I have decided that as much as I would love to be able to design and create things without a pattern, that I cannot make clothing without a pattern. I just feel like I am more comfortable making clothing straight from a pattern rather then trying to figure it out from another article of clothing or just straight from my head. I read other blogs and think - oh, I can do that - and then I look at the material and think - NO YOU CAN'T. (If you show me a craft project I would be able to figure it out, but not clothes - I think it is a mind block.)
I normally don't sew for myself because I just don't feel like I make things and that they fit right. I always think they look homemade and I guess after years of hiding behind my fear I have begun to venture out into that realm of the "making" your own clothes. I will confess it comes from the fact that for years I think it wasn't cool to make your own clothes or to sew. Now it is the COOL thing to do and I have been sewing things for years and now it is soooo cool to do. I am glad it is that way and hope it stays that way. I think there is a quote "Necessity is the mother of invention". (I am always quoting things wrong, but I think that is what the quote says.) So of necessity I have created something.
I bought an outfit from the thrift store a couple of months ago. I was looking for maternity wear and found a shirt and skirt combination that I loved. Only problem is that the shirt is a tank. Because I HATE what my upper arms look like and other reasons I don't need to go into here, I needed a way to adapt the top. I have looked at many things online and wondered about how to make the top work. Finally the other day at JoAnn's I was looking through patterns {McCalls were 99 cents}, I found this shrug pattern.
It was perfect. I loved the view with the tie in the front. It was perfect and would cover up the ugly upper arms and not be too hot. So I bought some knit fabric that was similar in feel and look to the top and went home hoping that I could make this. The fabric ended up only being about $2 after I got 40% off of it. I thought - I can try it and if it works then wal-la I will have a fix for my outfit, and if it doesn't work - I can just throw it out.
After two days of off and on again sewing, and fighting with my new serger. I was about ready to throw the serger out the 2nd story window. But alas - my serger and I have reconciled and we are now on speaking terms again after it made the marvelous hem with the coverstitch. It looks just like the inside of your t-shirt hem and it stretches just right. Here is an example of what it looks like on white fabric {so you can see what it looks like.}
I finished the edges with this stitch and I am sooo happy with the results. I really love how it looks and think it will become one of my favorites. Now I just need to figure out what to use the pattern for next.
Here is the finished product.
Cute shrug!! Thanks for linking @Creative Itch's "Sew Cute Tuesday"!
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