Hello Spring. New season, new style

It's a bit weird to sit down and write a blog post about sewing a new top when the news is so dire. I want to acknowledge that and say I hope everyone is well and doing what's needed. We can all emerge someday (hopefully soon) and show off what we made while stuck at home. I've actually not done all that much sewing since our stay-in-place order was issued. Faced with at least two weeks at home I made a very long list of house, garden, sewing, baking and closet cleaning. Joking with friends I said if I get through all that I will be amazed as it is easy to get distracted by a book or talking on the phone.

That said I will try to provide some sewing content here as we are looking for things to occupy our minds and hands - it keeps us off the news feed, right? News overload doesn't really help and I'm so glad to have the ability to entertain myself with sewing and to share with fellow stitchers all over.

This is my attempt to try a new style or silhouette. I was going for that boho look and not sure if I got there, but I do like this top. The colors are my favorites and it will go with plenty in my wardrobe.




It's a Burda pattern. What else?  Are you getting tired of reading about mostly Burda magazine patterns? It's just that they are so convenient! and now with two years of magazines I have what seems like a dress, top, jacket for any look or shape I want to sew. Let me know in the comments if there are some other patterns that you would like to see me make and how you feel about my steady stream of Burda magazine sewing. I think it doesn't make any difference as clothes are a collection of collars, closures, pleats, sleeve styles etc and any pattern company is going to mix and match in similar ways (eventually).  This one is Burda August 2018 #103  here it is on their website.





I really tried to get the stripes to line up and it's reasonably well matched, one side is a bit better than the other but across the sleeves and body it lines up. It has a separate button band so that needed to match as well. a bit wiggly in places. I didn't really pay attention to what the pattern did with the sleeve cuffs, I just decided to go with the a channel for elastic. Which at least means that when the sleeves are bugging me I can just push them up to the elbow to shorten. (by the way I always think of these sleeves as pirate sleeves - it seems in movies, pirates always have these floppy shirt sleeves)





Yeah, this expression says "I'm not really sure about this style on me".






I bought this woven rayon fabric at Piedmont Fabrics back in October on that beautiful day when I met Yoshimi and Carolyn. So I will wear it and think fondly of them and how great it was to meet in person.

I have a obsession about button sewing, in that I can't stand it when the buttons are not spaced correctly so that one spacing is off and it creates a ripple or makes the hem uneven at the bottom. Although I usually sew on the buttons before I hem and then sew the hem so that it is even at the button band. Told ya, obsession.  So here is a button sewn on, button it, and then mark the spot for the next one.



A closer look at the neckline, it has a very narrow shaped band and a couple of pleats on either side. I would make this again in a cotton voile maybe, or a silk crepe de chine. But for now it will go in the pattern binder as I have plenty of other new patterns to get to.






Back view and wearing with my most recent version of the Ash jeans. I think that pattern is great. They aren't hemmed yet. Maybe when they are they will get their own blog post.




There I was trying to show of those sleeves. Still  not sure about them. In fact now that I look at it the whole thing looks a bit "old-fashioned nightgown" in shape. But I do like the fabric!

We finally have had some rain after not a single drop in February, so the plants are doing better. The pink jasmine on the fence behind me is about to burst into bloom.



Up next, I'm making a boucle jacket with some interesting sleeves. I'm only a year behind with the year of the sleeve, right? I think this is the year of the ruffle based on what I've seen with the latest spring patterns (was their a McCalls pattern without a ruffle?) I stopped into Stone Mountain Fabrics on my way home from teaching what turned out to by my last class for a while and got a couple of great fabrics for tops that go with the jacket. So my stay at home sewing is at the ready.

I hope you are doing well, staying safe and I'm so appreciative of our online sewing community. Seeing everyone's blog and Instagram posts is cheering and inspirational.

Happy Spring Sewing,
Beth


Yes, it's the first day of spring and the garden is starting to look that way. I hope this beautiful tulip is another bit of cheer for you.