The first make of 2016!

I’ve completed a make! Already! Well, I actually finished this a few days ago but still – a very productive start to 2016!

After my last attempt at Sewaholic’s Belcarra pattern (which turned out to be a complete dud, by the way, which you can read about here) I was determined to have another go with a proper bust adjustment before writing it off as a failure.

It had been on the list for later in the year but following a loss in the family I needed something to wear the funeral and there were no plain black smart tops anywhere to be found in shops. (This is why I have been a bit quiet over the last few weeks – I won’t be sharing more details but my family and I are all ok – very sad with a lot on our minds but otherwise ok x). Instead I opted to wear a muted colour and found this teal, white and blue-black peachskin in the remnant box in good old John Lewis for £6 for a metre and thought I would be able to make something simple in a short amount of time. I cant find out anything about the brand though, so if anyone has any links to their other designs do let me know as this washed and sewed perfectly.

This time, I took the time to do a proper FBA using this tutorial as I think this is where the problem was with the last one. I cut a 12 based on my high bust and then adjusted before grading out to a 14 at the hips. This significantly reduced the fabric around the shoulders that I had on my first version but I did have to put darts in the back to give it some more shape – too sack like otherwise. Need to shift some more pounds before things hang properly on me! I omitted the cuffs again due to time and lack of fabric, and used pre-made cotton bias tape instead of cutting my own. The finish on the sleeve edges aren’t my best but I am really pleased with the neckline finish as it hasn’t stretched out and lies nice and flat against my chest. On my next one I want to see if I can shorten it in the body and move the darts up, or do a narrow back adjustment as well as a swayback as there is still a lot of blousing at the top above the darts. I haven’t looked in Fit For Real People about what to do yet so if anyone has any tips or advice please let me know. I also took 4cm from the neckline tapering to nothing at the arm hole over the top of the shoulder to lift my Belcarra into the right place and shortened the whole top by 4cm before hemming, as it’s just too long in the body for little me. I can imagine though that with a bit of clever drafting this could be made into a sweet mini dress in the summer…

This is also the first time I used my tripod that I was given by Hayden at Christmas! I did take a few pictures on his swanky camera with all the bells and whistles but it’s just too complicated for a photography noob like me so I switched to my little point-and-shoot from 6 years ago, and discovered it does a few swanky things of it’s own! I still hate having my picture taken and I don’t really know what to do with my arms yet, but at least it stopped raining long enough to get a few nice snaps! (Yes I am an old person who says snaps).

I used my overlocker too – changed the thread and everything! Saved so much time and I even bravely twiddled about with the tension and sort of got it to work properly! Does anyone have any recommendations for overlocker/serger online courses/actual classes (in London)/Youtube channels/books etc? I’m considering making some active wear so would
like to get a bit more experience  working with stretch on the overlocker before I embark on a stretch project!

I have lots of plans and positives and projects for 2016 and the last few weeks have been difficult but educational too. Hoping to move forward and make this year a good one 🙂 What has everyone got planned for life in 2016?

I’m not in focus but I really like this one haha!

 

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