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'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!

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

Just an Easter quickie ...

... just needed a quick little top, and thought I would try out an end-of-summer cowl neck. Last winter I made a few of Simplicity 3790 with sleeves, so gave a sleeveless version a go.

The fabric is just gorgeous to feel, a touch silky, and fairly bright and cheery. Very Eastery if I may say so ...

It looks super with my cream/beige skirt, or my black jeans for a casual look ... I tried to position more of the aqua colours in the cowl to be closer to my face ... 

And I didn't realise when I purchased the fabric, but there are actually butterflies flitting around the fabric ... I know, how could I miss a butterfly this big???

So I can safely pop this top into Faye's 2013 Essential Top Sew-A-Long ...

 

And just a quick family shot from a 'Do' we went to last Friday evening for my son's volleyball at school. Now I am about 5'6" tall (or what I call near enough to average), and wearing heels for the occasion. And still I look like a midget at a Land of the Giant's party...

Even my daughter and hubby are slouching somewhat to make me feel better...talk about being vertically challenged!

Hope everyone is enjoying their Easter weekend ... J