Completed Sorbetto No. 2

I completed a second Sorbetto Top today with a few modifications to the pattern. First, I used the 'Slash and Spread'* method I learned in college to move the side dart to the neck. That side dart was starting to get a little boring. I also raised the neckline in the back and finally made a highly decorative scalloped hem in the front. I even went as far as to make a little vintage-y bow for the neck with the extra bias tape that I made. Yep, made my own bias tape again!!! Although I like the details of this top with the darts and the hem and the bow I really don't like the print. Close up it's a navy and white floral with little poppy-red dots of color but from afar it just gets lost and reminds me of an old ladies night gown - or something they would make you wear in the hospital.

Dart & Bow

Scalloped Hem

Fabric Close Up

Overall, the modifications turned out great and the neck darts look fantastic. They add to the vertical lines in the blouse and are very slimming. I just wish I liked the fabric more. It's difficult to be excited about the finished product when the fabric is so lack-luster. Luckily it was 40 cents, thrifted. I am taking my new top for a spin to the grocery store to see if it grows on me.

Tomorrow I cut out the Madeline Bloomers.

*I haven't been able to find a good tutorial for the 'Slash & Spread' method so I will post a little how-to soon. It's so easy!

Also: That first top I made with the upholstery fabric is still left unfinished. I've been considering my options and have decided to just buy some pre-made bias tape and finish the damn thing. Maybe a navy blue?

Sorbetto No. 1

Today I made an entire Sorbetto top with some surprisingly nice grandma/floral cotton. I made my first scalloped hem, bias tape, sewed it all and finished everything in a matter of hours. I even went as far as to sit down and hand hem the bottom. The scallops were a fairly hassle-free success as was the concept of using cotton to make my own bias tape. There are a few small imperfections but overall I am able to wear this top without the fear of someone saying 'uh....did you...make that?' - Not in a good way.

It has been an uncommon sewing success. I learned and executed a scalloped hem and I made and used my own bias tape without the aid of any kind of bias-tape-maker. I am one tiny step closer to becoming an excellent seamstress.

Here's what I learned:

1. Iron on both sides. This might be self explanatory for some, but when you're used to rushing everything and cutting corners it's a revelation. Who knew that taking the time to iron things well would make such a difference?

2. Cotton is the best fabric for beginning a project. All muslins will be made from cotton from now on. It's stable, not ravel-y, and responds well to ironing.

3. It's all about confidence. If you have to forge your own path, make sure you at least take the time to do it right.


This is kind of a big moment for me. I cannot really think of another time that I have ever completed a sewing project and actually felt okay about wearing the finished garment. At 26 yrs old I am finally making my own clothes. Awesome!

Here is a preview of the finished top.
Look how nicely those arm holes and neckline
are laying with the bias tape.
I made that.

Here are a few sewing tools that I don't need, but would make my life easier:

1) Clear Ruler

2) Interfacing

3) Sharp Pinking Shears (I found an extremely dull pair that are basically useless)

4) Tailor Chalk

5) White thread

What's frustrating is that 4 out of 5 of those items are in Kansas City until the end of the month.

Tomorrow I'm making another :)

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.