Kwik Sew 2239

The last one is the one with the lace appliques, impossible to photograph.

This is the second Kwik Sew pattern that I have used, and I have to say, I really like them. I love the size of the instruction sheet for one, the instructions seem to be clearer and better illustrated,  and the fact that the patterns are printed on better quality paper is a bonus as well. The first one was of course, 2908, for panties, which I have blogged about excessively, no need to revisit it. Right? Even though I have made more.

I have made 4 camisoles for the Husbands Aunt Edna. The pattern calls for a woven, with the neck and armholes finished with bias strips. I used nylon tricot instead (scored a bolt of it at the thrift store, super cheap) so I cut the strips on the cross grain. This fabric isn't the easiest to work with, but it can be tamed with Spray Starch (capitalized on purpose, it earned it). The neckline is trimmed in the round, ie you sew the ends of the strips together and then sew them on the neck, the armhole trim is sewn flat and then the side seams are sewn. I made the first one like that but it doesn't look as nice, I prefer a cleaner finish. For the second, third, fourth etc I finished the armholes the same way as the neck. Looks much nicer and doesn't take that much more time or fiddling.

I made the mistake of SWT (sewing while tired) and accidentally made two tiny snips in one of the tops. The fabric won't ravel or run or anything, and Edna would never notice but you can't give someone something with holes in it, right? So I found lace in my pile of notions (who knew???), trimmed a couple of motifs and sewed them on the camisole. Not my best work, but what the heck.

Some notes and suggestions (mainly for me for when I make more of these, lol). I didn't use the pattern for the strips, I just cut strips across the width of the fabric (108" btw), and then measured the neckline and armholes to cut the strips. After cutting the strips from the tricot, I immediately starched, folded them in half and ironed them. I also used the strips to finish the hem.  If/when I make this pattern from a woven, I will use french seams for the shoulder and side seams. It would take almost no time, looks much nicer, and would feel nicer to sleep in.

Aunt Edna is thrilled with them. She says they feel much better than all the other camisoles she has. I suspect she is more pleased with the concept that someone actually sewed something just for her. Sorry no pictures of Edna wearing one of the camisoles-TMI. 8-)

In my previous post, I promised pictures of the fabric for my next couple of projects. Here goes.

Taffeta-this is going to be a muslin of The Tablecloth Skirt. The fabric is nice quality, but the colours. Oh well. I inherited this piece from a friend of my MIL. I wish I could find something to make from it that I would wear and/or use. 

All these are cotton flannelette, they are going to be wearable muslins (hopefully) of V1096, V8397, and V8637.

Wish me luck.