This is the last ...

... creation up my sleeve in Faye's 2013 Essential Top Sew-A-Long! This is Butterick 5678 a great little semi-fitted shirt with shoulder princess seams ...

This post is short and sweet - that was the front, this is the back ...

This is the collar and princess seam ...

And this is the cuff ...

Now those of you with eager eyes will have noticed the lack of buttons and hem finished! Well my friends, it is fairly late at night and Faye's deadline is just a few ticks of the clock away. If I was to rush buttonholes at this time of night this shirt would end up in the rag bag, so tomorrow will have to do. But I did want to include it in Faye's line up ...

Now I would like to thank Faye for hosting this tremendous Sew-A-Long and allowing me to participate. I had a great time challenging myself to fill in a few gaps in my wardrobe with some much needed tops. Thanks to Faye I have added these 4 tops over the past week or so ...

Tomorrow, after sewing up the buttonholes my little sewing room is getting a much needed tidy-up. Next up on the machines for me is an evening dress for a ball I am attending in just 2 weeks! No pressure, but another challenge indeed ... J

It actually really works ...

... not that I doubted that fact for a moment, but when I made the sleeve board I was a little worried it would become one of those 'must-have' sewing essentials that just ended up sitting around gathering dust. 

Well not this little beauty, it has earned 'top shelf' status in my books. It really works a treat on the sleeve seam and the cuffs, giving just the right amount of pressing in the right places.

The shirt I am working on tonight is hanging in the background, minus the sleeves. That is because I am in love with ironing them! Can't get enough of ironing those sleeves!

But, sadly, if you look on the bed you will see a pair of rolled up sports socks! Yes, my substitute 'pressing ham' sneaked into the picture to purely embarrass me. After such success tonight with the sleeve board, my new tailors ham and roll have suddenly earned themselves top priority on my list. So time to download a pattern, and hunt out some wool from the stash to whip up my next ironing aides. 

It's a wrap ...

... on this style of top for me for awhile! This is the second wrap-style top I have made this week, and for me, the jury is out. 

This pattern is Kwik Sew 3933 ...  a close fitting pull over top with a deep V-neckline - read the pattern, Judith!!! 

Deep V-neckline = plunging! 

Not work suitable at all. So I will only be wearing this top with a little cammi underneath. But I do think a cammi does work OK. And extra warmth in our approaching winter won't be such a bad thing.

The edges around the neckline aren't too bad for my first try with the CoverPro. The bonus is that I was able to eliminate the fiddly little facing piece that came with the pattern. Instead I just folded and sewed ...

The shoulder seam has a few gathers on each side at the front. Easily this could be pleated for a more streamlined look. Sometimes gathers look a little informal to me. Back is plain - it is meant to have a centre back seam but I choose just to lay the pattern on the fold and cut it as one. There is plenty of shaping happening from the side seams to suit my body shape.

The gathers at the side are very slimming and body friendly. Coupled with the uplifting scooped front hemline this top is quite flattering.

This makes top #3  in Faye's 2013 Essential Top Sew-A-Long -

Next up I am going back to making a shirt - a lovely crisp white shirt with grey flowers ... something I can put my new sleeve board to work with ...

And following on from all of your supportive comments about my sleeve board, the ham and sleeve roll will be next on my 'must-have' list!

The latest addition ...

... to my sewing room is a new sleeve board!  Hard to believe I have sewn for this long without one, but sadly I have never owned one before. If it wasn't for the lovely Suzy (Suzy Bee Sews) and her recommendation I would still be sleeve-board-less.

Did I need one, really??? Well, after researching for a few minute the answer was clear - YES! I feel like the last little sewer who doesn't have one. So something had to be done.

First off, I put hubby to good use in the top shed to cut out a pattern. After searching I ended up using the one recommended by the curious kiwi... this lovely blogger has popped her pattern online to share, under pressing equipment. 

Following her pattern was super easy. It is basically just three pieces, screwed together and sanded.

Then I needed a cover. Craftsy had a free downloadable tutorial by Patchouli Moon Studio that I followed ... skill level 'Novice' - I was home and hosed now! Using the same fabric that was left over from my recently made ironing board cover and ideas board, my own sleeve board was becoming a reality. 

Next on my list of 'must-have's', now that the must-have bug has bitten, is -
* a dressmakers ham
* a seam roll
* a tailor board
* a clapper

Not sure which order I will make these, but make them I will. I am curious as to which one you find the most valuable to your sewing ... or have you made any yourself - all hints and tips appreciated ... J

Parting shot shows my current top still on 'the dummy' with my newest top half-constructed over it ... another top to pop into Faye's 2013 Essential Top Sew-A-Long -  it is made from a fabric that doesn't need ironing!!!!!

Gearing up for Winter ...

... with McCall's 6513 ...

A pullover top with front gathering/draping, this is a Palmer/Pletsch pattern I have had my eye on for some time - just because I liked it! I have always liked this crossover style, but never made one up before. 

Starting with the instructions, there is a heap of extra fitting solutions and tips along the way. Some of it was handy, but it also meant a lot more adjustable lines over the pattern. One of the most helpful tips was to make sure you mark every little dot and square - miss one and your gathers are shot! 

The collar is meant to be gathered, but I felt that the gathering was very thick and bulky on the back of my neck. So quickly pulled out the gathering stitches (luckily basted in) and folded 2 pleats instead - much more wearable ...

And I used my new Coverpro for the first time on the hem - impressed myself at just how easy it was ...

The sleeve was a funny thing, as it was to have elastic gathers up the seam as well as midsleeve. I ended up removing the elastic in the seam as it just seemed to rub, and really not gather up as much as the picture showed. 

Overall I like this top, will wear it a fair bit (when it cools down) but don't think I will be making another. It took 1.7m (1 7/8) which seemed a lot of fabric just for one top! 

This now makes top #2 in Faye's 2013 Essential Top Sew-A-Long Challenge ...

... and garment #1 in Vita and Natalea's Sew Your Own Wardrobe for a Year Challenge ...

On a side note, have you ever seen the Manufactures/Maker's mark so far in from the selvedge? This one was over 8cm (3inches) - it was a huge waste of fabric down one side ... maybe I need to be more observant when I go fabric shopping ... J

A Little of What You Fancy ...

... what a super name for a creative blog, and the name certainly suits Sam perfectly! 

Sam has a little corner of the web, called A Little of What You Fancy! Not only does she sew and knit, Sam is a creator who loves to share.

Recently she whipped up these beautiful make-up bags and glasses case - as an experiment! Fancy experimenting at this level ...

Well, this morning the postie raced down our street with a little package for me ...

... and who doesn't love a little post-Easter gift? Lookie what was inside - a gorgeous handmade glasses case from Sam ...

... the back - with some personal embellishments and advertising ...

Just so cleverly made, with a lot of thought and care. The inside is padded to protect the glasses, and it is lined in the same fabric as the glasses appliqué - the fabric coordinates together so well. Lovely and fresh looking. Now I have just the perfect case for my glasses - can't wait to show my class when I go back to school in a few weeks.

Now, not only is Sam generous towards me, she also made this beautiful machine appliqué picture for Jacq from A good talking too...

Please, pop over and say Hi to Sam, at A Little of What You Fancy, and have a peek around her blog. Lots happening to give your sewing mojo a boost along ...