Good thing that Baby MiH is cute | Le Challenge {Sewing}

Beware this post relies a lot on Baby MiH making his T-Shirt look good. And even with a lot of pouting, it is still looking a bit weird on him. I am however loving that at 16 months, he does not mind wearing whatever I put on him without too much drama queen action (and he has some good actions believe me)! 

So this month's theme for le Challenge was bright - and honestly it was easy, and who knows why I did not start anything before yesterday. I heard a song about 'bright stars' on the way to nursery and it made me think of the gorgeous fabric (I love that fabric) I bought for Baby MiH from Ma Petite Mercerie - and then came back the crazy idea of sel-drafting a Tshirt for Baby MiH. 

Action baby - and yes it is 6.30am and he is pouting...

Everything that could go wrong probably went wrong - except that it actually fits him and it looks like a T-shirt, which are surely basics to be happy with!

Check out the shoulder pads as if it was the 80s! - extra fabric, and heavy stitching did that.. Also, you cannot see it, but the sides are not symmetrical - all very wonky. 

I had the right idea with the stitching, I think, but the actual coming together is not that great. 

Look Maman I can see myself in your phone, I am just too cute!

But he still loves me... And I promise I would make him a better version of this. I was very careful with the cutting of the fabric to make sure I had some left for another one - ... Better search the net for a proper pattern, drawn by people who know what they are doing. 

Hope you had more luck with your Le Challenge, and, I will just add a new Tshirt to my to do list and may start on the next Challenge as soon as the theme is out tomorrow...  

Breton butterfly top {Le Challenge #3}

Here is my take on this month's theme - maritime - a feminine version of the Breton top. The pattern is from a Japanese book in French. Although as with other Japanese sewing books, the information is minimal, and relies on very good diagrams. I managed to make one so I am sure you can too. 

I did make a quick muslin first - to understand the construction, but also check the length of it. It seemed to be on the short side in the pictures. I am glad I made a muslin, I found out that the sleeves were a bit large, and that I wanted a bit more room in the body of the top.  

Pattern: C-Top from Exclusivement Feminin

Fabric: lightweight jersey (from my local John Lewis in Welwyn Garden City)

I did not change much. I made the size L (I am a size 12/14 in the UK, EU42). I added 1 cm to the seam allowance, I added 2 cm to the length seam allowance, and I did not use any seam allowance for the sleeves (to make them slightly shorter). However I reduced the 'larger' size at the end after trying the top a few times.  The neckline is therefore a bit deeper than it would have been. 

The neckline is made according to the pattern, but it was really fiddly. Next time I will change the way I do it. 

The seams are red, adding a bit of fun. You also see the seams of the butterfly sleeves when you wear it so it was worth thinking about the seams. 

It took no time at all in the end - which I am still surprised at considering it looks quite complicated. It is a great top for the summer - and is that little bit more dressy than my usual Tshirts. 

Next time, I will probably not go for stripes, the matching is quite complicated - especially if you keep decreasing the size. At least these were small stripes and to a certain extent I think it matters less (or so I am telling myself)... 

How to Sunday - Threading a twin needle #sewingknits {Dressmaking}

This was my first major challenge whilst sewing Renfrew, what was I supposed to do with my machine (a Brother Innov-is 10)? I had heard of twin needles, but did not know I had one in the kit my machine came with - I even had an extra spool pin (so clever that little kit!). 

I may be the only one who has never threaded a twin needle before, but in case I am not, here is how you thread a twin needle - well on my machine. 

Renfrew shown on Friday

If your machine can zig-zag it can usually accommodate a twin needle. The benefit of a twin needle is that it builds stretch into your seams by creating two lines of straight stitches on the top of your item with a zig zag underneath. No popped seams, no trying to precisely stretch your fabric as you sew. 

When you use a twin needle, you’ll use two spools of thread on the top. Your machine probably comes with an extra spool pin that fits on top of the bobbin winder shaft. 

Once both spools are set, you’ll run both threads through the machine as you normally would. You thread the needles manually, the left one with your normal spool, and the right one with the second spool.

Select the stitch you would like to use. On my machine, the normal stitch (no 2) is the one I use, and let's go!

And there you have it!

The red seam was done with my serger but this is for another how to...