Finished Object: Advance 7701

(Since these are at home clothes, we took photos while pottering around the house.)

Handmade Jane kindly lent me this pattern (which should be on its way back home now, thank you!) after I became obsessed with finding a 1950’s wrap blouse pattern.

I had to know if it would work for knits- specifically, if it would work with some delicious Merino Leimomi brought me.  I traced and cut it unaltered except the grainline and sleeve length.  I shifted the pattern piece around until the stripes ran nicely along the shoulder line, which created a chevron effect at the back seam.  I used a medium weight cotton knit.

I decided not to stay tape the edges of the shirt (laziness research…) and followed the pattern almost to the letter.  I left off the back darts, next time I will leave out the front darts.  The pattern has a set of shoulder darts starting at the neck and extending into the sleeve, which gently shapes the garment.  I left those.

The lower back edge of the shirt tucks into my pants, about 2″.  It’s a clever way to keep my muffins from showing when I bend and move.  Win.  I’m wearing my Jean Ross pants, they’re the last pair I made before I learned to fit pants properly.

I wish I had a top like this when I was a new mother!  It’s slouchy and comfortable but has a little style to it, not to mention nursing access. The fabric reminds me of pajamas.  I can’t convince myself otherwise so this lives in my “mommy” clothes category.  I don’t wear regular t-shirts, but I do like working with easy care fabrics.

Stephen went out to monitor lungfish again today and brought home more yabbies.  This time, I quit being a wuss and held one myself. It’s like holding a rock.

A rock that flicks its tail at you just when you let your guard down.  I’m not entirely convinced they don’t spit poison darts or have lasers attached to their heads, despite my husband’s assurances otherwise.  The blue yabbies are definitely winning the Lobster Dress race right now.

This is a very wearable muslin and gave me ideas for how to make it in merino.  Not now while Brisbane’s both roasting and steaming, the merino will wait for “Autumn.”  Perhaps around Easter I’ll revisit this pattern…

Kimbersew asked what the yabbies look like after cooking.  Here’s a mess of boiled ones:

Next: Making Street-Art Stencil T-Shirts.  That may take a few days over the weekend.  :)