November 2015 – Sewn by Ashley

Uncomfortable in front of the camera? Play with your hem.

When Melissa from Mahlica Designs contacted me about participating in Blue Dot Patterns creative sewing challenge, I immediately knew I wanted to do the Margo Blouse, but I had no idea what I would do with it. And then I won a free giant tshirt from my favorite local business.

I love the Drink Tavern. It’s like my Cheers. The owners, Doug and Mary, are two of the best people you’ll ever meet. The regular patrons there are like family to me. When I first moved here, these were the people who befriended me. It’s like home. Seriously. It rocks.

I made Doug pose with me at Friendsgiving.

I knew I wanted to use my Drink Tavern shirt, but the Margo pattern is for wovens, not knits. Also the pattern is already a bit more “flowy” than I’d normally wear (what can I say, I like tight clothes), so I sized all the way down to an extra small (according the pattern chart, I should have cut a medium). I also skipped the facings, due to lack of fabric. Given the opportunity, I would have used the facings. For the neckline, I turned and stitched the hem. For the sleeves, I just used the existing sleeve hems. I did a wavy hem on the bottom, because I liked it and it’s easy! I took about an inch out of the shoulders, which is pretty common for me and my stumpy shoulders. You may not have to. I also only used two buttons instead of three, since mine were huge. Looking at it, I could have crammed three.

I just serged the whole thing together, from cutting the fabric to sewing the buttons, the whole project took maybe two hours. Diane’s pattern instructions were very easy to follow, I had no problems assembling the pdf or following the pattern.

I blame the cold for this disgruntled face.

I really can’t think of anything else, this is such a simple and easy pattern! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Now comes the part where I share some extra photos, as I’m out of commentary. Be sure to check out my fellow sewalong participants listed below, and happy sewing! 🙂

Mahlica Designs-check out those cutouts!
That’s Sew Amy-my sewing buddy and blog photographer
Life by Ky-now that’s a tripod
Shanni Loves-that pintuck, though
Bobbins on my mind-looking forward to this one!
Cindy Parrett-not our first sewalong together
Musings of a Seamstress-Sara is so adorable
That Black Chick-I don’t even have words, Michelle NAILED it. Wow. Stunning.

It’s hard to look through all these smiling pictures from weeks ago, when I can’t muster a smile now. I lost a very dear friend, and one of the few people on the earth I’ve ever connected with, on Friday. I won’t go on and on about it, but forgive me if I’m a little morose, okay?

This is the McCall’s 6844 cardigan pattern, you’ve probably sewn it yourself. It’s been done by everyone, I think. I cut this particular version last year, before I had even started blogging. The fabric is a lovely sequined sweater knit from Joann’s, and unfortunately, they don’t seem to carry it anymore. 🙁 But yay for finishing projects!

Somewhere along the line, I managed to lose this pattern. So the garment you seen here is the product of cut pattern pieces and what I felt like should happen to them. I serged the bodice portion together, added the lower pieces, scarf-type pieces, and then sleeves. All just serged, no darts or gathers of any kind. I vaguely recall the pattern calling for interfacing, but this didn’t get any. I also have two extra scarf pieces that I did NOTHING with. We’re calling this one a wearable muslin, okay? And, just like before, I have no idea what size I cut.

Apparently, when I cut this fabric, I did so with reckless disregard for the strips on the fabric. For the most part, it actually came out pretty okay. In the photo above, you can see where it did not! Also, just like in my previous post, it’s a bit snug. When I make this again, I’ll grade up in the sleeves. Since this is just a muslin, and a knit, I didn’t finish the hem or the sleeves. I kinda dig the way it came out, though!!! Perfect for work, comfortable to wear around the house. Oh!! And check that tank underneath, recognize it? It’s the peplum top I made! I wear the hell out of this thing, definitely my most worn make!

This quick cardigan was definitely worth a make for me. And I get the deeply satisfying feeling of cleaning up old UFO’s in my sewing room! Win win. Pardon the short post, this is all the cheer I could manage. Happy sewing 🙂

Sewn by Ashley

Month: November 2015

Creative Sewing Challenge-a Refashion (The Margo Blouse)

Cardigan Trials (McCall’s 6844)