Friday 11 October 2013

A bird-watching Kimono t-shirt



I'm happy to say I've had my sewing machine back in use after over two months without any sewing.  The move has been a lot more involved than we initially thought so the sewing round these parts has been non-existent since.  However I am now into my second week of maternity leave and I couldn't wait any longer - I set up the sewing machine on the dining table in the living room. My sewing space in the hall is even further from completion than it was when we moved in - electrical work, plastering, floor-sanding, you name it, it still has to be done! In the meantime though at least I can use the dining table and just tidy everything away after each use.

It was like returning to an old friend, the process of threading up like an important ritual.  I wanted to start back with an easy project so chose a repeat pattern - Maria Denmark's Kirsten Kimono t-shirt.  I get so much wear out of my pink and white striped version and, due to the generous length, it is still covering my bump even at this late stage of pregnancy (38 weeks tomorrow!). 

I just couldn't resist this bird fabric on the Truro website!  Not much to say about this make really as it is such a straightforward pattern to follow.  The only deviation was to make the neckline binding between 25%-30% shorter than the neck hole measurement.  This seems to have stopped the slight gaping which happened with my other version.  The jersey was £19.99 a metre so I suppose it is quite expensive for a t-shirt really but I know I'll get so much wear out of it and the viscose jersey seems very good quality so I thought it was worth it.  As the pattern is free and I already had white thread there were no other costs involved.  Thank you Maria, I love this pattern!

I've already got a Megan Nielson perfect maternity top toile cut out & ready to sew up next! I also bought some gorgeous fabric from M is for Make for curtains for the nursery so once I buy lining that will be the next project - which I'm very excited about! 

I've just noticed that the birds down the bottom look pretty well-fed due to the size of my bump!

16 comments:

  1. I love a bird print and this one is lovely. I am very impressed that you are fitting your bump in there without any adjustments! At least you will get tons of wear out of it after the baby is born, which is a bonus! Well done, and glad to have you back! I hope you get a few more weeks sewing under your belt before the big day!

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    1. Yes, I did get lots of wear out of this - so much in fact that it's a bit worn looking already. Time to make some more soon! I'd recommend this pattern for pregnancy sewing.

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  2. I am so tempted by that fabric! Also glad to see you and your lovely bump and makes back. Moving takes foooorever!

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    1. I thought you would like it - till not as lovely as the Liberty ornithology print you used for a top!

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  3. Welcome back to sewing! Your bird fabric is seriously cool, and I need to check out that pattern. Sounds like you've got some fun plans for your maternity leave (in addition to, you know, having a baby) - enjoy!

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    1. Thanks Morgan, it really is a great pattern!

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  4. Awwh, that's a super cute tee! I'm obsessed with that fabric.

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    1. Thanks Stephanie, yes I just couldn't resist that fabric!

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  5. You look amazing, and that is a GREAT fabric!

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    1. Thanks Anneke, the pregnancy seems a distant memory already!

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  6. Cute tee, good luck with the baby!
    Just thought you might be interested;
    I'm starting up a new initiative that provides free advertising to sewing bloggers. It's a simple rotation banner that you display on your sidebar.
    You can read all about it here:
    http://www.etsyaddict.sky-song.org/exchange/

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    1. HI Zoe, thank you! I can't get that link to work?

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  7. It's such a pretty print for a tshirt! Enjoy your leave!

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  8. Oh I love the fabric, it's a bargain if it's the perfect print :)

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    1. Haha yes, that's the right way to look at it Jacq!

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