#seamwork

So, I've been working incorporating a new aspect of my aesthetic into my sewing that I'm calling

Bi Femme Clownery...

Last year, I made a bedgown/wrapper-inspired robe thing lol, I made a cardigan (I want to remake it, but that's for another post), I made an 18th century petticoat, and an 18th century shift. What's next for 2022?

To say I am obsessed with this design is an understatement.

✂️ Project Overview ✂️

Pattern: Riley by Seamwork (includes plus size options) Size: 6 Fabric: Navy ticking fabric, 100% cotton [*] Est. Time: 2-4 hrs

🧵 Summary 🧵

Its also been the hottest summer on record in Texas, and I have become painfully aware of how lacking my wardrobe is in simple sleeveless items. 😅

Digging through the Seamwork catalogue I found the Riley and decided that this could potentially solve for two general additions I am wanting for my wardrobe 1) cute sleeveless tops that are cropped AND have solid bust coverage, and 2) some sleeveless items that I can use to layer in the cooler months. Plus, I immediately thought of the yard of ticking fabric in my stash that I had gotten from the Joanns remnant pile a few months prior.

Overall the construction was fairly simple. The top consists of two pieces and some single-fold binding tape. And while the pattern has you make your own ties for the drawstring at the bottom, I decided to opt for the shortcut and purchased some navy shoelaces to use instead. UPDATE: I do NOT recommend using the shoelaces for this project. They are not dye-fast and ended up bleeding all over my laundry. Definitely a bummer, but oh well. I ended up replacing them with 1/4 cotton twill tape.

I really enjoyed this simple project. Fun and easy to put together, and cute to boot. I also really enjoy the look of the ticking fabric. I still have a decent amount of it left, so I think I might make a pair of paper-bag shorts with it.

Happy sewing ✂️🧵✂️🧵,

✂️ Project Overview ✂️

Pattern: Wynn by Seamwork (includes plus size options) Size: 6 Fabric: Double gauze cotton Est. Time: 5-6 hrs

🧵 Summary 🧵

Just finished up this Seamwork project. Originally it was going to be a stash buster project, but I ended up not having enough of the grey double gauze to make it work. So I went and picked up the yellow and decided to go for the bifurcated look.

The double gauze ended up being a bigger challenge than I expected. I have only been regularly sewing for about two years, so I stick to woven fabrics pretty religiously. DG is technically woven, but it's so loose it behaves like knit, so it slipped and stretched constantly.

Thankfully, my mother had recently purchased these chalk markers with little rolling wheels at the tip, formally called Chaco Liners from Clover. I was able to trace my pieces on to the fabric before I cut them, which I think really helped things from getting too distorted. (hint: I found these worked way better if the surface under your fabric was a little grippy. If I marked the fabric over a cutting mat the fabric slid around less than if I tried to mark it on the glossier cutting table)

I did alter the pattern slightly to achieve the bifurcated look. I just didn't cut the back piece on the fold, as directed, and then I made sure to add seam allowance to it. I finished that new seam using a french seam to keep all the raw edges tucked away.

I also had a little happy accident, where I lost track of the outer (A) and liner (D) pieces and ended up sewing A to A and D to D. This made it where instead of being perfectly bifurcated, I had the opposite colors as the liners. This ended up working out really well though, because now when I tie the wrap I can keep the bifurcated look by showing the lining color of the wrap end to match the opposite side of the garment.

Overall, I think I am most proud of the sleeves. Particularly the gathers on the grey shoulder.

This was a very simple project and was a lot of fun to make. I look forward to wearing it more once it starts to cool down. (it's 102'F in TX right now 😅)

Happy sewing ✂️🧵✂️🧵,

~ Mrs. Crow