Buttons, Buttons

 I have been sewing off and on the Melody Dolman shirt. It was as easy project to sew and the instructions are good. I am not always sure of my size with different indie pattern companies. With this pattern you select your high bust measurement to chose the size. Because of my measurement, it was suggested to use the full bust front pattern. I did this but did not trust the final bust measurement, because I found with the big 4, I always had to make a bust adjustment because of the cup size. 

So, baste on that, I did make an 1 inch bust adjustment.  Totally not necessary. I also used medium for upper chest area and large from bust down. I should have made a petite adjustment for reducing the length of the upper body. After basting the side seams, I knew I had made a top too large. But fixable. Next time I will use small upper area, tapering to medium from waist down.

I did shorten the length from waist to hip and that was a good adjustment. I ended up taking a 3/4 inch seam in the shoulder to reduce length of under arm area.  I also used a 5/8 seam allowance through the sleeves to just below under arm and then used a 3/8 seam allowance from waist to hip as the pattern was drafted for a 3/8 seam allowance.

All of those adjustments worked well.

And now, I have no buttons for this top. I have no white or pearl buttons anywhere to be found at home.  I was surprised by this as I usually only seem to have white buttons. My only in-store place to buy buttons is Hobby Lobby and their choices did not work for me. I am scanning the internet for a good source for buttons. Any suggestions of places to look would be appreciated.

So here is a glimpse of the almost completed top. I am not sure I will get to wear it after finding buttons as the weather has turned a little cooler, though it will warm up again, I am sure. The fabric is lightweight and to me, very spring/summer looking.

In spite of my issues, which were of my making, this is a great pattern to made a dolman sleeve top.

What I am up to

 After completing the shorts, I went through a pattern cleansing and posted more patterns for sale on eBay. The sewing room needs rearranging and some new furniture. In between that and having to take my DH to numerous doctor appointments, I have got a little sewing in.

I am currently working on the Melody Dolman top by Love Notions.  It really is an easy pattern to sew. I am always unsure of what size to select and decided to go with the full bust front pattern piece in size 14. I then thought I needed an additional bust adjustment, which in the end I did not really need.  I should have made some adjustments for the shoulder and will with my next version.

After attaching the collar, I basted the side seams and realize I needed to sew a 5/8 seam allowance from underarm to waist and then using a 3/8 seam allowance as the pattern calls for from waist to hip. This version will be wearable and the next version a better fit.

I am using this fabric from Cali Fabrics that has been in my stash since early 2018. It is a top-quality rayon challis. I also purchased some green fabric that matched perfectly and the attempted pant pattern just did not fit as I had hoped. The pants were made in 2018 or 2019; they went to Goodwill.

Hopefully, I can finish this top this week as I have a few other patterns in the line up to sew.