First Minerva Crafts make!

Thursday 7 November 2013



Hi guys!

I've been super excited to show you my first Minerva Crafts Network make - and here it is!




I eased myself in gently this month, with a Mae top by BlueGingerDoll. Granted when I decided to have this as my first make, I hadn't made it at all. Maybe I shouldn't have blogged the green one first... Oh well.

I couldn't help myself - I craved a creamy white one. It might be something to do with the fact that I have over 50 skirts, and only 2 tops that I like! You'll also see why I couldn't resist ordering this particular kit when I turn around.

The fabric I ordered to make the top is the Linen-Look Cotton, previously used by Kathryn and Anna. I thought it looked beautiful, and it had the shade of cream I was looking for. And I thought the texture would give interest to an otherwise simple top.




I love the fabric; it feels lovely against my skin, has an interesting linen texture and washes and presses really well. One of the only issues I've found about this shade is that it was somewhat more sheer than I expected. I was almost finished when I decided to check how opaque it was, but I didn't feel that a lining would've suited this top as it would add too much bulk to the lines, especially at the darts. In the future I would consider underlining this fabric colour - and I can give it a go as I seem to have half of my kit left! I think I squeezed this out of little over a metre of fabric! Thats 58" wide fabric for you.




 As I was quite a ways into the make, I decided to make some slight adjustments to make it work as it was. As the intended neck and shoulder facings for this top are quite wide, they could be seen through the top. I didn't like how it looked, so I trimmed them down to about 5/8", and I slip stitched them down. To be honest, I might actually do this again in the future, as facings drive me cracked! It just ends up looking a bit like a bias bound edge. Or, you know, you could just have a bias-bound edge (But who wants to make bias-binding? I need a bias-binding fairy).

The only other issue I encountered with this make, was the method by which I transferred my pattern markings. I'm a fan of carbon tracing paper for transferring pattern markings and tailors chalk or fabric pencils for buttonholes. They weren't visible through the fabric when I transferred them, but I could see them when I got around to pressing it properly. And the chalk tinted the cream thread in the buttonholes!
I rubbed in some intense stain treating detergent and gave it a good wash and it almost all came out, thank god! But I would definitely think of going down the tailors-tack route, or you know, using yellow carbon instead of blue next time! Only I would use blue!



You can definitely see the colour of my trousers coming through the top, but I will definitely be able to get away with wearing a nude bra and a high-waisted skirt. And hello?? I'm wearing trousers?? Who can say they've seen that before?? I just really want to show you guys the full line of the top this time.

You can read about all of my other pattern adjustments in my previous blog post here. The only thing I changed this time was to take in the hips slightly - the pouffyness was hidden under the skirt in the pictures last time. I overlocked all of the insides, and finished as many edges as I could before I started putting the pieces of fabric together.



I made the decision to make this blouse when I found these buttons. Are they not the cutest thing you've ever seen?? There are a few variations, but these were my favouite... Little Art Deco ladies. Amazing.




Changes for next time? I think I will interface the back button plackets, and I think I may topstitch the placket too. Just to give it a bit more strength and stability. Plus I like how it looks!

So, I hope you like it! You can buy the kit for my make here. You get 2 metres of the cotton (enough for any mistake!), interfacing, 7 of the beautiful buttons, and matching thread. Who doesn't love not having to go and find matching thread? I don't know anyone who would turn that down!

LYLT,

Emmie xx

24 comments :

  1. This is gorgeous Emmie! I wasn't sure about this pattern when I first saw it, but the more versions I see, the more I like it, and this is one of my favourites. It's got a sort of understated elegance, and those buttons are fantastic :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've been looking forward to seeing it finished - it's a great top. And I love those buttons :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. House Of Pinheiro7 November 2013 at 14:13

    adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  4. those buttons are awesome and the shirt looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ahh I love this and congrats on your first Minerva make. I love your styling in this pic too, when I first saw it I thought wow! So different for you. The buttons are gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's fabulous Emmie and actually brave for a first network make. The simplicity of the fabric really shows the lines of the top beautifully; no busy print to hide behind! It's a gorgeous blouse and I'm in love with the buttons!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Awh thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you! Trousers eh? I still have the odd pair left!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you so much! That really means a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I used very similar buttons on a project also! I swooned when I saw them: http://theseedsof3.wordpress.com/2013/08/29/sewingdare-and-a-cake-patterns-mash-up/ They look great on your Mae Blouse. I really need to make one of these.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yes! They're from the same family! Sisters!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Fabulous top! I love the styling, too. Another pattern to add to my to-do list :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. A Stitching Odyssey7 November 2013 at 23:09

    Very nice Emmie! Love the neckline detail and the back buttons of course! Also...snap! I have the deco lady buttons too!

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's a very quick and satisfying make!

    ReplyDelete
  15. They're Irresistable!

    ReplyDelete
  16. So cute! And I love the trousers and shoes!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love this top, especially with those buttons. Very chic.


    And you're not the only one. I used *blue chalk* for the markings on my white cotton voile Sorbetto. Blue line up the centre. Brilliant.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Amazing buttons! It looks like a great top for tucking into skirts. And great job on that neckline, it looks so neat!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Awh thanks - I wasn't sure about them!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I know right? I actually marked the wrong side of one piece too. Blue disaster

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks! looking forward to seeing you!

    ReplyDelete

I really adore reading your comments :)

Made With Love By The Dutch Lady Designs