Mimi Blouse #LoveatFirstStitch

I said I was going to give my new sewing machine a workout didn’t I? Well here it is: my first attempt at a Mimi blouse – the pattern from Tilly’s Love at First Stitch.

 The fabric is the Liberty cotton lawn I got from the Knitting & Stitching show, and I LOVE the print and colours. It washed really well before I used it, and ironed out nicely too (although it does then get creased again very easily once you’re moving it about).

 

This is the most complicated thing I’ve sewn so far, but I actually really enjoyed making it. The pattern pieces come with the book and I just traced them onto kitchen baking baker that is slightly translucent. I cut out a straight size 4 for this one, based on the garment measurements given in the book. Fitting the pieces onto the fabric was simple too, there is a layout diagram in the book, and I was careful to fold the fabric exactly in half so that the pattern matched across the fronts (yes, there is a repeat pattern on this fabric, although it’s quite subtle because of the ‘busyness’ of the print).

 

After the initial moment of hesitation at making the first cut into the fabric I had everything ready to go. Tilly’s instructions (as I’m sure I’ve said before) are really clear and easy to follow with lots of photos, and expanded details on working new techniques, like the gathers when attaching the front and back pieces to the yoke. These came out really well I think, for my first go, and actually with the detail in the fabric they’re probably not that noticeable anyway.

 

 

I took my time over this make, partly because of not having a lot of time free to get on with it (only one day at the weekends and a few odd bits in the evenings), but also because I wanted to make sure I got it right and was left with something wearable. Another first for me was French seaming the side seams, and attaching the collar and neck facings. I’m thrilled with how the collar turned out, and how evenly I managed to balance it!

 

The iron was definitely my best friend during the process; it really does help to make sure things sit right. Other than the side seams, everywhere else was pinked, and I tried out the overlock stitch on my machine which I think worked OK, I don’t think I’ll get much fraying.

Attaching the sleeves also went smoothly, and I really like the little pleat detail for a bit of interest. I topstitched the sleeve facings in place, and the hem, and used the same brighter pinky/purple for the buttonholes for a bit of contrast.

Ah, the buttonholes. I’m sure I mentioned how much I love being able to do automatic buttonholes. SO easy, once I’d re-measured where they needed to go of course. I’m really happy with how the top button sits neatly between the collar points, and the positioning means I don’t get the dreaded gaping at the bust. I’ve put on simple little plastic buttons in a toning pink; I didn’t think it needed anything fancier given the print of the fabric.

 

I’m completely delighted with how this turned out, apart from anything else it fits well and I’m looking forward to wearing it – with a long-sleeved layer underneath and a cardigan over the winter, and on its own next summer. I also love that this pattern is easily varied: I fancy a plain version with piping in the yoke seams, and a sleeveless summery one too. I’ve got a bit of the fabric left, not enough for another one of these, but maybe a simple camisole top or something, and some scraps for little makes – I haven’t shown you my favourite little flower brooches yet.

So thank you Tilly for another beautiful pattern, thank you Janome for my amazing new sewing machine, and thank you Liberty for the gorgeous fabric. Completing this blouse has really given me some more confidence with sewing garments, I’m already scouting out patterns for my next big project, but I think some little fun Christmas makes might be first on the list.

Emerald Eyelet Jumper

More knitting completed, another jumper this time. It’s another pattern from the Sirdar Summer brochure, but instead of the cotton DK I used some Softspun DK that I got as an offer pack from Hobbycraft a while ago. I really like this yarn, I’ve used the DK and the Chunky, it’s so soft to handle, really light to wear but also warm, and the gentle sheen looks really pretty in different stitch patterns (I knitted this cable jumper a few months ago). The green of this is gorgeous, a really lovely bright emerald that I love, and the silvery sheen just highlights it.

This pattern is a pretty easy one, mainly stocking stitch but with garter stitch ridges and an eyelet row in blocks that continue all over the body and sleeves. I llike the stepped hem effect too, a bit different. It wasn’t too difficult to keep track of, in fact I only really used my row counter when I was doing shaping to keep track of the decreases rather than counting the pattern repeats.

This jumper also seemed to come together quicker than the cardigan I did last, I suppose there are fewer pieces, but I think I’ve also managed to carve out a bit more time to sit and do my knitting in the evenings and at weekends to help me chill out from other stuff.

The only thing I’m slightly worried about is that the jumper seems to have come up a bit tight across the shoulders and armholes. I knitted the same size as the cardigan pattern from the same book, and it’s fine around the bust (usually where I struggle) but seems small at the shoulders, the pretty rolled neck gets stretched out. Not sure what’s going on as I don’t think I’ve sewed up any tighter than I do normally and all the pieces measured right according to the pattern. I’m hoping that the yarn will stretch out a bit when I wear and wash it and it’ll be fine. Obviously I’ve also done my usual shortcut of not blocking, so maybe I should have done. I really like this jumper and it’s the sort of thing I can see myself wearing a lot over the winter, even in the office, so fingers crossed it eases off a bit.

I’ve got a couple of balls of the yarn leftover and I think it’ll be perfect for some little Christmas trees – a friend sent me some patterns last week and I think they will be my next project. I feel like having a bit of a break from big knitting projects for a little while and working on some smaller things that are easier to get finished quickly, so Christmas decorations will be perfect, and maybe a few presents like mittens and hats for friends and family.

A break from knitting will also give me a chance to work on my Mimi blouse – I’ve cut out all the cotton pieces and interfacing ready to get going with the sewing machine one evening this week hopefully.

What are you all working on at the moment? Have you started Christmas crafting? Or are you nearly done already and I’m way behind?! I’d love to see what you’re making, maybe leave me a link to your blog and I’ll return the reading favour.