And I love it! I made View C, with the cowl neckline and three-quarter sleeves, with some modifications. I lengthened the sleeves by 1 inch (I just picked a spot in the middle to slash and spread) to accommodate my long arms. Although I love three-quarter sleeves, they are almost always too short in RTW, so I had a hunch that would be the case here, and I was right. I felt like Sherlock, with my amazing powers of observation (okay, okay, more like Watson).
I cut a straight size 6, but I probably should have gone up a size or two in the shoulders. I had to let out the sleeve seam by 1/4" so it wouldn't feel like such a straight jacket. It's still a little tight in the underarms, but much, much improved. I'm super annoyed with myself because I made a very similar observation about my first renfrew, and then I didn't even take my own advice! Ridiculous.
I also eliminated the hem band because I wanted to be able to tuck this into a pencil skirt and wear it to work. I lengthening the front and back pieces by 4" using the hem band pattern piece as a guide, which turned out to be way too much. I turned it up 2" and then cut off over an inch of extra fabric after I did the hem. Adding 2 1/2" would probably give plenty to work with for a hem.
Speaking of the hem, I could really use some advice on twin needles. I broke not one, but TWO ballpoint twin needles on this shirt. This is really frustrating because I had to special order them online and at almost $5 apiece they are not cheap. In the end, I seriously cheated by doing two lines of a narrow zig-zag topstitch. It's not nearly as stretchy as a twin needle hem would have been, but this is a very stable knit with hardly any stretch, so I think (hope?) it will be okay. I just wanted to be done so I could wear it already!
My favorite part of this is the cowl. I don't usually wear cowls, but this is so warm and cozy I'm a convert. It's like a built-in infinity scarf. Love!
This was also a trial run of sorts for a buffalo check shirtdress I have planned. A way to dip my toe into matching plaid, using a fabric whose busy print would be a little more forgiving. I cut in a single layer and took my time, and I think it came out pretty well. I'm feeling much more confident about working with plaids.
Not a bad start for 2014! The weather here is gorgeous (60 degrees! In January!) so I'm off to enjoy the sunshine. Hope you are enjoying MLK day too, or at least having an easy Monday.
Cool looking Renfrew in a houndstooth! Very nice work.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was so excited when I found this fabric! The usual black and white is a little bold for me, but black and grey is exactly my style.
DeleteI think it looks good! For the twin needle, I know some people use wooly nylon in the bobbin. My twin needle hems never lasted very well and I found it was easier to just use a zig zag. :) Honestly, no one is even going to notice besides another sewing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip! I should track down some wooly nylon and see if that helps. I had to laugh when I found myself knocking off the look of a twin needle, which in turn is a knock off of a coverstitch machine. But you're right, only another sewist would notice. :)
DeleteLove your fabric, and the pattern matching looks great. I'm going to try leaving off the hem band on my next Renfrew, so thanks for the tips on how to make that work well!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm glad my tips on the hem band were helpful! I think it looks a little more polished, especially on a thicker, more stable knit like this one.
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