Good riddance.

I'm making headway on my crafty to-do list.  Today's task was to finish up the Jasmine I took apart a few weeks ago.  You may remember I'd planned to turn it into a camisole.  And so I did; it's still not perfect, but it's better than it was, and at least I can use it as an under layer for something.

Here's what I did:

1.  Made bias tape out of some of the remaining fabric.  Started with an 11" square, and then learned that it only works with even numbers.

2.  Starting from the top of the V-neck, took in 3" at center front, tapering down to nothing at the hem.

3.  Tried it on and with soap, traced a camisole shape on the front.

4.  Took it off and cut open the shoulder seams, then cut along the camisole tracings and cut out a curve along the back.

5.  Applied bias tape to the edges, starting from the right top, across the back and ending at the left top.  Then separately applied the remaining tape to the center front section, letting the tails extend to become straps.  Ended up with a bias tape seam just off center in the front and decided to ignore it.

6.  Tried it on and discovered the bias tape made the underarms flare.  A lot.

7.  Took in tucks at the back where the straps attach, to take up excess.

8.  Called it a day and crossed it off my list!

And now I can continue with item number three on my weekend list, which is making some headway on my sweater.  I'm about 2/3 done with the collars (yes - plural) and maybe 5/8 done with the belt.  Getting closer!

Take that, Jasmine!

Remember this top?

After I failed so miserably at this make, I hung it in my laundry closet until I could figure out what to do with it.  But every time I opened the door, I felt like it was taunting me.  So . . . here's what it looks like now:

Over the weekend, when I was too tired to knit or sew, I spent an hour or so unpicking the sleeves, facings and collar.  I had determined that if I take out about 2.5 inches from the center front, the fit is OK.

Now it's waiting for me to get back from California, at which time I'm thinking of turning it into a camisole . . .

Bah, humbug.

After four days of work, I finally finished my raspberry silk Jasmine top today.

I hate it.

I was trying to work slowly and carefully, but I had such a hard time with this fabric.  I'm not sure what fabric it is, exactly; it's a lightweight plain weave silk.  It was very slippery and hard to keep hold of, especially since much of this top is on the bias.

The end product is fraught with problems.  First off, it's way too big on me, even with my industrial-strength bra.  I did the same size as last time, size 2, but I think I have to finally accept the fact that I'm a size 0 up top.

Both times I've made this pattern, I've really struggled with getting the collar to lay nicely.  I'm not really sure what I'm doing wrong.  If I make it again, I'll be doing it in a cotton voile to see if a little more grip in the fabric helps things along.  I think I'd also better do a fair bit of research on sewing bias-cut garments.  I clearly have room for improvement in this area.

I also made a very stupid mistake, but by the time I realized it, I was already "in hate" with the thing, so I just let it go.  Because there's no clear right or wrong side to this fabric, I made two right sleeves.  So of course the gathers at the top don't fall where they should on the left sleeve head.  I'm going to blame the fact that I've been a little under the weather the last couple days.  Yeah, that's it . . .

I did learn a valuable lesson though.  Inspired by Lizz over at A Good Wardrobe, I decided to hand-baste the sleeves in before sewing them down, and boy, did that make a difference.  I think it actually saved time, since I didn't feel like I was struggling to keep hold of everything.   Thanks, Lizz!

So - another fail.

At least I have the satisfaction of crossing it off the list!

Surprise!

Remember this goofy photo?

Well, Caitlin emailed me a few weeks ago via flickr and asked if I would like to be a Featured Seamstress on the Colette blog!  I have to admit I'd forgotten about it, and when I was scrolling down my reader this morning, it was kind of a shock to come across my own face!

If you're interested in sewing and aren't reading the Colette blog, you really ought to be!  And if you've come over here from the Colette blog, welcome!  It's no secret I'm a big fan of Sarai, Caitlin and the brand.  My new favorite thing is the outfit/styling posts (a la Polyvore) Caitlin has been doing lately, showing different ways of styling Colette garments.  Genius!

Speaking of Colette patterns, I'm slowly working toward making the Peony dress.

I've traced the size 2 bodice pieces and will be making a REAL muslin this time.  I want to get the fit just right.  But I'm taking my time; Hubby bought me The Colette Sewing Handbook the day it came out, and I've been reading a little bit each day.  I think I will have to do a fair number of adjustments with this pattern, so the information in the book will be invaluable.  Sadly, I don't think I'll have any time for sewing until after the holiday.

But - I have finished the back of my 1958 sweater!  I started the first pocket lining, but ended up spending much of my day yesterday editing an article for my brother-in-law, after which we headed over to our local jazz club to hear Kenny Barron.  And after that we went out to get Indian food.  Mmmmm . . . curry!

Channeling Bonnie Parker

Am I right?

Jasmine and Ginger

Hmmm . . . Which bank should I rob next?

I'm totally cracking myself up!

On the fly

I have a bazillion things to do today, but I managed to finish my Jasmine blouse yesterday, and wanted to get it up here with a couple notes - mainly to remind myself what to do differently next time I make this!  And there will be a next time.  Despite the cheap fabric and all the problems it caused me, I'm pretty happy with it:

Whew!  That is one busy print!  I think I would have been better off making the collar and cuffs in a contrasting material.  Live and learn.  The top looks OK on the hanger, but it looks so much better on the body.  I'm hoping to wear it with my new Ginger to a concert tonight, and hoping to get my act together enough to take some pix of them as well!

I made the size 2 with no modifications and the fit is really good.  The bias cut is pretty forgiving.  The neckline is somewhat wider than I was expecting, and not very low cut, which is a good thing.  I also like that it is nice and long - great for tucking in.

The main problem I had with this is that the fabric was so slippery.  I really should have cut each piece individually, but of course I was too lazy, so the print is skewed in some places.  This fabric also has a lot of bias stretch, which caused my collar to grow.  Because of that, I ended up having to pin it all the way down to the the point of the V, so I had to leave off the little loop the pattern calls for.  Once the knot is tied you can't tell though, so it worked out OK.

I'm also not too happy with the sleeve cuffs.  They don't have any opening, and therefore no give, and they fit a little tighter on my arm than I'd like.  So I may cut them in the size 4 next time.  I also don't like how they look so much lighter in color than the rest of the blouse because of the interfacing.  A contrasting cuff would have solved that problem though.

I did the front, side and shoulder seams as French seams, and when it came time to put on the collar, I was wishing I hadn't.  The seams created way too much bulk and keep the collar from laying as flat as I'd like.

All that makes it sound like I'm not too happy with this top, but I really am!  And Hubby likes it a lot too.  For me, this pattern is definitely a keeper, and next time I'll allow myself some good quality fabric, because it deserves it.

What about you?  Have you made the Jasmine, or is it on your list?  I'm surprised not to see too many finished versions on the flickr group yet!

Winter Ginger

I didn't do the things I'd planned to do over the weekend, and I did do the things I'd planned not to do!  I did a whole lot of sewing, and a little bit of knitting.  I finished this:

Colette Ginger skirt

I couldn't get a good photo of it, but I'm really happy with this skirt.  It fills a gap in my wardrobe; although I do have another charcoal skirt, it sits lower on the waist.  This one I can wear with some of my handknit tops that are more cropped, so I'm very happy about that.

The fabric is a piece of gabardine I found in my stash box when I went looking for pieces to use for clutch lining.  I have no recollection of where or why I bought it, but I must have used it for something; I could see that pattern pieces had been cut out of it!  I was happy that the piece was large enough to cut this skirt.  It's a very deep charcoal grey and has fantastic drape and heft.  I'm not sure what the fiber content is, but it made it through the washer and dryer just fine, and I'm able to steam iron it on the wool setting with no ill effects, so I'm thinking it may be rayon.

I also did a little work on the Jasmine blouse I started about a week ago.  The fabric is a polyester chiffon; I'm finding it very difficult to work with, but I just love the print!  And it goes great with the new skirt!

Because this fabric is so slippery, it makes me tense (muscularly speaking) to work on it for very long, so I've been taking my time.  I've got the body and the collar assembled:

 
So I'd say I'm about half way done.  I still have to make the sleeves and attach them,  attach the collar and facing and do the hem.  I'm considering this one as my muslin, since the fabric was quite inexpensive, but if it turns out nicely, I'd love to do one in silk.  It's such a great design.

As for the knitting, Betty is progressing but is on hold while I wait for one more ball of yarn to come in the mail.  So in the meantime, I started something new.  But that will have to be tomorrow's post!