The previous post was written and schedule to be posted in September 2009--I completely forgot that I had it scheduled to be published. Shams, Sherril, thank you for your comments!
My goals for 2012:
1) Work out 4 times a week. I have not been able to have a regular dance class or fitness schedule for the past few years and It's really taken a toll on me mentally and physically. My goal for 2012 is healthy mind as a product of a healthy body.
2) Sew 1 aspirational garment every 3 months. When I read other sewing blogs, I become inspired by their accomplishments. While I am very comfortable sewing activewear, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when I work with garments to wear to work. I work in a business casual environment (more on the formal side for Silicon Valley, where casual can be very very casual). I am defining 'aspirational' as a work appropriate outfit (trousers, skirt, dress, blouse).
3) Organize fabric stash for easier access. I probably have enough material and notions to get anything made.
I spent last night sewing. I've been working very slowly on a Vogue 8634. Very slowly--I started tracing this pattern right after Thanksgiving and last night I decided to finish the muslin. While it fits, it the design is not flattering to me. So I stuffed everything in a big ziploc bag (pattern envelope, pattern tracing, muslin, notes on how it fits/doesn't fit) and placed it in the fabric midden under the cutting table.
Then I pulled out Kwik Sew 2722. As part of my 2012 goals, I am going to the gym and dance classes, so I need appropriate clothing. I can whip out a pair (or two) of dance pants in an evening (or buy what I need from Costco), but I wanted to make some dance class tops. At the gym, where I take sculpting, hip-hop dance or yoga classes), I wear a Enell sports bras, which really support me but aren't really flattering. I wear a variation of Kwik Sew 3567 or Kwik Sew 2723 (modified, incorporating an empire waist)--these completely cover my bra and I feel comfortable in them.
When I go to dance class,* I usually wear a regular supportive bra and a camisole (from Target or Costco). If I'm cold, I'll wear dancers wrap top (from a Kwik Sew pattern that appears to be out of print 'cause I can't find it on the website). Well, after several years of wearing this, I want to wear something different. So I trolled the Kwik Sew website and I came across Kwik Sew 2722.
Kwik Sew 2722 are unitards: two views feature key hole back. I decided to modify this pattern (no, I will not appear in public in a unitard) and use it to make sleeveless tops. So last night I pulled out the pattern (yes, I had it in my stash), traced it, cut it and sewed it up. I did this in less than 2 hours, pressing each seam, fitting it and altering the pattern as I went along (see--I don't have a problem with sewing active wear).
I fiddled with a FBA. Kwik Sew pattern is designed for a smaller bust, and the instructions ease extra fabric at the side seams. I added more room for the girls, but I may alter it to add an empire seam for better shaping. Right now I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. I like the keyhole (no viewable bra straps, which was the goal!). Here is a front view in front of the fabric stash.
I do have one problem--the neck closes with a swim hook. I can't get the hook to stay closed-- the top of the hook slides out. I tried tightening the collar so that there is more tension. I made a second version of the top with a narrower band, but the hook keeps sliding out. Happily, the top is in no danger of slipping off--I don't have to worry about a wardrobe malfunction. Does anyone have suggestions on how to fix this? I can always safety pin it, but it seems like there should be a better solution. I may experiment with buttons or snaps (yes, i have a snap setter in my stash). I want to work with the pattern a bit--I could use it in a dressier fabric for just night clubbing (due to my copious social life).
*It may seem strange that the dance classes and gym classes have different cultures, but they really do! I think that I could wear KS 2722 to a yoga class with a regular foundation garment, but the keyhole effect would be lost with my sports bras, so it wouldn't work for the other gym classes
