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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: lendube
Date: 03-23-2007, 04:41 PM (1 of 32)
I just perfected Simplicity 4076 that you recommended as a pattern that will flatter anyone. It turned out great. I made it in a stretchy small black and white check knit. It turned out great!  The style is perfect. It looks youthful, flattering to my rather ample chest while slimming elsewhere. I plan to make many variations. It's such an easy pattern too. I am also making a couple from this pattern for my dd who is 26. It will look terrific on her rtw perfect sz 6 (  <- that's jealousy) figure too. Not too young for me. Not too old for her. Thanks so much. Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: esrun3
Date: 03-23-2007, 05:16 PM (2 of 32)
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So Lennie, are you going to model for us?
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 03-23-2007, 09:13 PM (3 of 32)
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Awesome. Glad to hear it! I just got back from the fabric store, and I took a hard look at the very same pattern. I had my hands full of other stuff though, so I passed it up, for now. (Would it be silly to try it without a serger?)
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: Magot
Date: 03-23-2007, 11:51 PM (4 of 32)
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yeah - we want pictures....
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: PaulineG
Date: 03-24-2007, 07:10 AM (5 of 32)
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Which view - the wrap, the twist or the gathered neckline? And which sleeve? I like all of them - kind of makes good value for a pattern. Was it easy to follow? I have a couple of tops that are quite similar and they are very flattering. This could be the next project - I'm definitely in need of some inspiration. A photo might help to provide it. 
Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: lendube
Date: 03-24-2007, 11:51 AM (6 of 32)
Okay, okay. I'll get a pic posted.   Andrea, I haven't got a serger. I just used a large stretch stitch. I took it up from a 2.5 to a 4 and it worked great. I went slowly, not stretching and then trimmed the seams closely. Pauline, it's a very easy pattern so it's fun to make. There are only 5 pieces per top. I made view A with short straight sleeves. I used the long sleeve piece and just made short sleeves. Didn't want the fluttery sleeves. I like the 3/4 length always but with this fabric shorter looked better. I ALSO discovered that I can easily make it with no sleeves. The armholes are just the right size for that too. My dd loved it and I'll be making her one this weekend with the fluttery short sleeves View B. Lennie (Pic to follow.) |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: lendube
Date: 03-24-2007, 12:13 PM (7 of 32)
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http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u20/lendube/IMG_0616.jpg Here it is! It looks better with a body in it but I'm shy..............  Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: Magot
Date: 03-24-2007, 04:01 PM (8 of 32)
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nice job - I an never get binding around the neck to look neat - now bring out the body....
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 03-25-2007, 02:05 PM (9 of 32)
Great job, Lennie. Now if you would just make one for me!  
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 03-25-2007, 02:38 PM (10 of 32)
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Very nice! I like the bias cut binding for checks or stripes but am too lazy to cut it myself. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 03-27-2007, 12:53 AM (11 of 32)
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OOOh, I like that, it looks really nice. I'll have to check out the pattern!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: IsabelleB
Date: 03-27-2007, 09:43 AM (12 of 32)
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Looks great, Lennie! So many people are sewing from that pattern for spring. It sounds like a must have.
Isabelle
Sewing blog: Kitty Couture |
User: IsabelleB
Member since: 10-25-2006 Total posts: 265 |
From: lendube
Date: 03-27-2007, 10:51 AM (13 of 32)
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Thanks, everyone! Later I'll post a pic of the one I made for dd. I do consider this pattern a must-have. It crosses all size and age borders. Couldn't be easier to make and there are several variations. Lennie
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User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: lendube
Date: 03-27-2007, 04:47 PM (14 of 32)
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http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u20/lendube/IMG_0619.jpg Here's the one I made for my 26 y/o dd. It's got small clear sequins that catch the light. Haven't seen her yet to see if it fits well. She's very slim and I'm hoping this isn't too big. I went by measurements she gave me and for whatever reasons it doesn't always work out. Lennie
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User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: Bruna
Date: 03-27-2007, 05:47 PM (15 of 32)
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Lennie, those are two gorgeous tops. I've recently bought this pattern too, I'll have to get cracking and make at least one for myself. I too would like to see a photo of you wearing it. Regards, Bruna |
User: Bruna
Member since: 02-19-2007 Total posts: 42 |
From: sudo
Date: 03-27-2007, 06:01 PM (16 of 32)
| They both look great, well done. I wouldn't know where to start! |
User: sudo
Member since: 03-17-2007 Total posts: 15 |
From: lendube
Date: 03-27-2007, 07:48 PM (17 of 32)
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Thanks for the compliments. You are all too sweet! Lennie
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User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 03-27-2007, 10:00 PM (18 of 32)
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I really like them too. I see a Hancock's sale coming up soon. I might get that pattern for 99 cents if I plan it right....
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: Brenisback
Date: 03-28-2007, 06:20 AM (19 of 32)
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Great job on the tops ...my daughter would love that and so do I...
Brenda
People come into your life ...for a Reason a Season or a Lifetime. |
User: Brenisback
Member since: 09-20-2004 Total posts: 228 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 03-28-2007, 07:06 AM (20 of 32)
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I love the color. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: temom
Date: 03-28-2007, 08:54 AM (21 of 32)
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I really really like that! Your binding looks amazing.
Theresa
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User: temom
Member since: 01-19-2007 Total posts: 410 
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From: lendube
Date: 03-28-2007, 12:56 PM (22 of 32)
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Thanks again, everyone. I have to say regarding the nice comments about the binding that doing it was a piece of cake. I cut a 1 3/4" strip from selvege to selvege. I folded it WRONG sides together and pinned it to the RIGHT side of the long neckline. I sewed it with the elongated stretch stitch and then turned it equal with the outside of the top and then topstitched catching the seam allowance on the inside. It really was easy. Lennie 
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User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: cshortsew
Date: 03-28-2007, 03:20 PM (23 of 32)
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The tops are very pretty, you did a great job.
cshortsew
Projects Completed in 2007: Sewing: biscuit quilt, 7 baby dress sets, piggy pillow, 7 baby pants, eyeglass holder, purse, 5 baby outfits, toddler dress set Crocheting: red purse, piggy slippers, sweater shawl, 5 pr. sock trims, 89 squares, baby sweater, 2 afghans, toddler harness, baby poncho, baby dress Other: 14 Autism pins Works in progress: Sewing: toddler overalls & shirt Crocheting: vertical stripes afghan |
User: cshortsew
Member since: 06-28-2006 Total posts: 380 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 03-28-2007, 04:10 PM (24 of 32)
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I was about to head down to buy this pattern the other day when I discovered a forgotten pattern in my collection which is almost identical. Hope mine comes out as well. I must be brain dead this morning - sorry Lennie. Do you mean that what you did with the binding was you took the (now) tube attached to the front and rolled it up and half over to the inside. So we now have half of the tube on the inside of neck and half outside and are topstitching through 4 layers of fabric. It looks neater and more compact than that. Or is it just the magic of pressing? There are a couple of other ways I can semi visualise but aren't able to explain well. I'll come back later in the morning (if you don't beat me to it) and try to make it more clear. However it was done it is a great result.
Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 03-28-2007, 04:36 PM (25 of 32)
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I think from reading her description and looking at the pictures that she attached it like you would a neckband on a sweatshirt or a t-shirt. Not at all like bias binding.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: lendube
Date: 03-28-2007, 10:06 PM (26 of 32)
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Right, Gina. You have the idea. It wasn't a tube at all. There were three raw edges together. I just folded the long strip over, sewed it on and then turned it straight up so it was an extention of the top, letting the seam fall downwards. Then I topstitched on the right side catching the seam allowance, not the strip. It's so hard to explain something. It's really very simple. I can photograph the instruction sheet tomorrow and then you can actually see it. No pressing involved at all. What's the pattern you have, Pauline? Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: grandma C
Date: 03-28-2007, 11:19 PM (27 of 32)
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I'll Have to try that pattern. I don't usually sew for myself 'cause nothin' flatters my bod. I am not good at alteringg patterns. ayour version of that pattern turned out great. |
User: grandma C
Member since: 01-15-2007 Total posts: 263 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 03-29-2007, 03:26 AM (28 of 32)
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The way you explained is called Chanel trim (at least in the books I have read). I have also seen Chanel trim explained in other ways so I'm not entirely sure. I actually have two patterns. The one I was thinking of is by Lincraft (an Australian fabric shop). It is actually for woven fabrics and differs only by not having any ruching on the joining side. I couldn't find anything on the net to show it so I guess it's either too old or obscure. The pattern also contains a straight skirt, straight legged flat front pants and an unlined jacket. I'll probably try all the styles one day. When I was digging for it again I also found this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/burda-Express-Wrap-Blouse-Wrap-Dress-Pattern-sz-10-20_W0QQitemZ320084121418QQihZ011QQcategoryZ11801QQ cmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting I attempted this one very early on but didn't quite finish it (I think it might have been my very first UFO) because it required a button hole for the tie belt to go through and I was unhappy with how it came out. The drape of it was really nice though. My new resolution: Not to buy any more patterns until I've used more of what I've already got (probably somewhere between 200 and 300 and I'd be very lucky indeed if I've used a quarter of them). Ssh ... did dh hear that? 
Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: lendube
Date: 03-29-2007, 12:57 PM (29 of 32)
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http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u20/lendube/IMG_0621.jpg http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u20/lendube/IMG_0620.jpg Oh, I like that pattern. 300 - 400 patterns????  Yikes! I'd be surprised if I had 100. But of course, I'm back to sewing after many years of not doing it. Be sure and click on the icon that appears in the lower corner. You'll get the "big picture" so to speak. Oh, dd tried on her top yesterday and LOVED it! I was so happy. The only part that was a bit loose was the outside wrap piece. She doesn't quite have the "boobage" to fill it up. Minor adjustment though. Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 03-29-2007, 03:42 PM (30 of 32)
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My patterns have taken on a life of their own. It's almost scary. I only have a few that I've bought brand new from a shop. Mostly they have been bought at thrift shops, yard sales, second hand shops or donated by strange people giving up sewing. I've only been sewing for about 12 months or so, they've built up very quickly. I have a small problem with stash but patterns are definitely more of an issue. They say admitting you have a problem is the first step. That'll have to do for now. Thanks for those pictures. I'm not sure which way I'll go (with or without ruching) but now I'll definitely have to stop procrastinating and get to it. Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 03-29-2007, 04:19 PM (31 of 32)
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Now you have me curious! I may have to count my patterns next week while I am off work for spring break. I have an old McCall's 3 drawer cabinet that is full. I just sold a huge box of patterns (probably at least 150) at a garage sale 2 years ago & the drawers are stuffed again. Maybe time for weeding out again.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: PaulineG
Date: 03-29-2007, 04:24 PM (32 of 32)
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Really? Down boy down. No. No.
Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
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