Blouse Back-T

If one is good, two is better, right?

Another rendition of Hot Patterns 1170, the Blouse Back T.  Different colors and a couple more changes to the basic pattern.

After wearing the first one a couple of times, I decided I needed to add some width to the back.  I wanted fuller gathers in the woven than what the pattern had.  Basically having it look more like the picture.

The other change was to run some elastic thread through the neckline.  This snugged up the band, which now prevents it from drooping open (outward?) by the end of the day.

These should be the final modifications.  I like the fit, and have gotten quite a number of compliments.  When strangers notice, that’s not too bad.

Hot Patterns 1170: Blouse Back T

One of my favorite pattern companies, HotPatterns came out with a new offering earlier this summer.  I was intrigued to read reviews, where folks were combining different types of fabric.

Different types as in wovens and knits in the same top.  This sparked my interest.

The result is the wearable muslin at left.  The front and neck band are from a knit, the back is from a lovely floaty “wonder” fabric.  Wonder, as in, “I wonder why I bought this?”

Even if you’re not a fan of the high / low hemline that’s featured, I suggest you give this one a go.  The sewing is simple and straight-forward, the fit is relaxed, the style unusual enough to garner comments.

After taking a few measurements, I traced a straight 12, with a forward shoulder alteration (darned computers!).  Then I checked the length.  Wasn’t sure about that (it felt really long in the pattern paper stage) but decided to try it anyway.

As it turned out, the length was just perfect for this type of “lighter than air” top.  The back has enough width so that it doesn’t get hung up on one’s patootie, and the knit front provides shaping, so you don’t feel like you’re wearing a tent.  At one yard for the knit, and another yard for the woven, it’s also a great stash buster.

 

 

 

 

 

Marching to Marrakesh

Now that it is officially summer, the weather has been getting warm.  Not Cactusville hot by any standards, but toasty and a bit roasty too.

What better attire to don on these warm summer days than a pair of seersucker Marrakesh pants?  They’re great to lounge around in, but stylish enough to turn coyote heads when I saunter down the road to fetch the post.

What’s that, you say?  Yes indeed.  Even the coyotes around here have a sartorial opinion.  At least in my mind they do.

So, courtesy of Hot Patterns, another pair!  In fact, I think this is probably my sixth pair.  I know there are at least three in the current rotation.  Other pairs have worn out, or succumbed to the Great Stain Ogre in the sky.  This has to be one of their longest running patterns; I remember it was one of the first introduced in the Wong-Singh Jones line.

Anyway, nothing new with the sewing.  Made them the same as I’ve done previous pairs.  The fabric is great – a comfy cotton seersucker that is both cool enough during the day, and warm enough after sundown.  There are pockets, of course.  I even followed pattern directions, and stitched the pocket bags to the front, so no flopping about.

Nice & Breezy

Maraschino

I’ve been doing a bit of sewing, trying to use up some of the bits and pieces that were both too small for larger items, and too large to be tossed.

Enter Hot Patterns Plain & Simple T.  I’ve made this pattern up several times (I have the original version), so it is an easy sew.  Even better, it’s something that I don’t have to worry about fitting, having fixed all those issues several years back.

Sewn on the serger.  Hemmed on the cover stitch.

The fabric is from Gorgeous Fabrics, probably 2 or 3 years back.

The cherries will help me be more cheerful!

Final Festival

There was some finishing up over the weekend.  Or more precisely a clearing-off of the cutting table.

This lovely aqua stripe ponte (courtesy of a sale at Fabric Mart Fabrics several months back) sat on the table begging to be used.  It’s summery.   It’s clean.  It wanted to be made, and I did!

This is the last of the Fringe Festival (or is it Festival Fringe?) Ts for the season.  With the weather cooling down, I’m not sure how much wear I’ll get before sweater season arrives.  Regardless, it’s a nice top and I am pleased to have it.

Just to change things up, I omitted the center back and front seams, and rounded the neckline from a V to a scoop.  Omitting the center seams also made matching the stripes much less tedious.

Max likes the shirt too!