Today I...

...Made my own bias tape without the aid of the DIY bias tape maker (which turned out to be useless when making 1/2" bias tape with upholstery fabric). It was my second attempt and though it took forever it went pretty well (I had to take numerous smoke breaks). I attached the small amount I was able to make to the left armhole of my blouse and was pretty impressed with the polished result. I think if I were to do it over, I would have 1) used different fabric or 2) made my bias tape a little wider despite the pattern suggestion of 1/2". There were a few wavy places (though surprisingly less than I imagined) and several places where the thread failed to catch the fabric underneath, but overall I am pleased. Making bias tape is not so hard and the result is very panache.
I found fabric, thrifted awhile ago, tucked away and have decided to make round II top with a scalloped hem. As for round I top, I have decided to rip out the bias tape I made today (even though it looks good it doesn't look that good good enough) and add sleeves or possibly make facings (Whatever those are..). With that fabric weight, sleeves will make sense. A collar might also make sense, but we'll see.

...Discovered Fabric.com's free downloadable patterns. I downloaded about 5 of them. Who says sewing has to be expensive? So far I've managed to do quite a bit without spending money.

...Found fabric that is completely not my first, second or even third choice in pattern or color but is available, and cotton, and easy to work with. These will be, of course, for the purpose of learning, and if I am able to wear something it's a bonus.

As you can see, pre-topstitch, pre-iron, bias tape attached with pins.
Not horrible...

On an unrelated, but somewhat related note, I've been feeling a british - or rather English Countryside - influence coming on strong again.

Sorbetto Muslin feat. Bias Tape

I have nearly completed my first top. I made the necessary corrections to the original pattern which included: lengthening, making larger arm holes and slimming the width - I also made the side seams french (Note. Trim loose threads BEFORE sewing up the second set of stitches when making french seams). I had to omit the center front pleat because the only fabric I had was a very narrow strip of silk/poly blend upholstery fabric that came from a terrible place in Kansas City called Contract Furnishings.
The final step is to create and sew my own bias tape. I decided to wing it and after a rather haphazard but successful go at the continuous bias tape method, I then went about trying to iron it into those little bias tape folds. Not as successful.
For one thing, my fabric just happens to be of the upholstery sort and is very thick and for another, I cannot find a ruler in the entire house...I did however have one interesting discovery; If you dampen the fabric before ironing it into bias tape folds (especially with a thick & unruly fabric like mine) it helps keep things neat and manageable. Damp, not soaking wet please. At the end of my 'wing it' attempt, I had a rather inconsistent piece of 100 inch unfolded bias tape. After ironing it, I could see the potential but didn't want to plunge ahead. Instead I went to the computer.
After several minutes of searching the internet, I discovered a...of course...printable pdf bias tape maker. I will be attempting that tomorrow.
Overall today has been successful. I altered my pattern, sewed a highly wearable muslin, and am now ready for the finishing touch. I still have concerns about my fabric as bias tape though. It's very thick and does not respond well to the iron. I do not think a contrasting fabric or color would compliment this top so until I either make perfect bias tape, or find the right color in a different fabric I am leaving this top unfinished I will not start on another project.

Here's a pretty terrible picture of my Muslin & I
The fabric's pretty fab, no?