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Sew Long Summer, sewing for autumn

Oh my goodness, the children have started their new schools, autumn is so very nearly here and I feel far from ready. How did that happen?? Since participating in Me Made May on Instagram when I reviewed my handmade wardrobe I have been sewing summery items, not filling any of the gaps I identified, mainly long sleeve tops and trousers.

So when I saw the chance to join in this blog hop Sew Long Summer organised by MAHLICADESIGNS and sponsored by Simply by Ti Fabrics and DG Patterns I jumped at the chance to join in.

So a big welcome to the Sew Long Summer blog tour. We’re going to have a fun one this year.

A nice group of sewing bloggers are going to share with you how we say “Sew Long Summer” and we’ll be asking you to join in with a Social Sew too (read on for details and prizes)

Sew Long Summer is all about getting those transitional wardrobe pieces ready; finishing up all those things we meant to make this summer; and well, basically whatever Sew Long Summer means to you.

Continental US participants will be entered to win a $20 store credit from Simply by Ti Fabrics.

All other participants will be entered to win a pattern of choice from DG Patterns.

To enter, please tag your sewing project with #SewLongSewcial18 on Instagram or facebook. You can also leave a link in the comments on the mahlicadesigns intro post. Please limit your entries to items you’ve sewn between Sept 10th and Sept 28th 2018. Winners will be notified and announced shortly thereafter.

We can’t wait to see what you’re making.

Grabbing my motivation by the hand I decided to make a long sleeved top. One day I will learn to sew jeans but, for now, I going to stick with long sleeved tops – a far quicker sew plus with long arms and torso it’s a delight to sew clothes that fit!

I like to use what I have, so going through my fabric stash I decided now was the time to sew up this gorgeous light viscose/wool blend fabric. I chose this Keyhole Blouse pattern from a back issue of the Sew Love magazine.

The keyhole blouse has not been the easiest of makes but I have learnt from the make, I enjoy a sewing project where I grow and develop my skills.

With no time for a toile I decided to add some length as I cut out. When it came to fitting I realised that I didn’t need the extra length on the body so trimmed it off!

I was a little apprehensive about making bias binding from a thin lightweight fabric but with the help of a bias binder gadget it was fine.

But the v neck of the top proved tricky. First fitting showed me that I cut the V too deep.

 

So I hand stitched to close some of the v up.

This has caused little bit of a bump in fabric at the base of the v, but it’s not really noticeable unless you are looking really closely.

If I make this top again I will make the v smaller both in depth and width, I will not lengthen the body of the top but will add 1/2″ to the sleeves, plus I will widen the sleeves fractionally as they fit a little tight in me. On a positive sewing, this lightweight fabric was far easier than anticipated, and making my own bias binding added a professional finish to the top.

The shoulders are a little wide, so I suspect I made the v too wide as the top – if I had used less bias binding this would have brought the shoulders in a little.  I think I will be wearing the top with a camisole underneath.

 

So why am I sharing a top which has issues with you? I firmly believe in sharing the good the bad and ugly here on the blog. Not every project is perfect but if I make this top again I will have learnt from the first make!! I will definitely make the sleeves a little wider in width. A sewing life does not always result in the perfect fit first time round!!

Don’t forget to share what you’ve been making to say “Sew Long Summer” to be entered into our random drawing.

The full tour includes these talented sewists, so I hope you’ll follow along this week.

Sept. 10th Sewing A La Carte, Tenille’s Thread, A Custom Clothier, Made for Little Gents, Miss Marah Sewn

Sept. 11th Manning the Machine, mahlicadesigns, Sewing Vortex, Crafting Fiend

Sept. 12th Auschick Sews, Aurora Design Fabrics, My Heart Will Sew On, Vicky Myers Creations

Sept. 13th Flaxfield Sewing, Sewing with D, Musings of a Seamstress, Make it Sew with the Bear and Pea Atelier, Petite Font

Sept. 14th Sewing à la Carte, Sewing by Ti, Stitches by Laura, Sewing with Sarah, My Sewing Roots

 

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Jenna

Tuesday 2nd of October 2018

Great cut and style. The black beneath the top also highlights the style of the top! Great Job!

Melissa E of mahlicadesigns

Monday 17th of September 2018

I'm always caught by surprise at how deep the Vs are on patterns. Who on earth wants their bra showing like that? This is a really cute pattern design, so I do hope you give it another try with what you've learned on this one.

Sonja

Saturday 15th of September 2018

Such a great looking neckline and wearing the black t-shirt under this top lifts the neckline design even better.

Crystal

Thursday 13th of September 2018

I very much like the shape of this neckline and the drape of your fabric! It's very pretty.

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