I decided to tackle my first BWOF pattern, and chose an easy, 3-pattern-piece, knit top 02-2009-108. Traced it off during one of Mr 2 years old's rare daytime naps; added seam allowances; cut it out that evening. Tried to sew it up last night and a combination of tired eyes and brain led to a whole lot of swear-inducing unpicking. Grey thread on grey marle knit, at 9 pm, with a pair of eyes that I suspect need to visit the optometrist, is not a good combination.
Anyhoo...I got it finished. I used a cheap $4/m cotton/lycra-ish stuff from Nick's Fabrics (Dominion Rd, AKL) as it was supposed to be a wearable muslin before I cut into my merino stash. Very happy with the fit, though I might just lower the front neckline a smidge as it's a bit snug against my throat.
I cut a 36, and added about three inches to the body length (not due to a pattern malfunction; just because I've got a really long back and and am no longer of an age that I like to show off my belly button ;-) )I added clear elastic to the neck edges (which I inadvertenly stretched on the back neck edge and ended up with a slight gather)and stabilised the shoulders with same clear elastic (serged on). I also shaved about 1.5cm off the top of the sleeve cap (as per suggestions on PR) and sewed it in flat...with the overlocker. Which I probably won't do again as it was a tiny bit stressful...or if I do do it again, I won't try to do it whilst simultaneously cutting off the 1.5cm seam allowances. Duh.
All in all a great pattern, and one that I see myself making again and again. It'll be great to have some high-necked merino tops to wear for the remainder of the winter, since most of the styles I've found in shops this season seem to be low cut. What's with that? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of it being a warm woolly thing? Or am I just being a nana?
Looks good. My daughters want some new t-shirts. This pattern had slipped under my radar, so thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteHey GREAT! Looks like a lovely fit, and I really like that knit fabric. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI think its great and I am loving long sleeved merino this winter, then I just pop my cheery summery tops on over the top!
ReplyDeleteLooks great! wo hoo for children having naps! Can't wait to see what special items you pull out from stash to make up the real deal..
ReplyDeleteI heartily agree with the stupidity of low necked winter woollies! I like being warm in the winter. This style looks great - just the ticket for our tropical Dunedin weather.
ReplyDeleteAnd unpicking? The very very worst is black stitching on black polar fleece or the like late at night. It's amazing what you can live with when unpicking it is the alternative.
Your top looks SO good, and so snuggly warm too.
ReplyDeleteThese days I just consider unpicking an unwritten step in the pattern. You know, "attach A to B, then unpick and do it again". That's just the way it is with sewing and me.