A New Top

For our ASG program, I had to find a pattern & fabric to make a top by serger. So off to Hancock Fabrics, I go. There I found a ponteroma knit (polyester/rayon) and Kwik Sew pattern #2900. I chose view C. I made two tops which took about 2 hours on the serger including doing the coverhem. It was a nice easy project for instant gratification to demo at our ASG meeting. Here are the photos of the 2 tops that I made. I can see this becoming a favorite pattern. I didn't really read the directions but here is how I put the top together.
Tutorial:
Take front & back pieces & with right sides together, lay your stay tape on the shoulders & serge. Then take the neckband & serge the ends together. Folding in half, line it up with your center back & pin. Then pin the center front & shoulder seams. Stretching gently, serge slowly until the neckband is attached. Then serge your sleeves into the armhole opening leaving the fabric open flat. Then serge your your side seams starting at the bottom of the top & going up to the sleeve end. Next set your machine up for coverstitch, & folding the sleeve hem under securing with Wonder Tape (a double sided fusible), stitch either a 2 needle wide coverhem or a 2 needle narrow coverhem. Then do the bottom of the top using Wonder Tape to hold the hem in place. To finish your top, just use the coverhem to stitch down the neckband seam allowance. Now, you're done.
Happy Sewing!
Marty

Another Machine

This week another sewing machine followed me home. It is a Singer Stylist 834 in need of some TLC. I was at church with my sewing group & when I was leaving one of the staff members told me that she brought me a machine. It was given to her by one of her friends but she didn't want it. The machine is missing a power cord & foot pedal but that can easily be replaced. I have ordered a manual for it & plan to clean it up & get it running again. I love tinkering with old machines & wish that I had more space. After all, I only have 7 machines now including one that belongs to my daughter. I've already given several sewing machines that I fixed up to the United Methodist Neighborhood Group for their Refugee Assistance program. They teach refugees to sew & provide an opportunity for them to have machines to use to make clothing for their families. I really like this little machine & may keep it unless I come across someone who really needs one. Do machines follow you home? If so, what do you do with them? Inquiring minds want to know.