Itch to Quit

I have gone as far as I am going to go with the Paulina Top by Itch to Stitch.  I am disappointed with the outcome of the mostly completed garment.  Let me say that the pattern is a good pattern and I will make it again using a different size as well as different fabric.

Just a few quick comments about the issues with this pattern that we more mine than the pattern.  I am so use to the Big Four patterns and using a size range from 14-18 that I did not do a more thorough review of the sizing and finished size measurements with this indie pattern,  Instead I somewhat blindly went with a 12/14.  This proved to be very, very large on me.  Shame on me for not clearly paying attention to the finished measurements for this pattern. I also did not go by upper bust measurement as that would have produced a better fit all around.

With 20/20 hindsight and a closer look of the top on the model, I should have paid more attention to how low and wide the neckline would be.  Again this is operator error and not the pattern; it was drafted just as it is shown.  With aging decollete and neck, this low top seems to draw attention to that area and I don't want that attention there; it not so flattering.  There are other fitting adjustments that I did not do and I think that going with a smaller size will address some of those.

The fabric was a pain to deal with also.  Too fiddly.

I completed the top except for the hems of the bodice and sleeve.  I decided to stop at that point as I will not wear this except as a top to wear around the house.

I am now on to my next project and with a long holiday weekend I hope to accomplish a good headway with the new project.  I just need to determine what that project will be.  Several ideas and fabrics, just need to decide. It will be for fall.

More later and I will take some photos of the top worn.  Sometimes you need to show the good, the bad and the ugly.

Not successful!

Well my first attempt in making the Alma blouse has not been successful.  I did not trust my instincts when it came to selecting the size I should use.  I know how Vogue, Butterick and Simplicity are going to fit and can almost make my usual fitting adjustments with out much to do.

I did not trust the sizing and should have because I went with the above pattern size and the top was too large.  I tried to make fitting adjustments; with each one I made it seemed to get worse not better.

The fabric was somewhat off grain as well and I thought I had made the right adjustments to straighten it out.  Selecting the wrong size, wonky fabric coupled with growing frustration,  I decided to walk away from this project at this time.  I have plenty others to work on.

Shrug it off

I really like the eShrug pattern from Sewing Workshop.  It just doesn't work for me.  Sometime back I posted about making this shrug.  I screwed it up the first time using some inexpensive knit lace fabric.  The second was a little tight. 

Yesterday, I attempted to make the next size up, Size 2.  It was huge; I also elongated the sleeves as well as the top using the download instructions for SW to do so.    I used some knit fabric that was black, white and gray stripes; it too had been in my stash for over 8 years.  Because the shrug was so big I think I can salvage the fabric and turn it into at least a cami/tank top.  If not, I will give the shrug to Goodwill.

My next attempt was to draft the pattern between Size 1 and Size 2.  In the end, this was a better fit, but the back, no matter what version I use hikes up in the back and just does not fit around the back of the neck well.  I have decided that 4 attempts is enough.  There are some other patterns out there that I think will work better.  So I am shrugging off making this pattern.

So I will once again focus on other knit tops I want to make.  I also need to get my act together on participating in the SWAP 2012.  I actually pulled some fabric from stash yesterday than I think I will use in developing my plan.

Later.

Wadder

I decided it was time to end my agony. The blouse is just not doing it for me. I think it is the wrong marriage of fabric and pattern. I always hate when I think I have wasted fabric. I think that it would have been better to use this fabric for skirts or capris, not this blouse. It was becoming more and more frustrating to work with this.



So I am putting it aside. I really don't think that I like the pattern either.



Thus I am going to start on the McCall's skirt pattern using an alternative blue fabric. Remember this post. So now that I have the fitting kinks worked out with this skirt, I am ready to make it again. I have the zipper and thread, so I am good to go.