BLOG HOUSEKEEPING...

... GOOD SATURDAY MORNING!!!

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know that once a good thing is started it's hard for me to turn it off.  Well, the 2013 Essential Tops Sew-a-Long is no different than other collaborative projects I've started.  It was a good and useful project in that:

• It added colorful tops to our closets
• It got some of us started with Spring sewing
• It got others started sewing again after long hiatus
• It was the first time that many ever participated in a SAL
• It introduced us to new bloggers, and re-acquainted us with others

(Six new tops were added this morning from Towanda).    I hear that there are a few participants that almost made the SAL deadline, but didn't.  So if you were sewing tops for the sake of this SAL, please EMAIL me your pictures  (fayedoll(at)cox(dot)net) and I will gladly add them to the SAL lineup of finished tops (link to view all the finished tops above this post).
In your email please include your pattern number(s), and the name of your blog, to make easier for me to link the picture back to you. 

I've moved the SAL Badge to the right sidebar and when a new top is added it will be reflected in the total.  I will leave the Completed Tops Page up for one month so that tops can be viewed....

2013 ESSENTIAL TOPS SEW-A-LONG MODIFICATION...

Just found out that I need to MODIFY the SAL Final Update

TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPLETED TOPS:  100

I made the BIGGEST boo boo!  Alethia of Kassmins Creations emailed to let me know that I completely missed posting her not one, but TWO completed tops!  I checked the lineup pictures THREE times and sure enough, her pictures were not there.   I made such a conscious effort not to leave anyone out, but I did.  This was not intentional.  Alethia I owe you the biggest apology!!!, and hope that you accept.

When I did the last update I found myself wishing I had time to make two more tops.  The two tops were there all the time because I do remember uploading them to my computer, and the pictures are in my Picasa SAL Album - Alethia brought us to a GRAND TOTAL OF 100 TOPS!

Alethia's tops are made from New Look 6808 that she has worked hard at fitting.  Doesn't she look stunning???  She tells the story in her blog post that featured both tops.

Thank you Alethia - believe me, you were an important part of the 2013 Essential Top Sew-A-Long.  Thank you for bringing this oversight to my attention!!!

2013 ESSENTIAL TOPS SAL FINAL UPDATE...

  98 TOPS POSTED

(a monumental feat)

I tried to say THANK YOU as each top was finished, but in case I missed someone, let me send out an enormous THANK YOU right now.  It meant so much to me seeing so many people sign up for my little old sew-a-long.  It was wonderful virtually meeting new bloggers and reconnecting with others.  I really appreciate all of your support!

The criteria for the SAL was as follows:

• No Quotas
• No Pressure 
• Just Good Old Sewing Motivation, and bright new tops for our closets
• A Win, Win Situation

 As I look back I wish I had added one more thing.  That being:

• even though the SAL has ended, please make sure you keep in touch all the rest of the year.

Of course I'll be peeking in at all your blogs, finding inspiration and stealing a few of your ideas.   I hope you'll continue peeking in here as well.

This was the first SAL for some of our participants - I so hope you enjoyed it.
Several people said the SAL motivated them to start sewing again - I'm so glad of that.

Thank you again!  Enjoy your new tops!
I'm off to make some decisions on my next project...

I AM EXTREMELY INSPIRED AND IN AWE...

... and you will be too when you take a look at all the new tops that have been submitted to the sew-a-long.  Nine new entries just posted this afternoon - WOW!

ESSENTIAL TOPS SAL UPDATE

  91 TOPS POSTED

(is this amazing or what?)

FINAL DAY OF SEW-A-LONG

I did an overall sweep of all participant blogs and my email this afternoon just to make sure that I have not missed ANY completed tops.  I've  done my very best in trying to post each and every entry, but...

PLEASE HELP ME OUT!

If I've missed your top, or have posted one and not another, please let me know.  It is very important to me that I do not leave ANYONE out!   

I don't think I've heard from the three ladies that are participating who don't have blogs:

• Becky Mc
• Lise, and
• Sarah Perez

If either of you have completed tops that you'd like me to post, please feel free to email pictures to me at fayedoll (at) cox (dot) net (all lower case, no spaces), and I will gladly add them to the line up. 
 

I will continue to post entries that I am notified of until my bedtime tomorrow night, so until then, sew on...

 

NEW TOPS UP...

ESSENTIAL TOPS SAL UPDATE

  64 TOPS COMPLETED AND POSTED

  4 DAYS TO GO

NEW END DATE:  WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10TH

...Happy Sunday Everybody!
Don't forget to take a peek at the completed tops page.  New tops are being added everyday!  I was able to finish two simple ones myself.

Several weeks ago I started craving some simple tank top additions after being inspired by another blogger's  use of Simplicity 2599.  I even rushed out to buy some brightly colored drapey fabrics that I thought would work well in making tanks. (blogged about here)  I finally got around to making two of them, but decided to switch patterns. I'd used McCall's 5977  several years ago and felt it would be a better fit for me now.

 Who can't make a simple tank - right???  Well, I certainly can; but felt there was just a little something missing in mine even though it's a really simple design.  I decided to watch Peggy Sagers webcast "All about Tops" and was able to pick up the following simple tips that made my tank top even better than before:

•  how to adjust the shoulder seam for a better armhole fit
•  how to adjust center front to eliminate gaping at the neckline
•  how to insert a tiny self-binding at the neckline that is more like upscale RTW

Maybe these were things I should have already known, but I didn't.  For me sewing is all about continual learning in the quest for better fit.

This tank in the closest thing I could find to Pantone's African Violet spring color.  Not sure if you can see my tiny neck binding, but I really love the fact that it's so small.  Peggy Sagers suggests using a self binding that is no wider than 1", and if I can remember correctly, it does not need to be cut on the bias. My pattern piece for the neck binding was 1 1/2" wide.  Using the smaller width gave me the finished look that I am really pleased with.   She also suggests that the binding begin and end at the left shoulder as does it does in most RTW garments. 

This tank is Army Green, although not a Pantone spring color for this year.  But it's one of   my favorite colors (for some reason).  For this top I did adopt an element from Lula Louise, the rounded baseball style hem.  I just think it's cute.  I used a dinner plate to get my curve edge and it worked out just right.

 

 

 

 I want to do some more (playing around) with this simple pattern. 

•  adding a tiny pocket
•  rotating the bust darts to the bottom hem
•  adding side slits

Just a few ideas because I do like playing around with pattern design...

ESSENTIAL TOP 4...

...I felt I needed to re-visit New Look 6150 because my first try with it  ended up a wadder even though it was a muslin.  I cut the muslin too large, and it was plagued with major gaping in the bust area.

Mmmmm,what can I say about my newly finished top - well I'm not absolutely pleased, but I do feel that it will get some wear.  I fixed the gaping problem so the fit is much, much better, but I guess the pattern is must not be for me.  The construction is good, I made sure of that - even though I knew half way through the project that the style was just not me.  It's not awfully terrible and there's no way I'm trashing this great jersey knit - at least not right away.

The fabric has a navy lace print on an off white background.  Fabric suits me, style does not.  It just seems a little matronly to me.  It might make it into work wardrobe rotation  - I'm not sure.  If not it will
certainly work for those "I've got to make a quick run to the store" trips.  Guess you can tell that I'm not feeling to chipper about it.

I do have a good morphing project coming up next so keep your fingers crossed for me...

CAN WE SAY MAGENTA...

ESSENTIAL TOPS SAL UPDATE

  52 TOPS COMPLETED AND POSTED

  7 DAYS TO GO

NEW END DATE:  WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10TH

... yes magenta.  Should go well with a white or of course a black bottom, unless I jump completely out of my fashion box and finally get around to making a pair of skinny legged floral pants.  But yes, magenta.  Not a Pantone Spring '13 color but bright none the less.  Here's my third SAL top

Nothing form fitting about it, but it is a good comfortable fit without being overly loose.  I was immediately attracted to Judith's SAL top seen here, and remembered the pattern from back in the beginning of my patternaholic addiction.  So I rumbled through the Simplicity drawer and was able to find it tucked way in the back. 

 

Simplicity 3790

Like Judith, I made a view D sleeveless version in a light weight jersey knit.  Just three pattern pieces that went together very easily.  I really like the top, and would like to make it in a really pretty print but my knit choices are getting a little low right now.  I've got to save a few for upcoming projects I have planned.  I need a real good jersey knit source right away...

ESSENTIAL TOPS SAL UPDATE

  40 TOPS COMPLETED AND POSTED

8 DAYS TO GO

...So many of you have thanked me for hosting the 2013 Essential Tops Sew-A-Long, and I say YOU ARE VERY WELCOME!!!  But I also need to take a moment to say the credit is not all mine;  thank you for making the SAL possible!   The construction of 40 TOPS in 10 DAYS is no small feat; especially with many of us working, taking care of families, and not to mention Easter Holiday right smack in the middle of the whole thing.

...I know that some participants have been delayed a bit for one reason or another, but please remember the basis of the SAL:

• No Quotas
• No Pressure 
• Just Good Old Sewing Motivation, and bright new tops for our closets
• A Win, Win Situation

I completely overlooked factoring in the Holiday.   To that end please excuse me while I take Moderator's Liberty to extend the SAL three (3) additional days.  If you've already sewn as many tops as you want for the moment - that's fine, but if you want to sew more - sew on.  If you haven't sewn enough (that describes me) or haven't sewn at all, the extension will help me us out a bit. 

NEW END DATE:  WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10TH.

In the meantime, if you finish a top please email me at (fayedoll@cox.net) to let me know so it  can be added to the lineup.  Including a picture and pattern number will help.

Happy Sewing...

  

  

2013 ESSENTIAL TOPS SAL...TOP #2 FOR ME

 

ESSENTIAL TOPS SAL UPDATE

26 TOPS POSTED

7 DAYS TO GO

... I've finished my second top.  Took me two days because I had to switch patterns.  I started making a wearable muslin of New Look 6150.  So glad I made a muslin, because as I thought, I did have a problem with View B gaping in the front.  Modifications will need to be made when I try that pattern again.  I switched to a pattern that I had made last summer - Simplicity 1916 View F.  The top made from this pattern summer was a winner for me, so I decided to give it another try. 

Even though I'd made the pattern  successfully before, I still went to Pattern Review to see what others  thought about it - and I'm glad that I did.  I found the same top made  by Aleah from No Time to Sew and loved the modifications she  made to it.  I followed her example because I didn't want this years version to look exactly like last years.  The only thing different is I didn't have enough fabric to do the short sleeves - but that's ok, I still love it.

You can't see the twist band on the front but it's there.

I love jersey knit and choose this print mainly because of the medium blue color in the print.  I have fabric to match for pants that I'll make later on.  I might make this top again in a cotton knit and add the short sleeve next time.

Hope everyone had a Wonderful Easter, enjoying it with family, friends and a great Easter meal.

HAPPY EASTER & DAY 6 OF THE 2013 ESSENTIAL TOPS SAL...

...the week seems to have flown by didn't it.  In an effort to keep up finished projects, I visited blogs of  EACH SAL participants this morning, and found six lovely new Spring tops that have been completed. Pictures of these tops have been added to the SAL lineup and can be view by clicking above.   If I happen to post a picture that the maker wasn't ready for me to post - please send me a replacement picture and I will gladly change it.

...in the meantime, if you finish a top please email me to let me know so your top can be added to the lineup.  Including a picture and pattern number will help.

...sewing has been a slow go for me.  I just can't manage to work any night sewing in.  Weekend sewing is working better for me right now.  I cut out New Look 6150 on Monday because I wanted to sew up a few knit tops during the SAL.

I can't make up my mind between view B or sleeveless view C.  We'll see.  I'm not sure about  getting a proper fit  with a surplice top so it doesn't gap - it can sometimes be tricky for me.  I'm working on a wearable muslin right now because I didn't want to gamble with the  jersey knit that I've choosen.

Happy Resurrection Day to everyone near and far...

My email for top pictures: fayedoll (at)cox (dot) net