Glass Onion Top Pt 2: Pleats and longer sleeves.

As soon as I finished this version of the Glass Onion Top by Shwin Designs I could not stop thinking about the pleated version.  All I could see in my head for days was the pleated version in a lavender linen.  Sadly, I couldn't find the color of linen I wanted at Joanns.  When I got home I decided to use a fabric I already had.   I HAD to make this shirt.

My main concern with using this cotton fabric was that it wouldn't hang the way I wanted the shirt to hang.  But when I finished it and  put it on the hanger I was surprised at how much I liked the look. The pleats looked great and the it hung well over all.

When she put it on, though.......I loved it!  It looks gorgeous on her.  The design surpassed my expectations.  The pleats and shape of the back make it so unique and beautiful.  Shwin Designs knows what's up.

I can't get enough of the back!

By the way...I am in awe of patterns with pleats on a curve.  I am sure there is an app for that or some business but I wouldn't know where to start if I had to make them up on my own.  They blow my mind. 

There are three sleeve options.  The earlier version I made was a cap sleeve.  This is the mid length sleeve.  The third option is a long sleeve.  I can't even comprehend the need for a long sleeved anything after the week of heat we had recently.  I was hesitant, even, to make the mid length sleeve!   

One more time

It's a good thing the back of this shirt is my favorite part...Whit and the camera were not getting along.  Most of the pictures were half closed eyes or her mouth was hanging open.

See you later!

Rigby Polo

Truth...I made this for B in the...SPRING!...but I really don't enjoy sewing buttons so it sat unfinished.  Unfinished through the spring...unfinished through most of the summer.  Oh how pathetic I felt after it only took 15 minutes to sew the stupid buttons on.   I avoided a 15 minute job for for 4 months.....shameful. 

The pattern is by Shwin Designs again...the Rigby Polo.  I made it out of linen....which wrinkled as soon as I put it on him, of course.  What was I thinking?! Whatever...it looked great on the hanger and the first 2 seconds he had it on.  Is there a tutorial for photoshopping wrinkles?  I'm joking but also I'm sure that's a thing.

You don't want to know what bodily function I had to shout to get the above picture.  

When I cut this shirt...months ago...I didn't know as much as I know now and I didn't have the confidence to cut one size width and a different size for length.  Now I do and I will make a smaller width next time.  I really, really love this shirt but I it will look better when it's not..you know..too big.  You can see what I mean if you look at the placement of the pocket.  When the shirt is laid out the pocket placement is correct.  But the way the shirt falls on B makes the pocket look offset to the right.

The collar of this shirt is my favorite part.  Shwin Designs patterns always have such nice details.  I learn something new with each Shwin pattern is make.

This picture is for the grandparents.

Glass Onion Top

If I do something creative at night it takes me FOREVER to come down from the creative high. Does that happen to anyone else?  Anyone?  Well, after two nights of sewing I planned to take a break and get a good nights sleep.  Whitney had different plans, however.

"I've got a plan."

She picked up some pattern pieces, got some fabric from my work room and laid it ALL out on the floor.  Unfolded....perfectly laid out.  She picked the fabric she liked best and then laid out the pattern pieces on top.  She told me she was going to make it herself but after looking at it for a few seconds she changed her tune and asked if she could help me.  I said no because it was bedtime so she changed her tune again and told me I was making her a shirt to be done in the morning.  I mean....how can I not?  My kid is excited for me to make her something.  That is probably the biggest compliment I can hope for.  It honestly makes me feel better than any other form of flattery I have ever experienced.  So..I sewed another night.

I wasn't sure about the fabric and tried to change her mind but she was adamant.  I love me a girl who knows what she wants.

I used the Glass Onion Top pattern by Shwin Designs.  I saw it for the first time Thursday and bought it immediately.  My heart was pounding.  There is variation with pleats in the back that I NEED to make.  I was dying to try this pattern, though, and the fabric Whit chose was only a half yard which was barely enough for the non pleated version.  Woot woot High School Geometry.  It was a puzzle but I got every piece cut out of the half yard I had...the instructions call for a yard of fabric!

GEOMETRY AND PROBLEM SOLVING FOR THE WIN!

The thing I love most about this pattern is the shape of the back of the neck.  It adds interest.  There are a few patterns out there similar to this but that low back with an option for pleating makes it special.

The back is open with overlapping panels and a low-ish back.

I finished the shirt and it was cute.  I wasn't in love but if Whit likes it then so be it.

She put that thing on when she woke up in the morning and refused to take it off all day.  Good news is that once she put it on I freaking loved it.  It works great on her in that fabric.

"Trust me, Mom.  I know what I am doing....about everything...ever" -Whit's face

It feels like it wasn't long ago that I had to bribe her to try anything on and she automatically hated everything I made.  Now she loves it.  (Please let this last!)

Best part of it all?  I was at Joanns with B, Whit, and my Gma.  My Gma Gigie kindly took Whit and B on a tour of the store while I shopped for fabric.  She told B and Whit she would buy them each a treat and do you know what Whit went to right away?  The SEWING MACHINES.  Be still my heart.  This girl and I are going to get along just fine.