Twice the Tanks

Flora Flaunts new Tanks

There was a little bit of simple sewing at Casa Thunderpaws last weekend.  While neither complicated nor fancy, it served a very needed purpose – replacing the tired and well worn summer wardrobe with something new.  Two new tank tops, in fact.

Once again, my favorite tank top pattern, Kwik Sew 3115 comes to the rescue.  Almost all of the cotton tanks I have are from this pattern.  I have no idea why only the cotton ones.  Just the way it is.  The fabric is a yummy bamboo rayon /cotton baby rib from Fabric.com  I believe they still may have some – just search on bamboo baby rib.

Tank tops in September?  Yes indeedy!  The air conditioner is still running and we are still reaching triple digit temperatures.  Thankfully, the mornings are cooler, so opening the windows is now an option.  I am starting to pine for cooler weather…and the change to long sleeves.

Martini Anyone?

Flora prefers hers shirred, not shaken

Another Kwik Sew 3790, this time in an olive inspired print.  I like the ruching on the side, and the not quite cap sleeve sleeveless-ness of the pattern.  It’s a nice stylistic change from the traditional tank top.

The knit is a standard ITY, lightweight without being sheer.  I’ve mentioned this before with this pattern, but feel it bears repeating for new readers – it runs long!  So much so that I’ve taken nearly 3 inches out of it, and still have enough length put in a deep hem (1 1/2 inches).  Not a complaint, mind you, just something to be aware of.

Unlike a lot of styles for knits, I do use the facing pieces with this top.  They lend a bit more stability to the asymmetrical neckline, and help to provide a nice finish on the interior seaming.

Sewing this top is a combination of regular stitching to do the gathers and serging for the actual seams.  A serger is not required; a small stretchy zigzag would work too.

This top will help to refill the summer wardrobe too.  Some of the existing tanks have been looking a might tatty and stained.  It’s still warm enough in Cactusville that Flora’s Martini will see considerable use!

Kwik Sew 3790, Take 2

Flora ruches about in Kwik Sew 3790

Another take on Kwik Sew 3790, this time in a lovely rayon knit.  The top sewed up super quick.  Too quickly in fact.  There I was, zipping right along (zigzag, not serger) and Wham!

The sewing goddesses (or gods) whap me upside the head.  “Girrrl!  What are you doing?” they said.

Of course I jumped, not being used to sewlestial voices speaking to me directly, and ended up snipping a hole in the face of the top while I was trimming the binding.

The salty language of a former hash house harrier spewed forth.  I was not happy.  Not pleased at all.

I tell you, some days, those voices just have to know when to be quiet!

Once I calmed down and took a second look, it wasn’t that bad.  I thought I could patch it, so out came the Bo Nash powder and a teflon ironing sheet.  I tore a hole in the middle of a post-it note to make a template, so the powder wouldn’t get all over, and sprinkled some on the back.  Lifted the paper away, and very gently laid down a scrap of fabric over the hole, followed by the teflon sheet.

A little heat from the iron (no steam) and all seamed to be well.

I’ve worn the top, and you can’t tell there’s a hole in it.  The fabric being a bright, active print helps, I am sure.

Is there a moral to this story?  Besides the fact that I still know how to swear like a sailor?

1. Don’t let the sewing goddesses interrupt you when you’re concentrating
2. A little patch goes a long way.

Kwik Sew 3790

Flora models a newly released pattern: Kwik Sew 3790.  Side ruching with gathered shoulder detail, suitable for knits only.  This is the first in what has become a search for more sleeveless summer tops that are not basic tank tops.

I made this out of leftovers from another project, and think it turned out rather nicely.  The body is only gathered along one side, which, if you believe the What not to Wear folks, is supposed to provide a slimming look.  I like it just because it’s different.

The neckline and left shoulder piece have actual facings, which is a bit unusual for knits.  I followed directions, and stitched them in.  I still ended up cover stitching the neckline all the way around to provide stability, as knit + diagonally cut fabric = mondo stretch! I sure didn’t want that.

The pattern itself is also very, very, very long.  I tissue fit it to me before sewing, and removed about 2 inches from the overall length.

Once the top was finished with a 1 1/2 inch hem, I went back and took out another 1/2 inch from the pattern.  Yes, the pattern tells you to do the lengthen / shorten on these lines.  You get 2 places to adjust, which is a nice feature.

I think if I had made this top the original length, it would have been a dress!  Hmmm….that’s an idea.  Nah!  Too form fitting for me.

There are also sleeve variations, so I may give it a whirl with the long sleeves too.

Overall, a winner!

Kwik Sew: 3616

Flora models the last of the paint splatter knit which was used to make Kwik Sew 3616, a kimono-esque top.  This will be another nice one for summer.

There are 2 sleeve variations with this pattern.  I chose the sleeveless version.   Me being me, the short sleeves are so loose they would just end up dunking into my morning coffee.

Like most of the Kwik Sew patterns I have made, I traced and cut a medium, knowing full well I would have to take it in some to compensate for  my narrow front neckline and narrower upper ribcage.

What I didn’t anticipate was just how looowww the neckline was.  A wee bit too much for me, especially if I planned to wear it in public!  Leaning over was not an option.

So, I cut into the leftover scraps, and inserted a modesty panel.  Just a square of fabric to cover up the deep V, and stitched to the front and facing along the original line.  This print is so busy, you can’t even see the second line of stitching.

With the exception of the neckline facing and hem, the whole shirt was sewn on the serger.  It’s a quick, simple sew, suitable for an afternoon when you don’t want to think too much.

I even had some bright blue buttons in stash which work just perfectly.

Kwik Sew: Snuggly Sweater

I seem to do this frequently, working at cross purposes to the weather.  Here it is a high of nearly 90 in Cactusville, and I’m sewing up a sweater!  Go Figure!

This is a Kwik Sew pattern, whose number currently escapes me.  I did check their web site, and couldn’t find it, so it may well be out of print.  Anyway, it is a super easy to stitch up.  Almost everything is done on the serger.  A good thing too, as this was my first foray into sewing with sweater knits.  I had thought the fuzziness would cause issues, instead it was the 2-way stretch, and thickness of the fabric I had to coerce.  (I was about to say tame, but really, does anyone ever tame fabric?)

I’m particularly pleased at having the stripes line up at the front and side seams.  The buttons are vintage grey mother-of-pearl from stash.  The knit is from the Yahoo fabric group Joys of Sewing.

I took advantage of the 2-way stretch of the fabric to have the neck and bottom band stripes go the other direction.  After all, no one needs horizontal stripes across their hips!

The front buttons are stabilized on the inside with grossgrain ribbon.  In order to keep the stripes aligned, I used fusible stay tape on the sweater knit before sewing the ribbon on, preventing the fronts from stretching out of alignment.  The ribbon will both support the buttons  and keep the button holes from sagging and stretching.

I suppose I could have used a brighter, fancier ribbon, in keeping with my inner magpie, but somehow just didn’t feel up to it.  Understated.  A new direction for me.

Space Cadet

From the rocket fields of the Academy
To the far flung stars of outer space
We are space cadets training to be
Like a cosmic ray, we light the way,
For Inter-planet peace!
We are space cadets

Someone is going to be a very happy Space Cadet this Christmas.  This is my standard little boy’s pattern, Kwik Sew 2951.  I like using the Kwik Sew because it’s several sizes in one (XS, S, M, L, XL) and I just trace off the size I want to use.  It’s a basic Hawaiian-style shirt with fold over collar and breast pocket.  Easy, peas-y to zip together on the serger.

This is probably the last year I can get away with using this tracing, next year I will have to trace off a larger size.   That’s Max examining my work.  He is not a space cadet, or even a space cat.

My Sewing mojo has been regaling me with tales of far flung places and exotic fabric, the little minx!

Tanked on Labor Day

I had great plans for the 3 day weekend.  Lots of sewing was to occur. Somehow, life intruded.  How does that phrase go?  The best laid plans of mice and men, or woman, in my case.  Though really, has anyone ever heard of mice making plans?

I did complete two super simple tank tops that I had cut out last week.  They are both based on my favorite Kwik Sew patterns, 2694 for the black and white number, and 3115 for the little purple skulls.

They are both finished with fold-over elastic, instead of a facing or binding.  Simple. Quick. Easy!

The black & white version has silver elastic, which gives a bit of sparkle to the whole thing.  Both fabrics are from Fabric.com though they are no longer available.  The black and white was aged for at least 2 years, and the little skulls arrived back in June.

I also did some cutting out and prep work for a sewing workshop next Saturday.  Our ASG Guild is having Mary Lou Rankin of Park Bench Patterns teach for the day.  She will be doing a sit and sew with her pattern line.  Basically we arrive with any of her patterns cut out, and she will help us fit and alter them to suit.

I’ve had this pattern for ages, so decided it was time to see how it shapes up.  I plan on using a tencel / linen blend for the sides and facings, and a bright batik for the center front and back panels.   Stay tuned!