Sunday, October 3, 2010

Its Frocktober

While Mini-me and her Dad were failing in their attempt to scale Mount Solitary with 15 kg backpacks and no ropes, I was failing my attempt to have a few fabulous, uninterrupted sewing evenings. I did sew, but the results left me feeling well ...meh.




















The best of my three finished tops is this one from embroidered Swiss voile using Simplicity 3887. I found this pattern ran very large and I had some trouble fitting the neck pieces were I made adjustments.
Next was my 'bland basic tshirt' using a remnant of Mela Purdie jersey and Vogue 8392. This is not strictly speaking a knit pattern so the fit is not as snug as you might want in a tshirt. For a summer business top it works tucked into my khaki pencil skirt. I hand finished the neckline, hem and the sleeves with blind heming stitches so it doesn't look too casual.

The striped tshirt is another re-run of Simplicity 2614 which has definely become my TNT pattern. To test the capabilities of my new overlocker I did rolled hems on the sleeves and the base. The stripes are a bit overwhelming for me and I can only wear this tucked into a black pencil skirt or trousers. I think it needs a black or grey narrow ruffle around the neck and down the front seam - so consider this a work in progress.

I also traced and fitted 4 more Burda patterns for my next projects. So all in all, my time was not wasted.

I'm over tops for now...this month is FROCKTOBER! Perhaps you want to sew along and complete three frocks by 31 October.

23 comments:

  1. Even though you may have not have been super-excited with the results. it looks like it was a productive week-end for you and a great bonding oppurtunity for the rest for your family.

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  2. Beautiful stripe matching there! I only wish I was so productive. I have 4 dress patterns and fabric on the floor of my sewing room, so Frocktober is just what I need.

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  3. Sorry you were not thrilled with the results but the tops look good and will be a nice addition to your wardrobe. Impressive getting all that done on the 4 Burda patterns

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  4. You've achieved some great tops - which you'll appreciate this summer.

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  5. I am thrilled you traced 4 Burda patterns. Did you need xray vision?
    I swear all those lines are going to give me a seizure one day. You accomplished more than you think!

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  6. Wow, you have been productive! I love that striped shirt, and I think you are right, it would look great with a ruffle. As for tracing the burdas, yay, you! I can do one at a time..then I go cross-eyed!

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  7. I love the idea of Frocktober! Not sure I can complete 3 this month but any dresses I sew I will contribute to the Frocktober celebration. And of course I'll cheer you along from the sidelines!

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  8. I too have some dresses in mind to make, but I'm not sure I'll manage to make three this month. I'm looking forward to your inspirational output though!

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  9. Great job with matching those stripes, looks perfection to me! Perhaps rather than adding a black ruffle all you need to do is wear a skinny black scarf with the top; will have the same effect and no need to do any more sewing?
    I'm so glad you retrieved your grey print shirt, as I think it looks fabulous on you, as you have proved here in this photo!
    And your jacket; wow! another beautiful garment! I really like how you went to the effort to finish the seams properly, I've started doing this in the last few years now too and am so glad I am going the extra mile, the results are worth it. Your husband's comments are so sweetly blunt; my husband occasionally drops a clanger like that himself... ;) I'm sure you'll find it the perfect cover-up jacket for spring

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  10. My goodness - so productive! I love the fabric from the first top. I really hope you get it to work out for you. I think the striped top will look fabulous with a ruffle too.

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  11. Wow... great job! I wish I had a few evening to sew and out came 3 great tops! Hehe... it's been taking me a long time to finish each of my projects... I don't know why either.

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  12. You've been productive! Lucky you! I love the striped top. I think it would look great with a black cardigan or scarf.

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  13. hi there,
    love all of your tops, just wondering where you buy mela purdie fabric, I have several of her tops and they are such wonderful fabric.
    linda

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  14. I love the stripes. I'm having a bit of a love affair with stripes at the moment, yet I can't find any decent striped fabric. I did, however, sew a frock yesterday that I am wearing as I type. I love the linen jacket you made recently, too. I used to loathe linen, but I'm starting to find myself fondling it in fabric stores ...

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  15. I think you will be so pleased to have those great tops to hand, and the fact that they already go with what you have in your wardrobe ensures they won't be 'orphans' and won't get worn.

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  16. I'd say you did a ton of work! I really like the tops, but am fully supportive of adding a ruffle to the stripey top. I'm all for feminine details. :) Assuming I can churn out the silly number of baby clothes I need to make for my friends this month, I may just try to join you for Frocktober.

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  17. Gail, those are lovely tops, and I admire you for having the time to sew! Very nice additions to your wardrobe.

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  18. Although you feel that your sewing was meh... you produced several lovely tops. My favorite is the black embroidered top.

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  19. heh heh heh, that's make good use of time!! Enjoy.

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  20. Oh, I didn't realise that was what Frocktober was about? I think you can do anything frock-themed you like actually... after self-stitched September though, I needed a bit of a break from trying to wear certain things every day, so despite having written a little promo piece about it in Peppermint, I won't actually be taking part.. slightly hypocritical, I know!

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  21. nice tops! You did an awesome job matching up the stripes! Sounds like you had fun with your mini me and hubby....cool. I give you lots of credit for tracing patterns....I just cut!

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  22. I love the tops, and looks as though you had a great time stitching by yourself. Hey, I'm your 100th follower!!

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  23. You are one productive gal! I am especially impressed with the four Burda patterns, all neatly placed in their little plastic bags --- what a great way to stay organized!

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