Another (less successful) summer top

Last year my friend Jane made two seriously cute tops out of  New Look 6871. I bought the pattern immediately but never got the time to make a top last year. So it was firmly on my to do list this year. Then I discovered the sorbetto and gave it a whirl first because I had a lovely remnant from the bargain bin that would suit it. However, I have been really looking forward to making my swingy summer top so cracked on with it with some lovely floral Liberty fabric that I had bought especially for the purpose.

Fit. My comedy tummy means that I always end up cutting out ginormous pattern sizes as I slavishly stick to the idea that it is sensible to cut out to your biggest measurement as then you can take it in. However, I have relatively narrow hips and a modest chest and my comedy tummy so everything ends of being way to big. The first skirt I made I had to take it four inches. FOUR INCHES. With the Moneta I actually cut a smaller bodice and graded it out at the waist and it worked lovely. However, with this one I was back with woven and cut out the size 16. It was ginormous. I have taken the sides in two cms but I think the yoke is still pretty big and I am not so sure about it.

To be honest, I think I love my Sorbetto so much that this loose top is just not doing it for me. There are many plus point about it. I like that the facing means that there is very little finishing of seams to be done. Like the Sorbetto the armholes are finished with bias binding so they are nice and neat.  This one may need to just grow on me.

So I have had a productive week but sadly I need to get back to real life after I get back from our latest 5 day break. I have some other projects for other people lined up. Of the top of my head I need to do:

• A dress for middle daugher out material she picked out back in May
• A skirt for niece out of material she picked out in Feburary
• A skirt for my sister out of amazing material that I found. 

The skirt need a whole blog posting of its own. It is a pattern that I have made twice and I love each one. So that will be something to witter on here about while I am doing boring sorting out of the utility room in my spare time.

Ciao

My sorbetto

When I saw the free sorbetto pattern from Colette I was very, very happy. I struggle with tops. I can buy dresses, skirts and trousers galore but I find tops tricky. But now I can make clothes so I can make tops. The sorbetto is a fantastic staple. It is simple and the material can do its thing. Also - it is a great way of using up the materialI have scavenged from the remnant bin at Mandors.

I had a really pretty Liberty (again) fabric that I had picked up a few months ago and I wanted to make it into a top. I had cut it out a few weeks ago but the effort of making the bias binding was putting me off fitting it. However, riding high on the 'That's a Nice Pear Moneta' I followed the bias binding tutorial on the Colette site and it worked! Well I didn't cut it right and had to sew some bits together again but I was in slap dash mode. Despite that it all turned out ok! I think it is a tiny bit short (I have a very long torso) and I will definitely make it again a wee bit longer. I can see myself making several more sorbettos. So cute.

Apologies for the sideways shot on the floor, I can't figure out in Blogger how to turn it around.
So yet again I love it. I really need to do a retrospective of all the things I don't love because I had two years of that before I managed in the last four weeks to produce things that I am sticking in them washing machine the day after I wear them so I can wear them again.

That's a nice pear

"That's so cool" shouted the oldest daughter as I ripped off my clothes and put my Moneta No 2 on as soon as I had sewed the skirt to the bodice. She is now my favourite. My children show the traits I myself developed at an early age - praise handmade stuff a lot. My mother is a maker and I still ring her up to shout enthusiasm about the handmade cards she sends us.

Anyway, back to me. I have been on holiday in the gorgeous West Highlands of Scotland. I was hoping to make the second Moneta to take with me but real life got in the way. However Moneta No 1 was part of my camping wardrobe and got spontaneous compliments from my fellow Gaelic class members.

Hi from Skye

As soon as I had finished my first one I legged it to Mandors as my pal Rachel from Sew Bored had mentioned that they had a sale on with lovely Liberty bargain to be had. I bought some lovely pear patterned Liberty jersey to make my second Moneta, and about three other lots of material with specific projects in mind.

I have no photographers in the house so these pictures have been taken by eldest daughter standing on a chair (from below is just not a flattering angle).

Nice pears

Middle daughter getting in on the action

I love it. Really, really love it. The material is much more drapey than the last jersey I used so it sits beautifully. Also I really love the material - it is fun but still sophisticated.  This is also the most patterned material I have used and I am pleased to report my pears are all in a row. It will be worn out to the pub tomorrow night. 

I am off on my hols again on Monday and I am hoping to make a couple of summer tops - at least one Colette Sobetto which is already cut out and I just need to make the bias for it.

Ciao bellas.