Wednesday, June 25, 2008

heal this top

I love you guys for not stopping the smocking. I'll be sewing up the other print soon. It's not as hot as it was, so I don't have as much incentive, but I'll get around to it. If you'd like to see the first print with a strap, a fellow Raveler made one for her daughter. Try as I did, I couldn't get my strap to look that cute. And isn't the model super cute too?

The comments and e-mails regarding Healing Hands, as I like to call it, have been funny, heartening, and very informative. I don't always get a chance to e-mail everyone to say thanks, but gratitude bursts from my heart, and I do thank you for taking the time to "talk" with me.

And the Comment of the Week goes to... Laurie Ann, on the Healing Hands post:

I am never getting a massage again. What with the unhealthy eating and the lifetime of emotional baggage, I'll be dead in seconds.

Only Laurie Ann could so hilariously take it all the way over to death! I peed myself laughing, then threw down the peanut butter cookies (which we know is a lie). Laurie Ann, you are officially entered in the Purly Victorious End-of-Year Comment of the Week Drawing for God Knows What. Excited?

Onward to projects.

I had to frog the yoke of my February Lady Sweater. I dunno. I'd done my decreases on the wrong side and just couldn't be okay with it. Plus I jacked up a couple other things, so I decided to start over. I'll post a pic when things get interesting.

Overall, I've whipped out a few good projects these past few weeks, but all my stitching adventures of course do not end well. A lot don't end at all. Instead, they tan on a beach of unfinished objects. This is especially true when it comes to knitting. And crochet? A while back the truth hit me: Never have I actually completed a crochet project. The fastest way for me to add to my UFO pile is to start something in crochet. When you meet someone at a party, usually the bloom stays on until the morning after, but me and crochet never get to finish the deed before we have a falling out.

Anyhow, here's a sewing project that I'd really like to go back and finish. It's a Simplicity pattern. I don't believe I've done one before, and I found the directions to be like the mute leading the deaf. Were they translated from Yugoslavian? Are all Simplicity patterns like this? 'Cause I've got a good number of them and maybe it's time I start looking for an apartment with a fireplace. I couldn't understand half of what I was being instructed to do. Why, when there was no mention of it on the pattern envelope for the view I was making, elastic came into the picture, left me stumped.

Do you see where it says elastic for view A? Gadzooks.

Thinking this would be an easy project, I figured I'd get through it quickly (nevermind that this is my first top). When that didn't happen, I grew frustrated and I started monster sewing. You know, pedal to the metal, guns 'n roses, just all errrrrrr-rrrrrrrrr-rrrrrr-rrr-rrrrrrrr...! The pleating, no thanks to Simplicity, looks nice, but the neckline and facing do not get along. See how it's turned out?

Also, I tried to lengthen it into a tunic. I followed where the pattern said to lengthen, but didn't know how to make it more A-line, so it's too tight below the waist. (Pretend you don't see the fabulous gauchos.)

I got some good suggestions at Stitch 'n Bitch last week, so we'll see what becomes of it. I think it's worth saving. I like the fabric, which is a Jo-Ann's purchase. It's from the batik section, and there was a sticker on the bolt that said "Fabric may bleed or crock." I know from bleeding, but what is crocking?

Oh, and one more thing, about sizing. What's up with that? I'm a 34, so I was set to make that size, which is a pattern size 12. Then I read the pattern pieces (thank goodness) and saw that the top would include 7.5" of negative ease. What? I went with a pattern 10, per this info. Was that the move? Or not? I'm not adding sleeves, by the way.

11 comments:

Adrienne said...

You did such a great job! Can you send me some sewing mojo!?!? Lol. I ALWAYS look at the finished measurements before I cut ANYTHING lol.

golden star said...

I like it both ways: inside out and otherwise! Save it because it's too cute.

Anonymous said...

Love it Carla. Love red on dark skin (Omari wore a lot of red before she claimed Only Pink as her road to happiness). Did the instructions have you understitch the neckband? And it doesn't look like elastic is a notion for any of the other views either. Hmm. You might try making slits on the sides so it fits better over the booty. Or Shorten it.

normanack said...

Your pleats rock.
I hope you fix the top to your liking because it's fabulous. You took a somewhat tacky pattern (I'm being kind here) and made it cool.

Anonymous said...

You are making me so (sew?) happy with all these sewing posts! Look at you go speed racer!

I wanted to tell you I smocked my wedding dress... indeed I did, by hand. Wonder if that is why the marriage went so well? heh.

It was a victorian-style thing and I smoked the bodice so it would sit well below a velvet overlay. Why on earth I put that much effort into something I wore when we ELOPED is beyond me! But smocking is such a nice technique when done well, especially on baby clothes. I just wanted to share that I have been mad about smocking for a long time, too :)

yaiAnn said...

OMG, it looks fab if you don't point out the collar. Did you understitch the facing?

Natalie said...

It looks great on. You will figure out what to do and it will be fabulous.

Have we found out what crocking is yet? I am curious to know.

Anonymous said...

Crocking is when the dye rubs off on your hands.

Anonymous said...

For those of you (like myself) looking for this pattern, I found it was reissued under a new Simplicity number 2892....boy, did I hunt for it.

Heather

Kathy - Pink Chalk Studio said...

I wish I looked that great in my clothes sewing disasters! I love the fabric and the style looks fabulous on you. Definitely try some independent patterns for better instructions and more accurate sizing. The latest issue of Ottobre has some fabulous designs.

Laurie Ann said...

How did I miss this post? I'm flattered by the Comment of the Week shout out.

I love that you are wearing gauchos. Go on with your bad-ass, living the 70's like a superstar, self.