Hot Pattern Weekender Top
I made another weekender top for my mom. I wanted to do something different on this one, and thought about adding a collage of buttons on the band, but my dad suggested that it might pull the top down and be annoying, after I thought about it, he's probably right... so I pondered it a bit and decided to silk screen it and add some crystals. The band just screamed "embellish" to me. Here's the completed top
I used a purple rayon knit fron Joann's. I usually get my knits from other online sources and wonder how this will hold up compared to those other, more expensive retailers, I'll let you know.
Here's my design process
I pinned the bands onto a board that I have covered with plastic. I use silk screens from Marcy Tilton http://www.marcytilton.com/index.php?cid=92 . If you don't like the ones she sells, she will make you whatever you want. I have one that says "Kirchner Kreations" that I put on my things and I also sort of hid it into the band. I used 3 different screens, Jacquard Lumiere paints that I get from Dick Blick Art Supplies http://www.dickblick.com/zz029/53/ , and sponge brushes from the local hardware store.
the crystals are from Bullard Designs http://bullarddesigns.com/ I like the sets and have several and need to use them more, they are a lot of fun to use and stay put through the washer.
And the movie I watched while making this top was "We Own the Night" with Joaquine Phoenix and Mark Wahlberg. It was good and this is based on the fact that I stopped sewing several times to watch! If a movie makes me stop and watch, it must be good. It's a bit violent and bloody. Now onto a jacket for me.....
Oh, one more tidbit. I had to alter the sleeve for a bigger bicep. I did this by slashing up to but not through (thanks Sherril) the stitchline and then spread it out to 15" (my arm is 13"). Here is my adjusted sleeve pattern. Notice that the armhole seam did not change, it will still fit into the same armhole.
Posted by sue
at 1:19 PM PDT
Updated: Sunday, September 14, 2008 1:41 PM PDT
cropped, raglan sleeves, 2 leather buttons, unlined, machine hemmed.... bam, it's done! This was made while watching Sweet Land, a cute movie. (Isn't netflix great!)
