New Year with the same song, New Look 6150 knit top

So much for expanding my repertoire - the first item I have sewn in 2015 is another version of New Look 6150. Which is a fantastic top and the two versions of this pattern that I have sewn for myself are in constant rotation once the temperatures turn chilly. But I really wanted a more sweater-ish version, similar to one I made for a friend. So in September I found this great sweater jersey at Stone Mountain and snapped it up. I think I bought 2 yards but now that I have sewed this one there is a good 3/4 plus remaining. So I predict a raglan tee also.

Here is the post from 2013 with my first use of this pattern and 4 different versions

Not too much to say about construction,  although I did narrow it in the shoulders about 1/2 inch as the other versions seem a bit droopy in that area. So I just cut off the 1/2" at the outside shoulder tapering down to zero about 3 inches down.

The color looks different in every photo, perhaps the one below is more accurate although a bit overexposed.

The back has a seam, maybe one of these days I will omit that and cut on the fold, it might look a bit neater although there is some shaping in the seam. Hmmm. Do I think I will make it again? quite likely :)

I am not the best hemmer when it comes to knits, sometimes I get a good result and sometimes it looks a bit wobbly. For this one I didn't put my usual interfacing, just serged the edge, turned and zig-zag. The stitching disappears into this sweater knit so it doesn't really show.

Here is the pattern envelope. This one was listed on Pattern Review's Best patterns of 2013 and I think it is very flattering on a lot of people, the V-neck is not too low so it doesn't gape and the plain t-shirt is a good basic. I just saw their page with the choices to be voted on this year, 21 patterns to vote on to select the 10 best, and I thought it was a snooze fest. To me not really an interesting one in the bunch.

I am kind of cuckoo for these crossover knit tops, aren't I? and yet I don't have a wrap dress in my wardrobe. Maybe this year. 

As for the color, it seems I have created an outfit in the Pantone color of the year, Marsala. Well maybe not quite but kind of close. I just ordered those corduroy jeans right before the holiday and when they arrived I saw they were a perfect match for this fabric. So that was a win.

A few bursts of shopping in December - holiday gift shopping for family is fraught with danger - I often succumb to the "one for them and one for me" mentality. I bought those shoes I am wearing above, one day at Nordstrom totally on an impulse, and yet they have become favorites very quickly. They are super comfy, great on rainy pavements and very warm! They feel like I am wear apres-ski boots but without suffering through a day of serious mogul skiing on our typically icy and unforgiving Sierra snow. However I did make a quick trip to Philadelphia in December (where I almost froze my *** off, despite wearing my trusty shearling coat that is perfect for winter travel, it doubles as a pillow/blanket on the airplane) How do you frozen tundra people do it? OK, I am a weather wimp but wow, I just can't deal with cold.  I did realize that these shoes with the lace up in the back are not the most convenient things for taking on and off thru the airport inspection lines, ha ha, but otherwise were great. (the brand is Fly London).

I have a couple of other knit tops which I finished before the year's end and just started on a shirt using a new pattern. The jury is still out on this one but I really like the fabric so I think it will be OK.

And yes, I am just about ready to start on that Burda coat - gotta get a move on that one or the winter will be over here before we know it - which will be fine with me!

Happy New Year Sewing,  Beth

Here is today's garden photo, a very pale pink camellia which has lots of flowers but they do fade and drop very quickly. Camellias are so pretty but but their bloom is so quick, good thing the shrubbery is nice and green year round.