Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend: Butterick 6324

The diamond pin-tucking (yes, those kind of diamonds) on this fabric is one of my favourite details on this shirt. I purchased this 100% cotton fabric already pin-tucked many, many moons ago from Mitchell Fabrics. 

The pattern, Butterick 6324 (circa 2016), was found in a sales bin. Otherwise, I don't think I would have picked up this pattern for a simple top. I would have quite simply overlooked this one.  It's a lovely pattern and I'm quite happy that I gave this one a try.  

I really like the fact that there are no darts to interfere with the pin-tucking and the front fly feature gives it a nice clean finish. I switched the sleeve pattern for my favourite sleeve, cuff and placket combination from Vogue 1503.  

Project Details

Seams:  2.8 stitch length, 5/8" seam allowance.  

Seam Finish:  Serged

Tips:  Don't be scared off by this pattern based on Pattern Reviews that mention challenges with the front band.  I didn't find the instructions for this part of the pattern to be challenging at all, perhaps it was a revised printing?  

Fabric:  3 metres (narrow width)

Interfacing:  0.80 metres fusible

Label:  1 "Me Made" label by Kylie and the Machine

Buttons:  9 - 1/2" buttons 

Pattern:  Butterick 6324 and Vogue 1503

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Cutting table, scissors, pins, pin cushions, tailor's chalk, hand sewing machine needle, threads, sewing machine, walking foot, buttonhole foot, serger, screwdriver, tweezers, buttonhole cutter, cutting board, tailor's wax, thread clippers, clapper iron, ironing board, seam ripper, and a few breaks.  

Stay Safe, Be Kind and Happy Sewing!

New Year's Wish List.

Happy New Year!

So did you make new year's resolutions? I'm really not fond of the word resolutions, I rather prefer the phrase wish list. And I have a few sewing related.

1.  I wish to clear up my scrap pile of fabrics that I've been collecting. I've started cutting them into squares and would like to sew them into a quilted blanket[s] that I could donate. I wonder how many I can make before year's end?

2.  I would like to master pin tucks. I was inspired by one of Gertie's posts on pin tucking and ran out to pick up a pin tucking foot for my machine. It has since been on my list of things to do.

3.  Make time for yoga and exercise into my sewing timetable. I'm not kidding about this one, too many sewing related strains and pains this past year and not enough stretching.



4.  Read more, I'm not talking about classic novels rather the instructional manuals for my sergers.  I want to discover through my sergers the wonder world of butted seam, pin-tucking, decorative top-stitching, narrow and rolled hem, picot stitch, and gathering. Oh my!


5.  I wish that sewing will be less stressful this coming year. I have to learn to say "NO!" to people (niece, nephews and Mama R excluded) and keep in mind how much I have on my plate already. Sewing was once an escape, I would like to get that feeling back. Some people go on vacation, I sew.

How about you, do you have any sewing related items on your wish list for 2012?

   

Pretty pintucks!

I've had a renewed excitement about pintucks ever since I read Gertie's "Playing with Pintucks" and stitch-along posts.

{source}

I love the look of pintucks like can be found in this vintage dress! You don't see workmanship like this in RTW clothing.

But I shouldn't talk about RTW because the last time I made pin tucks on a garment was when I made Vogue 2789.

The pintucks on the blouse were marked on the fabric and stitched on the sewing machine using a single needle and basic presser foot.


I made all these twenty-six pintucks before I had in my possession a pintuck presser foot! It took quite some time but I think it was worth it.

It was Gertie's curve tucks experimentation that make me run out to get a pintuck foot!

So when I found myself on the other side of the river running some errands this afternoon, I had to stop into Quilt as Desired. They carry accessories for my Janome sewing machine.

I can't wait, this is going to be fun!

Can it be saved?

This is one of my all-time-favourite blouse patterns. It is an Anne Klein design from Vogue patterns, Vogue 2789.

I made View A a few years back.  It is a semi-fitted blouse with pin tucks on the bodice front below the bust line which continue on the bodice back.

The fitted sleeve has pleats from the ties.

I even made fabric covered buttons to match.

I made this blouse in a 100% white cotton with a black print. The print has shoes which I think are cute.

Sadly, I haven't worn it in years and I can't bring myself to give it away.

I would like to blame it on the shrinking the 100% cotton but that would be a lie. And if anyone knows me knows that one of my golden rules is to always pre-shrink your fabric.

So the truth is I've gained more than a few pounds. And now the blouse, in the fabric that I think is too cute, doesn't fit.  

Yeah, that horizontal pulling should not be there. Not pretty, is it?

So here is the plan, I'm going to try to rescue the blouse from a pile of neglected clothes that no longer fit.

Okay, maybe I'm in denial about how much weight I gained over the years but I've gotta try something short of exercising. I jest about the exercise.  Maybe later.



I think I going to remove all 26 of those pin tucks.

I hope it will eliminate the horizontal pulling that occurs around my explosive mid-section.

No, I don't think that will be enough.  But I think letting out the two side seams and the centre back seam might help?

Am I delusional? I hope not. I'm going to spend some quality time outdoors with my blouse and seam ripper and see if I can make it work.  

Have I mentioned I love Tim Gunn's catch phrase?  

Several hours later... 

The verdict is in. Apparently, I was delusional.

But I refuse to give up and this means that I will have to take drastic measures.

And I did.

With my seam ripper still hot in hands I get to work on the side seams and open them up to the underarm seam.

I'm thinking insert. If I still have some of this fabric left over I am unsure where it would be found. My second choice is to use black or white fabric.

Black won the coin toss!






I have a lightweight 100% cotton with diagonal pin tucking that I think will work out fine.







I measured out a triangular shape that will fit into the opening, trim off the excess, and try it on. It works!

And that is the story of how I saved my favourite blouse.