March MAGAM project: Butterick 6101

For my March MAGAM (Make A Garment A Month) project I decided to step into Spring with a new to me pattern. I wanted a transitional top that could be warm enough to wear under a light jacket and to be comfortable during damp and chilly spring days.

This garment fits the bill! It is also something out of my normal box and got my creative spring juices flowing. I have worn this twice since making it and it is very comfy and has fun pockets and great draping.

Butterick 6101 by Katherine Tilton

I was honestly very worried about this looking a bit like a potato sack... Due to the very nature of the garment and the nature of my bigger hips and butt I knew that the chest and arm portions would need to be more fitted. I did ALOT of flat pattern measurements and actually went down 2 sizes from the pattern recommendations for my measurements. This pattern has tons of design ease that would have just overwhelmed me and looked like a potato sack! 

The pattern recommends either a soft woven or a stable knit. I was going more for a big sweatshirty type of feel without the bulk so I used a maroon ponte knit from Fabric Mart and the print knit was leftover pieces from a light sweater knit from JoAnn's that I used for a dress a couple years ago. YAY!!! Finally used up some of those darn scraps I seem to hold onto forever!

I did not have enough of the patterned knit left to cut an entire sleeve so I had to be creative and piece a sleeve together. Hence the 2 inch strip down the center of that sleeve. 

I also changed up the collar a little bit. In my knit the wider collar band just looked funny so a made a narrower band for the neckline.

I really like this top! It's a bit quirky and different. I have some nice flowy rayon lengths in my fabric stash and may make the sleeveless version for the summer.

There are a couple fit issues that I may or may not try to figure out and do a second version of this knit top. It looks like there needs to be a bust dart or something. If you look right above the boob there is a triangle of extra fabric that folds out. It either needs a dart OR It may just be bunching because I need a little extra room over my bust to let the fabric fall better. 

The back armhole area also has some bunching... I will have to look in my fitting books to see if I can figure out why.

I also think that the sleeves could be taken in a smidge to have a closer fit, as you can see I made them into 3/4 length because at this time of the year I find myself pushing them up all the time anyway. 

This top goes well with skinny jeans or black leggings would be never better. 

All in all I think this March project was a hit! 

Happy Sewing :)

RTW Fast 2014 & 2015, MAGAM group and New goals for 2015

I have decided to join the 2015 RTW fast!

My 2014 experience with the RTW fast was a great one! Thanks to Sarah from Goodbye Valentino for hosting the RTW fasters!

For the entire year I only purchased the following:

- new bras and panties 

- several pairs of stockings and tights

- one t-shirt for a Team Challenge

I also received a t-shirt and a Blackhawks sweater from my husband.

The only other RTW clothing that I bought was for gifts and those were minimal.

THAT'S IT!!!! And to me that is so amazing!!!

As a consequence of my RTW fast I have learned several things. Some of the are about sewing and some of them are about myself.

1. I learned that I DO NOT need a giant wardrobe that is stuffed into my closet and drawers. It is OK and actually feels good to have a smaller wardrobe! I wear self made items every single day and it feels good!

2. I have also learned to step out of my comfort zone and wear a more diverse portfolio of items. Not just always grab the same uniform, and having room in my closet means that I can actually SEE what I have!

3. Doing this RTW fast has improved my sewing skills and my sewing confidence! 

4. All the money I SAVED on not buying RTW, I totally SPENT on fabric!!!! I have a very well rounded stash :) 

As I stated above, I have joined the 2015 RTW fasters group and look forward to seeing what everyone makes and posts on Facebook!

I have also joined the MAGAM (make a garment a month) group which is also now being hosted on Facebook. I have followed the group in the past but having the group on as a bloggers was not easy. Having the group hosted on a private Facebook page is great! As soon as they made the switch, I joined! 

The idea behind MAGAM is that each member posts a plan for a project to be made that month. Showing the fabric and pattern and following along with a theme and when you complete the garment you do a follow up post and a link to your blog. If you don't like the theme then you do something else! Easy peasy! For me, I plan to use this as a plan for a more complex or difficult garment that I want to complete.

For example, January's theme is 'something new'. I choose a new pattern for a wedding guest dress that I need to make for a wedding on a Cruise in February that I am attending.

Pattern is OOP Butterick 6739 and fabric is a crinkled spun rayon from FabricMart.

So far that means that for 2015 I have the RTW fast and MAGAM groups.

What other goals do I have?

Well.....

1. No new patterns. None. I'm fairly sure that I either have or can modify what I have to make anything!

2. No new fabric for 6 months. ** excludes need of interlining/linings. I thought about doing a full year fabric fast but I cannot. 6 months is perfect it will let me make room for more come the end of June! It will be like Christmas in summer for me ;)

3. Quilting, more traditional quilting that is. I have dabbled here and there in very free form no rules allowed quilting but I have been feeling that I wanted to try something a little more traditional. Just once and see how I like it. To accomplish this I Joined a mystery quilt along! More on this in a later post.

4. PANTS! PANTS! PANTS! Yes, I have accomplished jeans but now I really need to accomplish both trousers for work and play in other styles. I have been toying with the idea of trying to make a pair of pants/trousers/jeans/shorts every month. That would mean 12 pant like bottoms over a year. Seeing that right now I only own 2 pairs of jeans, I pair of courdoroys, 2 pairs of Capri pants I can REALLY, REALLY use them. 5 pairs of pants in my entire wardrobe (not counting pajama pants and workout pants) is not enough!

Short term, I am finishing up my winter sewing plan. Funny enough the biggest to-do left on that list is pants! LOL! 

What are your goals for 2015? 

Flowers from my birthday! My hubby sent these to me and left them right on my sewing workable! It was a great place to have them :) made me smile a thousand times in the last week!

Parting shot of Princess V at 6 months :)