Sparkle Grey Knit Cap Sleeve T-shirt

Using my fabric I purchased with my Christmas gift card to Joann's, I made a cap sleeve t-shirt from my TNT pattern.



TNT Cap Sleeve Pattern-Only Two Pieces!

I like that my TNT Cap Sleeve pattern only has two pattern pieces and I can usually finish it up in under and hour or so.



Sparkle Grey Knit Cap Sleeve T-Shirt

I'm going to try my best to explain how I do my neckband for knit T-shirts.

Fold shirt in half matching sleeve seems, center back of shirt on left, center front on right.



Shirt laid out in half

Measure the neckline.  My half measurement is 14.  So the whole neckline would be 28".



Measured Neckline

I multiply my neckline measurement by .80.  (That's a good number for me to have the neckband a little snugger fitting).  You may have to use a number close, like .75, .70, etc.)

28 x .80 = 22.4"

 

Since I cut my neckband on the fold with the stretch of the fabric I only need  11.5". (half of 22.4)

 

I like cutting the width of my neck band at 2-1/2".  That gives me a good 1/2" seam allowances.



2-1/2" width

Cutting from the fold, cut 11.5".



2-1/2" x 11.5" on fold

My nice looking neck band cut and ready to start sewing.



Neck Band cut 2-1/2" x 11.5"

Right sides together, I surged with a 3/8" seam allowances short sides.



Serge right sides together

Making a band.


Neck Band

With wrong sides together I stitch using a basting stitch on the raw edge.  This also helps when inserting the neckband keeping the two pieces together.

Basting wrong sides together

Just a little reminder from my machine what stitch length.

Basting Stitch

Stitch around the whole neckband along the cut edge.

Basted Neck Band

Quarter the neckband.  I usually place my two side pins about 1/2 forward for my tops.  Helps since I have more fabric in the back than the front.

Quartered neck band

Quartered neck band

Better view of the neck band quartered and side pins brought forward 1/2" at each side.

Neck Band Quartered

Matching pins to side seams and center back and center front, I pin the neck band to the outside of the shirt.


Pinning in neckband

Sew the neckband onto the shirt, I like to have the neckband on the bottom so that I can stretch it to fit the neck of the shirt. 

Once the neckband is sewed in I topstitch with a twin needle around the shirt neck right below the neckband.  Slow even stitches.   I also use the twin needle on the sleeve hem and the bottom hem of the shirt.  

Twin needle on the bottom hem

Sparkle Grey Knit Cap Sleeve T-Shirt

Sparkle Grey Knit Cap Sleeve T-shirt

Sparkle Grey Knit T-shirt-Back View

Now I have to try to find something to wear this shirt with.  Definitely my black twill skirt, maybe even a white one........

Sparkle Grey Knit Cap Sleeve T-shirt with Purple cardigan

This is all the fabric leftover from making the top.  Pretty good not having much waste.


Leftover fabric scraps

 

 

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

 

Bonnie

Lingerie Long Shorts Slip

I have never made an undergarment before.  Never a bra (not for my 38G's). nor underwear or a slip.  Why have I waited so long?

I wanted a slip that is between a culotte and a pair of shorts.  Something to wear under skirts so in the hotter months my thighs don't chafe.

I started with my inspirational pair that I already have. 



Inspirational pair

One leg liked to ride up.  So I just made a pattern from them, lengthened the leg length 3" and added a little width to the legs. I also added a little to the back waist height, to make up for my full size bottom. Making the pattern took me a total of an hour to make up.




Shorts Slip Pattern

 

My version looks pretty close to my inspiration pair.  Pretty good job for my first try.

 

Shorts Slip

Cleaning out a cabinet in my laundry room I came across a can of Static Guard.  I'm glad I did since the tricot fabric had a little static. 



Static Guard

I ordered tricot from Fabric.com.  I know I said I wouldn't order from them anymore but they were the only one I could find tricot from.  I was very happy with the quality of the fabric, exactly like my slips I already have.  The shipping was very fast this time.




Tricot

UF-732

Country of Origin Made in the USA or Imported

Contents 100% nylon

Fabric Weight Very Lightweight

Width 108''

40 denier tricot beige                                   

Details

Description: This semi-sheer tricot is appropriate for lingerie or lining especially knits. It has about 50% stretch across the grain for added comfort and ease.
Hand Wash/Drip Dry

Fabric.com had many colors to choose from but many were on backorder.  I'll keep checking and maybe even order other colors.

I had some lace stashed that I used for the leg edges.  I'm not sure I like it but it was fun to sew with lace.  Easy to just zig zag stitch to the edge. 




My version on left; inspiration version on right




My version on left; inspiration version on right

I used the lingerie elastic for the waistband.  This was my first time using this type of elastic.  I'm not thrilled with the look of the results but it's under my clothes so as long it's comfortable it's ok.




My version on left; inspiration version on right

All in all my short liners/shorts slip turned out pretty good.  I'm glad I ventured out to try something new.




Shorts Slip

I'm going to try to wear the shorts slip around the house a few times to see how they work.  It might have to sew up a few more pair.

Maybe underwear will be my next challenge.  I just bought 5 pair for $13.00!  That's crazy!  Since I prefer cotton (white) underwear they should be a little less expensive..........

I also purchased a yard of jersey knit fabric in a multi stripe from Fabric.com.  I thought that it would be a nice cap sleeve t-shirt for summer.

This fabric is so crummy! The cut is off and also the print.  So really there is only 24" of usable fabric. 

I tried to line up the stripes.  Nope!




Striped Jersey Knit Fabric

No matter how I matched up the stripes the fabric was so off grain.  The fabric was over 6" off if I folded it on grain.




Striped Jersey Knit Fabric

I was so disgusted by how off the print of the fabric was.  I have never seen one printed so crooked.




Stripe Jersey Knit Fabric

Matching up the stripes you can see how off the selvages are.




Stripe Jersey Knit Fabric

I don't know why I added this in my Fabric.com cart.  I seem to have such bad luck with this company's fabric.  Now the tricot was perfect but out of every order I only end up liking maybe 10% of the fabric I receive.  I guess I'm just spoiled from the quality of fabric I receive from Fabricmartfabrics.com. 

 I wadded up the fabric and put it near the trash can.  But I CAN NOT throw away fabric.  

How about a scarf?  I thought maybe a tank for Dear Daughter but she didn't like the fabric.  It's pretty thin.

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

Bonnie

 

Wawak Buying & A Stuck Finger.................

I needed some serger threads and I've been in need of a self-healing rotary mat for some time, Wawak had a great price on a 24" x 36" one and a great sale on all types of thread.  I also purchased 2" knit elastic for making maxi skirts or yoga skirts.

My sweet DEAR DAUGTHER came into the sewing room chatting with me while I was unpacking and started playing around with a spool of NEW serger thread.

WELL GUESS WHAT?

She got her finger stuck in the spool!



Brand New Spool of Serger Thread

 I'm glad Dear Hubby was there.  I don't do well with "emergencies".  I made mashed potatoes while all this drama was going on.  I had hot flashes and cold sweats and was sick to my stomach.......I would never make a good nurse!

Dear Hubby put soap into the spool and around her finger to try to get it loose.  Then he soaked her finger along with my spool of NEW serger thread in a bowl of ice water.  Still no luck.

He started cutting off the thread from the spool with a razor blade.



Finger Stuck

 He soaked her finger in more ice water, still no luck.

Her finger was starting to swell, he knew he had to cut off the cone.  He was worried he would hurt her finger.  (Her writing hand too!)



Finger stuck in serger cone

 Finally after about 20 minutes Dear Hubby removed the cone from her finger.  She is able to move her finger but there is a little swelling and a little skin missing.



Dear Daughter's Finger

I hoped she learned her lesson about sticking her finger where it doesn't belong!  Now I think I have new rule of NO ONE in my sewing room!

Oh, by the way, the mashed potatoes were over stirred, over salted and very runny.............but my stomach doesn't hurt anymore!!!!

Until next time................(keep your finger out of my serger cone!)

Bonnie

Modesty Panel or Neckline Filler

I've been in need of modesty panels for a few dresses I have made/bought that show just a little too much cleavage. 

This was a quick and easy sew.  I made a few of them this past Sunday after morning Church.  I made my Mother a few of them to try.

My versions had my kids laughing.  They thought I was making thong underwear!  Kids!

Since I didn't have a pattern, I just put a piece of scrap fabric on my dress form, trimmed it until I thought it would work. 



Test Piece Modesty Panel

 After trimming it up, I made a paper pattern copy. 




Modesty Panel Pattern



Modesty Panel Pattern

 I used snaps to hook the top of the modesty panel around my bra straps.  Since I only have one bra style, this works perfect for me. 



Modesty Panel-Snaps

 The panel just tucks under the bottom of my bra.  I used a piece of ponte knit fabric I had left over from a past project. Perfect!



Modesty Panel

 I've worn this dress a few times but I really needed a modesty panel when I wear it to Church.



Modesty Panel



Lace Modesty Panel



Lace Modesty Panel-Close up

I'm thinking now I have a little project to make with any leftover fabrics I have.

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

Bonnie

Homespun Bathroom Curtains

I've finished the curtains for the bathroom.  Curtains are not my favorite thing to sew,  so many straight lines!  BORING!  But I'm glad I got them done!

Taking a decent photo of our bathroom was tough.  So I did the best I could.  I know that these curtains are nothing fancy but they warm up the bathroom.  Doesn't seem so cold with curtains up now.

The curtains are really not crooked but every picture makes them look like it.  Also I kept adjusting the hold back pieces but they just look wonky.





Curtains

 We've had a curtain above the shower for some time.  The A/C blows into the shower and it helps you from getting a little chill while showering. 




Curtain




Bathroom Curtains

It's funny how when you take a photo of a room you can point out all the things wrong.  But I'm not going to worry about it right now. 

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

Bonnie