Friday 16 March 2012

FO: Nora tee shirt


Detail of fabric
 Two weeks ago I was having a bad day, nothing major but a more than usually sleepless night, feeling so crappy, squabbling children before school, Little I getting soaked while teeth cleaning and having to change all her clothes just as we were due to leave, then instead of being able to go home and have a rest, I had to be at the doctor's for my routine postnatal check and the baby clinic.  To top off  my bad mood I stepped in some dog poo outside the surgery.  Who takes their dog for a poo right outside a doctors' surgery?  And leaves it there? 
By the time I got home I was fed up. But then my day brightened up as a friend dropped by bearing gifts.  A gift that would brighten any sewer's day I think....a bin bag of old fabrics that her mum was going to throw out.  Dog poo, arguments, sleeplessness were all dissolved. 
Finished top
 The fabrics were mostly manmade and there are some that will make good lining fabric - something I am slack at buying.  There was also this patterned fabric - I am guessing it is a polyester.  It has a slight stretch and a slight sheen to it.  The pattern reminded me of an old friend's art work from when we were students together. 
I set to and over the next week, in little tiny steps, made myself a Nora top.  The pattern is from Ottobre Autumn/Winter 2010.  I made one before so already had the pattern pieces traced and cut out. 
The Nora pattern

I have to confess I sewed this up really quite badly.  I used a zig zag setting on my machine.  There is no high quality finishing - but luckily no fraying with this synthetic fabric.  I omitted the interfacing for the yoke.  I handstitched the hem and the sleeve hems.  This was because I can do handsewing in the car outside school while Rocket Girl naps.  I am not sure how long this top will last.  But right now I am in an awkward place with what to wear, lots of my old tops are a bit too tight in the chest and I don't want to spend lots of time and energy making new tops when I will be changing shape again once I stop feeding Rocket Girl. (I hope)  So this top fills a gap which in turn fits with my sewing plans and aspirations - to make a wardrobe that fits my life and I actually wear.   


You cannot see this season's accessory du jour: baby sick on the left shoulder.


Nora tee over Lumpy Me (hey, I am a poet)
Now you may think I am mad to even attempt sewing with an eight week old baby but it is a kind of therapy and relaxation for me.  I have made a little summary below of some dos and don'ts if you sew with a baby:
DO: choose a pattern you have sewn before, something simple and something already cut out
DON'T: Choose a new pattern which requires a muslin, fitting and thought
DO: Use cheap or old fabric you are not attached to
DO: Keep your sewing machine and equipment in an easy to reach place - for once not having a special craft/sewing room is a bonus as my sewing stuff is in the dining room and I don't have to walk far or make any effort to get it out
DO: Pick a project that can be broken down into ten minute bursts of activity
DON'T: Beat yourself up if it goes wrong, or set yourself any time-related goals
DON'T: Try to be a perfectionist
DO: Enjoy it!

19 comments:

  1. Lovely, I'm in awe that you made that with a little baby around. And I love the tips, because we all get busy and distracted sometimes.

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    1. Thank you. I am glad you like the tips - I have always held back from doing tips or advice before, thinking most others know more than me! I am in awe of your jeans making so does that make us even?

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  2. I love this top, the fabric is lovely! Hope you have a great weekend xx

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    1. Thanks Alex. Hope you have a great weekend too. xx

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  3. Love the print - spades or mushrooms? - and the top looks great on, especially with that lovely cardigan.

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    1. Thanks Clare - that's funny that you see mushrooms or spades, I saw leaves or trees. The cardigan is an old favourite - goes with lots of my me-mades.

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  4. Well done ...your achievement is even greater with the little ones around.I think you are right to do things a step at a time and set yourself small targets that way you won't get disillusioned if you get interrupted.Plus it looks a lovely top too!!

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    1. Thank you Catherine. IThe top is even better for being non-iron! I keep thinking small steps for almost everything in life at the moment.

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  5. Lovely, especially paired with the spot of spring colour from that cardi! I'm still impressed how you manage to get anything done with Rocket girl and your other little ones around. Go you! :)

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    1. Thank you Alessa. I am lucky that Rocket Girl will sit happily for 20- 30 minutes in her bouncy cradle and she will sleep in her pram SOME days! That cardigan is Boden surplus sale a few years ago. It goes with so many things that it was a great buy. ;)

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  6. Love the print, and your tips are really handy, even without a baby hanging around! :-)

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    1. Thank you Solvi. The print caught my eye as soon as I sorted through the fabric bag.

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  7. Well done you! I cannot believe you have an FO 8 weeks in! And don't you look great (I know that's a mixed compliment as there is no head showing, but can't see any trace of pregnancy after only 8 weeks too!)
    It's a really pretty top, & I like your tips too!

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    1. Thanks Winnie. This time round I was all baby during the pregnacy and the weight went quickly after having the baby. I do have a fatter tummy and bigger waist than usual but not hugely. I think it is due to the boot-camp nature of life with my 3 children. ;)

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  8. I know all about the postnatal blues! Way to go making yourself something cute! That always is a mood lifter.

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  9. Lovely top and major kudos for having made it at this time. Your tips on sewing with babies - or, given the last four tips, on doing anything with them around - are spot on. Go you! :-)

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  10. Mothers are super-women to me -- good for you for creating a new top to serve you amid all your other responsibilities! (I remember this pattern! I always liked the yoke). And hooray for forgiving yourself and enjoying your FO, something I still struggle with.

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  11. Looks great! You totally amaze me at stitching this together ... and make me feel bad that I haven't been able to get my act together to finish anything at all. Just haven't been in the mood ... but when I can vicariously live through you and the things you make, who needs to? =).

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  12. Yay, this is so cute! I'm glad your bad day took a sunnier turn-- hooray for new fabric! You look so cute in the new top, and that yellow cardigan is a fab color for you!

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