Renfrew Top #3

I have made great progress on my third version of the Renfrew top.  With this version I cut it an inch longer and decided that I would not add the hip band to this one, will coverstitch the hem.  I did keep the sleeve cuffs; I still need to attach them.

Here is the work in progress:

I took a close up of the neckline to provide a better view of the textured knit fabric.

This knit has great stretch and recovery; it has been a very nice knit to sew.  This is a knit I purchased from Waechters in Asheville, NC a few years ago.

Since I have made two previous versions I felt that I could whip this up by serging all of the seams.  Previously I stitched using the sewing machine, then edge finished the seams with serger.  This definitely reduced sewing time.

Renfrew 2 Complete and worn

I decided that I wanted to wear my new Renfrew Top, version 2 today.  I got my DH to take photos after we got home from having dinner and shopping.  I used a photo editing feature to highlight the photos to showcase the bright colors of the fabric.

I really like this version of the top.  The fabric is a soft but slightly heavier knit than the knit I used for the first version I made about two years ago. 

This was the first version; I used a lightweight metallic knit from Mood.  I love this knit, not scratchy as previous metallic knits I acquired in the past.  It was also a little see through and I wear a camisole or tank top under neath normally.

This new version is from a knit I acquired in 2013 from EOS.  I am liking this pattern so much that I am getting ready to cut out a knit fabric I acquired from Waechters Fine Fabrics in Asheville, NC in 2011. 

It is interesting how each version has a different look depending on knit fabric chosen.  This gray fabric is textured.

More updates later.

Style Arc as promised

I took these photos early this AM.  I had not finished applying my makeup and decided that you did not need to see that so cropped that out for this photo.

In looking at these photos, I don't think this fabric was the most flattering for making this top. 20/20 hindsight is most helpful after the fact.  I think using a solid color fabric or coloring blocking is  better for this top, that is what is depicted on the pattern sheet.  The fullness of the top along with the lines of the fabric are not pleasing to me.

I decided that I should share the good, the bad and the ugly.  I am going to use this as my learning moment to better review and audition the fabric more before cutting and sewing.

Style Arc pattern in the works

My current project was to be a quick one.   I am making this Style Arc pattern.  I purchased several patterns late last year or early this year.  I think this was the freebie for buying three patterns.  My first patterns I purchased were size 14.  They were a little big in the shoulder area and so decided to try a 12.  I made a very small FBA with this pattern simply by adding 1/2 inch at the front bust area.

The fabric I am using is from Waechter's in Asheville, NC.  I acquired it along with several other fabrics while being there on business about two years ago.  This is a rayon fabric in blues and cream.

It looks like finger painting.  For the yoke on this pattern I cut the fabric on the cross grain to give it a horizontal stripe look.  The bottom pieces were cut on the lengthwise grain and thus stripes are running down.  Even with some fitting adjustments for the drop shoulders with this pattern prior to cutting out the fabric, the shoulder drop was still rather long.  I ended up cutting off 3/8 inches at the shoulder/arm area and adjusted the sleeve pattern as well.

This project is almost complete.  I have had a very productive 4 day holiday.  

Next up-blouses/tops

I pulled some fabric that was acquired last year or this year for potential tops to go with this blue skirt as well as navy pants in my wardrobe. The fabric below was acquired from Vogue Fabrics in 2011.

 This is a fairly recent purchase from Fabric Mart; a rayon challis fabric.

This is fabric from Waechters Fine Fabrics in Asheville, NC.

What has not been decided is what blouse/top patterns I will use.

V8773 Completed

I was able to finished the navy blue Vogue skirt.  Here are a few photos of the completed skirt.  Pressing still needed.  The first one is lightened version so you can see the various front seams.

 Another view of the front.

 I lined the skirt using the skirt pattern for the lining.  The waistline is faced using grosgrain ribbon.

 This is the back view of the skirt.

 I lightened this view so you can see the center front split and lining is peaking through.

Fabrics from Waechter’s

I wanted to share with you my recent fabric purchases from my trip to Asheville and Waechter’s Fine Fabrics.

I had so many choices to make; their selection was great but I was on a budget so I had to leave some of my fabric wants behind.

I loved the fit of the Vogue 8750 skirt pattern that I decided to purchase a dark navy blue cotton bottom-weight fabric to make another skirt. 

I love the feel and weight of this fabric.

Displayed near by was some 100% rayon fabric.  One particularly caught my eye was a navy blue background with shoes printed all over.  I want to make a blouse/top to wear with the navy blue skirt to be.

This photo does not do this fabric justice.  The blue background is much darker than it appears here.

The fabric below is another rayon of crème, gray and blue.  Again to made into a top/blouse.

The final piece was a gray textured knit.  I am thinking cowl neck knit top for this one. 

Back from Asheville

Well I am back from my recent business trip to Asheville, NC.  Let me say that it has been several years since I visited this lovely city. I wish I could have extended my stay there.  There is so much to see and I just did not get the time to do all that I would have liked.

I did get some time to visit Waechter's Fine Fabrics.  They were about 10 minutes from the hotel. Once I checked in and knew I had about four hours before the reception, I entered address into Verizon Navigator and I was on my way.   I did find some fabulous fabrics and picked up a few independent patterns.  Their employees were so helpful and entertaining.  It was a great visit.

I have been recharging camera batteries so I could take a few photos of my newest items to my fabric/pattern collection.

I resumed my sewing again yesterday evening and getting closer to finishing the Simplicity skirt.  It is not a real difficult pattern to sew; the challenge for me is the sewing steps are rather different from my thoughts on how you would sew it.  Yet their way makes a lot of sense.

I am hoping that I now have several weeks ahead of me for sewing and less traveling.  I have so many sewing ideas and items I want to sew.  More later.

Skirts

Vogue 8750 is complete including the hand work--yeah!!  I am ready to begin sewing my next skirt which is a Simplicity Project Runway skirt and is now OOP.  I have had several plans to make this skirt but seemed to always put it aside as another pattern become my focal point.

I think I posted previously that I am using a striped fabric with the stripes running vertical and the band at the bottom edge will run horizontal.  I read through the instructions last night and glad that I did.   I would not have pleated the fabric the way the instructions have you do it.  I think that the instructions are probably better than if I had done it the way I was thinking.  There are pockets and side zipper involved and can see where it would be better to sew those first than doing the pleating first.  I will share more about that later.

I have another business trip coming up next week; I will be traveling to Asheville, NC.  Waechters' Fine Fabrics is located there and has been several years since I visited their shop.  They are in a new location since I was there last so looking forward to seeing the new shop and all the goodies. My plan is to go there first before checking into the hotel!!!!  I have my priority in clear focus.

I will try to take some photo shots of the completed skirt and the Simplicity work in progress.  More later.