Here are another 2 tops I mostly completed on THE WEEKEND. All that needed to be done was the hemming. This has now been completed.
Nothing new here - I am only really blogging about them as this is my sewing journal to keep track of my items sewn (although I am pleased with them). They are the same as all my other Cates (which is my all time favourite top pattern). I make other tops but they never seem to feel or look as good as Cate.
The first one is from some of the fabric purchased during the trip to Cabramatta. The most difficult part of this creation was the fabric placement.
Can you see what my issue was (hint - long udders and a tip underneath to boot!!!).
I then tried turning the fabric around and found that one of the now upended udders was in the centre of my stomach - another risky look.
With careful shifting around (and input from my fellow sewists) I got what I think is the best look. I didn't have a lot of room with the repeat of the fabric and just managed to get it positioned for a wearable top.
The fabric brings to mind Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom movie for some obscure reason. The pics below are a little unfocussed in some areas as I am learning to use the delay switch on my camera along with the new gorrilapod I purchased after reading about it on Up Sew Late's blog. Thought I would give my official photographer a break. Would love a remote control camera but apparently they are only available on SLR cameras. :-( My legs look like they are still moving in some of the pics!!
The other Cate is made from fabric I purchased some time ago from fabric.com. It has the most divine "suede" feel to it even though it isn't suede. It has both splashes of red and orange with a line of gold dots.
In the above pictures I am wearing my orange Barbs and in the below pictures I am wearing my red Barbs. In the pictures there doesn't look like there is much difference but in life they are definite orange and definite red.
I am happy with both Cates. I now have 6 of them.
The final top on show is the Khalia Ali Simplicity 3699
I had to lower the empire seam and I lowered it a little too much. I added 5 inches. If I make this again I will bring it up a couple of inches. Now I like myself a low neckline - the girls like the light - but this was soo low that I had to put a cami on. I think I will try raising it by the shoulders which should bring up both the neckline and the too low empire seam. It is also a little tight around the tum in the picture. I seem to make my tops either too loose or too tight.
I am on the fence with the look of this one. I will have to see how it wears. This wasn't started on the weekend away but was prompted by the fact that winter has finally come to Sydney and this fabric is quite thick and warm (warm enough for Sydney Winters and my stage in life LOL). It is from the latest Knitwit collection and I quite like the fabric. I also purchased it in the Smoke Green but I am thinking the teal would have been the nicest. I am trying to go a bit more "neutral" after all of my colourful Barbs and tops however I am missing my colour.
I still have another top - this time a Anne top - and an Abby Cardigan that I did on the weekend away that need a bit of finishing and then I will have a think about what I want to do next. I am so enjoying sewing and expanding my wardrobe.
Nothing new here - I am only really blogging about them as this is my sewing journal to keep track of my items sewn (although I am pleased with them). They are the same as all my other Cates (which is my all time favourite top pattern). I make other tops but they never seem to feel or look as good as Cate.
The first one is from some of the fabric purchased during the trip to Cabramatta. The most difficult part of this creation was the fabric placement.
Can you see what my issue was (hint - long udders and a tip underneath to boot!!!).
I then tried turning the fabric around and found that one of the now upended udders was in the centre of my stomach - another risky look.
With careful shifting around (and input from my fellow sewists) I got what I think is the best look. I didn't have a lot of room with the repeat of the fabric and just managed to get it positioned for a wearable top.
The fabric brings to mind Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom movie for some obscure reason. The pics below are a little unfocussed in some areas as I am learning to use the delay switch on my camera along with the new gorrilapod I purchased after reading about it on Up Sew Late's blog. Thought I would give my official photographer a break. Would love a remote control camera but apparently they are only available on SLR cameras. :-( My legs look like they are still moving in some of the pics!!
The other Cate is made from fabric I purchased some time ago from fabric.com. It has the most divine "suede" feel to it even though it isn't suede. It has both splashes of red and orange with a line of gold dots.
In the above pictures I am wearing my orange Barbs and in the below pictures I am wearing my red Barbs. In the pictures there doesn't look like there is much difference but in life they are definite orange and definite red.
I am happy with both Cates. I now have 6 of them.
The final top on show is the Khalia Ali Simplicity 3699
I had to lower the empire seam and I lowered it a little too much. I added 5 inches. If I make this again I will bring it up a couple of inches. Now I like myself a low neckline - the girls like the light - but this was soo low that I had to put a cami on. I think I will try raising it by the shoulders which should bring up both the neckline and the too low empire seam. It is also a little tight around the tum in the picture. I seem to make my tops either too loose or too tight.
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| Back to orange pants |
I am on the fence with the look of this one. I will have to see how it wears. This wasn't started on the weekend away but was prompted by the fact that winter has finally come to Sydney and this fabric is quite thick and warm (warm enough for Sydney Winters and my stage in life LOL). It is from the latest Knitwit collection and I quite like the fabric. I also purchased it in the Smoke Green but I am thinking the teal would have been the nicest. I am trying to go a bit more "neutral" after all of my colourful Barbs and tops however I am missing my colour.
I still have another top - this time a Anne top - and an Abby Cardigan that I did on the weekend away that need a bit of finishing and then I will have a think about what I want to do next. I am so enjoying sewing and expanding my wardrobe.
I see what you mean about careful pattern placement. The top turned out nicely though. I think my favourite is the middle one, the sueded fabric.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you posted all of these, because even if you have made the Cate lots of times, I'm sure we, or certainly me at least, really want to see them ALL :)
Loving your Style Arc Creative Cates. There's nothing wrong with making multiples of patterns that work for you. The different fabrics used give them all their own unique look. Great work.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lot of fun you could have had with that fabric placement ~ just as well you knew to prethink that one! I think you have done a great job with all three ... J
ReplyDeleteYour bright and cheerful tops are terrific. I am so impressed you took the time to think about print placement. What could have been awkward is just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteYour tops look good with your pants - I like the suede one best. I really like both the read & orange pants!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you completing tops for yourself. I always have way too many for one season and not enough for another. Doing them in seasonal 6 pacs seems to be a good choice.
ReplyDeleteYou got the fabric placement spot on. Looks great. And I like the sueded one the best too.
Can you use your Cate top to compare with the other patterns and see what needs to be altered?
I had a great input from Joanne to take each pattern and do multiple measurements to determine exact spot of bust point so you know where and what needs to be moved to get the pattern to match your body. Also to do separate front and back measurements for us older and voluptuous gals so we not only have sufficient circumference, but the fabric on then garment will be where it is needed on our bodies! Those two tips are helping me a lot in determining what needs to be altered and where. Raising the shoulders may make a difference in the lower circumference too.
Great job. The pants make me happy just looking at your colors!
Nice work making some practical shirts that you will wear a lot! I need to do more of that. I especially like the second top, the print is great!
ReplyDeleteLove your shirts, and as Sarahliz said, how ever many you make, I love seeing them all.. Each fabric is different.. I have my favorite shirt pattern, that I make over and over too.. Isn't it nice, that we can buy as many different fabrics as we want ..ha
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job with the placement on the first top.. Really pretty..Looks good on you.
Happy sewing.
Love both the Cates, especially the "movement" implied by the sueded one. The whole point of having a TNT pattern is to have a low-stress "go-to" project that you can make up in all kinds of different patterns, so I see nothing wrong with making a ton of Cates. :)
ReplyDeleteAn excellent Cate Collection! Like the way they all go with the pants.
ReplyDeleteOh how I love Style Arc patterns. They just sew up so nicely don't they? I love all three tops but the middle one is definitely my favourite. I love your pants too!
ReplyDeleteFantastic Cate collection and you did an excellent job with the pattern placement. They all look great on you and nothing wrong with multiples! Interesting about the Kali Ali top, Lyndasewing has some great tips.
ReplyDeleteGood thinking on the pattern placement - that could have been disastrous! All the prints you've used are so different that I doubt anyone other than a fellow sewist would notice that they are all from the same pattern, so no harm in having as many Cates as you want!
ReplyDeleteNice tops! I think the last one will be good on you once you've sorted the fit.
ReplyDeleteYou have me laughing over the udders! Only you see them - both tops are lovely!
ReplyDeleteLove your tops. Excellent work with the pattern placement on the first one and the second fabric is gorgeous. Creative Cate is so good, isn't it? I love the way you have added sleeves, too.
ReplyDeleteFabric envy! I think I could just happily just make top after top these are just fab!
ReplyDeleteI think you did a lovely job with pattern placement on the first top. It can be quite a challenge with some fabrics! Thank you so much for your sweet comment about my husband. It has been difficult, but with the help of family and friends each day gets a little easier.
ReplyDeleteI love the gold coloured top the best... it looks like one of those chocolate commercials where the chocolate is swirling about! Regarding the labels, it is the synthetic fabric that is scratchy (and the metal thread doesn't help probably) but I like to put them on the outside.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tops!
ReplyDeleteI think my fav is the second one and I love the sound of how that fabric feels. I can see what you mean about Indian Jones with first top as the colours and the print really do give it that kind of look. You sure have been on a bit of a sewing spree which is great. I know what you mean about having a fav got to pattern and wanting to keep making more in the same style especially when you try others and they just don't feel right... it's nice to have something to go back to that you know is just right for you.
ReplyDeletethis is your pattern, and you've made some terrific tops with it. I really like the fun and funky prints you go for. Very cool :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful collection! I especially love the first one, That print is so funny, you have been a very busy Lady lately!
ReplyDeleteThat 'weekend' must have been marvelously productive! I envy you a great deal. I love your new additions and how you've worked that Creative Cate pattern. Well done. I've just bought the Barb pattern because of you...right before they were giving it away as a freebie! D'oh!
ReplyDeleteGreat work with that first fabric - that pattern IS a challenge, and you nailed it :). I agree, it really does have an Indiana Jones thing about it, but I can't put my finger on what it is!
ReplyDeletePS I hope the gorillapod is working out well for you!