Monday 8 July 2013

Tomato tee

Because it's summery and lush and red, like a tomato. Nothing exciting, it just is what it is - but what it is, is good.
 
 

 
 
More specifically, it's a knit Scout with a full swingy back, and it's also apparently ridiculously difficult to photograph. The above shows it off best, I think: all drapy and airy and cool. 
 
 

 
 
This picture is ok, but I feel like a twat just looking at it because I was resorting to desperate smiles at my sewing machine in an attempt to avoid face weirdness.  Let me distract you with the fact that this tee goes well with leggings as trousers. So ok, I will die a long, slow style death, but I don't care - I shall do it in comfort.
 
Some details:
  • Fabric is a medium-robust four-way stretch from the Chien Vert (again). It has great depth of colour; the closer you get to it, the more you see. It also has the absolute perfect balance of stretch, swish, sturdiness and breathability.
  • Pattern: Grainline Scout woven tee, except not woven. Size 8.
  • Pattern changes: my usual no-dart FBA, the above-mentioned full back, 4cm length added to the sleeves, and I scooped out the neckline a bit. With the full back and amount of stretch in this fabric, I think I could also have gone down a size and it would probably fit better - but the difference is pretty minimal.
  • Construction changes: I made this as I would a knit pattern, not following the instructions for the woven version. This meant doing a few things differently: I sewed one shoulder, then did the neck binding, then sewed the other shoulder and topstitched down the neck band seam allowance. Then I put the sleeves in flat before sewing the sleeve and side seams all in one go. I also just folded up the sleeve and lower hems, pinned and stitched them down with a long straight stitch - no edge finishing or pressing beforehand. I've recently found this gives me the least wibbly hem results. Does anyone know if this (i.e. not pressing up the hem allowance) is an actual technique, or am I just amateurishly winging it (again)?
  • And finally: apart from the hems/topstitching, I sewed it all on my serger
 



I've been not mentioning this baby for a few months, but I feel we know each other well enough now to introduce it to the world. It's a Janome 8002D, and understatement alert I like it a lot. Simple to use and excellent results. Like my other machine, it's from Espace Machines à Coudre, and if you're in the vicinity of Brussels I cannot recommend them highly enough.

And FINALLY finally - I am uploading this on Kollabora where there's a Scout sewalong happening. I just signed up, lured in by the promise of Scout prizes, which I'm under no illusions about winning :-) . I like the site and might take to using it regularly - it seems quite a bit like Burdastyle, but easier and prettier.

Are you on Kollabora too? Or do you just think this proliferation of social sewing stuff is getting out of hand? And how about making up woven patterns up in knit fabrics (or vice versa)? Have you done it - and if so, how did it go?

And the real burning question as far as I'm concerned: just how do you finish your (knit) hems?


PS. that's one idea complete!

8 comments:

  1. I love the color on this! I hadn't really looked at Kollabora until I followed the Scout sewalong (I made a woven scout) but haven't joined. I would really like to make a knit version of the pattern. For my knit hems, I usually use Steam-A-Seam Lite (a double sided fusible). It keeps the hems very neat. Another thing I've tried and really like is clear elastic. I first saw this on the MariaDenmark Drape Top, but have used it on a sleeveless Briar too. It also makes a nice edge. Good luck in the contest!

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  2. Silvia - Sewing PrincessJuly 09, 2013 1:31 pm

    The fabric you used looks great...it bugs me even more not to be going to Brussels this weekend! Then again I would have bought everything from Chien Vert...as long as they keep their shipping costs to Europe so high my wallet is safe! Sergers are lots of fun...treat her carefully though ;)

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  3. Great version, love that you did this in a knit. Found you on Kollabora, I've just started going back to it, was one of the 'firsts', left it because it was so clunky at first, now it's nice to use, so I'm back. About the knit hems - here's a great way to avoid the wibbly's. Yes, just turn it up, no need to finish the raw edge unless you want to make it pretty with your serger. But use Steam-a-seam to fix the hem in place before you topstitch. Makes such a pretty hem. I have the same serger you have and I love it! Soooo easy to rethread and adjust and clean and oil.

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  4. yes, the Chien Vert is dangerous - even without shipping costs, it's very easy to spend far too much in there! It's frustrating how high shipping costs can be within Europe, isn't it. Do let me know when/if you are in Belgium - it would be great to meet up (and I'll do my best to tread the line between enabler and wallet restrainer :-)

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  5. hmm interesting, I haven't yet tried using clear elastic, mostly because I don't know where to find it! Must have a closer look in the local haberdasheries, it must be there somewhere. Same goes for the steam-a-seam. Some supplies hunting will have to happen soon!

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  6. yes it's a great machine, I was amazed to find it so easy to use. And interesting about Kollabora - I had never really looked at it until the Scout sewalong so can't compare, but to me it looks quite sleek and user-friendly now. Thanks for coming by and commenting :-)

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  7. I have fallen head over heels for my double needle(s)... they make a tidy stretchable hem for knits, I shied away from using it for ages, thinking it would be super complicated, found a good tutorial on youtube, and haven't looked back since!

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