Wednesday, April 29, 2009

shirts

Did you see that I won the contest??!! (not the grand prize, but 12 fat quarters -woot woot!!)

I made a few shirts in honor of Rae's Spring Top Sew-along. There are a ton of great submissions! It's so inspiring to see them all.
The first one (aside from the last one) is Simplicity 3835. If you're wanting to try sewing clothes for you, this shirt one is a fantastic one to start on. It's super easy. And is actually a good foundation to experiment with. Instead of inserting elastic into the neckline I shirred it. It pulls a little under my arms, but I think that's because I shirred too many rows (5). I wonder if I just did 3 if it wouldn't pull so tight (but I don't REALLY know). I love the look anyway. For the arms the pattern calls for elastic, but i don't think I'd like to have something that tight around my arms. I found some vintage buttons in my stash and just pulled the sleeve over into a small tuck. Originally I thought it was a little too big around the waist so I shirred a few rows just under my bust line. It was a little too maternity looking, and unless you're prego, not always a very flattering look.


The next one. . . I can't decide. What do you think? I had been wanting this Madras Plaid fabric for a couple of years and saw it on sale at Joanns for only $1.50/yd. I don't know. . . it's a lot of . . . plaid. I won't be offended if you don't like it. I just don't want to be that lady in the store that people are thinking "what the H is she wearing?"
It too is Simplicity 3835. I've made this dress once before and really liked it. This is the "mini dress" version. I count it as a shirt even though it's technically a dress. I would never wear it as a dress as it is too short for me. And I am a big fan of pants with dresses. Skinny jeans maybe? It calls for a zipper. I'm lazy (I think I could write a book called Bend The Rules Sewing. Too bad it's already taken. . .) I sewed up the back until about 4 inches from the top and just put in a hook-and-eye. I'd show you, but the plaid doesn't match up so great. Another reason I'm hesitant to wear it out in public. . . BUT - I love the neck and would definitely make this dress again.

The last one is from a shirt I meant to give away but found in a bag up in the attic with a bunch of other shirts. It was like a goldmine finding all of those shirts. I can't believe I was going to get rid of them. So. . . how can I make them wearable again.

For this shirt I cut up the middle, cut off the bottom edge, arms (edge) and neckband. Took another shirt, cut two strips, layered and gathered. Sewed them on sort of eye-balling-it-like (so if the strips aren't even. . . that's why). And viola. New wearable shirt. My husband thinks it looks homemade, but I asked him if I'd paid $50 for it at Anthro if he'd feel differently about it. He didn't say anything.

12 comments:

- Tracy said...

What the crap you crazy shirt maker! You have really out done yourself this time! I love them all. I need to start sending my give away shirts to you. You have such an eye for that kind of thing. Homemade schmowmade tell your hubby to kiss it. : )

liz said...

yes! i want your give a way shirts :) i'm such a mooch.

i will tell robbie to kiss it for sure ;)

ali said...

LOVE them! I totally made that same dress but I lengthened it quite a bit to make it wearable, and I really want to make that top shirt --in like a million fabrics that I saw today (haha)

Rae said...

I totally LOVE the madras dress! It's not too much; the shape isn't too fussy so it totally works. BTW I've got both of these slated for tomorrow in the spring top showcase. Love the neckline on the 3835 -- such a sweet print too; I eyed that at Joann but resisted...(:

lorna (@sewbylorna on IG) said...

Great tops! I really have to get that 3835 pattern. I purchased the navy version of the first fabric, but was eyeing the cream one, too, with the nice bits of red. The madras dress looks wonderful over jeans. I would not hesitate to wear it at all!

Unknown said...

See! that is why your are brilliant! I would never think that the sleeves have anything to do with what you do on the neckline!!!!
Oh, and I loooooove the plaid!!!
♥ Jen

mkamye said...

I absolutely LOVE the first one. Great job! You are just so creative! Youmake me want to get out my sewing machine!

Unknown said...

holy cow!! that first one is so pretty. i totally want to try and make one. and, LOVE the madras. how can you have too much plaid?! come on.

and, i agree. the bottom shirt totally looks anthro.
xo

Autie said...

You're awesome...Congrats on the contest!

Rebekah B. said...

What is shirring? Cute shirts!

Unknown said...

I made the top (3835) in a super lightweight white cotton that is almost like a swiss dot. I did put elastic on the sleeves, and it gives them a nice slightly poofy look. It is a little big around the waist area, but maybe if you use the darts in the pattern for the dress/tunic it wouldn't be? I likke the shirring look!

Dede Warren said...

OMG, you are quite the designer! Love this!!