52 Week Sewing Challenge – February
Another awesome month with 52 Week Sewing Challenge – February! Lots of fun, creativity and inspiration to get my sewing juices flowing!
Week Seven – Sew Something with a Unique Stitch
I completed the Week 7 Challenge before Week 6. However, it’s not an issue because the 52 Week Sewing Challenge is flexible enough to allow such adjustments!
For this week’s challenge, I chose to create a top using a pattern from Charm Patterns. The Rita Blouse is a vintage peasant blouse, reminiscent of the Hollywood starlet, Rita Moreno.
For those who don’t recognize her name, her most famous role was as Anita in West Side Story (1961).
I’ve long wanted to create the beautiful Rita Top, but it never seemed to fit into my project schedule. I decided to start with a wearable muslin to adjust the fit. I bought some lovely pink broadcloth on sale from Joann Fabrics.
For my initial fitting attempt, I cut the pattern into a size 4 – A cup bodice and a size 6 for the bottom. The modifications I made was to remove the side zipper and to gather the bodice front and back all the way across. The result?
The blouse is gorgeous but this wearable muslin won’t be worn by me! The bodice around the under bust is too tight and getting it on and off was a struggle. The armscye was also tight and uncomfortable.
For my second attempt, I used purple broadcloth. I created the Size 4 – B cup, graded the lower bodice out to Size 6, and once more, eliminated the side zipper and gathered the bodice all the way across.
This fit is much better, though the under bust area is still somewhat snug. However, it’s not so tight that it’s uncomfortable to wear. There is also excess fabric in the back bodice, which makes the top appear too large. While this top is a better fit, it could still benefit from a few fitting adjustments.
I completed both tops with a unique stitch around the sleeve and neck edges using variegated thread. The thread lends a “peasant” vibe to this top.
Week Six – Sew Something Inspired by Love
I stitched out this awesome pattern for a third time in this fun fabric I found at Joann Fabrics. I love this print so I’m going with this project meeting the Inspired by Love criteria.
For my third attempt at making the Rita top, I made some fitting adjustments. I used a straight size 6 with an A cup, reduced the back bodice by 1 1/4″, increased the length by 1″, and omitted the zipper. I also gathered the bodice across the entire front and back.
This is a much better fit! It’s slightly loose around the underbust, but I prefer my tops a bit loose, so this doesn’t bother me. The armhole fits perfectly, and I appreciate the extra length. With the size 6 bodice, I found I needed to tighten the elastic around the neckline to prevent the front from gaping.
Now that I’ve made the correct fitting adjustments, I’ll certainly make this top again. However, I plan to lengthen the sleeves slightly. Given how quickly and easily this came together, I foresee the Rita Blouse becoming a staple in my summer wardrobe!
Week Eight – Sew Your Oldest Pattern or Fabric
Let’s discuss stashes. It seems nearly every sewist has either a fabric stash, a pattern stash, or sometimes both! In my case, I have both, making the decision of whether to sew my oldest pattern or fabric quite challenging. I decided to choose some corduroy I’ve had in my stash for what feels like forever. I adore corduroy! Regardless of whether it’s “in fashion,” I simply love it!
I rummaged through my pattern collection and found Butterick 6094, a pattern I’ve had for several years but never used. I LOVE the exit statement this pattern has and knew I had to use some fun fabric.
This pattern is part of the “Pattern by Gertie” collection. Before opening her own studio, Charm Patterns, Gertie designed patterns for Butterick and Simplicity.
I made several adjustments to this pattern. It originally offered two skirt options – a full skirt and a pencil skirt. However, I wanted neither, so I redesigned the pencil skirt into an A-line. I also made changes to the bodice. The pattern called for lining and contrast facing fabric. To reduce the bulk of an extra layer, I eliminated the facing and used the lining as the contrast instead. I’m quite pleased with the result! Lastly, I lined the skirt because corduroy can sometimes cling.
Week Nine – Sew Something “Extra”
This challenge initially left me puzzled. What exactly does “Sew Something Extra” mean? After considerable thought and deliberation, I concluded that sewing something extra means adding a unique twist to a creation!
Simplicity 7006 is a charming overall jumper pattern from the 70s. I’m absolutely smitten with this jumper! What makes it perfect for this challenge is the bib pocket, which is an ideal spot for embroidery!
I selected a medium-weight denim for the jumper and embellished it with the Petals and Texture Daisy (ESP82664-4) from Embroidery Library. To give the design depth, I used Gütermann Natural Cotton Variegated Thread in Blue Awakening.
What’s great about this pattern is that it required no fitting adjustments at all!
And that sums up my 52 Week Sewing Challenge 2024 – February! If you would like to see more of my sewing journey check out my Sew Much More! page. For additional information about these projects, check out my reviews on Patternreview.com.
Two months into the year, the Sewing Challenge is going strong! I’m eager to see what March brings. There are a few challenges that will indeed be… challenging. I have some ideas for what I want to create.
Remember to come back next month to see my final projects. I’m excited to share them with you. If you missed it, check out the blog post about January’s Sewing Challenge. I believe you’ll enjoy reading about those projects.
If you would like to join the challenge with me check out the Facebook Group 52 Week Sewing Challenge-2024 Edition. You’ll find lost of ideas, motivation and creativity to get your sewing juices flowing! I hope to see you there!
Keep sewing and keep challenging yourself!
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