A sewing blog about building a functional, cohesive handmade wardrobe, one garment at a time.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Cozy

Winter came late this year, so I had a bit of time after things calmed down post-wedding, -surgery, and -Thanksgiving to fill out my cold-weather wardrobe.  I pulled out my Renfrew pattern once more and sewed up three new tops.

For these, I sewed a 10 shoulder increased to a 16 at the bottom of the arm scye.  On my first top, made out of a denim blue rayon French terry from LA Finch Fabrics, I lowered the neckline to the lowest line on the front pattern piece.  I forgot to lengthen my main bodice while cutting, and as I wanted a longer top, I cut my bottom band to 11" wide, to finish at around 5" once folded over and sewn on.


I ended up slimming the arms significantly after I sewed it up, about 1" at the wrist tapering to nothing midway up my bicep.  The sleeve was plenty long, so I didn't add the cuff, but I think I'm going to as the raw edges are raveling just the tiniest bit.


For the black top, made of a cotton/lycra slub knit from Fabric Mart, I did the same size 10 shoulder increased to 16.  I lowered the neckline a further 1", and cut the size 16 cowl with an extra 1/4" added to the seam on each side in order to fit the neckline.  I also sewed up the sides with 3/8" seam since my black knit wasn't as stretchy as the French terry.


I lengthened the body by 1" but cut the band according to the pattern piece.  I find a black cowl-neck top to be a wardrobe staple in general, but this top was made specifically as a partner for a winter wardrobe orphan, the brown leopard McCalls 3341 I made earlier this year.  I wear the heck out of this skirt with a black tee in the summer, but it had no cool-weather partner.


I sewed my third top to use up this rayon/lycra gray striped jersey.  I didn't have enough of the fabric for the cowl, so I just made the scoop neck version.  For this top, I kept the size 10 shoulder graded to a 16.  But since I always have excess fabric in my armpit when I sew this top, this time I narrowed the shoulder from the sleeve by 1/2", and shaved 1/2" off the side seam at the bottom of the arm scye, tapering to nothing about three inches into the arm scye curve.


I also ended up narrowing the sleeves on all three tops.  I had to use the size 16 sleeves to fit my altered arm scye, but I tapered them in from about 1/2" at the wrist, ending at nothing midway through my bicep.


I have transitioned to the mom washing cycle (at least, this was my own mother's cycle) - wear the same top two days in a row before washing - so these tops last me nearly an entire week.  I do have some lovely bright red-orange wool jersey earmarked for another one.  After mulling over these photos I feel the pop of color would be a welcome wardrobe addition so I should get on that soon.

13 comments:

  1. Such great basics!!! I really love the cowl neck style on me, and have no patterns with that feature. But buying the Renfrew seems silly when I have so many t-shirt patterns! But, the cowl neck! Argh, you see my dilemma! I love the combo of the black cowl neck and leopard print skirt. You are so chic. "Mom wash schedule," LOL!

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  2. The tops looks great and I bet they are super comfy, which is what we need when chasing active little humans :) Isn't it great to be able to make clothes that fits our bodies? I never thought I was doing the mum washing cycle hahaha but I do do the same thing pretty often!

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  3. These look fabulous! My practice renfrew was not flattering but this makes me want to try again.

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    1. Thanks, you should! I have had some issues with the fit of the pattern myself - but the cowl is such a nice feature!

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  4. Great clothes you will definitely wear, bravo.

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  5. Super tops, love the cowl style, looks cosy and I love all the outfits

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  6. You're reminding me of how much I love this pattern! Basics are the best!

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  7. Wow, the tops are amazing! They look fantastic on you!

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