Thursday, May 19, 2011

Amelia shirt and a thank you!

First off, thanks so much to those of you who have offered advice in my rant about measuring and cutting accurately. It's nice to know that other, more advanced sewists also struggle with that. And to hear all of your tips and tricks! If you missed that post, go read it and the comments especially. There are a lot of ideas about how to make cutting large pieces of fabric easier, from enlisting your husband to help you hold it, to folding, to ripping and to holding that dang ruler down with your knee. I'm excited to try some of those tactics next time I need to cut a large piece. Which might be pretty soon, because after making myself this shirt, I'm itching to try it again!

Crocheted flower clip from Etsy shop Curstay Designs. Thanks Lindsay!
My first completed shirt! Very exciting, don't you think? I got the itch to try making myself a shirt when the blog Made by Rae (another Michigander!) hosted a Spring Top Sewalong. I didn't get myself together in time to enter, but was inspired anyway. A post in conjunction with that blog event on Fashioned by Meg introduced me to several beginner top patterns, and I decided on this one, the Amelia shirt by Frog Legs and Ponytails. I ordered it a couple of weeks ago with my recently purchased purple Joel Dewberry fabric in mind. Then came the first wrench in my plan... The pattern called for a yard and a half of fabric for the body. I had only a yard. D'oh!

I stupidly only bought one yard of these pretty Joel Dewberry fabrics.
I decided to consider it a blessing. Probably smart to try it first on non-designer fabric, right? Although really, this shirt is so simple to make, I don't think it would have been too big of a problem. It's very straight-forward. The hardest thing was turning my tie inside out because I still don't have a tie turner. For all the trouble I had cutting accurately, my band and the main body of the shirt matched up perfectly when it came time to sew them together.

I found this yellow poppy cotton at Jo-Anns, on sale. My friend and I were in a big hurry because she had to pick up her parents at the airport, so I rushed to find a coordinating color for the band. I don't know if I made the best choice, but I wound up with this brown print. Too busy? What do you think?

 I'm happy enough with the top, but for a few things. I think I made it too big. I feel a little shapeless in it, like I'm wearing a pillow case. I made the large because of my bust size, but I think a medium would have been fine. As it is, I might take the sides in a bit. Should be easy, right? Just move the seam in a half inch on each side?

I also don't know what I was thinking picking a shirt that I won't be able to wear a normal bra under. I'm nursing right now. My girls need some support. Strapless bras are a pain. Ug. The good news is that it looks really cute under my favorite white cardigan. And that way I can still wear my supportive bra.

I plan on making a few more of these shirts. They are cute for summer and simple. I'm excited to try one on a nicer fabric that might have a little bit more drape to it. And to go for the medium.

What do you think? Worth another wear?

Linking up to these fine parties...

Katie's Nesting Spotmake it wear it Somewhat SimpleParty Button Weekend Bloggy Reading

19 comments:

  1. I LOVE it with the cardigan as well :) And it is definitely worth wearing regularly, especially for the summer! You did awesome :) Can't wait to see if you make any others--I think I want to give this pattern a go as well--how about as a dress???
    <3 Anngela
    BTW I love the brown/mustard color together and the yellow flower accessory :)

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  2. This shirt is adorable!! Love the colors...and the yellow flower! SO cute! I might have to try making this...

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  3. I think this shirt is adorable. Great job!!

    Stopping by from The Train To Crazy. This is what I posted: http://craftybrooklynarmywife.blogspot.com/2011/05/wool-buffalo-check-coat-finished.html

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  4. The shirt looks great! I haven't been brave enough to try sewing any clothes for myself yet. The fabric is so cute! And of course, love the flower, it looks great on you!

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  5. I like the brown contrasting fabric choice! Very cute!

    ~JamieS@ Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

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  6. I like it a lot. Definitely a vintage feel that I love and it looks comfy!

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  7. You did a wonderful job:) It looks amazing!!! You are one brave girl!! I've never tried to sew anything for me... I'm too intimidated by the idea!!!
    GOOD JOB WELL DONE:)
    xo
    Eleni

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  8. That is so lovely. I think your color choices are great.

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  9. This shirt is adorable. I don't sew, but it loooks very impressive, like a throw on with anything, dress it up or dress it down shirt. Love it!

    Visiting from Amanda's Weekend Bloggy REading Link Up!

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  10. This is a super-cute top! I will definitely have to make one! I am your newest follower. Come over to Greetings From the Asylum and follow me too!

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  11. I have made a dress that looked similar to this for my dd, I never thought about it translating to an adult shirt, but it is CUTE!! Thanks for the idea!

    glad to have found your blog via Serenity Now!
    ~meri

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  12. Your top turned out really cute, I saw it on Train to Crazy.

    I'm not sure how you turned our tie out, but I like to use a safety pin. Use one that is sized similarly to the tube you are turning out. For wide straps use a diaper pin, for spaghetti type straps use a really tiny pin. Hook it through the fabric twice to keep it from tearing the fabric then push it through the tube, slowly straightening out the fabric that was already turned. I hope that helps!

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  13. oh, I LOVE it with the cardigan. Such a cute look. :) I think the fabrics look great together. Such a fun outfit. :)

    Thanks so much for joining my Weekend Bloggy Reading party! Hope you'll visit Serenity Now again soon. :)

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  14. Great job! I actually made this same shirt this week! I did the same thing - made a large when I should have made a medium, and it felt a little baggy through the middle. Since the band is nice and finished around the bottom (and it fit fine), I didn't want to mess with that, so I turned it inside out, marked 1" where I wanted it taken in the most (smallest part of my waist), and then drew a curve from there that ended a few inches below the armpit and a couple inches above the bottom band. Then I just sewed along my curved line. It helped give the shirt more shape, but since I didn't go all the way to the band, it didn't really affect the way the shirt lays. I hope that made sense... and I hope it helps! I plan to post mine on my blog within the next few days. :)

    -Stephanie
    stephcreates.blogspot.com

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  15. So cute! I found you through Amanda's feature. I'm looking forward to browsing through your blog to find more great projects like this one.

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  16. Super duper cute! Really! Love it. Glad you found the post helpful! You could probably take the sides in a bit. Rae has a tip for how to do that in her spring top tutorial. You basically just want to gently curve in at the sides which will make it less "bag like".

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  17. Adorable! I'm featuring you today at naptimecrafters.blogspot.com

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  18. I love it! I found your blog when I posted a dress to Train to Crazy today! This shirt has the same neckline as the dress I made haha! Looks great! You did an awesome job!!

    Sorry in advance if you get several comments from my on this post...my internet keeps cutting out and I don't THINK it's posting haha! :)

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  19. Hey Im from Michigan too lol I just started my blog i love this shirt way to go

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