Set sail

Here is the second set of prints that I sewed up the samples for Fabric Anthropology.  This one relates to Helga in the Vikings series, and is a phrase she said in show.

These fabrics are French Terry.  A note about printing colors.  The brushed poly is a synthetic, and the colors are closer the print file colors with the blues/grays.  If you want it more true to the file color, then I would order brushed poly (she has a nice thick BP, that I would totally recommend).  The FT is a cotton mixed with spandex, so it doesn’t take the dye as well.  It’s still looks great but it veers more towards lavender and purple with the browns.  I make sure I color correct my pictures, so it is as close to the real colors as possible.

Now…onto my conundrum with these fabrics.  First off, I didn’t want to buy, nor did I have time to shop for, fabric for this top.  I have been crazy busy at work, so it just wasn’t going to happen.  I had to use coordinates in my stash (which really shouldn’t be a problem, let’s be honest!).  I didn’t have any fabric that would match it in the weight of a French terry, so I used a nice thick cotton lycra in dark brown.

Next, I didn’t want to make a plain shirt with the panel on the front, the coordinate on the back and sleeves.  Usually when I sew up strike offs I want to make something unique and one of a kind.  They tend to get more views, as people wonder what pattern was used and take more time to look at the details.  I need to get an affiliate link for FA, so I can see if it is really generating sales for her.  People don’t always comment or like the sales pitch posts, so some proof of engagement would be nice (plus, did I say I was losing my job at the end of this year? 😉 ).

This pattern was based off the Wardrobe by Me Builder T-shirt.  I used used some of the pieces from the pattern and others I traced off, color blocked or added pieces.  The pieces I added were the V-neck with grommets, overlays and side placket pieces.

I made some adjustments along the way.  I added some length to the bottom of the shirt and cut a longer V-neck.  I was going to have a modesty panel in there, but decided against it.  The lacing brings it in enough, and who am I kidding…I like cleavage!

I wanted to use the panel in a different way, so the overlay idea came to me while browsing through Pinterest.  It is basically a mash up of several different ideas that I saw.  I like to save pictures with interesting details that I can pull out for these fun sews.

I think this one worked out pretty well!

The grommets and eyelets are a fun add to the pattern.  I like adding hardware…makes garments look a bit more professional.  You need to make sure you have the right setting tools, though.  If you don’t then they don’t go in correctly.  I set my grommets on the neckline at 1″ apart.  I purposely made it go higher than the lacing would go, just for the added detail.

I waffled a bit on the side split.  I was going to go for a laced up side and use grommets or eyelets.  I had to use eyelets, as I didn’t have enough grommets (they have a cleaner backside, so I err on the side of grommets). Then, did I want a godet underneath or leave it open?  Well, once I got it on, it kind of stuck out at the side when worn and I didn’t like how the eyelets looked, since I didn’t have enough silver.

I ripped it out and added a simple placket to the side at the split.  It works, it lays flat, and I got done around 1:30 am, so that was as good as it was going to get!

The arms were pieced together to try to get maximum usage out of the fabric.  I thought it looked too plain with just the piecing, so I added an overlay with the raw edges showing and then some nice metal buttons I ordered from Pacific Trimmings.  I only put three on each side, as I figured they could get annoying if I was sitting at a computer wearing it.

So, there you have it…a fun Vikings themed top that is pretty dang fun to wear!  I did my own braids, since I wear my hair with braids in it pretty often.  I also pulled some swords off the wall for the photo shoot.  I was around 0 degrees Fahrenheit here.  Just a little chilly! 😉

The pre-order is from February 14 – March 3rd.  Go check it out if you are a Vikings fan.  Even if you aren’t…the prints are pretty cool on their own.  This is paired up with a DinoTrux round, too, so I guess little kids love those characters.  If you have a little one, that is a fan, you can do a “one for you…one for me!” buying plan!