Do you like my new toy? Hooray! I have been saving up for a serger for awhile and with some birthday cash from my parents (thanks Mom and Dad!), I finally had enough to buy it. It was worth every penny!
I made this shirt yesterday – sorry for the fuzzy photo. I used this tutorial. I am pretty happy with how it turned out. I did have to take in the sides a bunch – like four inches. I thought the pattern looked really big after I drew it out and it was. I don’t think that the tutorial is wrong – this was entirely my fault. I must have had a math mistake somewhere, but, luckily, it was easy enough to fix.
After I got the fit right, I serged up the side seams to finish them off. So fast and so easy! Then I serged the bottom edge before I turned it up to hem. So professional looking, too.
I was a bit hesitant to make this shirt mostly because I need to wear a bra. The thought of a strapless one makes me shudder – I hate those things so much. The solution: clear bra straps. Whoever thought of those is brilliant! And while I wouldn’t wear them with a strapless dress, they do the trick for wearing a summer shirt around town.
The craft party yesterday was cancelled due to a sick kid (not one of mine). We postponed until this afternoon. More on that tomorrow.
Oh, I’m so jealous. I am eyeing that very machine right now and waiting for a birthday or something… The top looks great!! I used your summer dress tutorial on two different dresses this week and LOVE the results. It’s been a big hit. Thank you so much.
Wow! Such a great machine. Imagine all those craft stuffs you can make with the help of a serger! I really like the shirt. Looks so comfy too. I must try it myself. Love to you and yours.
That top looks great! I am going to have to check out the tutorial for that…
Tad bit jealous of your new serger:)
my MIL has one she hasn’t used for years. i think it needs to be loved at my house. great shirt. green? really? so suprising!
I love my serger and don’t know what I’d do without it. Congrats on getting one of your very own!
I LOVE my serger….I have a very inexpensive sewing machine, but somehow ended up with a nice serger….you are right….adds the perfect touch.
Love LOVE love your green shirt…..you did a fabulous job…and are perfect in green! 🙂
so, so flattering on you! beautiful! and congrats on the serger! my hubby found one for me on craigslist which I’ve been having fun with, but I do think I need to get it serviced to get the full enjoyment out of it … used machine and all, lol.
Your shirt looks lovely – perfect colour on you too. We call those machines ‘over-lockers.’ My mum has one I intend to have a turn soon. What layout are you using in your blog for the bigger photos?
cute top! Maybe my sister will make me one 🙂
it looks really really great!! green is very becoming on you, i must say:)
That top is cute! And as someone who, ahem, *needs* to wear a bra too, I appreciate the tip about the clear bra straps. Perhaps there will be camisoles in my future after all…
I have a babylock and I love it, even though I don’t know how to do half of what it does. Must take that owner’s class soon.
that shirt looks so cute on you! I have complete serger envy. Enjoy!
nice job on your new shirt!
enjoy your new serger. I hear they are fabulous.
(never heard of clear bra straps.)
Oh Erin it’s all fabulous! Your green top, your new serger and you in your green top. BTW…I have never heard of clear bra straps. I am wondering how comfortable they are?
Your name is Erin and you live in the Midwest and you love your serger — ME TOO. That’s crazy. What’s your middle name?!! P.S. That shirt is very cute, nice job.
Really cute shirt! I saw that tutorial and am itching to make it too. It’ll be perfect for the current 111 degrees in Phoenix.
I hope I can justify a serger someday – maybe when my husband is out of school and had a, ahem, job again.
I love love my serger too! It does make the process of making clothes go so quickly. Throwing together a pair of little boy pants takes like 5 minutes for me!
Gotta check out that tutorial too. The shirt is SO comfy looking and great for the hot weather!
I bought my serger last year and coudn’t imagine life without it now! I was told by someone that it would change my life……. I chuckled at that one, but now…….. I see what they mean. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too!
Your sewing is always beautiful and the serger does really add a nice touch to garments. I have since gotten reacquanted with my serger since last time I made your twirly skirt and sundress. I do love the results. Enjoy your sewing!
lucky you! what fun – and way cute top.
Congrats on your newest addition to your family 🙂 The shirt looks fabulous on you. Hope you make something fun today at your party.
LOVE the top–it’s wonderful, and green is your color! Congrats on your new serger! Ah, a serger…the holy of holies in the sewing realm. I’ve been longing for one myself for a while–thinking it’ll be on my list for Santa ;o) Glad your party is rescheduled–have fun! Happy crafting & sewing! :o)
oh man, I want one! cute shirt too! and clear bra straps bravo. don’t know if they make those for nursing bras, though…
Ooo, a serger! I want one of those, but they kind of scare me. I have a friend who has offered to give me her mother’s, but I haven’t made the trip out to her house yet. Soon, very soon.
Your top is cute! I don’t think I could get away with it, but it looks great on you.
Nice top – the color looks good with your hair. And thanks for the link to the tutorial! Also, I didn’t know about clear bra straps. I’ll have to look for those.
Cute top! Big congratulations on the serger.
So jealous of your serger!!
The top looks wonderful!
Super cute!!!
I love the shirt, it is so cute. I have to make myself one of those!
And I’m very jealous of your serger. I have a feeling it would make my life some much easier!
Love that top and aren’t sergers the best? I was convinced they would make me a better sewer. Well they aren’t miracle machines, but they are fun.
Love your new top! So happy to here you’ve joined the ranks of seamstresses with sergers ;o) I’m happy to have a serger – certainly makes my projects look more professional and saves me time. Hope you continue to enjoy using yours! Happy sewing!
Love your new shirt… have wonderful time crafting this afternoon!
I’m so so vicariously excited for you! You lucky girl!
I noticed that Amy from Angry Chicken recently blogged that she has the same serger. I’m wondering about your choosing process and how you narrowed it down to that model. I’m saving to buy a serger AND a Bernina, but I’m not sure which I’ll get first. It will be a while for either one. Anyway, I’m always interested in how people decide on the one they ultimately choose…
Oops, wait a moment, I had to wipe the drool off of the keyboard. 🙂 Congrats on the serger, it is making its way back up to #1 on my list since I started sewing again. The top is really cute and I have seen those clear bra straps but never used them…have to check into those. Happy crafting!
You must be having so much fun with your new machine! I’m glad that you made a top for yourself, especially since you’ve made so many cute ones for your girls. Green is SO your color.
Oh I love the top! And congrats on the new serger. That’s been on my wishlist for a long time.
I love that top and I am so happy you have a serger now! It is my favorite thing too… so fast and it makes everything looks perfect, inside and out!
Oh pretty top! I’ll have to look for those bra straps, great idea.
you look so beautiful in green! what a fun new toy. now you’ll be unstoppable!
It turned out really nice! I love the green on you. And you have a serger! That’ll make anyone want to sew.
The top is fantastic! I look forward to trying out this tutorial.
That’s a great top, Erin! I hear ya about the bra issues – my “girls” need lotsa support too. I’ve always wished I had “itty-bittys” so I could go braless, but alas…
And I’ve got major serger envy! I currently borrow my neighbour’s when I need it – but I’d much rather have one of my very own. Congrats!
great top. Looks fab with your hair colour. I am a big green fan
Suzie Sews
Have fun with the new serger! Cute top!
thanks for the link to the tutorial–your top is great!
i know you are going to love your serger. congratulations!! i don’t think i could manage without mine. they make such a huge difference and make your garments look so professional and neat.
gotta go in search of those clear-strap bras this weekend…any suggestions for shops?
hey! yay! i’m so happy you used the tutorial– i am bad at math myself, so it is entirely possible it wasn’t your mistake at all! i did make a shirt using the measurements after writing it up to be sure, but it is still possible the tute adds too much ease 🙂 yours turned out GORGEOUS!
i must say i love reading your blog and am very flattered indeed that you tried out my tutorial and even linked to it– thank you!
I love that top. Looks really pretty. Need that machine. Sounds like you have been very busy.xoxo
Darling top! WAY TO GO! I just got a babylock for my b-day last month! LOVIN IT!