About a year and a half ago I made this red shirt, but unfortunately I can’t find the “before” picture. I was going for a “blousey-hide-my-belly feel” for the shirt and ended up making a mumu. I wore it once, I think. Now that I no longer feel the need to hide my belly (though I do need to work on more crunches), it was time to cut it up and try again. I cut along the side seams, took off the sleeves and 3″ off the length. I ended up with a more fitted, cap-sleeved top that I really like and matches my cute red shoes. It took about a 1/2 hour to redo this top and I know I will get much use out of it this summer. I just wish I had originally put the gathering a bit lower so it would go under my bust. Oh well, I’m not going to redo it at this point.
Then, Anya needed a new swimsuit. Her other one is getting some pretty decent fading from the weekly swimming lessons and the bottoms were a bit tight. I have the hardest time drafting the bottoms. I made these a little bit bigger and they still aren’t quite right. *sigh* At least I have a bunch of black, so I can make her new ones no problem. The top strap on this suit is just meant to be tied up behind her neck in a knot. I left it continuous so it won’t be dragging when she changes into it, and she can just flip it over her head. I think for the next suit that I am going to do it over one shoulder so she won’t have to deal with straps. Must work on that design. Fortunately I have plenty of swim fabric to test it out!
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I’m working on some projects right now – namely a basket of little boy stuff for a charity auction. I have a hat, burp cloths and a blanket. Now I just need to make a taggie/ribbon blanket and an article of clothing.
I have been getting back into working out now, so it is harder to work on the sewing after the kids go to bed. At least working out at 8:30 pm means that I tend to be quite awake and can get a little done. I tried working out in the morning and I’m just not awake enough to do a decent job…so nighttime it is!
I love how the red shirt turned out. I would say it was worth the extra 30 minutes. I love the swimsuit too. So cute. I have been working out more too. I try to get up and do it, but my workouts aren’t as intense. I need time to wake up. I usually end up doing it in the evening too, which cuts into my sewing time. So I feel your pain.
I love the red shirt! Nice redo and I’m sure you will end up wearing it a lot more.
I cannot workout at night…I’m just too tired, which is so funny because that is what most people say about working out in the morning. But I like having it done and over with for the day…and then I generally eat better, too!
I love how that red shirt turned out – so elegant!
And I would totally wear that bathing suit 🙂 I mean, if it were a wee big bigger, LOL 🙂
Very cute redo on the shirt, great suit, too.
You look great in that red top – very flattering. I have never attempted to sew a bathing suit. that might be the only thing I’ve never made!
I like the red shirt redo. I didn’t realize you’d blogged about it. I’ve been looking at FB and never made the connection. WAH!