Finished: Print Knit Top

Black and tan!

Twist front

I meant to get this post out earlier this week but I’ve been suffering with a horrible migraine for about 3 days.  I am hoping to see a nutritionist next week to help me get some relief.  I seem to be getting them more often and for longer durations.

But enough about that…

What did I learn from this project? It is possible to sew knits with a sewing machine and not a serger but, a serger will make the job easier and will be less frustrating. When I got to hemming it was very difficult to maintain a straight line and the feed dogs had a hard time moving the fabric along.  In fact, I ended up leaving the front hem raw.  The two layers of fabric both rolling in opposite direction made it impossible…for me anyway.

It wasn’t mentioned in my steps but I added an inch to the length of the top. I usually add an inch in tops and 2 or 3 in trousers and skirts. I’m about 5’8″ and patterns are generally made for people 5’5″ or so. Also, the thought of a stretch top that I had to keep pulling down to avoid a “flesh belt” was nauseating. I might as well go buy one ready-to-wear! You can see the extra inch in the pattern pieces photo.

1 inch of paper added to lengthen pattern pieces

Most patterns have a line on the pattern piece that tells you where to add your length.  This helps keep the shape of the garment.  You don’t want to add length where shaping for curves is.  This could result in a bad fit.  Sometimes the place to add length is right at the hem.  Check your pattern.  (It’s the same for shortening.  Just overlapping pieces or trimming length instead of adding it.)

I cut the sleeves to 3/4 length.  The full-length sleeves created too much of a box-shape on my body. With the addition of more skin, by shortening the sleeves, the block look is broken up. If I had made the body of the top in the print and the sleeves in a solid colour, a vertical line would have been created and I could have left the sleeves at full length.

Jackets-I couldn't live without them!

It also works if I wear an open jacket.  Again this creates vertical lines.

Bracelet with similar colours ties the outfit together

I picked this bracelet up a while ago and rarely wear it.  I loved it but didn’t have anything to wear it with.  Without realizing it, the print fabric I chose had all the same colours.  I don’t recommend buying things that you can’t wear but the bracelet was $6 or something and it has not taken up a lot of space.  So glad I got it!

I plan to write a post on what I’ve learned about style.  I’m no style expert but I know what works for me.  Usually.  I’m not stuck on trying to look thinner.  I don’t think an outfit is going to take 15 lbs off me.  I DO know that a block on top and a block on bottom doesn’t look good on anyone.  Black trousers with a random solid-coloured or print top looks to me like stacked blocks.  Nothing to interest the eye.

If you sew, do you alter patterns regularly for length?  Do you know a certain neckline or sleeve-length always looks good on you so you gravitate to that?  Do you have no idea until you put it on?  Feel free to comment or send me an email with your personal style tips for my upcoming post.

What I’m listening to:  Bangers and Mash by Radiohead

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