The creature began to destroy everything in sight. None were safe from its tirade of epic proportions.
What happened?! What awoke the sleeping monster and provoked such a reaction?!
Bias tape + a neckline.
**gasp**
Okay. I'll confess. I'm the brat who let a neckline get the better of me.
Welcome to "Fast and Easy" Butterick 5355.
I was delighted to open this envelope and discover that there were only 4 pattern pieces required to complete this breezy top!
I've had two yards of a gorgeous chevron crepe de chine on standby for a few months, just waiting to be used for this project.
I'm not usually a chevron-kind-of-gal, but I loved the bold colors and the diagonal orientation of the chevron bars. Cute, cute!
After my last project with crepe de chine, I was apprehensive about getting started. However, all came together beautifully.
I used french seams to finish the edges because of the open, flowy arms. I think it has a more polished look versus a serged seam.
There were no problems at all, really... until I hit the neckline.
I knew I needed to make my own binding. There were no pre-packaged options that would have looked right with this fabric. So, I spent nearly an hour, cutting, folding, and pressing my own bias tape.
{Well, there went the "Fast!"}
Because of the "easy" nature of this pattern, the included instructions indicated that the 1/4" binding be pinned to the neckline and stitched together through all thicknesses.
Well, it looked just awful. The fabric kept slipping... my seams weren't straight... and, the more I tried to correct my issues, the worse the fabric looked! I lost the fight and decided to give up all together.
I mean, totally give up. Sewing. Crafting. Blogging. Forever! I was done! I didn't need this stress in my life!
Aye-yi-yi... such a brat!
Two weeks later, my husband convinced me to pick it back up and finish it. Knowing I would have the same trouble, I decided to hand-sew the binding on.
It took forever, but the result was worth it. It looks so polished!
I'm so ashamed of my behavior and the fact that I let this "Fast and Easy" top get the better of me! I know that my frustration was actually a culmination of other stresses affecting my temperament. After a good cry and a nice break, I'm inspired and getting back to the business of creating.
Geez... I hope I'm not the only one who cries over the sewing machine...
