Scoop Top...sewing for ME!

Hello, sorry for the sparse blogging here recently.  I have over booked my summer so far and seem to be having trouble finding the time to sew and blog, but I have high hopes for this month! :)  Today I've got some sewing for me! Yeah!  If you haven't tried Kristin's Scoop Top you have to give it a try. Even if you're like me and think you won't fit into the small/med. free pattern she has available; print it and see!  If it does't work she is working on a wider range of sizes, I believe. What got me to take the plunge and try it was when I saw this cute top by Anna, I thought maybe it will work, and it did!!

I didn't really change much at all other than raising the neck up a bit for my preference.  It is ultra flattering and SO comfy!  I love how the cut is fitted enough to be figure flattering, but then where mommas (at least this momma) needs a bit more room it widens out a bit to help hide that dreaded middle! I'd wear it everyday if I could. In fact it's been made for at least 3 weeks and that's been part of my problem in blogging about it.  I've worn it so much that either it or myself have needed cleaning! :)

The fabric is from JoAnn's and it is a couple of years old.  I was concerned that it would be too busy, but I really like it.  It was on hand and that was the biggest factor! :)

I did the sleeves the way Anna did and finished them like the neckline.  I think I like that better than just hemming the under.  There will be more of these great tees in my future!!

We were at my parents this past weekend and my dad has been bailing hay so I decided that might be a fun backdrop for some pictures!  I love the country and while I enjoy my city life now, being home feels like a bit of heaven! (Oh, and my mom made me a belated birthday cake, that made the weekend down right perfect!) Thanks for stopping by, have a fun and happy 4th of July!!
p.s. I couldn't leave out the cows, how can you not love cows! :)

My Washi Tunic

I am pretty sure every other blogger out there has already sewn a Washi tunic or dress, but I finally sewed one right before Christmas and thought I'd share it.  First off the main reason I waited so long was that I was concerned about sewing a shirt.  (Yes, this is my first one.)  I'm not exactly small chested and I was worried about having to do a bust adjustment.  

Then I saw Caila's post about her dress and thought I might be able to blend two sizes like she did.  By the way when writing this I see her post goes back to last summer! Yikes where does the time go!  

Okay back to the tunic, so I blended the L and XL sizes.  This worked out pretty well.  I think my biggest mistake was adding an inch to the bottom of the bodice to help with a larger bust, I got this idea off the washi dress flickr pool.  Lets just say I won't do that again.  My one other adjustment I'll make with the next one is to try taking a bit of fabric out of the front skirt.  For me it is a bit full and makes me feel a bit maternityish.  

The fabric is just something I liked from Hancock fabrics that was pretty inexpensive since I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out.  That's also why I choose a tunic, less fabric also means less expensive. :)   I did though buy muslin and make up a bodice before sewing with the "good" fabric.  I do really recommend this, especially if you are like me and don't have much (okay any) experience sewing for yourself.

 

Since it is winter I've been wearing this mostly with a black sweater.  I really want to try this again as a dress, and did want to try it with long sleeves.  But at the rate I'm going maybe I should just hope to make a dress in time for Easter! I loved all the traffic yesterday from the Train to Crazy and her Social Media Friends gathering.  I'm excited to have some new followers!  Thanks for being here!

Striped Maxi Skirt

I have always been very shy about sewing clothing for myself.  It just seems hard!  There isn't really anything else I am afraid to tackle, but sewing for me.  However when I see tutorials and blog posts like some of these, Made by Rae wiksten top, Milkmaid Skirt by Crafterhours, and even this etsy skirt makes me swoon!  I really want to try since I am so annoyed sometime shopping for myself.  I find the more I sew the less happy I am with what I find in stores for me and the kids.  So I decided to try something easy, like a maxi skirt.  I saw this maxi skirt on pinterest first, which I loved!  But decided to use the most basic of her tutorials to start with!  

Here are the 2 pieces you need.  The yoga band waist piece (cut 2) and the bottom (cut 2)

The most time consuming part was actually the cutting and getting the fabric to lay nicely before cutting.  I sewed it together quickly with my serger and only had one issue.  I cut my waist band a bit too big and it wouldn't stay on my waist. Since I have made this error before on a skirt for my daughter, I added a piece of elastic inside the waist band to hold it up.  It works, but I'll know next time to cut that waist piece as small or smaller than her tutorial directs.  

 I think it turned out pretty good for a first try!  I always get braver with each project, maybe I'll even try a top next!