2017 Year End Round-Up

Due to family issues,  2017 started off slow sewing.  But about mid-year things settled down and I was able to get back in the sewing room.  I worked on several quilts;  made a set of throw pillows, an apron, and a handbag;  9 pair of flannel pj pants for the grands; and 11 garments.  Of the 11 garments, I gave away 5 of them as they just didn't work for me.

Here's what I kept for myself:

Maxi skirt -  black textured rayon blend;  Simplicity 4137

Shirt-waist dress - black/red floral cotton blend; McCall's 6891

2 knit pencil skirts - black and gray; no pattern

Button front skirt - brown corduroy; New Look 6625

T-shirt dress - gray Ponte knit; Simplicity 1622

Now that I'm back to sewing, maybe I'll get back to regular blogging too.

Knit Tops



I recently made four knit tops and decided to review all of them in one post.

For the first top, I used a Marcy Tilton pattern - Vogue 9057.  I love this pattern.

 

 

Here's the front

 

 

And the back  

 

Side view

The print fabric was purchased several years ago at WalMart and this is the second top I've made from it.  It's a poly-blend, but is actually pretty nice.

For the 2nd top, I used this New Look pattern. 
 

A black & gray lace sweatshirt

I like this top, except I made the neckline too big.  It's too low, especially for a winter time, so I wear a lightweight top underneath it.

Another Vogue 9057

For this one, I used a reversible knit from Joann Fabrics.  It's dots on one side and stripes on the other.  I had planned to use the striped side for the sleeves or maybe the back or even the cuffs,  but I didn't really like the look of it.   It seems like a wasted opportunity, but I just couldn't make it work.  So I only used the stripe for the neckband.  

Last one and my favorite

For this top, I used Butterick 5925

This is the 2nd time I've made this pattern.  I made my usual size medium, but I changed the shape of the neckline and added cuffs to the sleeves.

The print fabric is a beefy cotton blend that I've had for a long time, and don't remember where I bought it.  I love the colors & pattern of the print and it's so soft & comfy.  For contrast, I used a blue ponte for the side inserts, sleeve cuffs and neck binding; and a black/gray slub for the pockets.

Tropical Print Top - NL6225

For my latest creation,  I used this New Look pattern.
This a pull-over top designed for woven fabrics.


It has round scoop neck and raglan sleeves.
I used view "B", which is the longer length with short sleeves.









  My new tropical print top:

I made a size 14 at the top, going out to 16 at hips. 

The neckline was too wide and gaped in the front, so I added a 1 inch wide elasticized band.  I'm very pleased with how it fits now.  Here's a close-up of the neckline.

 

I used a cotton tropical print fabric I got at Joann Fabrics in 2013 for $2.00 yd and used 1-1/2 yards.

My 11 year old granddaughter was my photographer for these pictures.  She liked this one: