September 6, 2018

Delft Blue Butterick 6456

...although usually seen on fine china and porcelain decorating pieces, delft blue is one of my all time favorite prints.  My love of this print is a carry over from childhood when both of my grandmothers served us lovingly prepared meals on their prettiest place settings.  So when I spotted this beautiful rayon crape over a year ago, I knew it belonged in my stash.

I spent an entire afternoon pondering over which pattern to use for my deft blue fabric and finally chose Butterick 6456 view D tunic being attracted to that lovely bell sleeve of course.  Because I am more in tune with using knits, this being a woven I choose my size using Nancy Zieman's Fitting Finesse (old edition) page 9 because I didn't want to end up with a garment that was too large in the neck, shoulders and bust area.
 Several good things came out of making this tunic:
  • I feel like I'm finally getting back into my sewing
  • My friend Rachelle (Smoking Needles) verbally(over the phone) - talked me through making the best thread chain ever (machine made ) for my button closure at the back neckline.
 

 This is an excellent way to make belt loops as well - fussless.  I don't make thread chains for closure that often, but this is a wonderful technique to add to my sewing knowledge...

27 comments:

  1. This is very pretty Ms. Faye! Love this fabric!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Carol. I enjoyed looking into your fabric closet(s) last night it was so much fun!

      Delete
  2. Beautiful fabric! Your fabric choice is always perfect:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Eli. Matching patterns to fabric is always a big decision chore for me. I keep telling myself that it's only fabric, but it remains a chore.

      Delete
  3. Lovely! Glad to see you sewing again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm happy about it too Carrie. Now I've just got to keep it flowing. Can't wait for your classes!

      Delete
  4. It is so lovely!! I wish I knew about the thread chain method. I used elastic, which was not as pretty as what you created. Nice work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Vanessa. As my friend explained it to me over a phone conversation, I didn't actually believe that I could make it work - but it did. The amazing thing is that it took less than 5 minutes to stitch and you can make it as thick as you like. I'm sure that the elastic works well, I've never tried that method. I'm use to making the hand stitched ones but I can't seam to keep my threads even enough to be attractive. I usually pull the loops too tight and end up making a real mess.

      Delete
  5. Beautiful. Love the fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a lovely blouse

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is a gorgeous tunic! Love that fabric! Maybe you could share Smoking Needles technique for making thread chain as I avoid this like the plague because it is not fussless with any technique I have ever tried!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Linda! There was never anything fussless about the way I was making the chain either. I will check with my friend and maybe she could do a blog feature tutorial for me. Be on the lookout.

      Delete
  8. Ooh do dish on the technique! I did them for the first time recently and they were not good.

    Love your new top and c'mon sewing mojo!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you,concerning sewing motivation you should you see the makes I conjure up in my mind during my lunch break (hahaha). Working on getting a tutorial or pictorial for this soon, will let you know.

      Delete
  9. Great to see you sewing! The tunic is beautiful! That's such a lovely thread chain. A tutorial would be the bomb.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Catherine! I'm looking into the possibility of a tutorial now. Will let you know soon.

      Delete
  10. Kwik Sew has a similar pattern to this that is still available.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For some odd reason I am hankering for a couple of tunics for fall sewing. Looking for another pattern now!

      Delete
  11. What a beautiful top! I love it!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Summer! Loved the dress you posted today!

      Delete
  12. I truly love this top Faye! The fabric is beautiful and you described it perfectly! I am so very happy to see you back in the sewing studio again! I know there were a lot of us waiting for you! BTW...that is an awesome thread chain and it was very sweet of Rachelle to help you out too! Again, welcome back, missed you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Myra. Not sewing is an awful feeling!

      Delete
  13. Beautiful top with great fabric pattern placement and can see you wearing this lots. Love your connection of fabric to fine china and your grandmothers.

    ReplyDelete

THANKS FOR LOOKING IN. YOUR COMMENTS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED!!!

Paying Homage to Black Pattern Designers...

...for years February has been set aside as a special time to learn about and recognize accomplishments of African Americans and other peopl...