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Sunday, September 20, 2015

An Abstract Print

My wardrobe is in dire need of more tops so I decided to make this self-drafted top.  I first saw this colorful abstract print knit jersey fabric made into a beautiful jumpsuit on the blog, Erica Bunker DIY Style.  So I was quite happy to come across it at the Mood Fabrics store in New York City.





This fabric was very stretchy in both the crosswise and lengthwise grain with great recovery.  Since I need darts even in knits for tops to fit properly, I used my usual technique for sewing darts on knits.

Once I basted the side seams together, I discovered the darts were too high!  Yikes!  I think the lengthwise recovery pulled the dart up more than I thought it would. So I took apart the basting and moved the dart down to its proper location.  Unfortunately, this skewed the dart take-up so much that I would not be able to catch it in the seam.  Pondering what to do, I remembered I once made a chiffon blouse where I serged the dart so there would be no dart take-up visible on the right side, only a neat thin line.  It occurred to me I could serge this dart thereby cutting off the unruly dart take-up.  I then was able to catch the dart in the side seam - whew:



I always use the coverstitch feature of my serger for hems on knit tops.  In this case, I wanted the double needle stitching on the right side to match the orange background.  I did not want to purchase 3 cones of orange serger thread so what I did was fill a bobbin with the thread for one of the needles and use a thread spool for the other needle.  For the looper thread underneath, I used a red cone of serger thread I had in my stash.  I stitched some samples to make sure the red looper thread did not show on the right side and luckily it did not.  (If it had, I would had filled another bobbin):



The days are still warm here in the northeastern U.S. but fall is just around the corner and only a few days away on the calendar.  The humidity and temperature are lower and the sun is setting earlier so I will soon be wearing fall jackets and sweaters.  I will definitely use this top underneath for a pop of color.

Happy sewing!


9 comments:

  1. I've used bobbins before on my overlocker also when short of thread! Love this bright coloured top and I am always so envious how you can just "drop into New York" to get fabrics. I will be visiting in January so must visit these fabric stores you speak about :)
    This top will be a great piece to take you into and through fall (autumn to us!) with layers :) x

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    1. Thank you Dawn! I do feel lucky to live only a short commute away from NYC's fabric stores. Let me know whether you want to meet up (no obligation - I am sure you have a full itinerary!) or as the time comes closer, I can email you stores you may want to visit.

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    2. WOw Tomasa to both of your offers!! I will email you my email address xx

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  2. Great top! I bought some gizmo from Nancy's notions to put bobbins on in place of cone threads but it seems like what you did (put the bobbin right on the pin with the cone adapter underneath) was good enough!

    Interesting that the dart wound up so high; you totally knew how to fix it.

    Love the pix of you in front of the Beetle!

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    1. Thanks Kyle! Putting the bobbin right on top of the cone adapter works just fine. It stays put and the thread feeds with no problem whatsoever.

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  3. Great top and the color are wonderful on you, fit too!

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  4. It looks great! I love that cheerful print too :)

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  5. Thank you Carolyn! I love bright colorful prints.

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