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Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Blue Hummingbird


Check me out! I made my first Hummingbird! It looks a bit crooked in the picture but it isn't. It went together very easy, and I can wear it as easily as a T-shirt. Win! I love the pattern. This was my first Cake pattern. I liked using the front waist measurement because I'm fairly high waisted. I don't think I could have gotten the waist fit right had that not been included. I'm also pleased with how flattering it is.


The shirt went together easily. The peplum is kind of brilliant. I thought I would be sewing pleats to get the gathers on it, but no. It's just a scissor trick! I used a clearance knit from Joanns  for this version and it turned out very nice.


I had a couple of issues. I followed the directions for the neckband insertion,then I wound up cutting it off and redoing it. The neckband is the exact size to match the shirt and gets inserted while the pattern is flat. I felt it was kind of gaping. However I may be a bit paranoid about that. I work in a middle school and try to keep the girls covered at all times. What I did was recut the neckband about a half inch wider and 20% shorter. Then I sewed it in the round while stretching it especially around the bottom of the scoop neck. I found it laid flatter, and I felt more secure. I left the sleeve bands as they were. The other issue was my own insecurity. I cut it a size bigger than I am in the waist, and I didn't need to. I can't get used to the idea I'm a bit smaller now. Next time I will take that extra inch out.

This pattern is a win and a pretty dressy little T-shirt which is perfect for brutal hot summers!

Go team Sebrewing!

12 comments:

  1. WHAT ARE YOU DOING, STARTING EARLY! :D Your blue Hummingbird looks great. But you know what? Even more so, you look very pretty in it. Blue looks fantastic on you, it complements your colouring really well.

    Just a question about the top: Is the weight of the fabric pulling down the neckline in that first picture, or was it cut that way? I'm planning on a heavier knit version of this (that fugly fabric is pretty thick) and I'm wondering how it'll effect the neckline.

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    1. And by fugly fabric, I of course mean my fugly fabric. Your fabric is totally not fugly at all. :D

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    2. Thanks! I don't work in the summer, so I have to keep busy. "Idol hands are the devil's playground" and all that business. From what I can tell I made the shirt look crooked when primping for the photo. I think I pulled it askew which made it look wonky. In real life it looks normal.

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    3. I like the scoopy neckline, I just wasn't sure if it was photo shenanigans, heavy fabric, or design feature. :) Good job, fixing that neckline, btw. I admire that you cut it off after sewing to fix it!

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    4. It was a 1/4" seam allowance. I figured the stretch I was adding to the collar would more than make up for it. Plus I cut my band a little thicker to compensate. I don't do well picking out serger stitches.

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  2. It's really cute! The drape looks fantastic and it's very flattering on you.

    I think your neckband solution was wise—I really think with knit neckbands it's important to cut the neckband length based on the stretch in your fabric—the more stretchy, the shorter the neckband (I sliced some off of my neckband for this as well).

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  3. Beautiful...Looks fantastic on you.. bty.... I can tell you have lost a lot of weight..congrats!!!
    I have never heard of this pattern/ Will have to check it out.. Happy sewing..

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  4. It's lovely, isn't Steph clever! And it does look wonderful on you, very pretty AND school appropriate :)

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    1. I am astounded by people that clever. Thank you!

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  5. It looks gorgeous--that is a lovely shade of blue.

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