swimsuit, phase one

In my mind, I'm a few steps away from tackling a swimsuit.  First, I need more practice sewing knits, specifically the neckline of a t-shirt.  So this post is really about making two basic t-shirts and a Lola dress thrown in for excitement.

First up, Stephanie's BCT (Blank Canvas Tee), a fitted crewneck with short kimono sleeves like the Tiramisu sleeves.  I love those sleeves.  Not only flattering and comfortable, they're built into the shape of the shirt so there are no extra sleeve pieces to cut and set in.  While my first try at the BCT was a disaster-- weird funnel neck, accidentally a size too small-- my second attempt shows progress.  Neckline's still a little wonky.  Steph's preferred method of attaching the neckband (in a strip after only one shoulder seam has been sewn) seems too advanced for me at this point.  I have more success with the more common method used in both Renfrew and Lola (sewing the neckband together first and then pinning it evenly to the neckline after both shoulder seams have been sewn).  I'm going to add a hem band a la Renfrew to my next BCT before I try my hand at a hack or two.

Next, a nice slouchy Sewaholic Renfrew View A with scoop neck and long sleeves.  This went together so much better now that I've made a Tiramisu and few knit tops, including three cowl neck Renfrews last year.  I've learned to do the construction seams on my regular machine and finish the seams on the serger.  That's the key, really: more control, less seam ripping or serging off a sleeve cap or what have you.

Both t-shirt fabrics were really hard to work with.  The grain line in the cream organic cotton jersey was a mess.  When I had it cut at Mood, I knew I was in trouble.  I tried all the tricks to straighten it out to no avail.  I did use a rotary cutter which worked well.  The stripey stuff, supposedly cotton jersey on sale at fabric.com, was exceedingly slinky and slippery with the additional headache of stripes.  After the t-shirts, I longed to sew a nice stable knit.

And thus, Lola happened.  I'd had it in the back of my head as a possible use for this purple French terry, also from fabric.com.  After seeing Lisette's recent Lola I had to have my own fashionable snuggie right now.  There's a neckband, so it fits into my theme.

You may have noticed that I acquired a tripod and a haircut.  I don't know what I'm doing with the tripod yet, but the hair is good.  Many times I've considered the clippers since my stylist has been away on maternity leave.  The short hair, non-tripod photos happened in a quiet corner of MoMA, where we partied the night away at the annual family affair there.

Based on the Lola sizing and finished measurements, I made a 4 in the bodice grading to an 8 in the waist (since there's more ease there) and between an 8 and a 10 in the hips (since there's less ease there).  I lengthened the sleeve cuffs to the same measurement as the sleeves since the cuffs turned out too tight for others and I knew that would be an issue for me.  Good move.

Want to make your own Lola?  Stop back next week when I'll be offering your choice of pattern from Victory Patterns and other surprise items in my first giveaway, inspired by Debi's Sew Grateful initiative.  Happy weekend!