Hello-
I hope all is well. Yesterday I crossed a milestone in my life, my last year in my 30s (yes, 39 years old)! I must tell you that leading up to the day, I was feeling quite down. There was nothing in particular wrong, but it felt like everything was wrong. I must tell you I felt this very same way as I started approaching 29. For me, when that last year of the decade approaches, I begin evaluating my life thinking about what have I accomplished and what progress have I made? However, like last time, when my birthday rolled around I was overjoyed. Overjoyed by the excitement of newness, being alive, a fresh start, an out pour of well wishes, etc. Let’s not forget a total solar eclipse happened yesterday on my birthday! I feel so blessed and appreciative for every moment I have with my family, friends, and sewing machine. (Fun Fact: I didn’t learn to sew until I was in my 30s, so that right there is a major accomplishment and progress all by itself for this decade of life!!! #winning). Let’s see how I feel when 49 begins approaching (but only looking forward to great things).
So I know it has been a while since I have posted on the blog. It is not because I haven’t been sewing. It is more so that I haven’t had the focus or energy to do the things that come along with the blogging part. I will try to do better in the upcoming months with sharing a bit more consistently, as listed on my “39 year old goals” for the year! With that being said…
Let’s get into this week’s DIY look…This Wrap Shirt!
First of all, OMG, how beautiful is this top? I absolutely love this pattern (McCall’s M7627 View B ) with this fantastic fabric from Stylish Fabric. This is an indigo chambray with woven punched holes and can be found here.
For a little fun, Fo Alexander and I got together and sewed two different views of this pattern using the same fabric. She made the wrap dress, View C. How gorgeous is her wrap dress? Such a classic piece. Click here to read more about Fo’s experience making this dress and adding a lining.
Fo Alexander writes…
So, let’s start with the pattern. I absolutely loved the look and styling of view B and thought that view C would be a cute make as well. Ironically, I don’t own any wrap dresses, so this pattern was a perfect addition to my wardrobe.The actual construction of this garment wasn’t hard at all. In fact, it only took a day to make, once cut. The cutting was actually the tedious part for me. I have one word about this pattern…SPACE. You needs lots of space to get these pieces cut out…READ MORE…
I really enjoyed working with this fabric, it was easy to cut and sew. I pre-washed my fabric in Arm and Hammer Oxi-Clean on a long wash and dried it on medium heat, prior to cutting the fabric. When using this fabric, pre-washing one or two times will reduce the dye transfer. I think the detail of the fabric really made this wrap shirt stand out. The punched holes look like polka dots. Now this wrap shirt requires a lot of fabric to make. I used 4 yards; however, I think 4.25 yards is recommended for the size that I made ( I cut between a 12 and 14 in different places). GUESS WHAT! Stylish Fabric has provided 4 yards of this fabric to giveaway to a lucky winner! Keep reading for more details.
So let’s talk a little bit about the construction. I found this pattern easy to make, but I will say it was a lot of “busy” work to get it done. In general, the bodice and peplum of the top came together rather quickly; however, the sleeves required a little time.
First there are several lines on the sleeves that must be traced from the pattern paper on to the fabric. I did this by using tracing paper and a good sharp tracing wheel that I scored at an estate sale. My preferred tracing paper to use is Dritz Disappearing Mark-B-Gone Tracing Paper. I do not like using Dritz Double-Faced Wax Free Tracing Paper as much, because I find it dry and I don’t feel like I ever see the transfer of the trace onto the fabric very well. Dritz Mark-B-Gone is slightly moist and must be stored in a plastic bag so that it does not dry out.
When I traced my lines, I went back over them with wax chalk, because Dritz Mark-B-Gone is made to disappear from your fabric within 24 to 72 hours and I was not sure how soon I would get all of the stitching done on the sleeves.
Some of the lines on the sleeve pattern are stitching lines and some are roll lines. After stitching the sleeve together along the side, I stitched all of the marked lines with a basting stitch and marked the lines that were meant to be rolled with an “R”. This made it a lot easier for me to differentiate between the lines and also crease the rolls in the proper place.
To create the effect of the sleeve I folded the fabric along the roll line. The safety pin shows the first roll line.
Next, I placed the first basted stitching line on top of the next basted stitching line. This required a little bit of gathering to make the wider part of the lower stitching line fit on top of the upper and more narrow stitching line as I moved up the sleeve.
Once I matched the basted stitching lines up well enough, I stitched along the matched-up basting lines to keep the first roll in place.
This is what the first completed “ruffle puff” looked like when it was turned to the right side.
This process was continued up until I had 3 ruffles. I actually pressed at my roll lines, to create a flatter look on the sleeve.
I decided not to add the cuff at the bottom of the sleeve as shown in the pattern, because I liked the bell look of the bottom much better. I finished my sleeve and peplum with a narrow hem, using my narrow hem foot. Whenever I am doing a hem, especially on something that is cut on the bias like this peplum, I like to allow my hem to hang out at least a day before I hem it. This allows the drape of the hem to stretch and fall, so when it is hemmed, it will hang nicely. Sometimes, if you do not allow the hem to hang out first, your finished hem may end up askew. I was happy to see the pattern instructions advise allowing the garment hang overnight before hemming.
I love the details of the pleats at the shoulders and waist (Note: I didn’t take out most of my basting stitches so ignore any place you see them in these pictures, LOL. I wouldn’t say it is a “bad”habit, but it is a “habit” of mine. )
I especially love the long length and width of the tie belt and how it completely wraps around the body and is tied into a bow in the front.
And of the course the peplum….
I serged the inside of the entire garment and added bias tape around the facing to give the shirt a little more je ne sais quoi.
I want to make this top again, because I think it is so adorable! Even though it is a lot of top, it is so flattering and wears well. Plus, I sent my mom a picture of it and she has requested that I put it in the mail and send it to her, LOL!
Okay, as promised here are the details for how you may enter for your chance to win the fabric sponsored by Stylish Fabric as well as this McCall’s pattern:
- Comment on both a) my blog post AND b) Fo Alexander’s blog post telling us how you would use the fabric and also which view you would sew with McCall’s M7627 and;
- Subscribe to both blogs.
That’s all! A winner will be chosen August 25, 2017.
Also if you are interested in grabbing some of this fabric for yourself, go check out Stylish Fabric and feel free to use my coupon code: Tee for 15% off.
Until next time, be safe.
Yours truly, Tee
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