Hello 2023

 I keep meaning to write. School was to start early this January, but instead we had two weeks of virtual learning again. I only worked 1.5 days in those first two weeks (actually, that happened on the last two days of the two weeks), so I did a lot of sewing. By a lot, I mean, four tops, one woman's Boxerwear and two reversible Little Black Bras (some of this extended past those two weeks but they were all conceived then LOL). The first two days back ended up being total snow days--a rarity in our board, to have schools actually close and not just be "no bus" days. So I even got extra time to sew! 

When I saw Sinclair Patterns' "Azalea" top, I knew I had to have it, even though I'm on a pattern diet. I could see the versatility in the pattern options--fabric choices, sleeves or none, dressy or t-shirt. I was bored of all my work shirts so I decided to end my sewing rut and get to it. First up was intended to be a wearable muslin, using up some snowflake fabric I found one day in my stash. I got started, but the twisty bit was making my head swim, trying to read it. I found a great YouTube video that helped tremendously! Note though, that this video does things a little bit differently because she serges instead of sewing first. 

Then I got to a part where the video didn't make sense to me. I went back to the pattern, and suddenly that part was understood. So don't get frustrated if you don't understand something using one source. Sometimes videos help, sometimes not. The pictures with the pattern are really good, but I found it hard to tell what was the right side or wrong side with the fabrics in the pattern. Sometimes pictures are good, sometimes drawings are better. That's what's so great about the internet now; you can find many different sources of help.

My regret with this top is that the dark blue is not as drapey as the print and so it doesn't hang as nice as it could at the twist. 

I wore it twice to work/school, and no one commented on the snowflakes :( It's a little snug around the bust; I did a size 14 with no FBA. It's hard to decide if it's the fabric, or the bra, or the size. I was just really happy to have a new top, considering there was maybe only 0.5m of the print. The trick was to split the long narrow neck tie on the printed fabric right at the should line (and add 1/2" to each edge for a new seam allowance). This let me cut the end of the neck tie/band from the area of fabric left after cutting the front piece. The seam really doesn't show much in the print. 

Sorry for the crappy picture! You can see, especially on the dark side, the little fold above the bust. Annoying, but not any worse than RTW clothes. 

I have had this soft, squishy print in my stash for a long time. It's cozy and looks like it's thick sweater knit, but it's not any thicker than French terry, but has awesome drape. 

Some close ups of the twist.

This was so incredibly comfortable. I wore it for virtual teaching before finishing the hem because I felt so comfy. Like wearing a sweatshirt, but nice enough for work! Can't beat that!

This red border print is a very slinky fabric. Nothing natural about it, LOL. It clings, it skims, it looks great but is super comfy. Again, you can see (not in this picture LOL) a roll above my bust.  I have just looked at some old xrays of my spine/chest and found out I have mild thoracic scoliosis. My left collarbone is higher it appears. This might be a factor!

This is how I'm fitting these onto one metre cuts of fabric. I folded the left portion of the neckband/tie back at the shoulder mark. Then I cut, adding a seam allowance. Then I cut that small portion of the band out of another area of the fabric. It worked really well!

This one is a bamboo blend I think. It's very drapey, very soft. So comfortable, but suitable for work! How great is that! And really, once you figure out that twist, it's a very fast make. For the hems, I do a blind stitch hem, which does take a few minutes to prep, but I like it better than a double needle hem, for a number of reasons.