scoop top
September 25th, 2013
Normally I can’t stand sewing clothes for myself. There are many reasons…
#1. I am not a rectangle. Unlike my children, I am not shaped like piece of spaghetti. All the curvy bits make for complicated patterns that involve darts and tucks and cutting just right and actually (for once) transferring markings from the pattern to the fabric.
#2. I am not a child. Which means I cannot make a top out of 1/2 yard of whatever random fabric I have lying around. I need to buy something I like (I’m horribly picky) and I need to buy rather a lot of it (I’m horribly cheap). So more often than not I leave the fabric store with a 1/2 yard of something cute for my kids.
#3. I do not have the world’s most perfect body. I know this, I don’t dwell on it. I just try to accept myself and move on. But when you make a pattern, every way your body differs from the norm becomes hugely amplified. It’s like the damn pattern is mocking you at every turn.
#4. I do not like looking at pictures of myself. And seriously, there were like a 100 to look through just to get a few decent ones. This one has some subcategories: #4a. I make ridiculous faces when my husband takes pictures of me and #4b. Hello?! did you not realize your jeans are dirty?
But! But! in spite of all that I hate about sewing clothes for myself, I love this shirt! I found a lovely, super neutral, sweater knit fabric in the sale bin that worked out perfectly. The pattern–a free pattern by Kristin from skirt as top–was very simple and easy to follow. I’m happy to report the pattern did not mock me as I made it. And! And! I’ve worn it multiple times since I’ve sewed it.
This is what victory looks like, wonky seams and all.
You look pretty darn gorgeous to me!!! Glad you made yourself a top and posted pics. I am feeling very inspired by all the tops popping up for selfish sewing week. I never sew for me either, for all the same reasons you don’t like it. Thanks for sharing and inspiring.
love it! go you :)
it looks fantastic, meg! i know what you mean about sewing clothes for yourself. i am often the same way, but i am trying to get over that and just do. i figure i’ll learn a whole heck of a lot trying to fit this long-torso, pear-shaped body.
I know, I mean it’s really about time I conquered darts!
I’ve been wanting to try the pattern for so long! This shirt looks dang lovely but I hear you! I was nodding my head along with this entire post. Yup. Not spaghetti. Yup. Picky. Yup. Lazy and cheap. Keep on representing for the rest of us, Meg!
Oh how I hate the picture part! I always end up slightly frustrated with my husband like it’s his fault that I hate alhotos of myself! This top turned out great, I love that fabric!
Woot! There’s nothing like a successful garment for oneself.
Victory is beautiful. Your post channels so many of my/our own thoughts. Thanks for putting them out there. And p.s. did you use a walking foot? or something else fancy?
Really like this top, am with you on sewing for myself , so much easier for kids
looks great! thanks for the link! :)
I love it! Modeling for blog posts myself is the stuff of nightmares…..
You look great in this tee top. I also do not like to sew fitted clothes, but there are easy drapey clothes that we can sew without too many fussy darts and such.
I suppose that is a good place to start. I always think I have to jump in the deep end right away!
Lookin’ good!
Dude, you’re a hottie! We need to see more Meg! This shirt looks awesome on you.
stop!!
No! It’s true! We never see you! Thanks for the shot!
oh – and thanks for the inspiration! Those are THE EXACT same reasons I never sew for myself. well, plus one more: I’m always disappointed in the end. But this doesn’t look disappointing, it looks wearable!
Hear hear for curvy, picky and cheap! I love the result though, really looks like a top that will always get picked straight out of the wash basket and never make it to the drawer. Love your necklace too!
This looks like it just might be the perfect t-shirt. Like, I may even consider attempting to sew my own clothes to try and make this (I am far, far from being a good seamstress). Also, awesome necklace.
It might actually be the perfect shirt, and even if you have a half-finished, kind-of-crappy one, it makes a great pj top–totally not speaking from experience here ;)
You’re way too hard on your self! Look at your fit arms! I think this shirt looks great, perfect fabric choice too.
funny, the pattern wouldn’t shut up about how big my arms were… :)
this is amazing!!! I’m so glad you sewed for yourself!! I forgot what you look like! it’s such a great pattern. And I’m really interested in sweater knits lately, just ordered some out of curiosity the other day.
MEG! You look awesome and I agree with prior commenters that it’s so nice to see you here on the ol’ blog. I’m so happy and flattered you liked my scoop top pattern, it really does look great on you. That fabric looks so soft. Thanks for the kind words, girl. :)
P.S. I totally agree about all your “why I sew for my kids more than myself” points, but find the more I sew for me, the more i WANT to, ya know? Confidence builds.
P.P.S. Definitely worn mine to bed too, especially the purple one – mmmmm so soft.
Snap! That looks great! I would like to make one for myself (with long sleeves?)
Dislike sewing for myself for all the same reasons. But then you get that one thing that fits just right and you loooove the way it turned out and that you can’t get it in stores – it’s like a drug that then makes you sew a bunch more stuff for yourself searching for that high again. Addictive.
I agree with all of your fine points (and all of the commenters wonderful ones as well), but i’d like to add one more to the list… it takes too damn long! i can sew a dress for my kid in a few hours, while something for me, with all its bigness and fussiness, takes an eternity! (plus, kids clothes require only a SMALL space be cleaned up to work in!)
you and your shirt look quite lovely!
I love this and pinned it!