Showing posts with label Thrift. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thrift. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

The month in Sorbetto Tops



No. 1

No. 2

No. 3

No. 4

No. 5*



The law of halves suggests that I make another scalloped hem don't you think?
But really, I think I have expired a bit on these tops. They're quick, easy and easily modified but I need another challenge. I'd like to make a skirt or dress ideally but I'll probably end up with whatever I can find for free. I've decided to abandon the Madeline Bloomers for now. I won't wear them and I don't have a buttonhole foot for the machine.

*After much deliberation No. 5 is officially a 'Jammie' top because the only other way it's wearable is under a cardigan. Boo failure.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Bragging - I mean Blogging - about cheap finds

It turns out that $3 gets you pretty far in the thrift fabric/pillowcase world. I got 2 amazing floral pillow cases, a flat full sheet, some actual fabric, a 80's sewing book (with pattern included), an embroidery hoop, and 4 nautical button covers all for $3.75. I think it goes without saying that everything is in the wash.
Speaking of wash, I inspected My Three Sorbetto's which were drying in the fresh air and here's what I noticed. Two of the three tops blouses have small areas on the inside where I had missed the bias tape the first time around. Not a big deal, only a centimeter or less length, but a problem none the less. I think the reason for this is that by the time I am sewing that last armhole I am getting anxious to finish, and subsequently get careless. I am meticulous with the topstitching because it's visible but these little mistakes seem to happen pre-topstitch. I will keep an eye on that in the future and possibly iron my bias tape then take a break between making the tape and sewing it to the blouse. Got to stay fresh and on top of things...

One of the pillowcases I bought today has a beautiful neutral-brown floral print on it and I think it would be amazing to tea or coffee dye it before creating the blouse. A million years ago I took a fabric dying class where we learned about natural vs. synthetic dyes. Tea and coffee dying is remarkably easy and there's no reason NOT to try it. Talk about a lovely vintage-y effect!

Clearly I'm itching to bead something (as is evident in my last post) hence the embroidery hoop. 5 cents btw. Jealous?

1.5 yds - Going to be bias tape

Pillow Case

Pillow Case

Flat Sheet

Button Covers - I have 2 of each

Monday, June 4, 2012

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.