Thank you to every one of you who have left messages of support or sent me recipes. I appreciate the effort you have gone to and am touched by your kindness.
The most important lesson, and the one I have found to be most comforting, is the need to let go, and allow things to unfold as they do. Every parent at some point has to stand back to accept their children as they are and respect the journey their life is taking. My time has come earlier than most.
My disappointments with my last 2 projects have also provided plenty of fodder for reflection. I made them on a whim, and they ended up whimsical. Actually, I really don't like things to be that obvious.
This time I listened to the fabric. It told me quite clearly that it really liked all the twist tops that were going round blogworld and this is how it would like to be made up.
So I agreed. The fabric also told me that I should buy myself a spare twin needle because I was going to break the current one before this project was out.
Now twin needles are about $20 each so I wasn't in a big hurry to oblige. I thought to myself, OK, I'll just be extra super careful with the one I've got, I'm just being paranoid, it'll be OK.
What happened ? Before I had even taken ONE stitch I broke the needle. I couldn't believe it.
But I choose to look on the bright side, this isn't so much the loss of the ability to sew a hem with a twin needle so much as an opportunity to buy a cover-stitch. Which I shall do, next week. I'm thinking a Baby lock, because I'm a sucker for jet-of-air threading.
And lo! More opportunities in crisis - the timer on my machine is out so I can only sew half a buttonhole before it thinks it's finished. What a great time to visit two velco numbers in a back issue of Burda that I borrowed from the ASG.
Here is what the FBA looks like. You have to make sure to match the extra you added on the top piece to the bottom piece so that both sides of the underbust piece match and can be sewn together.
I've given up on the twisty tops. They all end up being terribly unmodest and are not my choice of layering garments. None the less, this whimsical garment does look nice in your photos.
ReplyDeleteI've given up on twisty tops too, mostly because A) I can't work out the FBA and B) I can't figure out how to get the twisty bit to sit in the right place so as to not be completely unflattering. You seem to have achieved BOTH of these goals. I'm suitably impressed, trust me!
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing the pattern adjustment. FBAs confound me for anything that isn't straightforward. You'll enjoy the Babylock. I bought one but regret not going the extra mile and purchasing the top of the range coverstitch model.
ReplyDeleteA woman with the same sewing accounting system as I! Failure of a ridiculourly expensive $20 twin needle fully justifies the purchase of a new machine. I am not familiar with the babylock, but think a coverstitch machine is much more worthwhile with a binding attachment - though I am still kicking myself for buying the brand name attachment instead of a generic.
ReplyDeleteI like your twisty top. I threw mu one attempt out after I looked at myself in the mirror. I agree that the neckline is rather Burda, but yours looks good as a layering piece. Your fabric was right.
I'll add my name to the list of those who have given up on twist front tops. Every single one I have started has ended up in the bin. Yours looks good though, even if it is a little low. As for the needle breaking, I only have this to say - self fulfilling prophecy. I do it all the time!
ReplyDeleteAn opportunity to buy a Babylock! Love it, lol! Your top looks nice as a layering piece so that's a success despite equipment failures along the way. The price of twin needles seems way out of hand in New Zealand. Could this be the one thing cheaper in rip off Britain? I can buy one here for a little over £3!
ReplyDeleteI have the Janome Coverpro - it is so easy to thread - even easier than my sewing machine. it is not like an overlocker to thread so I wouldn't go with the babylock just for the air threading. If it has other features that you like as well it is worth going for but if that is the only reason I would look at other options too
ReplyDeleteHi, gorgeous top. I hope you do get the baby lock, you really deserve it :-).
ReplyDeleteNice conversation between you and the fabric. Great results.
ReplyDelete$20 for a twin needle - and I thought mine was expensive at $6.49. Wow. I totally get why that justifies a cover stitch - LOL.
A broken twin needle is what prompted me to buy a coverstitch, too, hehe. (However, the needles here are about $3.00.) I never regretted the purchase.
ReplyDeleteThis twist top is really a good look for you. It's one of those styles that requires the right figure.
I agree with Kathy, the Janome Coverpro is incredibly easy to thread, it is as easy as my sewing machine. I know there are other differences between the machines, but you really don't need a Babylock just for air threading. I would however, give my husbands left hand for a Babylock overlocker/serger. 8-)
ReplyDeleteSmart fabric! And I really like the way your twist top turned out. I've been afraid of the FBA, so now I'll have to attempt it. You'll love your coverstitch. And I agree with Karen about the binder. It will make you very happy and the generics are about the same cost as your twin needle ($20!?!?). I have a Brother coverstitcher and it is definitely easy to thread. I wouldn't pop the extra for the jet air alone, although if there is something else you prefer about the BLCS, then that would be a factor. I do love my Brother.
ReplyDeleteI like your reasoning for the new coverstitch...!
ReplyDeleteI think your new top looks gorgeous. I love twist tops too, but inexplicably have yet to make one.
I just found a great website for gluten/dairy free vege food http://www.greenkitchenstories.com/ looks yummo!
ReplyDeleteI've made that pattern a lot and now wear cami's under every one of them. I have thought about adding faux camis from scraps and will let you know if it ever pans out.
ReplyDelete