Skip to main content

almost: Alabama Chanin/Renfrew experiment

First, and most importantly: Cinders the cat says hello. From my lap. Sort of.

Type? Ha! We'll see about that.

Second: I've been experimenting with t-shirt patterns and necklines. T-shirts because I HATE WINTER and want it to go away, and necklines because I just want to figure those things out (and because that way I can make more t-shirts).

I tried view D of Marcy Tilton's V9057 and it didn't quite work (love the handkerchief hem, not so crazy about the sleeve piece that's too large for the body -- which could be user error, I mean, maybe I just traced it wrong or something). But she did have pretty good instructions for making and topstitching a neckband.

And I've tried making bias binding for necklines both the Alabama Chanin way (single-fold, where the raw edges show) and the Drape Drape way (double-fold, where they don't), and to be honest I'm not really thrilled with either. They're really hard to attach and I always have to tear them out multiple times, which is no fun.

So I decided to make 1) an Alabama Chanin cap-sleeve ringer tee using AC fabric (sale scraps! score!) 2) with a Renfrew neckband 3) using Marcy Tilton's instructions. And 4) stencil a bike on it, because I miss my bike.

It almost worked.


Believe it or not, the neckband really does lie flat when it's worn. But the stenciling is messed up (I got too close; what can I say?) and the topstitching is uneven. AND, BONUS, while pinning the neckband I somehow managed to punch a nasty biggish hole in the shoulder. Sigh.

It's okay overall, and I guess I could fix the stenciling by just reverse appliquéing the bike, but I'm not sure if it's worth the time. I'll most likely wear it, uh, on my bike, on summer mornings, when no one's watching. I want to make another one, though! Thankfully, I still have a largish stash of AC scraps. (And they're having a 20% off sale this weekend. Danger...)

Next up, though, is making an entire Renfrew start to finish, and maybe buying V8877, especially after seeing the hack in this month's Vogue Patterns. Man, that thing is gorgeous. I can haz all the stripes and batwing sleeves, plz.

Comments

  1. Hi! I was googling Alabama Chanin necklines and found this post. It was crazy because I had the Renfrew pattern out on the cutting table thinking of doing those bands on my AC shirt! I did one of her workshops last year and have taken almost a whole year to do the front of a couched skirt (a minor knitting obsession got in my way). Love your blog - I'll keep watching for the UFO's you mentioned to get finished.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi. thanks so much for your comment! Let me know if the Renfrew bands work -- I was thinking of doing the same thing! I'd love to see your couched skirt.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

completed: Alabama Chanin fitted dress

Yeah, I can't believe I'm saying that either! It's going to be a long post, so here we go. Design choices Size and alterations:  Straight size medium, with neckline raised a few inches and made into a scoop neck; the original v-neck is really deep Fabric and thread:   Alabama Chanin medium-weight cotton jersey  — top layer in Sand, bottom layer in Dark Grey (only Dark Grey is currently available on their site) — and red craft/button thread Stencil: Anna's Garden Paint:  Tulip fabric paint in Black, watered down and applied with an airbrush Embellishment:  Outside reverse applique -- in which you stitch slightly outside each shape and then cut out the shape exactly on the lines Stitch type:  Straight stitch for outlining and construction, Cretan stitch for binding Here's how it looks on me: Hanging up: I picked the color scheme after seeing it in a sample book at the  two-hour workshop in New York  last year. (Highly recommend eithe

complete: Nani Iro pocket dress

I made a dress! With the new sewing machine! Wheee! And not to bury the lede, but: We went to Japan for two weeks, and I completely fell in love with the clothing—especially Nani IRO and their amazing fabrics. I'm hooked. We tracked down the atelier in Osaka. ( Here's my review on PR .) They wouldn't let me take photos of the shop but said it was OK to take pictures of the fabrics. Lots of linen, cotton gauze and sateen in bright colors, as well as buttons and notions, an archive (I wasn't sure if it was possible to buy any of the archived fabrics), and jewelry. I bought some lovely blue linen with an asymmetrical print: And the book—the English translation had just been released. And it was signed! (I have a picture, can't seem to post it, sry.) So anyway. I couldn't stop reading the book—you know when you get really really obsessed with a pattern book? Like that. As soon as I got home, I decided to try out the pocket dress. Here'

finished: Alabama Chanin Classic Jacket

Hi! Lots going on around here lately. Thing One: I bought a new sewing machine! This is my new Bernina 480 , purchased from Sew Creative in Beverly, which recently closed. Sorry I don't have a better picture. I love this thing—it's fancy! I'm still learning my way around it. Thing Two: I was supposed to have another article in Vogue Patterns Magazine, but it folded! Bummer. It's on lighting for sewists, and if you want a copy, feel free to contact me on le social and I'll send it to you. I interviewed the gadget person from the Carroll Center for the Blind, and he recommended a lot of great stuff. (Really going to miss Vogue Patterns—it was my favorite sewing magazine! RIP.) And finally, Thing Three: I completed an Alabama Chanin Classic Jacket, from their Sewing Patterns book. The backstory is that I really wanted a nice reversible travel jacket in nice AC organic cotton for an upcoming trip to Japan. (This is after ordering an expensive travel hood