I’m not normally someone who manages to squeeze projects out of small pieces of fabric. In fact, I normally always buy ‘safe’ amounts of both fabric and yarn, and end up with some left sat in my stash once the planned project is completed.
However, lately I’ve started a few knitting projects where I’ve run out of yarn part-way through (due to using stash yarns, or just not buying enough), and a few sewing projects which have required some creative cutting.
During a recent trip to London I treated myself to a visit to Cloth House in Soho (very close to Liberty). I wasn’t supposed to be buying any fabric but couldn’t resist these two fabrics from their knits section (housed downstairs). To keep my shopping to a minimum I bought a half metre of each, assuming I’d have enough for a small top. As you can see from the photos, I did have enough fabric – but only just, particularly as I complicated things by choosing two stripey fabrics.
This top is made using dress pattern V, Mini Dress with Raglan Sleeves from by Yoshiko Tsukiori. I’ve previously made and blogged the dress here. For this top version, I placed the pattern pieces on top and cut to edge of the fabric – which worked out just the right length for a top.
I really like the finished top but squeezing raglan sleeves (particularly pattern matched ones) out of only half a metre of fabric was tight, and one of the sleeves had to be pieced. The fabric is a very lightweight knit which feels lovely, but is extremely prone to creasing.
For the second fabric, I thought I’d try Grainline Studio‘s free one-size Hemlock Tee. The only change I had to make to the pattern due to fabric limitations was reducing the length of the sleeves. If working with an even small piece of fabric the sleeve pieces could be skipped altogether.
The fabric is a lovely weighty double knit, with raised texture on the white stripes. (I’m pretty sure Zoe used the same fabric for this tunic). The body of the fabric means that it emphasises the boxy shape of Hemlock, and I’d like to try Hemlock in something slinkier for a closer fit.
I currently work in an IT department with mostly male colleagues. They aren’t always the best at compliments (one day when wearing a red dress and lipstick, I was told by one colleague I looked very red, and I’m pretty sure that was supposed to be complimentary). The first time I wore this Hemlock to work a different colleague told me it looked like two tea-towels sewn together!
The next tee I fancy trying is Fancy Tiger Crafts’ Adventure Tank which definitely looks doable in 1/2 metre of fabric from my stash.
July 10, 2016 at 3:43 pm
Nice! And dear me, Cloth House is a dangerous place. Both locations! I seem able to spend my entire travel budget there each time I go to London.
July 10, 2016 at 4:11 pm
I love stripe-y tops and it was great you got them out of 1/2m each! You must be tiny.
I have worked in IT for many, many years and I know exactly what you speak of!
July 10, 2016 at 5:19 pm
I have been learning over the years how to estimate the amount of fabric I need. For my first makes I used got the recommended fabric amount, now I like to base the amount on an estimate of the amount I need, using what I needed for a previous make that’s similar. I get far less left over and I’m not good at using up left-overs -although I try to use them for pockets and contrast bits and pieces.
I’m in IT too, bless our male colleagues – they are lovely but rarely manage to socialize except using the computer as an interface. I can spend whole days at work and only have a real world conversation when I go to the shop to buy lunch!
July 10, 2016 at 8:20 pm
Two tea towels – that is outrageous! I love that fabric – I used it on a course at The Fabric Godmother – and it holds it shape so well. My partner is an IT bloke but is thankfully pretty forthcoming when it comes to complimentary remarks on clothing! You look lovely in both your tops.
July 10, 2016 at 11:41 pm
Your tops look lovely. I particularly like the second one. I am tempted to try it myself. Oddly its the shape of the sleeves that have drawn me in!
July 11, 2016 at 12:09 am
I love both these tops! I taught IT at university when it first became a degree and the boys (there were no girls) turn up like that, and become worse over the three years. I was very lonely!