Done: Silk+Cotton Voile M6702 top #2

It definitely took me quite a while, almost 2 weeks, to finish this top. But I am happy to report that it is done.

My first version was made from a peony pink linen and very comfortable to wear. It wasn't surprising since it is very much my style (a casual loose top, with a good fit around the shoulder, skim the bust area and flow over my lower region).

When I rediscover this lovely fabric in my stash, it is destined to be made into the 2nd iteration of the pattern.

Fabric: silk+cotton voile from FabricMart a couple years ago (2 yds x 45") - definitely black background with green/teal/ivory flowers with tiny white dots and silver lurex threads

Pattern: McCall's M6702, View B like my Peony Pink Linen version but with some modification

My modification for this version:

• Re-fit the shoulder. I suspected that I have a forward shoulder situation going on, so I tweaked the bodice pattern on the shoulder part, and it sits great now. It involved adding 3/4-1" to the length of the outer shoulder, but I didn't think that far to add more on the sleeves pattern, and thus the circumference of the armscye now are bigger than the sleeves! To remedy this, I added godet to my set in sleeves, Which was a beast since I french seamed the whole top, and had to figure out a french seamed godet in my head. For the next version (coz yes, there will be more of this one) remember to add 1.5" each side to the sleeves, tapering into nothing.
•  Instead of having a curved bell sleeves, I made it kinda straight (non curved) bell sleeves. Next time I should add 1" to the length of the sleeves.
• Same like in the first version, I pleated the back (but opposite way than the last time) rather than gathers at the back. I learnt that I have to do this the hard way: messing up a very pretty Milly silk. I still have hope that I will get back to it and redo that top "properly".
• Updated: I left off the patch pocket in this version.
• I added 4 buttonholes and buttons. Love the look. I probably could've have skipped the buttonholes and just sew the buttons on. As it is I can just pull the top over my head without unbuttoning... I reused all 4 buttons from the original floral silk twill dress refashioned for my denim shirt project.
• Another note for the next version: I should forgo the hi-lo hem of this shirt and make it all the same length as the back. But probably for fabric cut that is more than 2 yards if it is just 45" wide.

 

My plan is to have a complete outfit for an outing, rather than just that top. What I meant by this is that, other than just this top, I am going to make/redo/find a black tank top that will go and fit (my body) nicely with this (light and semi sheer) top. Preferably one with bra strap holder, which is a necessity for me, and yet I haven't incorporate this in my me mades. I'd have to figure out how to do this. I also will need a bottom to go with this outfit, so I will refit the white jeans that I thrifted and worn with the mother's day pink parfum silk chiffon top in pic below. Or the cream pants I have somewhere. Either one.

Exhibit A: baggy white jeans

I also will have to repair the earrings I have that I think will go with this top. All before this farewell lunch do for one of the Malaysian ladies next Thursday. I have a handbag and the shoes in mind. They are not matchy matchy with the outfit, but I think they will go well together. My aim is a casual but pulled together look. For once! :) 

I know that it is the same look that I usually sport: loose top, pants/jeans. But to put the outfit together in my mind will hopefully eliminate the feeling of rushed, fraying around the edges (psychologically), thus having a full control over how I put myself forward. I know having a better fitted clothes to my body is a huge help towards that. (As well as better eating habit and exercise regiment I am sure, but those are lifelong WIP for this household).

I am celebrating the completion of this top with a thorough cleaning of the bathroom. There will be some reorganizing in the apartment, repurposing the limited space that we have too, which probably means moving some of the sewing stuff and space. It is approximately one year and one week since we move from Iowa to Seattle, so it is about time for shaking things up and adding things in, be less of a nomad (which is a story of my life since I am perpetually in a moving mode since my growing up years).

I have decided to extend our lease in this apartment rather than look for a slightly bigger home (this decision falls on me). At this juncture, I don't think I am up to go through another rental search (with our rather lengthy requirement which is a headache and often a cause of tension hehe). The building is great (brand new, great and safe location and amenities that we should probably start using-like the gym!, nice people, quiet and thick walls) so it would be silly to move right now as we never know what we might end up with in another place. Other than bigger space probably. But to sacrifice peace of mind and so on for a bigger space, not a good idea to my husband, and I agree with him.

Next on my stashbusting sewing bucket:

• hats for the hubby and Bean (requested)
• wearable muslin casual fit shirt for hubby (finally!)
• linen shirt for the hubby (birthday present)

But I might break those up with some selfish sewing for me! LOL!

Happy sewing!

Far

p/s: this top is my first completed project for the

Bye bye MMM'13 and Hello 2013 Style the Stash Sew A Long

It's been a week since Me Made May '13 ended, and I still have yet to come around to write a bit about it until today. 

My MMM'13 original pledge:

I, Far of Memoryseed blog (farsland.blogspot.com), sign up as participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavor to wear (and document that fact) at least one self made/refashioned garment everyday in May. Repeats are a possibility. It is also a time that I am going to truly 'investigate' my relationship with my Me-Made items. Time to take stock, and cull when necessary.

Things I planned on doing during the challenge:

1) self-imposed photo documentation of wearing my me-mades (with a weekly post, and maybe also a weekly post on the flickr group)

2) me-made wardrobe assessment

3) me-made wardrobe reorganization

4) sew something to commemorate Mother's Day

5) sew something to wear for my May birthday ;)

5) refashion something for Refashion Co-op and Recycled Fashion Finds ;)

 

Some post MM related thoughts:

• Relieved that I made it to the end this year (yay! phew!!!), but always, I know I definitely can do better next year! :) Can't wait!
• As expected, the part of wearing me mades wasn't really a problem since I just mainly grab them and pair them with thrifted pants/jeans (with little to no styling unfortunately). 
• So essentially styling and putting my outfit together (and also putting myself together) is something I will put more thought into moving forward, this is a life WIP for me.
• I also do need a happy, more presentable stay at home clothes, being that I stay at home most of the time!
• Photo documenting me in them was a huge problem still due to several reasons: photographer at work whole day, no suitable and bright enough areas in the tiny apartment to set up tripod (and without the Bean trying to dismantling them), and so on.
• May was pretty much spent on altering a few of my me mades, hubby's shirts and pants, and plenty of sewing related stuff. For me, was a quite productive time, and zero to none social time save for socializing with my own 2 boys, lol.
• Didn't get to fully utilize Flickr group and check out what other participants are wearing, save for the ones on my blog list. I will get to it eventually (as I love seeing what others make and sewn and how they wear them), as soon as i figure out how to do Flickr on my phone! My time on this PC is limited (but I am determined to get this post out today!) 
• Also a continuing WIP is to look with a critical eye at my wardrobe on what will stay and what will be put into the to be reworked pile (assess and reorganize). As mentioned, I have been altering some of my me mades to fit better, but I did not take out everything from closet and divide things out to do so.
• Made me a mother's day top- the silk chiffon dubbed pink parfum top, but did not make a birthday outfit (birthday was 2 days after mother's day, and mother's day top was a lot of work due to fabric). 
• For the refashion part: refashioned pants to be a hat and men's denim shirt to be my denim shirt with floral sleeves. p/s: I probably should sew in bra strap holder in all my clothes, one side always slip down my shoulder, always and ruined photos!

Right, and now the Bean is here demanding to watch train on computer!

Before I leave: here is the last day of MM photo:

Me wearing my red wool knit V1179, and the Bean wearing one of his mommy made play pants again. I made him a new play pants from my old neon green dress he wore the day before, but it seems that I don't have it downloaded to the computer. Ah well. 

First week recap: mmm-monday-day-1-2-3-4-5-recap
Second week recap: mmm-monday-day-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-recap
Third week recap:  mmm-mmmmm-day-20-to-27-recap
____

 Ok, while I get the Bean distracted a lil while longer, here is what's currently on my working table (read: dining table):

My first stash busting project for the 2013 Style the Stash Sew-A-Long (a fun, relaxing, no rigid rules, 7 months long "challenge" led by Sarah Liz ) :

Fabric: silk+cotton voile from FabricMart a couple years ago (2 yds) - navy or black (lighting is bad or my eyes are bad?) background with green/teal/ivory/white flowers with tiny white dots and silver lurex threads

Pattern: McCall's M6702, View B like my Peony Pink Linen version but with some modification which I will explain in the next post when it's done.

To see what me and the other stashaholics are up to, or even to join us, visit the 2013 Style the Stash Sew-A-Long blog here.