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?

Biased

I want to make this Sorbetto experience more fulfilling than the last time I attempted it and in order to do that I need a 1/2 inch Clover Bias Tape Maker. Sure pre made bias tape is convenient but the color options and fabric (cotton only) really cramp my luxurious style. After reading the 2 methods of creating bias tape, I have decided to attempt the Continuous Loop Method.

$7.00 Online

The idea of crossing one of the sewing techniques off my list is pretty exciting but lets not get ahead of ourselves. As of this moment, I've only printed the pdf. 


List of Sorbetto Alterations:
1. Larger Arm Holes
2. Longer Length
3. Slimmer Width
4. Matching Bias Tape