Completed: Grainline Hemlock...

Hi all, jumping in with a quick and speedy project today, yet another Grainline pattern,

(sorry not sorry.) I love Jen's patterns and they are a slightly different aesthetic to my closer fitting makes but man, I love every pattern of hers I've ever made and most of them are worn regularly 

(Archer, Hemlock, Scout, Moss and Tiny Pocket Tank are all on my completed list.) I am turning slightly fangirl with Grainline but hey, they work for me!

Hemlock is a FREE! pattern that was released a little while back, just in one size which for someone like me (Size 14 on top) strikes horror into my heart. I printed this out and put it on the back burner for a while thinking I would have to grade it up but when I bought 3m of this ahhhmazing grey and neon pink jersey from Fabric Godmother. I knew I was going to have to make myself a top (or three.) I knew it wouldn't be as drapey and oversized as it is on Jen but I wanted to test the water with a closer fit anyway, I'm not sure if off the shoulder is for me.

 I measured the bust of the hemlock pattern and realised that with the stretch in the jersey I'd probably be ok. I had it cut and sewn in a couple of hours! All in all the fit is pretty much where I wanted it.

Now I'll go back to my original comment about my aesthetic. My bust and hips are wide. They are balanced by a proportionally smaller waist which I take full advantage of. This top doesn't allow me to do that, as a loose (ish) fitting shape does nothing for flattering curves.

That being said I really enjoy wearing this top and the drop shoulders are a style feature I really like, maybe this style is something I could warm to? Its so comfy and I wore it all weekend so I can see it being in regular rotation.

There are a couple of changes I might make:

Being such a shortarse the sleeves just hit my wrists instead of mid forearm, I prefer this and might lengthen them a smidge more to get the balance right with the dropped shoulder seam. I may try it graded up larger to see how I like the drapey effect, I don't think its worth skimming in at the waist as that would take away from the style of the pattern. I could potentially shorten the hem as I did quite a wide invisible hem and it drags ever so slightly. I think my next incarnation of this pattern may be in a plain colour, it could be luscious in a dark indigo blue silk jersey! This could work really well with a really large loud print too!

Stats:

Fabric: 3m of Grey and Neon Pink Striped Jersey £7pm in Fabric Godmother Sale £21

(still loads left!)

Notions: Thread Fabric Godmother £1.75

Total: £22.75

Wearability: 8/10 I love wearing it, but the shape might have to grow on me a bit! I'll make sure not to count any more yardage of this fabric if I make something else with it, if I can squeeze 3 tops out of it then this top is more like £8.75 to make which is probably a bit less than I would've paid for it on the high street.

Have you made Hemlock? How did it work for your body?

Fabric Godmother Dream Wardrobe: Grainline Scout Tee

Hello Lovelies!

Remember my last post on Fabric Godmother's Dream Wardrobe? Well, my Grainline Scout Tee Josie picked out for me is done and I love it!

A woven t-shirt is not something I've worn very often, its a newish silhouette for me. I have a couple of Boden tank like tops that I wear to work in the summer (more like a Tiny Pocket Tank) but nothing like this with sleeves. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how much I like this look. Its certainly much less fitted than I go for but its a really great pattern to show off a really special fabric. The fabric Josie picked is a lovely buttery viscose. It washed beautifully and although it did need ironing (never a good thing in my book!) it softened under the iron to an almost silky hand. The print is a lovely blend of indigo, turquoise, sky blue and hints of mustard on a parchment like background. All colours I love and wear often. In fact I've been hunting for similar fabrics as its inspired me to planning a swap around this colours!

(Here is my fabric and pattern just after Josie had picked them for me, along with a couple of other suggestions!)

I had a bit of a go at editing my photos for Scout differently this time around. I decided to crop closer and use our outside wall. I've still got some work to do but I've been reading up on Gillian's Better Photo's Project and I've been bugging Piemaker about getting me a tripod. (Partly so he doesn't have to act as photographer all the time.) so I can get the details and practice in to do nicer images.

Still not into posing though! I'd have loved a closer photo of the fabric to give you an idea of how beautiful it is. This felt like a really luxury item for me. Simple construction, but I focused on doing it well. Next time I may go for French seams all round but with this version I overlocked in a tight overcast stitch and hemmed.

I did make a version of this as a wearable muslin which I will blog at a later date. I made some quite dramatic changes to this one but I'm much happier with the fit. I narrowed the shoulder seam and sleeve head by 1.5 inches each! A total of 3 inches out of the top of the armhole. I needed the space in the sleeve itself but in the first version the sleeves slid way to far off my shoulders. This is much better and makes the shirt sit correctly. I also sliced into the waist taking 2 inches off of each side of my waist. Like my hemlock, it was just too loose. I suppose I could've cut a smaller size and done an FBA but the bust was a nice fit as was the neckline and I thought I'd overcomplicate things.

If I made it again I might lengthen it, the overcast hem is nice but if I folded it over and hemmed it the traditional way I think it would be a touch too short for my liking.

 (That's one of my pet hates in rtw tops too!)

Stats:

Fabric and Pattern: Provided by Fabric Godmother with a discount in return for review

Wearability: 10/10

This top is 100% going into my honeymoon wardrobe, cool, breathable and with a truly stunning print!

Don't forget you can buy Josie's Dream Wardrobe tailor made experience from her shop £39 per month and Josie will handpick you a fabric and pattern.

 You can choose how often you want it from just a one off to a monthly treat for a year!