So far so good! Today I’m wearing my polka dot version of Colette’s Sorbetto. The Sorbetto is a free pattern download, so if you haven’t yet gotten your hands on it, I’d check it out immediately. It’s a pretty easy little top to sew, and very comfortable and versatile.
Like nearly all of my sewing projects, there are things I learned in the making of this top. The fabric I used is a very slippery, lightweight rayon, and yes, it was a bitch to work with. I love wearing slinky little fabrics, but I am not a fan of sewing with them. The neckline and sleeves of this shirt are finished with a bias binding, and I had originally intended to make bias tape out of the remaining fabric from the shirt. But it was way too hard to work with, and I ended up just using some basic grey bias tape I had on hand.
I also finished my seams the lazy lady way, with just pinking shears, but with this fabric that was not enough. After the first wash, the seams started fraying and I thought this shirt was doomed. But I had a late night brainstorm: I had some leftover interfacing that is similar in weight and drape to the fabric of this shirt, so I just cut some long strips of interfacing and fused them over the seams on the inside. Voila: no more fraying. Not a very professional finish, but it works for me. It did make me realize, once and for all, the importance of finishing seams.
It’s Friday, whoo hoo, and I’m hoping to spend the evening working on that sweater I mentioned a few days ago. Maybe I’ll be able to share it soon! My sewing projects have been taking me longer than anticipated lately, but I think that’s partly because I want to do things more neatly and professionally. I’m realizing that my laziness doesn’t always work with sewing, so I’m trying to conscientiously take more time, and do things the right way.
Are you participating in Me-Made May? I’m loving seeing everyone else’s creations on the blogs, especially when people are pulling out things they made when they first started sewing. It makes me realize that everyone starts where I am now: making mistakes and learning something new with every project.
I’ve also learned that lesson about taking time with sewing projects the hard way. So far the most important thing I’ve learned is to always make a muslin, which has saved me a couple of times since I’ve started doing that. I’ve also learned to pay more attention to the drape of the fabric when I buy it, especially if I already know what I want to make for it. I have a pattern for a similar looking top, and got a fun batiky print for it. That was stiff when I bought it, and remained stiff after washing. At least I knew better than to try and soldier on, though!