A Refashioned Top

This weekend's project was a refashion of a RTW knit top. Coldwater Creek used to sell these nice silk t-shirts and shells. Alas, no longer available!  I own several, and they're still in generally good condition although being worn all the time. Well, at least the body...

The neckline of this one was in terrible condition, but the color is so versatile...What to do?

Time for a trip to Jo-Ann's for a suitable trim where I bought a yard of pretty lace. I preshrank it by soaking it in a glass of hot water, then shaped and steamed it into a curve to dry. Once prepared, I pinned it to the top to get an idea of how it would look.

Then I removed the lace and cut a curve into the front of the top. I initially placed the lace on the form about 1" lower than the original neckline, but I ended up cutting a curve that was 1 1/2" lower. I chalked the desired curve on half of the neckline, then flipped the cut piece over and used it as a guide for cutting the second half.

I originally planned to simply serge the edge and attach the lace by machine, but that didn't work so well. I struggled with the ribbed texture of the fabric and couldn't get a good finish. So I ended up evenly folding the wrong side over to the right side and hand stitching it into place.

Then I laid the edge of the lace at the fold and hand stitched it in place. In effect, basting it into place but with an invisible stitch. I finished up with a couple rows of narrow zig zag. One row is right next to the fold, the other near the raw edge along  a design line in the lace. Although the main purpose was to attach the lace, the  zig zag also had the effect of stabilizing the neckline

No photos of these stages. After the serger fail,  I was just improvising to find a way to make this project work.

Here's a closer view of the finished neck edge.

So for the cost of the lace and a little time,  I can get a lot more use out of a wardrobe basic!

Sewing for the Man Cave (or, Material Girls, July Edition)

I actually managed this project start to finish at July's Material Girls last Sunday. That never happens, I assure you. I made a pillow for DH's Man Cave, which is a sea of beige (yuck).

I started with a vintage-style souvenir tea towel that's been aging in my stash for so long that I'm not sure where it came from. Possibly some store on the Santa Fe Plaza, Albuquerque Old Town, or even someplace on the internet. It's a mystery at this point, but I do know it's not "real" vintage.

The back side is some Southwest style quilting fabric I bought with the idea of decorating our home office. I gave DH the choice of several Southwest fabrics before heading out and this is the one he liked the best. 

This was so easy I almost hesitate to even post it as a project, but I suppose the results are the main thing. DH loves his new pillow, although he prefers the back side to the "feature" side. Oh well! He likes it and that's all that matters. 

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I've had some questions about the fountain, so I thought I'd add a little more information  It came from a previously unknown internet vendor called Hayneedle.com, which is where the wooden bench came from as well. 

It has a solar power source. Unfortunately, it only runs when the sun is shining as the solar panel can't store power for later. Kind of a bummer, but DH believes he can rig up a battery for evening use. I also think there are probably better solar panels out there somewhere that have storage capability. Whatever the limitations, it's better than having to hire someone to run electric into the side yard, and it runs like a champ from about 10:30 am to 5:00-6:00 pm when it's sunny, which is most days in New Mexico.

A Tour of Our "New" Outdoor Space

We've been working on our back yard this summer now that we have more outdoor space. We added to our concrete walls and added some new gates last fall. More security and privacy, but also more living space.

The patio has been here for years, built by the previous owners. It has a roof with shade cloth, so it's livable even during the day. We just added some side tables to the existing chairs and lounges. They're Martha Stewart by Home Depot, some assembly required but very easy to put together.

We also have grills for outdoor cooking and a table for dining. The table gets used everyday. It's great to have breakfast outside!

 We added a bench to one of the side yards. It came unfinished and DH added the teak oil.

More of the same Home Depot tables. The fire pit came from a friend's moving sale last summer and will be great to have once the weather cools down in the fall.  We also added a solar powered fountain.

Smudge readily adapted to it as his new water bowl. DH found the stone owls at a local store, Jackalope. What a fun place to shop!

DH chose a hammock for the other side yard.

Very comfortable and a perfect place to see the stars at night.

I've already posted our swing before, but we added a couple of small tables for beverages and such. This is one of the cat's favorite spots for hanging out.

Now for a few decor items. DH has acquired several decorative solar lights like these:

They're really cute when lit up at night.

Also, metal folk art roosters

and St. Francis.

As always, there are more things we'd like to do but it's already an enjoyable space to relax in during the evenings.

I hope you enjoyed the tour!

Simplicity 2254

I recently completed this top that I cut out at last month's Material Girls. This has been a bit more of a project than intended, so the jury's still out on whether I'll make another one of these or not. I do like the completed top, but it took a prototype and several adjustments to get to this point. And as I mentioned before, the sewing instructions were unnecessarily complicated.

At least I like wearing the completed top. It's perfect for summer--a lightweight, breathable fabric combined with a relaxed, airy fit. I've worn it to work once already with jeans.

Unseen Until Now

I recently discovered that I made some garments that I neglected to post, so here are a couple of them. I still owe you all a couple more. However, they're either in the laundry right now or awaiting some minor alterations. I will get those to you later.

In the meantime,  here's a maxi skirt I made from pre ruffled  fabric:

I bought a yard of it in February when I was last in Santa Fe, thinking "oh yeah, cute stuff. I'll be easy to make something out of this. I've seen it all over the internet." I decided that a one seamed Tube Skirt would be quick and simple to make, and I would use the entire piece of fabric.

Well, this stuff is wiggly, and it was very hard to match up the edges of the ruffles in a satisfactory way. My bright idea was to tape down the edges with Scotch tape, which worked brilliantly except it didn't want to release from the fabric. I spent a Saturday afternoon watching the movie "Witches of Eastwick" while attempting to peel the tape off. Frustrating--not the movie, the tape! Then I realized that a quick trip through the washer would release the adhesive--much better. After all that, the skirt air-dried very quickly and I attached some elastic to the upper edge by machine. Ta Da!! A sort-of easy skirt. I'm just happy I wasn't trying to make something with more than one seam allowance.

I also had a request for a picture of the reworked Suede Says peasant top, which I forgot to post because I've been wearing it a lot.  It's now a favorite, and I think there may be more of these in my future.

McCall's 5384 (OOP)

I made this top over Memorial Day weekend in May, but I just recently realized I hadn't blogged about it. I made View A, which is the eyelet one on the pattern envelope. The pattern is copyright 2007. I have been meaning to make it every summer since I bought it, but things kept getting in the way. You all know how that goes.

I made it from a lightweight rayon and linen blend stripe that I purchased from JoAnn's on clearance a few years ago--still working that stash down! The stripe was a good choice because there are a lot of different style lines that can be accented by cutting the pieces either crosswise or lengthwise. The front is just a basic dolman style that's been cut across the middle. No shaping; the seam's purpose appears to be to add a little bit of interest to an otherwise boring swath of fabric. The back also has a decorative seams but this time, a raglan look. Here's what I mean:

I cut out a straight Small, which I never do, and there is still plenty of ease. The "waist", which is formed by elastic inserts on the front and back, hits me at my actual waist vs. the empire style of the picture. And the length is more of a tunic than a top. Regardless, I still like it and it's wonderful to wear on a hot day due to the deep kimono sleeves. Yes, you could potentially see a bra but since I don't go around with my arms straight out in daily life I think I'm OK.

I don't think I'll make this again since it's quite distinctive. Also, my ASG friend Susan wants to borrow the pattern. I don't lend unless I'm willing to give it away. Nothing against my friend, but I've lent too many things in the past to various people that were never returned or came back in terrible condition. So to me, "lending" equals "giving."

Material Girls, June Edition

It's been so hot, I've almost totally lost my sewing mojo.

Thank goodness for Material Girls! I'm good at attending meetings, so having this Neighborhood Group (ASG lingo for a sit and sew) kind of forces me to do sewing-related things. Our latest meeting was last Sunday, and I cut out 2 garments while socializing--second versions of TSW Ann's Cardigan and another attempt at Simplicity 2254.

I started sewing it this weekend. The last version--well, let's face it. It was a muslin. The new version incorporates a higher neckline,  extra circumference (sigh) and a FBA. The fabric for this one is a thin rayon challis print I picked up on the cheap from Hancock's Fabrics in 2007. Even though it's black, the garden print looks like summer to me.

So far so good since cutting it out last week. I've completed the upper bodice, including the PITA bindings. Next time, I have to remember to assemble the bodice sections and bindings flat. It has to be easier than assembling fronts and backs at the shoulder seams then joining everything together. Ugh.

After all of the effort, I realized the binding's seam was totally lost in the black background of the print.

Good thing I have a lace stash. I found the perfect one to follow the seam line and create some interest. Isn't this a lot better? And keep in mind that it's just draped into place and not even sewn down yet.

I also need to audition some buttons for center front. The pattern calls for nonfunctioning loops with buttons--but really, why? I saved myself the effort of making loops and will be just sewing some buttons down the front seam instead.

I haven't done anything with Ann's Cardigan except cut it out.

This version will not have the waistline seam of the last one, and the front band will be narrower. Both are limitations of the fabric--2 yards of a mystery knit I bought some time ago at Walmart. I would say Missoni-esque but I wouldn't want to insult them. It's a lacy pattern in a psychedelic combination of acid green, purple, navy and white. It'll go together quickly and will be perfect to wear in too-cold air conditioning. At least that's the plan.