Filling the Gaps! (and catching up on my #mmmay15)

Oh the weather was so lovely today!  I just couldn’t sit down to post!  🙂  But the sun is fading now so let’s talk…

When I cleaned up (and out) my closet, I realized that I had some gaps in my wardrobe – last weekend I finished my black top and this weekend my red.  I still think I could use a solid blue one, but I am not sure that I have a solid blue fabric in my stash.  I did have the solid black and solid red that I used!  Lucky!  Stash busting!

I used McCall’s M7093, view A.  I can’t wait to use this pattern for a colour blocked top some day!

I didn’t have any problems with this pattern, except … I didn’t like the length of the sleeves under the arms.  There just seemed to be too much fabric – as you can see on the left sleeve below.  To fix it, I cut the sleeve down to a minimum length – as you can see on the right sleeve below.

Both sleeves cut down.

The other change?  I found the shoulder dart to be too pointy, so I carefully sewed it on a gradual curve tapering to nothing.  I do like the raglan one piece sleeves.

My other change was in the hemming of the sleeves and bottom edge and the neckline.  I chose to use a double fold bias tape.  I sewed it on by machine on the outside and hand sewed it on the inside.  It made a nice finish on my top.  Finally, I cut the hem straight across the back, omitting the short front/long back look.

We had some beautiful sunny weather today.  I thought I would set up my tripod on the deck to take my photos and this was the first shot I got of myself…. Yup!  It took a bit to get used to the set up!

It turned out to be a bit too windy anyway, so I moved everything inside.  Ten tripod shots later I get one photo I like!

I can’t wait to wear this top to work tomorrow with my favourite RTW skirt.  About 20 years ago (seriously), I bought a RTW skirt made of this beautiful black and white flowered rayon fabric.  I found the skirt in the back of my closet needing a few alterations – my  body has changed over the years.  Tomorrow, I will take a photo of my new top and my favourite skirt for my #mmmay15 collection.

Now for the last week or so of my #mmmay15 …

May 19 – new black top

May 19 – and my favourite “Picasso” skirt! Me Made long ago.

May 20

May 14, 20 – and my navy blue skirt

May 12 & 21

May 21 – and my brown skirt to go with it

May 20 through May 31 – Me Made purse, my first but not my last! So fun to make!

May 21 through May 31 – An Islander Sewing System pattern. I have another one coming in the mail yet, the Motor City Express!

May 22 – with my jeans.

As usual, the rest of the my days were spent in my Capri Jeans.

Do you have a 20 year old RTW item that you can’t let go of (or is it just me)?

Happy Sewing!