THREE THINGYS...

...thought I'd write a quick (we all know they're never quick) post while my little pot pie bakes in the oven cause there is no cooking tonight.  Just sewing!  I had planned on sewing last night after working on the bathroom wallpaper removal project FOR JUST ONE HOUR.  Well, one hour turned into 5, and sewing just got pushed to the side.  At least the wallpaper removal part of the renovation is over!  Thank God.  So tonight - just sewing.


THING 1:   TO ALL PARTICIPANTS OF THE "OVER THE TOP - 15 DAY CHALLENGE AND LOOKERS ON:  I have a NEW PROPOSITION!
Marjie has suggested that we flip flop the challenge for the second half of the month to focus on BOTTOMS.  I think this is a marvelous idea what with all the new tops we've just added to our wardrobes.    I know that several other participants are also interested in doing this.  So I officially propose that April 16th through April 30TH be proclaimed the "BOTTOMS UP - 15 DAY CHALLENGE".
Here's the criteria:

• Sew up or re-fashion the number of bottoms to your liking.  One, two or three pair - whatever your schedule will permit.
• Skirts, skorts, pants, slacks, trousers, yoga pants, shorts etc.  all qualify.
• Post your reviews, comments, tutorials and any other bottoms information you'd like to share on the "OVER THE TOP aka BOTTOM'S UP" blog.
• If you previously signed up for Over the Top challenge and are interested, you are already in - just go to work on bottoms on April 16th.
• If you previously signed up for Over the Top Challenge and are not interested - do nothing.
• If you didn't sign up originally but want to for this half of the challenge - let me know by commenting on THIS POST AND LEAVING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS no later than Saturday April 16th. 

• Here's the Button for the Challenge

 THING 2:   I'm working on a Hot Pattern top as my last "Over The Top 15 Day Challenge sewing frenzy.  I decided that it would be best if I worked up a quick and dirty muslin of this pattern.  My muslins are never quick, dirty yes, but never quick.  There is just no way I'm going to cut into my $13.00 knit fabric before giving this pattern a test run.  This $13.00 knit is precious to me even though I got it at half price.

I never ever make muslins for tops, I just go by my regular bust measurement (although they say go with the high bust measurement), may or may not add a little to the side seams and go for it.  Things usually work out with tops unless I over think the process and decide to go with a larger size for the neck and chest areas which results in the top ending up too large.  I love Hot Patterns - they are so stylish and interesting to me.  (May be it's the names they give the patterns (Miss Moneypenny Skirt, Carried Away Suit, Riveria Boulevard Jacket, etc.) or maybe it's the chic pictures the use on the envelopes.)   But love them as I may, I'm a little fearful of them, having tried only one - and that one not turning out as expected, has left me with cold feet.  Here's a picture of my muslin, that I'm so glad I made.  Results:  Just a little tight in the armhole area.  I won't reveal the pattern just yet, I just use my muslin as sneak peek.

Hopefully I will be able to get this made tomorrow night.
 
THING 3:  Would somebody (anybody) put something interesting on television???  Project Runway, Fashion Show, Real Housewives of New Jersey....SOMETHING!!!  And would ABC stop playing so many reruns and get on with the programs???
 

ONLY FIVE DAYS LEFT...

...The Over The Top Challenge has created inspiration for a much sewing frenzy.  Seems I always need new tops, and they are usually the quickest way that I know of sprucing up my wardrobe at the change of seasons.

Although I've been a little sick with this sinusitis and an ear infection to boot, I was still motivated to get some sewing done.  I finished this faux wrap New Look 6901 today.  I made it first last year, really liked the fit so I gave it another go for this challenge.  This time I did change the pattern just a little by increasing the neckline height and decreasing the size of the band that finishes the neckline.  The pattern's band was much too wide for me - so I changed it up just a bit.  I also invisibly stitched down the wrap because no matter what, I always get a little gaping in the chest area - with this the problem is solved. Though there are many faux wrap top patterns available, this one, with just a tiny bit of rushing at the left side seems to fit me best.  I guess this will be my "go to" TNT faux wrap top - no need in reinventing the wheel.

This is a lovely paint splattered knit that I picked up last Sunday on a Joann's trip with Ebony and Baby Boy.  It sewed up beautifully using my Schmetz Jersey ballpoint needle - no skipping, snagging or puckering.  Once upon a time I had a little handy Schmetz pamphlet that I used as a needle reference, but of course I can't find it now.  So of course I just Googled for the information and found it here it helps me out a lot.

I have two more tops in the "bull pen" that I'd like to completed by Friday (April 15 end of the challenge").  I actually need many more than that but feel it's high time to move on to other things.  Although I've been reading along, I haven't even started my jacket for the RTW Challenge that I joined.  I do still have plans for that challenge; however, this one took precedent.

I do hope that everyone had a nice, restful and productive weekend...............

FIRST WHITE TOP...

...it does feel good to have finished this top. I felt kinda a bad when I semi-kicked it to the curb.  I finished it today to avoid having an UFO floating around the sewing room.  There is nothing too special about this top, except maybe the information I found that helped me grade this pattern up two sizes (which can be found here).  I changed my mind and used broadcloth to make this top rather stretch poplin.

Now it's on to the next OTT project - it will probably be a knit top.  There are EIGHT more days left of the challenge.  I'd like to make two or three more items by the 15th.  We'll see how that goes...

ANOTHER ONE - JUST LIKE THE OTHER ONE...

...You do know all about my stead fast, number one sewing rule - don't you?  Finish what you start!  Well, what in the world happened to the plans of making that much needed white top???  It was started mind you - but got  lovingly kicked to the curb for the past two days.  All parts were placed in this bag for safe keeping...

Hopefully I'll be able to get back to it tomorrow.  But in the meantime I wanted to play just a little bit more.  (No wonder I don't have any white tops.)  The easy peasy top I made last night was still calling my name.  I so wanted to try it in a challis fabric but couldn't find ANYTHING in the fabric closet that even came close to that kind of drape.  I had to go out and pick up a piece.  I had the hardest time trying to choose a color - wanted something solid, but which one.  I came very close to getting black (of course), but opted for a bright red instead.  I RARELY wear red.  Why?  I'm not really sure unless its that I was once told not to wear red-orange.  Most red fabrics are just that red-orange.  Since I know for a fact that I have orange undertones I stay far away from that color - I have no desire to look like a pumpkin.  I need (and love) true red or blue-red, but it is hard to find.  This was the darkest red I could find today, so I just went with it.  I figure this top will work worn with white, navy, black and of course jeans.

These tops are not work appropriate, but I do need play clothes some times.  I hate when a time to play finally comes, and I can't pull out play clothes.  Can't wear it right now because after that big storm last night Georgia can't make up it's mind whether it's winter or spring all back over  again.

This top was so easy I couldn't resist playing one more night.  I've got to find me some more EASY patterns for my spring/summer sewing.  But for the purpose of the "Over The Top Challenge" it's back to the task at hand...aka the bag blouse...

TOP 2 finished...

This top is very simple, yet very unique.  I don't ever recall seeing one like it before, but when I first saw Ebony's slightly vintage New Look pattern I knew I wanted it.  She let me borrow the pattern, so after tracing the single pattern piece (yes, only one pattern piece)  I reached into the stash to find a fabric that would fit the bill.  I think this top will fit right into summer.

NEW LOOK 6140

The single pattern piece serves as both the front and back of the top.  It's sewn together into an oversized V-necked tee and then the shoulders are crisscrossed.

I skipped over my white top to get this one completed.  Hopefully I'll finish the white one by tomorrow.

PERFECTIONISM IS SUCH A HARD TASK MASTER...

Why in the world did it take me ALL DAY LONG to finish this simple top.  Well, beside the fact that I just didn't feel well today, (not to worry Mom, just my sinusitis) perfectionism culprit really got the best of me.  I chose view "B" of McCall's 5977 - the one with the three tier ruffle.  I'd forgotten (because I've made a three tier ruffle before) that 3 edges of the ruffles must be finished and or hemmed.  "Not a problem you might say."  Well it was for me after perfectionism took hold.  And let's not forget to mention the self bias bound neckline and arms.  It would have been so much easier to use a matching pre-packaged double fold bias tape and my new binding foot.  But I have such FUNNY-TIMED skin that I don't like the feel of the bias tape rubbing against it.  I was forced to make my own as the pattern suggested, but just couldn't stitch straight today. I was determined to finish which I did do, hope you can see it - the picture turned out dark.
 

So many bloggers mention that they do not own white blouses/shirts/tops.  I'm one of them.  My next top will involve morphing these two patterns.  I like the first one because the front facing is cut on rather than a separate piece.  (I know that you could make any button down into a cut on, but this ones already done for me.  I like the vintage top pattern's extended shoulder feature, but the pattern is too small.  I don't really want to take the time to grade up to my size, so I'll just try to combine the two pattern's features.  I'll be using a white stretch poplin fabric which I bought enough to make two white tops/shirts. I wanted to get this traced and cut today/night, but that's not going to happen.  I'll think about it tomorrow, because after all...

tomorrow is another day...

IT'S TIME TO GO OVER THE TOP...

....Yes, it's that time again, when the season seems to change overnight, along with my wardrobe needs.  I had to fore go the Fall Month of Tops Challenge because I was heavily involved with the famed Lady Grey Coat.  Now I find myself more wanting and needing new tops to spice up my spring/summer wardrobe.


I'm sure, like me, all you sewists already have lots of sewing plans lined up.  And those plans more than likely include adding some nice new top/blouse designs, maybe

Like This

or This

or, Perhaps This

or Even This One...

All line drawings borrowed from leko-mail.net


So I proclaim the first 15 days of April an official OVER THE TOP CHALLENGE.  It's a simple sew-a-long challenge that will last only 15 days - leaving us lots of time for other sewing projects:

•Choose your fabrics;
•Choose your top or blouse patterns; add a new twist to a TNT pattern, refashion, or maybe even self draft a new design.
•No quotas;
•No limits;
•and by April 15th we'll all have more expanded wardrobe options.  So come on, it's simple to join in on the fun:

1. COMMENT your interest on this post by Thursday, March 31st. 
2. INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS in your comment (ex: kathy at yahoo d0t com) so I will be able to add you as a author on the new OVER THE TOP CHALLENGE BLOG.

I'm looking forward sharing, and seeing your Over The Top spring/summer creations.  Remember to add you email address.  It's a win, win situation.....