Modified Neckline

Here's the poly/sheer Sorbetto Top with inverted pleat and redone neckline. Much better - the top stitching leaves a little to be desired in terms of consistently straight lines, but Eunice sure did a great job! I actually like the slimmer neckline edge but the rolling is eliminated and the piece looks much more professional this way so I'm leaving it.

I feel good about semi-completing a project that I set aside awhile ago. Ideally I will redo at least one if not both armholes and modify the hem a little but for now, it's wearable and I like it. It reminds me a little of the 90's grunge look (probably because I'm wearing it with cutoff jean shorts and leggings) with a glam (gold lame) twist.

That old shirt...

Remember that 'hideous floral sheer' fabric that I thrifted awhile back? I 'finished' a Sorbetto Top with it. 

Let me first explain that 'finished' is a matter of opinion in this case because while it is completed, it is not by any means finished. I chose to use gold lame pre-made bias tape combined with the FW binding foot to create a narrower edge. First time applying bias tape to a garment this way... I initially selected a short stitch length (like 20+/inch) and began slowly and timidly on an armhole at the back side seam. On the second armhole, I chose a longer stitch length (15-/inch) and sort of allowed the foot to do its thing. This went better but at the end I was faced with the daunting question of how to finish the bias binding/where to stop stitching. This is where things got a little haphazard. I won't go into detail but I will probably be redoing some of this soon, and I think the neckline needs to be redone in the old method because the thin fabric with the binding rolls TERRIBLY. 

Then I used the narrow hem foot to finish the edge. The narrow hem foot did an amazing job, but we ran into trouble at the french side seams. The bulk would not go into that tiny swirl on the foot. You know the swirl. I can only assume that when using the narrow hem foot, one must hem before sewing up side seams or sew the side seams by hand.

Anyway, this top - janky as it is - got good reviews from the Husband and Step Son who both independently complimented it so I'll keep it around for a bit.

Vintage Inspired Fabric

Tomorrow I am going to stock up on more linen pillow cases at my favorite thrift store. A dollar buys me about 5 of these babies so....many new shirts blouses on the horizon.

Also, I began work on that poly/sheer 'mid-life-crisis' print top (lets call it a 'blouse' or 'shell' from now on). Turns out the print/color is actually pretty...okay. Here's the downside: Slippery, Sewing machine needle ripples the weave, Inability to create bias tape (without the maker) due to poor iron response, Difficult to cut (probably need weights). The upside is the shirt blouse I created - sans bias tape - is actually really nice and the inverted pleat really suits the drape of the fabric. I hope to find some dark cotton or linen to use as bias tape for it.

Pictures later.