right now I am really enjoying sewing plans, earlier this summer I had no interest in sewing at all (probably because I had to do so much sewing for other people) and I really needed a break. I think the sewing mojo will return in time. Probably best to take a break and focus on other things, and return to sewing when the creative urges strike. In the meantime you can enjoy your fabulous top!

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  10. If I saw that top in the store, I would stop and try it on...it looks that good! I love the style. I need to make more shirts. I think I'll add this pattern to my wish list!

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  11. Oh, I love everything about it, and the turquoise topstitching is so inspired! The shape is fab; an easy-to-wear, perfect-for-hot-weather shape; and I'm very partial to an orange top too :) I've got a Simplicity dress pattern in a very similar style to this and you are making me crave making it up again for our summer!

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  12. I like this on you but it's definitely not "unflattering" It has that cool boho vibe. that's how it should hang in my opinion.

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  13. Lovely blouse, and perfect for hot weather. I really like the graduated, contrast stitching around the neckline. I think it looks nice on you!

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  14. Lovely top in a gorgeous colour. I love the turquoise top stitching, I don't think it screams home made at all!

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  15. What a beautiful blouse: drapey and vibrant. You look gorgeous in it. Orange really suits you! And the stitching adds a nice touch. Oh man, I must add this to my must-buy list.

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  16. Oh, cool- it definitely is one of those tps that people know is more the fabric volume than the size of the wearer- I love it.

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  17. Thanks for all the nice comments, ladies! I actually really like the volume of the top despite how I sound in my post. It's a comfortable and relaxed style to wear.

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  18. I love the three thread top stitching detail - lovely and your stitching is soooo much better then my drunk monkey's!

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  19. i actually like where it hits you. and tres art teacher with that color combo. you rock.

    i try to get my mojo back by cutting into the most expensive fabric in my stash, or the one i've been scared of forever. it either makes me step up my game and finish, or ball it up in disgust and make something lesser to make me forget. either way i'm sewing again.

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  20. I'm pretty sure I have the same pattern at home, but have never sewn it up. It looks great on you! Inspiring. Sewjo comes and goes, that's the way of creativity. Can't force things like that. It will return, no worries, take a break and organize your spice cabinet!

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  21. oooh, i really like this! love the color and the swiss dot and the stitching and the curved waist. I don't know if I've seen that pattern before but it looks great on you! very cool-art-teacher style. ;)

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  22. Just when I thought a swiss dot fabric couldn't get any better you go and find it in the most gorgeous color! So lovely on you!

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  23. Liza Jane, this looks so good! The colors, the cut, everything. I really really like this on you. :)

    have you ever tried making your stitches for top-stitching longer? Someone suggested I do that so I tried it out and it really works... I set mine at 3.0 (2.2 for regular stitching...) and it's kind of crazy the difference it can make... I think yours looks great, either way. Beautiful work.

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    1. Now there's a thought. It never even occurred to me to change the stitch length. I'll definitely try that next time I top stitch.

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  24. Wow - this blouse is awesome. I love the fabric, the color, the fit, everything! Did you have to line it? I have a navy swiss dot I haven't touched yet because I'm not sure of the lining.

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  25. Wow! This blouse is so perfect! I'll have the snatch up the pattern next time it's on sale.

    Sewing breaks aren't bad... I think they're necessary sometimes (and refreshing). As a teacher, you've got a lot going on right now! :D

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  26. Incredible colour on you! It's a stunner Liza Jane. And with deep blue, what a colour combo. I like your multi blue top stitching too. Wonderful outfit...I don't think it looks in need of changing lengths personally, it looks really practically pretty and yes, arty!!

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  27. Cute top - what a beautiful swiss dot fabric and I love your stitching details!
    I really should take an example of you and sew in small increments... I haven't gotten anything done in ages!

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  28. Sew-jo! Stealing this term. Mine's totally lost right now. Your top is great! I think your topstitching looks excellent, but a tip I got at fashion school was that topstitching on ready-to wear is always at about stitch length four. It looks straighter at this length because long stitches trick the eye a bit and also, the feed dogs do more of the work for you on a longer stitch.

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  29. Orange and turquoise is one of my favourite combinations - this is lovely!
    I especially like your topstitching :D

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