Saturday, January 25, 2014

Gossamer

Yesterday, I made the new Deer & Doe Plantain t-shirt pattern.

I didn't really mean to; I just meant to trace it.  But that didn't take long, so I decided to cut my fabric.  That didn't take long either, so I decided to sew it up.

Also, I got a new camera which can do lots of fun effects, so I took a bazillion pictures in the sunshine this morning :-)  I managed to narrow it down to ten.

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For this top, I used leftover sequin-embroidered mesh from my Sparkle and Swish skirt.  I had just enough of the embroidered section to cut the front; the back and sleeves are cut from the plain section.

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I sewed the whole thing together with a short, narrow zigzag (1.5 width and 1.5 length on my Janome) using "invisible" thread.  I trimmed all the seam allowances in half after sewing and before pressing to make them less conspicuous.

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For the neckband, I wanted a raw, unfinished look.  So I sewed the folded edge to the neck opening, then pressed all the layers toward the neck.

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Because this mesh doesn't ravel I didn't bother with hemming on the sleeves or the back.  The front has an embroidered edging.

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When I was tracing the pattern, it looked awfully narrow.  So I traced a size 38, rather than the 36 I've been using lately.  But I made a fatal error:  It didn't even occur to me that I was cutting my pieces against the grain rather than with.  So there's zero widthwise stretch . . . which means it's far too small for me.  I was able to get it on, but just.  Getting it off again was quite a chore.

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But you know, I don't mind.  I had fun making a beautiful piece, and I'm going to offer it to my tween niece, who may like it.

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And I'll be trying this pattern again, in a fabric with some stretch.

37 comments:

  1. Oh no! *facepalm* That stinks so bad. This is a gorgeous top, and that fabric is amazing!!! I'm so sad it won't fit you :( On the flip side, the niece is one lucky girl!!

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    1. Believe it nor not, I'm kind of happy it happened this way! My niece was really excited when I showed it to her today, and that made me very happy :-)

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  2. So much about this post that strikes a chord with me! I feel your pain. I have done similar things before...on many occasions, often ending up with the pattern upside down or inside out...I liked reading what you did with the neckline. I have never sewn any mesh before so it was very interesting. On a another note, I also made a dress I didn't mean to last night - seriously, there was no plan in my head but I woke up this morning and there was a dress! ;-)

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    1. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow, right?!

      I like this neckline treatment. I'm thinking of trying it out with jersey - I think the curling would look pretty cool!

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  3. It is such beautiful material. Bummers on the fit.

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    1. Thanks, Stef! It is beautiful fabric. They have it in brown now . . . too bad I'm on a Diet!

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  4. What a shame about the fit because it looks really lovely...your niece is v lucky! I must try the plantain. Haven't sewn or even knit in ages due to not being too well recently so hoping to start back up again soon.

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    1. I hope you are on the mend, Sabs! Sorry to hear you haven't been well :-(

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  5. It is gorgeous, glad somebody will get use of it. You dould also have sewn french seams to make the seams less noticeable. Nice camera shots! I got a new camera for christmas, Canon powershot sx240hs. What kind is yours? Id like to take a course to learn the features. I noticed Henry's offers one.

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    1. I did try French seams - I always do lots of tests on scraps before sewing anything! Believe it or not, they showed up more than just a plain seam! I was surprised!

      I got the Canon Powershot SX280hs, so probably very similar. I've been using Powershots for years (this is my 3rd one); I like it because most of the controls are very similar, so I don't have to learn too much new stuff!

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  6. This is so pretty! It kills that it's the wrong size!!! I made a Plantain too and made a stupid mistake and traced a 1/2 size too small in the bust... I just gave it mine away, too... didn't even blog about it. But if it were made of such a pretty fabric like this I woulda photographed it too.

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    1. I wanted to enter the contest, LOL! And I do think it's pretty :-) And my niece was THRILLED when I showed it to her today, so I'm really happy about that!

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  7. I bet your niece will love it. What's not to love?!!!

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  8. I'm glad you have someone to wear it and appreciate it! The fabric is glamorous and the top turned out so very beautiful and youthful, your niece was quite right to be thrilled :)

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    1. Thanks, Carmela! Now I have to go find her a cute little tank too to wear underneath it :-)

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  9. What a shame that it doesn't fit. It's so pretty. I'm sure your niece would love it

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    1. Honestly, I'm totally OK with it - it's probably a better look for her than for me!

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  10. what a bummer it didn't fit! glad it's going to a good home though :)

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    1. It is - she's seen it by now and loved it! Yay!

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  11. It's gorgeous! You did such a great job finishing it! But I feel sad that you can't wear it, hope your niece will like it.

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    1. Thank you! I am very pleased with how it turned out :-)

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  12. I recognize this fabric from Vogue! (I used it for a friend's wedding dress.) It makes such a pretty top, and I'm so sorry to hear about the fit. If you wanted to give it another go, I might have some of this left over in my stash somewhere. Just saying.... :)

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    1. Isn't it beautiful? I saw the same one at the Roosevelt store recently, only in dark brown. I was very tempted! Thanks for the offer, but I think I'm done with this one now! Maybe you should make yourself one? Although it wouldn't be very cat-friendly!

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    2. Dark brown? Ooohhh... darn this stash diet! I think that color would be more me. I don't think I have anything that's cat friendly these days, so I just don't put anything fancy on until I'm just about to step out of the house :-)

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  13. Ha, you didn't mean to make it :) I am so bummed this didn't work out for you! I hate little but serious mistakes like that! I hope it's well loved by someone just the right size!

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    1. Hahaha! It's that same feeling you get when knitting stripes: "just one more stripe, and then I'll stop . . ."

      I'm actually really happy that it worked out the way it did, because it made my niece so happy!

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  14. I've realized we learn from each and every project we do.
    Why else would we come back for more!
    Love this top
    Who wouldn't love it!
    Hugs

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  15. I'm happy the top can go to someone and see it on occasion :)

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  16. Oh, bummer! But I'm sure a certain little niece is quite happy about it, right? I love the details on this top: the embroidered front, the exposed neckline edge, the lovely fabric! You did a great job with it Gail and it totally shows. Plus even if you don't get to wear it, it will look lovely on your niece and that is well worth it.

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    1. Yes, she is! I sent it off to her this morning! Thank you - I did take some care with this, even though it was so quick to make. Now that I'm not keeping it, I'm glad I did!

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  17. How did I miss this?!

    This is gorgeous. I have had the pattern taped together since it was released! But have yet to trace, cut and sew it. I just decided what knit I will use.

    Thanks :-D

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