Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Hit the Ground Running

After cleaning up the aftermath of the Biggies 
New Years Eve party I felt like doing some sewing. 
But something straight forward. Mummy was a wee bit bushed!
The overlocker is threaded  dark so a black hanky linen SBCC blouse fit the bill.
And I finally got to use my flash black interfacing.
The instructions don't call for it but I like to under stitch the neck seam to the facing for a neater finish.
After pressing well I pinned the facing in place
And tried to stitch in the ditch.
But then ended up stitching the facing down.
Elsa dislikes the way the facing can poke out.
The pattern advises you to turn and stitch the sleeve hems. I really wasn't that thrilled with my last blouse that I finished like that so I decided to take MC's advice and bind the arm hole.
I found a scrap on satin binding and was very confident it would work.
Turning and pressing it looked so nice until I got to the under arm seam.
Ugly ugly bunching and tucking.
My 'easy' project was derailing fast.
I was completely lost for a few moments and then I decided, if there was going to be tucks, they would be neat and gathered nicely!
I ran a simple running stitch through the problem area (about an inch either side of the side seam).
Then I gently gathered it until it fit the binding.
I pinned and stitched the binding in place easing the gathers as evenly as I could.
Okay, I know its not great but it looks a lot better then it did.
And it should be hidden under her arms.
Its not visible on this one.
There you go, my first project for 2014.
Elsa loves it and I know  she will wear it a lot.
But that sleeve finish, grrrrrr

 xx N
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16 comments:

  1. SharonJanuary 1, 2014 at 4:09 AM

    Well It looks very lovely Nicole! I had the same problem on Sarah's Princess fairy tale dress. http://sweetpeaandpumkins.blogspot.com/2013_07_01_archive.html I wound up taking the bias off recutting and sewing it all back over again. I was too using satin bias on hers. Very frustrating!!

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    1. motherof5January 1, 2014 at 2:44 PM

      I wonder if the shaping of the sleeve causes the problem or the binding?
      Mine was pretty stiff but I thought it would be so elegant.

      So much for my perfect finishes for the my New Years resolution.

      Thank you Sharon.
      xx N

      Delete
  2. Lightning McStitchJanuary 1, 2014 at 4:37 AM

    Oh I feel for you cause I just know that your garments would normally be perfectly finished! That must feel like an open wound.
    However it IS a gorgeous blouse and I'd wear it a lot too!

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    1. motherof5January 1, 2014 at 2:51 PM

      Aww thank you Shelley. I would normally not get so stroppy but I had just made a deal with my self to take extra time to get a perfect finish.

      Elsa, on the other hand could not give a flip!

      Its a great pattern, once I work the sleeve band out I will make on for me (The XXL-snigger)
      xx N

      Delete
  3. nest full of eggsJanuary 1, 2014 at 6:40 AM

    What?? I just woke up to 2014 and you already have a sewing project done!?! This top is awesome.

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    1. motherof5January 1, 2014 at 4:14 PM

      We Australians cheat and start a day early Rachel.

      Thank you, I do enjoy sewing for my big girls.
      xx N

      Delete
  4. Inder-ificJanuary 1, 2014 at 10:01 AM

    Over here on the other side of the date line, 2014 just began and I'm having my morning coffee!! I love this blouse, very pretty. You might have better luck with self bias, which would give a little more and stretch a little more ... ? That's how I bound my Bess top sleeves which are similar, and it worked well.

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    1. motherof5January 1, 2014 at 2:41 PM

      Good idea Inder, it was a pretty rigid bias. I will definitely try that as the pattern is a favourite and a pretty quick sew (except for unpicking the sleeve hems 1/2 dozen times).
      I was being lazy as the ramie bias frays like the billy-o.
      Thank you.
      xx N

      Delete
  5. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2014 at 11:01 AM

    Boo! It looks great, but I oh-so-know that feeling! Sorry it didn't work out for you!

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    1. motherof5January 1, 2014 at 4:16 PM

      Thank you MC, I think you are on the right track though. I am no pattern maker and I definitely like instructions.

      xx N

      Delete
  6. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2014 at 12:51 PM

    Next up, one exactly the same for Peta....
    I love this!
    Happy New Year to all of you xx

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  7. CindyJanuary 1, 2014 at 1:31 PM

    It's a great basic top that I'm sure will get a lot of wear!

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  8. motherof5January 1, 2014 at 4:17 PM

    It is Cindy, if i can get the sleeve hem sorted I will be very happy!.
    xx N

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  9. justmejayJanuary 1, 2014 at 5:56 PM

    Goegeous top - such a perfect teen pattern.
    The sleeves of the Amelia dress (Green Bee) are similar - next time I make it, I am intending to bind them - but will do it before sewing the side seams

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  10. motherof5January 1, 2014 at 9:08 PM

    Justine, THAT is another good idea!
    You girls are awesome!
    xx N

    ReplyDelete

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