Today we have a great post from Cindy at Siestas and Sewing - some useful tips and a tutorial for a cute summer tank. Cindy's blog is full of sewing inspiration for everyone. She shares sewing projects for young teens, little girls, boys and mums. If you live in our part of the world and are beginning to think about your summer sewing list, Siestas and Sewing is the place to check out. You can find great ideas for shorts, sundresses, tshirts, tops and swimwear.
Thanks for joining us Cindy and sharing your best friend with us.
Thanks for joining us Cindy and sharing your best friend with us.
Hello Sew Together readers!! I'm Cindy and I blog over at Siestas & Sewing about life with my family and what I've been sewing. I'm excited to be a part of the 'My Best Friend' series today!
Not only did she accompany me and my crew of 4 on a cross country road trip in 2010 (and is willing to do it again!), she is always there if I have a question or to lend me a hand. Plus, she lets me play with all her fancy sewing machines and sergers when we go to her house! Which is quite often, I might add, as my parents live a mile and a half from us.:) My mom is quite an accomplished sewist. She sewed all my formal gowns through high school and college and even made my wedding veil.
She also introduced me to my new best friend....the Wonder Clips from Clover.
These little clips have made applying binding and FOE so much easier! I have a little project to share that shows how I use the Wonder clips...a tank top with gathers at the shoulder and ribbon accents. The pattern fits size 80-122 cm which is roughly equivalent to 12 months-7 years of age.
Supplies:
Free Ottobre Design Tank Top found HERE
Interlock or Jersey Knit Fabric
Ribbing
Ribbon
To start, print the free pattern out and tape the pattern pieces together as indicated. Trace off the size you need. For MG, I did a 104 with 110 length. If you need help determining what size to make Ottobre Design has a size chart (cm and in) HERE.
A few notes regarding Ottobre Design patterns and this one in particular:
Now on to the Summer Fun Tank!
Following the directions below, alter the shape of the shoulder starting with the back pattern piece.
Next up is the modifications to the front pattern piece...
Add seam allowances to the sides of your pattern. I added a 1/4". Reminder: If you aren't doing the modifications, you would need to also add seam allowances to the shoulders.
Cut the front and back of the tank from jersey or interlock and the binding from ribbing.
Joining:
1. Gather both the front and back shoulders to 1 1/2" and stitch front to back WRONG sides together. Press the seam up and remove your gathering threads if they are below the seam line.
2. Stitch your ribbon across the seam line. I used a wonder clip at the opposite end to hold the ribbon in place. Repeat for other side.
Take the neckline binding and stitch the 2 short ends right sides together so that you have a circle. Press the seam open.
3. Mark the neckline and the neckline binding in to quarters, pin in place, and attach the right side of the binding to the wrong side of the neckline stretching binding slightly as you stitch it on with a 1 cm seam allowance. Make sure the seam in your binding is in the BACK. Confession: If you look closely at the picture I forgot to double check. Don't do what I did.:)
4. Fold the binding edge over to meet the raw edge.
5. Fold over again so that it covers the stitching line.
6. Hold in place with wonder clips. Stitch close to the edge.
Now it's time to apply the armhole binding. The process is the same as applying the neckline binding except that you're working on the flat so you don't have to mark the binding/armhole in to quarters.
Stitch side seams.
Fold the seam allowance of the binding towards the back and straight stitch it into place. Here's what it looks like:
Turn up hem allowance and stitch in your preferred method. I used a double/twin needle for my Summer Fun Tank.
It might be a little corny, but my mom is truly my best friend.
 |
| Mom, my fab four, and myself in Colorado |
Not only did she accompany me and my crew of 4 on a cross country road trip in 2010 (and is willing to do it again!), she is always there if I have a question or to lend me a hand. Plus, she lets me play with all her fancy sewing machines and sergers when we go to her house! Which is quite often, I might add, as my parents live a mile and a half from us.:) My mom is quite an accomplished sewist. She sewed all my formal gowns through high school and college and even made my wedding veil.
She also introduced me to my new best friend....the Wonder Clips from Clover.
These little clips have made applying binding and FOE so much easier! I have a little project to share that shows how I use the Wonder clips...a tank top with gathers at the shoulder and ribbon accents. The pattern fits size 80-122 cm which is roughly equivalent to 12 months-7 years of age.
Supplies:
Free Ottobre Design Tank Top found HERE
Interlock or Jersey Knit Fabric
Ribbing
Ribbon
To start, print the free pattern out and tape the pattern pieces together as indicated. Trace off the size you need. For MG, I did a 104 with 110 length. If you need help determining what size to make Ottobre Design has a size chart (cm and in) HERE.
A few notes regarding Ottobre Design patterns and this one in particular:
- seam allowances are not included except on the binding pattern pieces
- do not add seam allowances where binding will be applied (neckline and armholes)
- My mods to the shoulder include a 1/4" seam allowance. If you're not doing the mod, you'll need to add one.
- For my kids, I find the top patterns run a little short so I always compare the pattern pieces to a shirt I know fits.
Now on to the Summer Fun Tank!
Following the directions below, alter the shape of the shoulder starting with the back pattern piece.
Add seam allowances to the sides of your pattern. I added a 1/4". Reminder: If you aren't doing the modifications, you would need to also add seam allowances to the shoulders.
Cut the front and back of the tank from jersey or interlock and the binding from ribbing.
Joining:
1. Gather both the front and back shoulders to 1 1/2" and stitch front to back WRONG sides together. Press the seam up and remove your gathering threads if they are below the seam line.
2. Stitch your ribbon across the seam line. I used a wonder clip at the opposite end to hold the ribbon in place. Repeat for other side.
Take the neckline binding and stitch the 2 short ends right sides together so that you have a circle. Press the seam open.
3. Mark the neckline and the neckline binding in to quarters, pin in place, and attach the right side of the binding to the wrong side of the neckline stretching binding slightly as you stitch it on with a 1 cm seam allowance. Make sure the seam in your binding is in the BACK. Confession: If you look closely at the picture I forgot to double check. Don't do what I did.:)
4. Fold the binding edge over to meet the raw edge.
5. Fold over again so that it covers the stitching line.
6. Hold in place with wonder clips. Stitch close to the edge.
Now it's time to apply the armhole binding. The process is the same as applying the neckline binding except that you're working on the flat so you don't have to mark the binding/armhole in to quarters.
Stitch side seams.
Fold the seam allowance of the binding towards the back and straight stitch it into place. Here's what it looks like:
Turn up hem allowance and stitch in your preferred method. I used a double/twin needle for my Summer Fun Tank.
Here's the finished top:
Perfect for spending the afternoon at Grandma's house!
Thanks again Cindy. We are definitely going to invest in some of those clips.
And saying your Mum is you best friend is not at all corny... We couldn't do without our Mum either!
And saying your Mum is you best friend is not at all corny... We couldn't do without our Mum either!
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