Another Tee & Other Stuff

I think Belinda and I are in a race to see who can sew the most tees from 02/2007 issue of Ottobre Woman. ;-) This is my third and she's up to three (four??) too. This one is design #5, but I used plain sleeves instead of the puff, banded sleeves from the pattern that I used for the first one. I also remembered (too late) that I sewed the first neckband with a smaller seam allowance so it would turn out a little wider. This purple neckband is narrower than the other. It's still perfectly fine though, and not anything I'd point out in real life. I've now made a note on the pattern piece so hopefully I won't forget the next time. And yes, there's definitely going to be a next time, and a next time, and a next time with these Ottobre tees!

I edgestitched the neckband with my sewing machine (per the instructions) this time, instead of twin needling with my coverstitch machine. This is good for a little change but I think I prefer the double needle effect. Next time I won't be so lazy about rethreading, which I had to do anyway for the hems.

(Oh, and before you ask, the fabric is from Lucy's Fabrics, but it's sold out.)



Next up, some answers to comments. After that, a little meme. Don't worry, no personal info required! Keep reading to see if you've been tagged.

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"I really love the look of this top with the cute tie and gathers in front. Did you use a particular pattern, or is it another variation of one of your TNT tops?"


Thank you! It's from the 06/2005 issue of Burda WOF, and yes, it's a very TNT pattern. It's one of my favorites, as you can see below. I've made it 4 times now. I was trying on the latest aqua top last night before tossing it into the laundry to get it back into shape and I decided that this pattern, with short sleeves and the ties sewn in place, will make a great nightgown too. So that's on my list for someday too.

Here are the photos of the past versions, and the Burda line drawing:









(Regarding sewing lingerie) "What if your machine doesn't have a three stitch zig zag?(Mine doesn't.) What's the next best thing?"

A regular medium zigzag stitch.

"On the panties that I just made, I used my CS machine. Some of the stitches popped. I think that is because I wasn't using wooly nylon. Maybe I should use the 3-step ZZ instead. Is this why you don't use the CS for elastic in panties?"

Wooly nylon in the looper and regular sewing thread in the needles should help prevent the stitches from popping. But, yes, that's why I don't CS for panties. The triple ZZ just seems to hold up better, and it's faster to do since you don't have to keep switching machines, etc.

"On the last picture of the overlapped ends (of lingerie elastic), I can't tell where it's overlapped. Do you zig zag horizontally across, or do a zig zag the length of the overlap?"

I zigzag the length of the overlap. I've added a photo to the tutorial on my website which should help explain.

"I am curious as to whether you have used Curves software to create panties or do you prefer the KS pattern?"

I haven't used Curves for panties. No reason, really, except that I have the Kwik Sew pattern perfected for me so no need to reinvent the wheel. I did like having the instructions for the first time I made them, which you don't get with a self-draft in Curves.

"I like this top a lot. Can you show the trim up close? I see that you bound the neckline, but is that what you did on the sleeve hems? Which pattern is the skirt? It looks great with the top."

Thank you! Here are some close-up pics. The sleeve hems are just straight strips of cross-grain knit, sewn into rounds and pressed in half and then applied in the round with my serger. I coverstitched the seam allowances up with my coverstitch machine. The sleeve pattern (from Ottobre Woman) is gathered at the top and onto the band. I pinned the band onto the bottom of the sleeve 1:1 until about 2 inches on either side of the outward center. Then I just stretched the heck out of it while I serged. ;-) That's why you see a little gathering at that area. It's supposed to be there. After a trip through the laundry, it will be back in shape.

The skirt is my ol' TNT, Kwik Sew 3287.








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Finally, here's the meme. The "rules" are simple. Answer the questions, add photos if you want (or steal mine), and tag 5 other sewing bloggers.

1. What kind of seam ripper do you use?

I use this one. They are very sharp and stay sharp a long time. But they're cheap when they need replacing. I buy mine from Nancy's Notions for under $3.98 each. And I buy 2 at a time so I always have a sharp one.



2. What do you use to snip threads at the sewing machine?

I use these little Gingher curved embroidery scissors. They're very sharp, and easy to grab quickly.



3. What do you use to cut out patterns/fabric?

Mostly my Olfa 60 mm rotary cutter, even around tight curves. I like that it covers more "real estate" at once than the smaller cutters. I use the 20 mm cutter to cut traced patterns which need a seam allowance added. I wish there was a seam allowance thingy for the 60 mm cutter. The spring-loaded Fiskars are used mostly for cutting notches/snips and other miscellaneous tasks.



4. Do you stash zippers?

Yep. I love not having to run to the store for a zipper. Not that the local stores ever have the right color anyway. ;-)



5. Which takes up more space in your stash — knits or wovens?

Knits, hands down. Probably 65-75% of my stash is knit fabric.

6. Are you wearing anything today that you made?

Yes. I made everything except my bra, shoes, and jewelry. More specifically, I'm wearing the orangey gathered front top you see above, khaki knit capris, and (TMI) one pair of my newest undies.

7. Does anyone else in your family currently sew?

Yes, my mom sews. My sister owns a sewing machine but she doesn't really sew.


8. What is the last $$ sewing-related (non-fabric) item you bought?

I think it was my big cutting mat.

9. Cutting out, pressing, hemming. Which one do you like the LEAST?

Hemming. I usually just wing it, by eye. ;-)

10. Do you have any non-chain garment fabric stores in your local area?

Yes, there are 2-3. But I usually shop the internet because it's more convenient. These stores are nice, but they are about a 30- to 60-minute drive.

OK, I tag: Belinda, Gaylen, Beki, Erica, and Angie.