Tuesday, 25 January 2022

Learning to fly...

Once upon a time I was scared to sew anything stretchy. I have tried many times and failed equally but once in a while a project comes along and one is forced to get off one's scaredy-cat ass and just learn how to do it.

It's been on the back burner for a while but now I have more time and the roof is finished so I have my sewing area back it was tie to start on the all elusive BSG tank top project.  I began with old army shirts I some how ended up with a box full of, cutting and sewing to find the right shape and pattern.

Then I bought a bunch of not very expensive t-shirts that approximated the colour and hoped they would work.... I first tried sewing on my faithful tank Pfaff 360 but I could not get the tension and the stitching right so I bought a serger ( yeah but wait... it was on sale for more than half price and I've wanted one for aeons ...however...I could not wait sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo) I hauled out THE BEAST. This is my Bernine artista 180 which I only ever think of as the very intimidating embroidery machine which my amazeballs friend M sold to me for a song. However this machine can do so much more and it sews stretchy stuff like it is a dream so learning curve #2 how to use the Bernina. Took me a few hours of trial and error but finally I figured it out, mostly.  So then I made the leap and cut up t-shirt #1and it was ok but I miscalculated the pattern slightly and used too large a binding on the armhole.

try number 2 with the good t-shirts was much much better and looked good. I used a grey t-shirt to make the sleeveless undershirt and that was slightly less annoying. I posted the final shots on FB and my friend instantly knew what I was making so I guess it looks okay. 

This was a fun little costume project because in a short period of time I learned a lot about working with stretchy, t-shirt fabric. I also learned how to use the Beast and that makes me super happy because it is a lovely machine.

So thanks to some friends, some YouTube videos and a lot of determination I can now do this stuff too. so yay.

Next project... tuskens.... again....




the arm binding still not right and it sags

finally got it!



still too much binding fabric along the neckline but it's not quite so noticeable on.

bonus shot of the screen accurate Bookof Boba Fett tusken gloves.