lizzardtears: top

Sunday, June 22, 2025

Rose/Shell sleeved top.

I'm not sure if this is a Rose or a Shell on the sleeve but it sure is adorable!

I was scrolling though instagram one day and came across a really fun sleeve tutorial and saved it with the intention of one day making a top with that sleeve. I save a lot of things with the idea I’ll make them one day and never do anything with them. I think it's a lot like collecting patterns that I like. I have them. I look at them but I probably won’t ever make all of them (although I do use a lot of them). Several months after saving the tutorial I was searching through my saved posts for something different when I came across this one and thought about how perfect the pink knit I had picked up on a whim would be for it.

I used simplicity #9930 from 1972 for the shirt base since I had the pattern and have used it many times, but I think any top with a sleeve would work. I drafted the sleeve as shown in the video. I think I watched it 50 times to really get the idea set in my mind.

I was thrilled that it actually worked, because I have tried tutorials that have failed miserably so it's always nice when something works out. I have noticed that a lot of times when something doesn’t work it's because the tutorial left something important out (I think it's that whole secret ingredient thing) . And while I wouldn’t say this is an easy to follow video, it does have all the instructions there. I just had to use some creative skills to get the curve right and pause it every few seconds to get the measurements.

One thing I did change though is making a facing for the sleeve, I thought it might be a little too heavy to have the fabric doubled. The rose/shell is doubled like in the video since that's the way it has to be done. I think this technique would probably work with most fabrics, so it may be something I try again with another type of fabric.
I really think this is such a fun little addition to any top. It turned out really cute, and it's versatile enough it can be worn with several styles.

Link to tutorial on instagram.

* This blog is not to be used for training AI*

Saturday, August 7, 2021

floral blouse

This blouse was made using simplicity pattern #8215 from 2016 in view A. I have made this pattern before but made it in the short sleeve version.

I really liked the look of the long sleeves so decided to give it a try as well. I went back and forth on whether I wanted to make view A or C. I am not a huge fan of collars, I like the way they look, I just don’t feel comfortable in them. Ultimately what decided the view for me was how much interfacing I had. I only had enough for the sleeve cuffs and not a collar so I went with the bow rather than the collar.

When I made this in the short sleeve version I made a lot of tweaks to the pattern, this time though I wanted to follow the pattern and actually took the time to read all the directions. A lot of times I just skim over them and come up with what I feel would be the easier way to put it together. Actually I did change up the order of putting in the sleeves. I find it alot easier to put the sleeves in first before sewing up the side seams. Patterns though seem to always have you sew up the sides first then put in the sleeves. When you sew up the sides first then try to insert the sleeve you are fighting going around the curves of a circle. If you put the sleeves in first it's flat and just a lot easier in my opinion.

When I was nearly finished with the blouse I tried it on just to see how it looked and I was not happy with it. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to finish it, but decided I really should because it looks so cute on the pattern envelope picture, and all I had left was gathering the sleeve bottom, adding the cuffs and buttons and hemming. At that point it felt silly not to at least finish the blouse.

And am I glad I did finish it. Without the cuffs on the sleeves, the sleeves felt overwhelming and since I hadn’t added the buttons to the back yet it was pulling forward which made it look awkward. Once I got it all together, and tried it on finished I was in love.

I really like the way this turned out. The only issue I have with it is the bottom button loop on the back of the neck is a bit tight. For some reason they have you cut it a ¼ in. smaller than the other two. If I make this again I will try to remember to cut it the same as the others.

The fabric I used is a nice light weight cotton that sewed up like a dream. I used it and the buttons from my stash. I really love the sleeves the way they poof out at the bottom half. It makes me happy and makes me think of princess sleeves.

* This blog is not to be used for training AI*

Sunday, May 23, 2021

Brown Gauze top

I realized when I was posting about the bear I made for my mom, I had not posted about the gift I made for her last year. Last year for my mom’s Birthday I made her a top out of a fabric that was a brown Gauze with dark brown embroidered flowers. I used McCall’s pattern # 6487 from 1993. This pattern is from their easy stitch and save series. This pattern was one of my mom’s favorite patterns and she has made it a few times herself over the years. I actually used her pattern since she had it and I knew it was a style she liked. Plus being that the top is not fitted I could guess at what size to make without having to take her measurements. this way she had no idea I was making her something and keeping it more of a surprise. I made sure to wash and dry the fabric before sewing it as I have heard, Gauze has a tendency to shrink a lot after the first wash especially when it is put in the dyer. This gauze didn’t seem to shrink much which was a nice surprise. The fabric sewed together nicely, and the pattern was easy. The best part, my mom really liked it and wears it all the time. When she opened the gift, she was like “did you use my pattern?” I told her yes and she said, “that’s my favorite pattern. I love it.”

* This blog is not to be used for training AI*