DO YOU BOTHER STABILIZING KNIT SHOULDER SEAMS???
DO YOU HAVE MANY PATTERN DUPLICATES IN YOUR STASH???
February 20, 2017
HENLEY # 1...
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I ordered the McCall's Henley pattern from Esty last weekend but it still hasn't arrived. After completely searching through two drawers of McCall's patterns 3 times, and reorganizing them according to pattern types I still was unable to find the pattern that I was so sure I had purchased. While multitasking during a phone call on Saturday cleaning my desk I located 2 patterns - and guess what?. Lo and behold McCall's 6747 was one of the ones I found. My sewing room needs a COMPLETE organizational overhaul! When the other pattern arrives, well, I'll just have two of them. I promise you it won't be my first duplicate pattern.
I hurriedly pretreated my fabric and got the top cut out. The print of the fabric is a large repeat that posed matching challenges.
Although this shirt was really a trial run just to see if I could successfully handle the front placket and installing buttonholes on a knit fabric, I did stabilize the shoulders with my 1/4" twill tape - I'm so glad I have this roll of twill tape, it saves me from trying to find the tiny tape at the fabric store. The roll has lasted a long, long time. I've talked to people who say they never bother stabilizing should seams - but some how it makes me feel more secure(???).
Although the sleeves only match at one point due to yardage restrictions, but I still love the shirt and it matches every where else. The only change I made was to decrease the length by 2 1/2 inches. I will make the shirt again very soon, but next time I'll also shorten the front placket because it seemed a bit long proportion wise - I guess because I shortened the length.
DO YOU BOTHER STABILIZING KNIT SHOULDER SEAMS???
DO YOU HAVE MANY PATTERN DUPLICATES IN YOUR STASH???
DO YOU BOTHER STABILIZING KNIT SHOULDER SEAMS???
DO YOU HAVE MANY PATTERN DUPLICATES IN YOUR STASH???
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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...
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... Debbie Cook (stitchesandseams) posted a set questions on her blog today. I found them interesting, so of course I participated. Lynne...
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...for years February has been set aside as a special time to learn about and recognize accomplishments of African Americans and other peopl...
Hi ... your top looks great ... once when I bought a bunch of patterns on sale I didn't even realize that I had bought the same one twice at the same time until I got home ... lol ... I think you will in time be happy you have two of this pattern because it is a classic and you may indeed use it so many times that you'll be happy that you have the two ...or just look at this duplication as an anomaly and think of your overall success in finding your patterns when you need them and actually sewing them successfully ... thanks for sharing your sewing with tips from your experience .... perhaps I'll get my act together and sew again too .... Lynda in Toronto
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in elementary school I tried to change the spelling of my first name to Lynda - it didn't work but I still think the spelling is pretty. Yes, I agree with you, I will probably be happy that I have two of this pattern later on.
DeleteFaye, your top looks beautiful! Yes, I do stabilize the shoulder seams in knits and sometimes non-knits which seem a little unstable. Because the entire garment hangs from the shoulders.
ReplyDeleteI've never accidentally purchased a duplicate pattern, probably because all my pattern and fabric stash is etched in memory. LOL Maybe I'm emotionally attached to each pattern.....
Samina I wish my patterns and fabric stash were etched in memory. I'm emotionally attached to each pattern as well, that's the reason I have a complete come apart when I can't find one that I know I've purchased.
DeleteWhat a fun print! I do add something in shoulder seams--usually clear elastic (I like the 1/4" from Fashion Sewing Supply, though I recently found an Ebay seller with even easier to sew clear elastic that was cheaper), or a strip of selvedge if I'm going for color.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried stabilizing with clear elastic Elizabeth. I'll have to give it a try.
DeleteLove this! The print is laid out beautifully.
ReplyDeleteLaying the pattern out on this print took a little thought Nancy because I had just enough for this pattern. The repeat was so large.
DeleteYes I do stabilize my shoulder seams. Pretty much the only duplicates I have are in years of Burda issues. They often have repeats, or almost repeats of past patterns.
ReplyDeleteI bought the Burda issues for several years myself. The price like everything else continued to climb and the pattern sheets became like road maps so I had to let my subscription lapse.
DeleteI sometimes buy patterns on a good sale in triplicate... one for me and each of my daughters so they will have a resource center when they move out and might catch my addiction. Several times I have been questioned at the register to make sure I was aware of the duplication. Then I label each with a name so I will remember. Still misplace them, but at least I know what size each was intended to be!
ReplyDeleteThat's so thoughtful of you. Us mother's are always thinking of our loving daughters aren't we. I HATE misplacing patterns.
DeleteWhat a lovely top, and look how well you matched the lines! I have duplicates, and a few triplicates of patterns that are TNT. When they are on sale, yes I grab two. But it has to be one that I really love! Guilty of hoarding.
ReplyDeleteThank you Diane! Everything matches but the sleeves though. I sometimes buy two of ones I love too. Problem is, I love too many of them!
DeleteLove your post Faye. I purchased this pattern when it was first released and have 2 as well but in the different size ranges. I have purchased some patterns 3 three times(LOL) good they were all purchased on sale. PS I never purchase patterns unless they are on sale. I think I may have about 500 patterns and still purchasing. Your top is great, by the way. I may have to pull this out and add it to my "Want to make for Spring" list.
ReplyDeleteMine will both be the same size range pattern but that's ok I can work with it. I find 3 of the same pattern in the stash sometimes. When I do I say "I must have really liked this pattern - I bought 3 of them. A short sleeved version of the Henley would be nice for summer which seems to be coming very fast in my area.
DeleteYour Henley turned out great! I love it! I have this pattern, but haven't sewn it yet. I need to put it in my sewing queue. And I always stabilize the shoulders on knits. And on super stretchy knits, I also stabilize the back neckline.
ReplyDeleteThank you Summer. Mmmmm stabilize the back neckline sounds helpful. I need to try that one.
DeleteI love this top and the placket looks perfect. I get lazy sometimes and do not stabilize the shoulder seams, but make sure my knit is stable first.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lori! I'm the queen of lazy, but I hate to skip this step.
DeleteOh wow, I love the print of this fabric. The top looks so amazing. You really have a lot of patterns. Lately I've been trying hard to resist the urge to buy more patterns.
ReplyDeleteOlivia - am I right, I'm trying hard to remember your name. I do have a lot of patterns, I try to resist the urge too, but I keep losing!
DeleteCute cute cute! I really LOVE your fabric and pattern choice:) Beautiful job.
ReplyDeleteThank Eli!
DeleteThank Eli!
DeleteI love this top Faye! I think the print just really made the top pop even more.
ReplyDeleteI think so too. Thank you Candice!
DeleteLove your Henley and Thanks for enlightening me on what a henley is... perfect print choice.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sheila!
DeleteI stabilize the shoulder seams in all knits, usually with clear elastic. Have made this pattern and I agree that the placket is about 4 inches too long. It's also not necessary to make working button holes. The neck opening is large enough to slip over my head. So next time, I will just sew on decorative buttons and skip the whole make-buttonholes-in-knits disaster!
ReplyDeleteI know Carol, making those tiny buttonholes was a little scary. Faux closures sounds pretty good.
DeleteGreat looking Henley! I agree the placket looks a bit long after shortening the shirt, but it's not noticeably bad, IMHO. Very attractive fabric.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Nursebennett!
DeleteYou did a wonderful job matching and the print placement is just right! The shoulder seam is at an angle and therefore has a bias. As you know, bias has a tendency to stretch and give so I always stabilize shoulder seams, for both wovens and knits. The placket does seem long now that you point it out but it wasn't something that jumped out at me.
ReplyDeleteTomasa I never thought about the shoulder seam being biased! That explains why stabilizing is so important in that area.
ReplyDeleteNice looking, well made top!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, I do find that I have purchased duplicates of patterns, I guess those are styles I should actually see up.
I stabilize shoulders on knit tops and dresses, usually with clear elastic. I also use clear elastic on the crotch curve of knit pants. Just seems to help them keep their shape. No dropping g shoulders or saggy pants.
Sewcrazy I think I'll add your method of stabilizing knit pants to my techniques. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteOh Ms. Faye, I love, love, love this top!! You choice of fabric for the first one is perfect! I also stablize all shoulders when the fabric is a knit! I too use tape (I purchase the stablizing tape from Joann). I have yet to make me a henley and don't know why, because I really do love them! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Myra! I'm working on the second one now.
DeleteGreat print and top! Congrats on finishing your first Henley!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Marjie!
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