A New Year - New Resolutions?

I have been away longer that I anticipated.  I kept intending to blog, but I was sewing what so many of what so many of us do during holiday times.  If you've seen one pair of pj pants, you've seen millions, right?  So, there were at least 4 pair of those that went on their way to St. Louis to DD's family.  There were a few other odds and ends, but nothing to really write home about. 

Resolutions?  I pretty much resolved a number of years ago not to make any and that plan has worked well for me.  Oh, in my mind I have a few things I'd like to accomplish in the sewing room, but I'm so sewing ADD, I've learned better than to depend on myself to get those things done.  What can I say?  At least I know myself in that way.

I did join the Stitchers Guild TAM (Top and Month) sew along.  I'm not much of a joiner in those things.  Not that I'm opposed to them, it's just that I really don't need 12 of much of anything.  My retired lifestyle just doesn't fit that mode. 

I have, HOWEVER, realized that I do need some "fill-in" tops for mix and match skirts/jeans with the few jackets I have/wear--sleeveless shells and a few more "more dressy" T's.  I thought this would be a good way to accomplish that goal.  I'm learning more and more that I reach for knit tops more often than woven - more comfortable I suppose - more forgiving to wear on those days that woven just feels a little tight at the armholes or across the back.  Perhaps that just goes along with the "retired lifestyle."  Whatever, that's what I'm learning and embracing - well, for now, anyway.

So first out of the shoot (a rodeo term for those of you who may be wondering what the heck that means) is one of the knit tops from the fairly famous Ottobre 2/2007.  I have reached for one of the patterns from this magazine so many times.

I have a black slinky skirt (Burda 4 gore skirt pattern - sorry don't have the # handy, but it is still in print in the book).  It has been a "go to" skirt for an easy comfortable outfit.  I have one knit slinky top that has some turquoise that I pull out often, but it has short sleeves.  So, I decided I needed a 3/4 sleeve top.

I picked this slinky remnant up at Super Textiles in Dallas, I think.  It was in the $2/yd bin if I remember correctly.  I think it was 1.5 yd piece, just plenty for this top.  I purchased the fabric with a top in mind, but had just never gotten to the point of pulling it from the stash.

I think I'm doing to love this one.  You can see, it has an ivy like pattern and is red--a good color for me or at least a color I love!

I used fold over elastic that is the velvet on the front and satin on the back.  This went on well.   I stay stitched the neckline with a straight stitch.  Then I zig-zagged the back along the neck and then folded the velvet side over to the front and straight stitched it down.  Came out very nice.

 I have no idea why I can't get the photo to center, but anyhow, you can see the neckline.

So, this is officially my January top.  I think the next one will be a Louise Cutting Hearts a Flutter shell.  Yes, it will be in a woven.  There will be a woven mixed in my TAM every now and then.  And it's planned in black.