Not quite a Morris....

I really like the Grainline studios Morris blazer.  Most of it anyway.  It is a bit boxy but still, it is cute.  I decided to 'Morris' my TNT jacket pattern.  The red is my self drafted TNT jacket pattern, modeled off of a Target jacket from 2013.
 



My "Morris'd TNT

My TNT

I decided, since I love the way this one fits, why not just alter it to have the styling of the Morris?

 

I am not exactly positive of the fabric, I bought it at JoAnns.  It said it was a bengaline, but I am not sure.  It is a pretty stable knit.  I raised and extended the front center of the 'lapels' so they could be folded back.  Below is what they look like when NOT folded back.    

 

 

 My jacket does not have an real collar like the Morris that extends all the way around the back, mine is collarless.  I used a fusible knit interfacing, but only interfaced the portion of the facing that would not show as the lapels when folder over, and interfaced the actual front lapels, where they are now the underneath of the lapel fold over.  So in essence, I only interfaced layers that would NOT be the exterior fabric layer.

 

Where my front darts run from apex to hem line, I just extended the dart lines to end in a point like the Morris. 

 

 

I kept my back darts for shaping, cut the back on the fold, and shortened the center back about 3/4"

 I love my new jacket!!  I love that a few tweaks of a TNT is all it took! Well that and the style idea of Jen from Grainline! 

Stay Happy

Keep Sewing

and if you can's sew

Bring some spring into your home!

 



 

Remakes, more Target clearance rack finds!

I love a woven tank top, and the Scout woven tee pattern is a great  base to start with.  I have redrafted the upper portion for a tank top, with narrow shoulders and slight racer back. 

Below is my Scout front and back pieces, with the upper portions folded out of the way, and my 'tank' upper versions pinned into place. 

 

This blouse was XXL and just a large square with seams along side about 2/3 of the way up.  Beautiful fabric, but not a good look on me. 

So I unpicked the two seams, and laid my pattern pieces as below, using the original beautiful blue crepe area and the hem line.    I cut both pieces on the fold, so this was a quick make.

 

I was able to reuse the binding that was already on the neck edge, with just a little unpicking and then splicing back together. 

My second tank is also  a remake from Target clearance rack.

This was a 3X top that was almost square as well, but it had the hi lo hem. 

 

I bound the neck and arms with binding made of batiste.  I added a cute little pocket, just for fun.

 I kept the original hems of both front and back.

And this is how I styled it to wear to the office!

I LOVE remaking clearance rack finds. 

 

Stay Happy

Keep Sewing

and if you can't sew

bake some brownies

 

 

TNT Jacket

This jacket was based upon a jacket I bought at Target in 2013.  This red linen version was my first
muslin in 6/2013.  http://kellyssewing.blogspot.com/2013/06/crazy-busy.html.

 

I decided I needed a black one.  This is a black linen blend from JoAnns. 

 

 

 I used hook and eye closures this time instead of snaps.  I never wear it closed, and yet felt I had to add them!

 Instead of a partial back lining, I lined the whole back, with a pleat for ease of movement, since I sit at a computer all day.  The lining is a light weight crepe also from JoAnns.

I created a little tab to hang it from in the office.

 

I love my new linen jacket.  It is perfect over tanks, as the warmer it gets outside, the higher they seem to run the AC indoors!!

 

Stay Happy

Keep Sewing

and if you can't sew

Plant some maters with a cute boy.

Sewaholic Renfrew

I think this has to be my favorite knit T pattern.  The pattern has various collars and sleeve lengths.  Bands instead of hems, and once you have it fitting you to a T, the ways you can change it are endless.  Or, you can just make a simple everyday awesome T shirt.  This fabric is a knit from Joanns.  14.99 a yard, but I had a 40% of coupon.  So 8.99 a yard.  Not a bad price for a nice T Shirt.  This knit is light weight, but still has a nice drape.  Very soft touch and the colors I just loved.  Reminded me of a watercolor painting.

 This is view A body and collar, with view C sleeves.    Again my neck band was a waffled mess, so I just folded it to the outside and topstitched it down.  I attach the neckband with a stretch stitch, but my topstitching, I just use a longer straight stitch.  It does not actually have to stretch to fit over my head.

 

I did not plan on putting the cuffs, or bands, on the sleeves, but had a fabric shortage, so the sleeves ended right at my elbow bend, which is uncomfortable to me.  So I went ahead and added bands.  The print does not match at the bands, but I tried to keep the color theme of the band and the end of the sleeve similar.

I also planned it so that the blue part of the material was closest to my neck and face, as it is the most flattering with my coloring.  I wish you could feel how soft this knit is.  I wore it today, am still wearing it.  It is so comfortable against your skin.  Like a kiss.  This might be my favorite T so far!!!

Stay Happy

Keep Sewing

and if you can't sew....

Bake a little cake!!
 



More T's. Butterick 5493 collar with Renfrew body

Last month I culled my closet.  Huge bags to

 Goodwill.  I made myself let go of things I did not wear.  Even though I made them.  It was hard.  And cathartic.  Now as I wear something, when hanging it back in closet, I turn the hangar backwards.  After a month, it is more obvious the types of clothes I reach for daily, and the ones I have not yet reached for this month.  T shirts.  I wear them a lot.  Under cardigans and jackets.  I can feel casually dressed up and not sloppy.  So, that is why I have been making them lately.  The oldest clothes in my closet that I still reach for years later, are the nice T shirts that I have made. 

 

 

 

So here we are.  More T's.  Tanks actually.  Sleeveless tanks can be worn to work with a cardi or jacket, and by themselves on the weekends.  This black tank was 1 yard of 5.99 knit at Joanns.

 

For this B5493 collar, I did an altered bib, two of them, in different lengths.  No hemming on the bibs.  All cut out with my rotary cutter.  A first for me, and I really liked it!

 This neckband had the same issue as my summer dress.  It just waffled and would not lay flat.  So I again, folded the band to the outside and topstitched it down.  Now it looks like binding.

This second tank is also 1 yard from Joanns.  7.99 with coupon.  This neck band I did NOT have any issues with, no waffling.  I sure wish I knew what it was that causes it to work or not work!

 

 

If you are bored of seeing T's, I am sorry..... I know I have at least one more up my sleeve.... Then I think it is time for a black linen jacket.  Now just to find the right pattern.......

 

Stay Happy

Keep sewing

and if you can't sew

Hike Red Mountain, it is gorgeous.