Blue Cheetah Jersey Knit Top

A quick sew.  A casual jersey knit top.  I had to lower the bust dart by 1", I used fold over elastic at the neck and long sleeves with elastic to raunch them a little. 

I haven't worked with my Sure-Fit Designs system anymore but I did learn a lot about pattern drafting and truing up darts and side seams.  I'll get back to it soon but I'm loving knits right now.

Blue Cheetah Jersey Knit Top

Fold over elastic

sleeve

I can not believe that October is almost over!  Where did this year go?  It just flew by and I can hardly remember much of it.

Until next time...............

Bonnie

Stripe Jersey Knit Top

I thought a new casual day to day knit top would be a great sew to keep my mojo going.

I've had this stripe fabric for a few years and I thought a simple t-shirt top would be good.

I used my TNT knit top pattern with 3/4 length sleeves and  fold over elastic at the neck.  Easy sew!

Stripe jersey knit Top

bust dart

Fold Over elastic at neck

Matching stripes

I've been in need of a few more casual type tops to wear around the house and to the grocery store.  Since I've had to start wearing my sketcher shoes every day, I like that these type of tops look good with more casual skirts.

I'm off the some another casual type top.  Wish me luck.

Until next time....................

Bonnie

White Blue Chain Drape/Cowl Neck ITY Knit Top

Three times a charm right?  I knew that this white & blue & black fabric would make a beautiful drape/cowl neck top.

I only had enough fabric to make a short cap style sleeve on this version.  I think this top will be a great addition to my wardrobe.  I have black, blue and a white ponte knit skirts that will go perfect with the top and I have a black and a blue ponte knit jacket to wear with it too.

White Blue Chain Drape/Cowl Neck ITY Knit Top 

$3.60 top!

I think I'm going to work on a TNT pattern for a t-shirt style top.  I have many jersey knit fabrics that I always overlook.  ITY knit & ponte knit are my favorite knits to use!  I need to adventure out a little more!

Until next time.....................

Bonnie

Blue Floral Paisley Print ITY Knit Cowl/Drape Neck Top

Another TNT knit cowl/drape neck top pattern.  I sure hope my sewing doesn't bore you.  I know it's nothing "new" but knowing that it's a great fit with a beautiful fabric, it excites me!

I had a little of this fabric left over from a dress I made Dear Daughter over the summer.  It was I could do to use this fabric for a dress for her.  I'm a greedy fabric stash hog!  But she loved the dress and I'm glad I used it for her, but I'm even happier I had enough fabric left over for me a top!

Blue Floral Paisley Print ITY Knit Cowl/Drape Neck Top

$6.10 Top!

Blue Floral Paisley Print ITY Knit Cowl/Drape Neck Top

I think I will get a lot of wear out of this top.  It goes with so many skirts in my closet.

Another instant gratification sewing project (in knit!).

I've been having foot problems again.  This time it's my heel.  First thing in the mornings I can not put any pressure on my left foot.  A few weeks ago I stood up and had a tearing pain in my heel/arch all of a sudden.  I was sore for a few days and went away.  Now I've noticed that first thing in the morning and if I sit for a long time my left foot feels like I'm walking on my bone, no foot.  But it does improve during the day and with stretching.

After doing a little research I think I have plantar fasciitis.  I've purchased a night foot splint and bought some new Sketcher shoes for everyday wear around the house.  (I usually just wear Nike or Croc flip-flops).  I know that the Sketchers are not very fashionable but I have to do whatever it takes to heal this! 

I also believe that I have a potassium deficiency too.  I've been having chin and calf cramps for about two months.  I also get restless leg at night.  Since we've been on a low-carb/Keto style diet for almost a year now I've and have/or have had most of the potassium deficiency symptoms I am going to start taking a potassium/magnesium supplement. 

I'm going to give myself a until January to improve, if not, I will have to find a Doctor. 

Until next time...............

Bonnie

Snakeskin Print Cowl/Drape Neck Top

I do love a TNT pattern!  I also love KNIT fabrics!  I sewed up this cowl/drape neck top in under an hour!  Talk about INSTANT gratification!

I wasn't sure about the color of this snake print fabric but it goes well with my hair color.

Snakeskin print ITY knit cowl/drape neck top

$5.40 top!

I love the fit of this top.  It's classy yet modest.  I wore it to Church this past Wednesday and received many compliments on the top.  Maybe I should consider more items with this coloring.....?


I may have been bitten by the TNT knit bug and I do have a few more small cuts of fabric that I may just make a few more tops!

Until next time;.......................

Bonnie

Homecoming 2017

Girl M went to homecoming with Boy AJ again this year.  They are a sweet couple & he's a nice boy.

Girl M got the thrifty gene from her Momma.  While school shopping back at the end of July she found this beautiful dress for $31!!!!  It fit her perfect and I didn't have to alter it at all.  Yet is was modest enough to make her Daddy happy too.

She loves the camera!

Boy AJ

Girl M

She's a natural

So sweet

M favorite photo of the night

Girl M had to wear flat shoes since her and Boy AJ are the same height, the shoes cost more than the dress did!

Shoes

They grow up too fast!

Until next time...............

Bonnie

Sure-Fit Designs-Dress Bodice Muslin

I DID IT!

I ordered the Sure-Fit Designs Kit.  Shipping was super FAST!  I'm glad because I was excited to get started.  Good thing Girl M was home to help me measure myself.  It only took a few minutes to get going on my blueprint.

Making a blueprint of your body is real wake-up call!  I know I'm curvy, but I'm also lumpy, bumpy, sloped, swayed and bent!

Muslin #1, bodice blueprint.  Don't mind the washers, my top kept wanting to ride up.

The first draft was easy and the muslin fit surprisingly.  Only minor tuning with the fit I think.  I did a sway back adjustment and fixed the width of the bodice at the underarm and the sleeve.

 That sleeve is too tight when I lift my arm.

Third muslin is almost a great fit.  It seems that my bust is too big.  and the sleeve bicep is a little too tight.  After looking at the photos I pinched a dart at the shoulder tapering to nothing at the bust.  It brought the sleeve head up and made the sleeve hang much better.

I plan on changing from a DD dart to a D dart.  Since there is so much fabric at my apex.
The back isn't too big, but I think I need a little more room in my hip area.  I lengthened the bodice so that this version won't ride up as much.  I need to work on the hip area.............

The top is a little better and I think that I'm getting closer.

Muslin #4

Muslin #4 side view

I am really starting to hate waist darts.  I don't think they flatter my figure.  Neither does woven fabric.  I'm trying not to get discouraged.  I'm going to take a break for a few days to clear my mind.  I think I just want to sew something that fits.

5 Dress bodice muslins later I'm taking a break.  Maybe I'm overthinking all of this fitting.  Maybe my shape isn't a dress bodice type body............

I'll keep you posted on any progress.

Until next time...............

Bonnie

Wardrobe Staple: Beige Dress

I can do some serious daydreaming on Pinterest.  I came across this pin and I just love EVERYTHING about this wardrobe.  So off I was to sew up a beige dress.

Pinterest inspiration

I really need to get a denim jacket and a coral blazer and a striped tote and........I think I'll just go shopping in my closet to see what I have.

I used my usual TNT pattern, Simplicity 7243, in a tan ponte knit fabric.  No changes made to the TNT pattern.  I was able to stitch this up in a few hours.

Wardrobe Staple: Beige Dress

Princess seam & sleeveless

With fall colored cardigan

ITY knit cardigan

With floral print jacket

Navy McCall 7254 cardigan jacket

McCall 6844 white eyelet cardigan 

McCall 6844 black ITY knit cardigan

Green Bob Mackie Sweater

McCall 6844 Coral cardigan

Red & White check long coat

I think that this beige dress will be a wardrobe staple in my closet.  The total of making this dress was $8.00!  What a GREAT deal!

Until next time................

Bonnie