Sunday 2 September 2012

Overlocked - V1306 T-shirt

Little Betty made one of these V1306 t-shirts recently (well, about 3 months ago) and it looked so nice on her... the pattern is rated Easy and so I assumed it would be super-quick on the overlocker. Hmmm - bear in mind that she's a quick seamstress and I am not.






My new (old, second hand) overlocker came home with me from the sewing repair shop a couple of weekends ago, along with an instructional DVD. The DVD was boring so I haven't watched much of it, but the overlocker? It's so much more fun than I expected, and the machine (an ancient babylock imagine - looks like the original model) is doing a beautiful job!  All I can do so far is 4-thread seam overlocking, but WOW was I deceiving myself when I said I didn't care what the insides of my garments looked like :^>  I am only equipped for black or white overlocking though... where do you buy the coordinating thread? Is there a good online source?
 

This is not a bog-standard t-shirt, and the neckline details and side gathers mean more effort... but it's a Rebecca Taylor pattern, so those extra details are lovely! I made this in a size M (12-14) which is a bit big and loose, but I like it! Now that I look at the envelope again I can see that when I stopped following the instructions after doing the neckline and side gathers I missed a third detail that would've been cute - the sleeve turnups! Maybe next time.






I wore it on Friday for a scenic jog around Barangaroo and Walsh Bay and it was really comfy and (I think hope) a flattering length.

I have also been making a simple kimono-sleeve red t-shirt with white(that's laziness and my lack of red overlocker thread) overlocked seams. I'm using Maria Denmark's Kirsten kimono sleeve t-shirt pattern, which is a free multisized pattern - I'm very interested to see how it fits compared to my own self-drafted efforts. So far my main impression is tighter LOL! When it's done I'll post pictures alongside some of my own old self-drafted t-shirts; maybe I'll learn something:-).




And I also started a summer-weight long-sleeve t-shirt for Mr Upsewlate - trying to remedy some of the fit issues of the last one but the fittings and adjustments are really irritating.  I think I really need to start all over with a new pattern draft! As this is still a work-in-progress I'll keep the sharing for another day if you don't mind, but at least you know I've been up to a few bits and pieces!

PS Sorry it's been such a long time between posts - I didn't lose my mojo as such, but I haven't had much energy for sewing, blogging etc lately... there seems to be so much to keep track of for school / childcare recently, my job is keeping me ridiculously busy, and my recent fitness efforts are sending me to bed NOTsolate.

10 comments:

  1. I love it! I am def not a fast sewer, but I do have my sew-jo back which means more time is being 'found' at the machine. I'm so glad you are enjoying the overlocker. It will change your life! I struggled with t-shirt sewing for a while, but now am in the swing of making them look nice and wearable. Don't stress about not blogging. We all have ups and downs that we have to manage and the blog always comes last on the list.

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    1. Thank you!

      Oh - I always assumed you were a fast sewer because you seem to post new things so regularly, and I know you mustn't have much free time with little kids + work!

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  2. Hang in there with the blogging - we will all still be here when you have time to post! Love the top, and the overlocker detail - it is worth persevering with as this little machine does help to speed up sewing time...

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    1. Thank you Judith, that's such a sweet comment. Your comment did remind me though that I had intended to comment on YOUR latest post - I absolutely love the top you made for your daughter; looks gorgeous and also beautifully made!

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  3. I have also just posted about using a very old overlocker for the first time. I completely agree with you - so far I've only done a three thread overlock but am already loving it!

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    1. OMG yes, I saw that, and that was another post I had intended to comment on! Plus I meant to let you know your redonkulous (love that word, and you are the second person after my son I've ever heard use it) sleeves looked marvelous from down here.

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  4. I love your version of the Vogue pattern. My muslin for that top is still on my dressform-I had to do a lot of fitting. I hope to get back to it before long.

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  5. I whipped up a few kimono-sleeved tees last night - super easy and super satisfying...especially with an overlocker. I struggle a bit getting a nice edge on the sleeves and neckline though. My sewing is a bit slow these days too. So busy. Keep up the overlocking!

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    1. And I have also been remiss in commenting on your blog too - I'm sorry! Kimono sleeve tees are great to sew, and I think they look pretty nice too!

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  6. This is such a cute top. I am glad you are having fun with your new serger.

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