I’ve been feeling a little bad about how all of my sewing has been for myself lately. I mean, it has been one thing after another for me, me, me around here. What’s up with that? Aren’t sewing mama’s supposed to be all giving and whatnot?
Then it hit me…the boys aren’t excited when I sew for them lately. And, my husband, bless his Irish heart but with him it’s mostly understood that anything I make for him I do for the fun of making it not because he wanted it.
The things these people NEED are frankly a little boring to make and can be purchased at a used clothing shop for $2.50 each. Bam. My closet just got happier & more carefree.
This breezy, pleated tank top is a particularly happy one. It’s made using a free pattern, the famous Sorbetto from Collette Patterns and I got the fabric for a steal at a yard sale. Considering how expensive sewing can get sometimes, this feels good. The Sorbetto is such a basic pattern that it’s really easy to alter and indeed, I played around with the pattern a little.
For starters, I used bias tape (as the pattern calls for) on the neck and shoulders but moved it inside the top thereby narrowing the shoulder straps and exaggerating the scoop neck a little. I also inverted the front pleat to make it less obvious than the in the pattern and I didn’t enclose the pleat at the bottom because I wanted a more a-line, flow-y look. It’s kind of a hippy, summer love shirt. For me.
Has this we-don’t-need-you-to-sew-for-us thing happened to any other sewists out there? Is it because I have boys? Does your family love when you make things for them or is it sometime a labor of (your) love? All the bloggy pictures out there seem to be filled with happy recipients.
I’m not going to be able to participate in the upcoming KCW because I will be away and I’m sad because I haven’t missed one in a long time but also need some time to brainstorm something fun to sew that the boys will love. A dapper hat, maybe? Might be time to get more inventive with t-shirt stencils. I’m open to any ideas. Of course, I will be here (yay!) so I’m not all that sad to miss KCW.
Masha says
I love your mods. I made a Sorbetto awhile back and never wore it, then donated it. It wasn’t my style – yours is much more so, so I might steal your idea 🙂 And as for selfish sewing, yeah, that is happening here too. To the point that my girls recently were like “Uh, mom, aren’t you going to make something for us?” So I did, but I was dreaming about sewing for myself the whole time.
Melissa Q. says
That is really funny. I can picture you sewing away and dreaming of what you will make for yourself. Love it!
Krissy says
I agree with your thoughts/reasoning about sewing lately! Boys and men…sometimes not worth the time and effort to create what they could care less for. Keep sewing for you…it is inspiring me!!
Melissa Q. says
I’m so glad to hear my selfish approach is inspiring you! What a win for me! (I agree, though, hard work should be thoroughly appreciated!)
Erin says
The top looks great! I love it!
Melissa Q. says
Thanks! So sweet of you to say that. 🙂
Ute says
You are on a roll! I love the top! I have to say, I have never been crazy about the Sorbretto, but your version with the inverted pleat changes the look completely and is something I would like to wear, too.
Melissa Q. says
Thank you! I was also unsure about the Sorbetto because I didn’t like the pleat going the whole way down but the pattern is so darn adaptable. I’m glad I gave it a shot.
kristin says
oh i love it with the released pleat and i kinda forgot about the sorbetto (even though it was one of the first things i ever sewed for myself). thanks for the reminder! it’s so cute on you.
Diane says
That top is beautiful! And yes, loss of interest in sewing things for family has happened to me also. I used to sew all kinds of pretty things for my nieces when they were little. They loved getting new clothes and wore them proudly. And then as they got older, they wanted store bought clothes instead. This allowed me to focus on quilting instead and it was a good transition.
Pat Burns says
Love the top Melissa It looks terrific on you. Mom
Melissa Q. says
Thanks mama!
Jenya says
What a fun summery top. So, the boys wane a break from mummy-made stuff? Not a worry – look at all the wonderful things you have already made for yourself!
Melissa Q. says
You are so right!
cerece says
Can you give a tip on how to do the inverted pleat? That just made the pattern for me!
Melissa Q. says
Of course! You know how the original pattern has you fold the pleat by joining the wrong side of the fabric together so the pleat marks match up. Well, to invert the pleat you match the pleat marks up but with the right side of the fabric meeting up. Make sense. Then you stitch across the top to hold it in place.
cerece says
That makes great sense. Thanks so much!
Linda S says
This is the exact type of pattern I have been looking for. . . .it looks like a good style to hide a tummy for me!!
Melissa Q. says
I’m so glad! It’s free, which is fantastic!
Shirley says
I love the top and I the way to make the pattern your own. I will take some of your ideas and make me one. I would suggest for your boys to make costumes and pillow cases and blankets.
Tracey says
I have been practicing sewing by repairing our well loved clothes while stockpiling cute pics on pinterest. This top is going to push me over the edge in to making my own, it’s so cute! Thank you.
Sandy says
I recently made my first Sorbetto and am kid of meh about it. The darts are too low for me so that’s probably why. Anyway, I’m going to give it another try, raise the dart and try the pleat inverted and unsewn at the bottom, thanks for the inspiration!