I finished sewing a Number One Shirt in Halloween fabric from There Will Be Cute on Spoonflower. This was supposed to be a quick and simple sew. Instead I’m calling it a “learning experience,” with points below.
- Wrong fabric choice. For some reason I ordered this print on poplin instead of lawn or quilting cotton. Poplin is too stiff for this design as it is meant to be sewn.
- I went with the suggested size, but it was too big. I should have cut a medium. What I ended up doing was sewing the entire shirt in size large, and then cutting it apart at the side seams. I also cut off the hems. I did pick apart the shoulder seams and took off the bias facing at the neckline.
- Oh my, the bias facing. I cut my own, and basically I made it too wide. I couldn’t get it to sew on without puckering the fabric. Also, poplin. What was I thinking? I redid the neckline four times, finally going with a narrower facing. There are rows of needle holes in the fabric that I am hoping will wash out.
I still think it’s a cute top with high waisted baggy pants. I’m going to pair it with some Audrey Pants in black brushed cotton twill, when it’s early October and I want something Halloweeny to wear but it’s too hot for a wool sweater.
I watched some sewing tutorials on YouTube, and one of the things I learned was to keep my sewing straight when sewing on a curve. Meaning: move the fabric around so that the sewing line is straight. This is a different approach than what I usually do, which is to stretch the curve while sewing. Anyway, it’s a lesson well-learned and I won’t be forgetting it.
Okie in Ohio 
Well, it looks smashing. Well done you.
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Aw, thank you!
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Looks great even with all the problems you said you had! Who could do all that and come out looking like it did….Not Me!
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Thanks Nana!
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Looks good to me, I was surprised on what you thought went wrong. Of course I am just living vicariously on clothing making so the fact you made your own top is awesome in itself!
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It is a very cute top and you look very cute in it!! Sewing can throw anyone a curve. But what you are doing to get things right is how you can face the next challenge with new skills! Love that you do that!!
I have had to learn to adjust most pattern to my unique body shape. I have sloped shoulders and a rather high waist with long legs and arms. This means I often have to adjust patterns at the neck opening by lowering the shoulder seam and sometimes I need to decrease the width of the bodice with a small fold vertically from each shoulder to the waist. Sometimes I can do this with a dart when I want there to be the allotted fullness at the waist. I also seem to not need such big armhole openings as many patterns have and deal with that by making small horizontal folds across the front and back of the torso pattern pieces at the armhole. This also help with my high waist. Once I get something to fit comfortably, I use it … or the measurements from it to prepare other patterns.
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That is so cute!! Very Halloweeny, and it looks great on you!!
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I’m loving all these Halloween projects. It is a very cute material.
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I absolutely love it Alissa!
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Thank you, Tina! You inspired me.
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Oh goodness… you are so very welcome 😊
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Learning is good! The shirt still looks cute, though I can understand your issues with it. Picking the right fabric for a pattern is so important, and that’s one lesson I seem to need to learn over and over again.
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In spite of the issues, you succeeded in saving this beautifully. It looks very nice on!
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Thanks Kathy ❤️
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