Sunday, March 29, 2009

Dear Coverstitch Machine

Have I told you lately that I love you?

Since March is apparently the month of knit tops, I made one more on Saturday - New Look 6405, which I've made several times before. I wanted to make a red top to go with the red and white summer skirt I made earlier in the month, but since red isn't a color I usually wear, I decided that I didn't just want a plain red tshirt. Enter NL 6405, with its neat little faux-wrap band.

My original idea was to still make the entire shirt red, and just coverstitch in white for accent, but I realized as soon as I cut out the pieces that that would basically just give me a red top anyway; no one would see the white stitching until they were close. So I went to my totally annoying local store on Friday at lunchtime and got a quarter-yard of white stretch. A quarter yard! I don't think I've ever purchased a remnant that small. They looked at me like I was nuts, but that was all I needed, so that was all I bought.

As soon as I cut the white band, I knew I was on the right track. Maybe the resulting top is a little athletic-y, but I like it.

I used the coverstitch on the neckband, the sleeve bands, and the hems. Aside from the fact that this red cotton jersey was the perfect fabric for the machine - it just purred like a kitten throughout, while some of the other cotton knits I was using caused a few skipped stitches or puckering until I twiddled with the settings.

This top apparently wanted to be made.

19 comments:

Little Hunting Creek said...

that is really really cute!

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Karen - I had to go back to find the red skirt made earlier so that I could see how the skirt and top go together. They do fabulously...and I love the white trim. It makes the top look fresh and new.

Lori said...

Very cute top.

Rose said...

Ahh--You have another great looking top! You still have a little over 2 days in March to make more tops. I think I hear your coverstitch machine calling!

Mardel said...

I really like the white trim on the top. It looks very fresh and spring-like.

gwensews said...

That's a great looking top. I know what you mean about buying such a small piece of fabric. I don't think I ever buy less than 3 yards of anything. Less than that sounds scary!

Meg said...

Very cute top, Karen!

Tracy said...

Nice top, the white is just what it needs. The funny thing about buying 1/4 yard, the sales person has a hard time figuring out the price.

Dawn said...

I talk to my machines too. Very cute top! I love red.

Faye Lewis said...

The white added to the top really made it pop. Looks great!

Elaray said...

Really cute top! I'm very curious - what is the "totally annoying local store"? E-mail me if you don't want to announce it publicly.

Gretchen the Household Deity said...

That is really cute! I like the trim--it's a little sporty but not too athletic, if that makes sense. I'm so proud of you for getting only what you needed!

Cennetta said...

I want one too. lol I hear and see so many wonder things about a coverstitch machine. One day I own one too.

Your top is too cute and looks RTW.

Rachel said...

Add me to the list of wanting a coverstitch machine. That is a cute top.

laura said...

That's a great top! If I sewed more clothes I'd want a coverstitch too, but as purses seem to be more my thing I better pass that one up!

Marsha said...

Very attractive top! What kind of coverstitch machine do you have? I've been wanting a dedicated one....

Tany said...

I love it with the white band! It enhances the stylelines!

Linda L said...

I like the white band. Nice looking top.

Anonymous said...

hi! would you say that a coverstitch machine is only for stretchy fabrics? or can you use it with normal quilting cotton? i'm not sure if I should purchase a serger or a coverstitch machine...