V-neck top

This is my second rub-off item, another t-shirt for a change. I used a different model this time, another old favourite, mainly because of a small detail. The sleeves are just above the elbow, so they are quite cosy when the weather is not too hot and, unlike 3/4 sleeves, they don't roll upwards, which can end up in a little mess under a cardigan.

I made a mock band hem, inspired by a book I bought recently on overlockers (The overlocker technique manual by Julia Hincks), which has many tips on different techniques. You make a sort of seam, through an s-shape fold, and it looks like a separate band of fabric has been attached to the hem.

The first step is to make the s-shape fold. Laying the fabric with the wrong side up, make a fold so that the wrong sides join. Then, with the right side up, make a fold joining both right sides.

 

The fold should have three layers of fabric, with the border of the fabric remaining on the edge. This edge is sewn with the overlocker. I lifted the blade to avoid cutting too much.

Once the new fold is opened, there you are, an easy way to add some variation to hems.

Sleeveless top from The Great British Sewing Bee

After having a look at reviews and comments in blogs, I decided to buy the book from the second series of The Great British Sewing Bee: 'Sew Your Own Wardrobe'. What convinced me was that instead of being a general book for beginners, it was focused on clothes and came with full patterns. No cushions, bags or curtains. I already have a brilliant book that covers all of them, 'Sewing machine basics' by Jane Bolsover.

I made the sleeveless top, really easy after a few tweaks. The pattern fits most sizes, but mine was so loose on the back that I had to narrow it quite a bit. I learned a trick that I might use next time. You can put a narrow elastic band in the hem that will keep it in place.

One little mishap was the fabric catching on feed dog, so it's better not to look too close at some of the threads. Thank goodness it has a busy pattern!