Instant Gratification Weekend Project

BWOF 11/07 #121

First, thank you all for the compliments regarding my little cowboy. He's really a great kid and enjoys being around people. He's in his element when he's entertaining - although it usually gets him in trouble at school!

When working on long term projects such as BOH, I usually try to make some quick projects so that I feel like I've accomplished something. As an added bonus, it is always fun to wear something new!

I choose BWOF 11/07 because it is a simple design and easy to make. Putting it together was what you'd expect for a quick knit top: finish the neck edges, sew the shoulder seams, stitch the sleeves to the shoulders, stitch the side/underarm seams as one seam and finish the hems.

I did deviate from this general order and the instructions when it came to the side seams and hems. I chose to hem the overlap first and then stitch the left side seam/underarm seam - that is the side with the small portion of overlap on the right of the line drawing. This was so that I could finish the rest of the hem on my coverstitch machine while the garment was still flat . I then layered and stitched the ride side seam/underarm seam. I did read Burda's directions, but decided to do it my own way and it came out fine.

One word about the fit. Do notice how deep the v-neck is in the line drawing (not unusual for BWOF!) - it is a very deep v-neck, intended to be worn with another top underneath. It is actually shown modeled with another top underneath in the magazine. If you're small you might want to decrease the depth of the neckline. I probably could have on mine, but it is meant for layering in cooler weather, so I'm not going to worry about it.

The fabric is a sweater knit I picked up at Wal-mart for $1.00 per yard. It is some sort of acrylic or synthetic - you know the kind that the fiber is probably spun out in the same factory they make plastic bags. It didn't shrink in the wash, which means I'll be able to wash and wear this sweater for years without being able to damage it. It does have a cable texture which I like, and of course another red sweater won't hurt. (This one is sweater number five.)

I bought 3 yards, and I think I have enough to make a hooded pullover top from the same issue. Red sweater number six, anyone?

Parting Shot: Postcard! Isn't this the coolest postcard? I got it from Paco, who lives in Barcelona, Spain. Of course it is representative of the beautiful dancers and costumes from Spanish culture, but this postcard has been embellished - he actually purchased it this way. The dress bodice and sleeves are enhanced with stitching and the skirt is made of real fabric and trim.