Dress, Top and Redo

I've finally made some changes to the cardigan!

The stick on pandas are super cute!!!

Last week, I finished sewing a dress following the 'feminine wardrobe' book. I was way too engrossed that I forgot to take pictures while working on it! I only managed to take a few. HAHA.

So, I had to trace out the patterns and it was a super time-consuming process. LOL.After having my patterns ready, I cut out the fabric. Then, I followed the instructions written on the book. The instructions given were easy to understand and follow. Hence, this dress wasn't super difficult to make.

  

I have yet to hem the bottom and make some adjustments to the side seam. I am absolutely loving the sleeves! I think I'm going to incorporate those sleeves in my upcoming project! HEHE. 

* This dress is made for my sister. Hence, the size is slightly larger than my usuals.

Since I have leftover knit fabric, I decided to make a halter top and I sewn it this morning. YAY!

DIY: Halter Top

Materials:

- Less than 1m of knit fabric

- Thread (Similar colour to your fabric)

- Sewing machine

- Overlock machine (Optional, Will be great if you have one)

- A pair of scissors

- Chalk/ Marker

I referred to few pictures from google search to create my own pattern. I noticed from the pictures that halter top has a huge armhole and small front bodice near the neckline. Hence, I made a larger armhole than usual and a smaller curve near neckline. 

Since I did not want it to be a crop top, I decided to add a 15 by 5" at the bottom of each bodice.

 Then I pin the rectangular piece to each bodice to make the bodice longer than a normal crop top.

Using a chalk/marker, draw a line to cut out the excess fabric.

Pin the front and back bodice and sew only the side seams (leaving the armhole and neckline)

Cut out four pieces of 15 by 4" fabric. Connect two pieces together to form a longer piece.

Pin one of the raw edges from the longer piece to both of the armholes.

Connect the other raw edge to the other side which will create a bias tape along the armhole.

 

Since I want a nice stitching, I pin the right side of the armhole.

Next, cut out 2 rectangular pieces of 11 by 4" and sew both pieces together. This longer piece will be used for the neckline.

Next, I marked out 3" from both side seams of the rectangular piece. The 3" acts as a guideline where the shoulder will begin. To create the neckline, use the same method as the bias tape for the armhole.

Lastly, hem the bottom of the top.

So how did my very own version of halter top end up?

 

Since I've bought some cute stick-on embroideries, I decided to add one to the top.

Yup, I chose Garfield and now my top doesn't look cheap. LOL.

So with 2m of knit fabric, I created cardigan and halter top! YAY! 

It is currently fasting month and last few weeks, I repaid my fasting. Therefore, I get tired very easily and I won't have much time to update my blog. Let me take an opportunity to say my thanks to the people who read my blog and find my blog useful. I hope you are enjoying and inspired to sew. Till next time, take care~

XOXO, Mahirah

Recommended Korean Drama: Lucky Romance

The storyline isn't very unique but the lead actor's character is very refreshing maybe

 because I am seeing my favourite rising star acting. HAHA.  

Anyways, check the drama out if you want something light.

 

DIY: Cardigan

Hey my wonderful readers!

It's time to learn how to sew yourself a cardigan.

Materials:

• Knit Fabric
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• A pair of scissors
• Buttons (Optional)
• Paper (For making pattern)

 1. Making the pattern

Using your favourite cardigan or sweater, trace out the front, back and sleeve pattern on pieces of paper.

If your cardigan has a hoodie, you might want to trace it out.

 

2. Cutting the fabric

Once your patterns are ready, use the scissors to cut out the pattern with an additional 0.5-1" allowances around the edges.

3. Assembling the pieces

*ensure that the right-right sides are facing each other before sewing

*working with knit fabric without a serger or overlock machine may requires you to use zigzag stitching

Firstly, pin and sew the shoulder pieces together.

Secondly, pin and sew the sleeves to the respective armhole.

Thirdly, pin the raw edges of the sleeves and the side seam. Once you're done pinning, you can sew the sleeve and the side.

+This applies to those who have/like to have a hoodie+ 

Lastly, pin and sew the hoodie to the collar area and close the hoodie by sewing the top part.

4. Finishing touches

Cut out a long strip of fabric with a width of 2" with the length of raw edges. This strip acts as a bias tape hence sew it around the raw edges of the cardigan.

You may add buttons and button holes to the bias tape. Also, you may like to have small pockets at the front of the cardigan which will make it extra cute.

So how did my cardigan turn out?

I will be redoing the bias tape because the length was too short which caused my cardigan to curl.

Hence it is important that your bias tape is long enough to prevent curling. Other than that, I am satisfied with the end result. Once my bias tape is redone, I will be adding buttons to it! HEHE.

Also, I will upload a new photo soon with a better output!

This smock dress is by far the best thing I've ever sew! *Dances*

Recommended drama: Flower in the prison

Part 2: Peplum top with bell sleeves

I just checked that it's been over a month since I last updated!

At least I am back! Oh and I can't wait to sew from one of the books! HEHE.

This is my first time making a pattern without using any measurements from a shirt or myself.

I was basically using my own imagination while doing the pattern. HAHA.

Step 1: Making the pattern

I just found out how useful french curve is when it comes to making pattern! Thanks to french curve my pattern turns out well!

 The base of the top was around 9". Using the base as a guideline, I make the armhole using the french curve.

 As for the neckline, I drew two different curves to differentiate the front and back of the top.

Tada~ The bodice pattern is done!

As for the sleeve, instead of the normal straight end, made a curve.

As for the width of the sleeve, I made it wider as the sleeve goes down.

Step 2: Attaching the pieces together

Before you start sewing, pin the various patterns to the fabric and cut accordingly.
With the fabric cut out, you can start sewing.

As usual, sew the shoulder area first. Afterwards, attach the sleeves to the armhole and sew the sleeves. Lastly, sew the side seams.

Step 3: Cutting out the skater skirt

Measure the waist of the top. Using the skater skirt measurement app, cut out the skater skirt. Since I am making a peplum top, the length of the skirt doesn't have to be very long. In my case, the length was around 4-5".  You can refer to my previous post (Circle Skirt) how to cut out a circle/skater skirt.

This is a terrible photo. I took a photo without finish cutting out the skirt. Can you spot the mistake? HAHA.

*If you want the peplum top to be slightly different than usual, add a few more inches to the waist measurement. This allows some room for few pleats which I managed to do so!

Step 4: Assembling and final touches

Attach the skirt to the top. Since I added a few inches, I did few pleats to the front of the top while leaving the back of the top as usual.

Lastly, hem the raw edges of the sleeves, neckline and skirt.

So after eyeballing everything, how did the top turn out?

I think it turned out alright. It would be even better if I had used a top for reference. Well, ironing will also help. HAHAHAHAHA! I can't wait to wear this top tomorrow! I shall upload some pictures of myself wearing this top! Since I can't sew, maybe I shall post pictures of myself wearing my own creations.

Oh Why. Oh Why did I stop blogging when it's so much fun!!! I hope to be able to sew a simple project this coming Sunday before leaving for dinner to celebrate Mother's Day!

Let me take this opportunity to wish A Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful and lovely mothers all around the whole! :D

Recommended anime: Another