Aspen Tank Pattern Testing

Usually I make my own patterns and avoid using commercial patterns. I prefer making sure everything fits the way I want it to and then I don't need to make alterations like I do with commercial patterns. Plus, it's fun to drape and pattern from scratch. But I'm looking to expand my wardrobe and try to make more practical clothing that I'll wear instead of just fancy things that sit in my closet. 

I've been trying to be more involved in a sewing community, especially since I'm in between costuming projects (my latest show doesn't open until September). So I joined Seen & Sewn's Pattern Testers group and tested out the Aspen Tank. 

Here is my progress:

I am a fabric hoarder and love buying fabric even if I don't have a set plan for it. So after getting the Aspen Tank pattern I decided that the striped fabric I had been playing around with draping would be perfect. 


After cutting out the pattern pieces, taping them together, I started to pin the pieces. It's a super easy pattern, just 3 pieces if you decide to do it without sleeves (which I did). Just a front bodice, back bodice, and bottom piece. Usually with patterns I like to line everything up, but with this I wasn't too worried and figured the stripes would look great not lined up. 






I made the front and back bodice with vertical stripes and did the bottom with the stripes horizontal. It's a nice pattern because, based on your size you need less than 2 yards, which is perfect if you like using remnants like me.

I made a Large even though some of my measurements fell into the X-Large range.


Now another change I made was opting for double fold bias tape because I wanted the arm holes and neckline to be outlined in a solid color. Plus, it added a nice clean line around the bodice. Pictured left is me adding the bias tape.

Pictured right is my final bodice in play. It's perfect for the summer. Lightweight and comfortable. I have to wear a sweater to make it more professional for work, but it's great by itself with jean shorts for this summer weather we've been having.

I would recommended this pattern to anyone looking for a fun summer top! It's a nice flowy option, so depending on how heavy your fabric is it's great for the hot weather. As of now I am planning to remake this top with a different fabric for another fun summer option. If you're interested in giving it a shot check out Seen & Sewn Patterns.

Denim Jacket Update

Progress Picture.

Whenever I have some free time I try really hard to work on the many projects I've started and stopped. A while ago I had purchased some more patches for my jean jacket, however they've just been sitting around waiting to be ironed. Since I don't work until later today I decided why not add some more patches to my jacket?! So I put a Harley Quinn patch on the bottom left with a "KAPOW" patch right next to it that has a little Batman symbol inside the "O."

Front right pocket.

Then I added a "KABOOM!" patch on the right pocket flap. I had gotten a set of 6 little patches similar to these 2 so I plan on using at least a 3rd one for the jacket. I may save the others for future projects. When I had started this project I looked through all of my sewing stuff to see if I had an patches before going out to buy some. I only had a packet of 2 little green flowers. I figured since I've had them forever I might as well use 1 of them, so I placed it on the flap with the "KABOOM!" patch. I think it looks pretty neat for the front. I haven't decided on purchasing nay others as of now or where to put the other little ones I already have ready to go. I'm pretty excited about the progress so far and I look forward to coming up with new ways to alter this jean jacket. I am considering putting a lining in (minus the sleeves) for some more color/pattern. We'll see what happens!

Adding Patterns!

Cutting triangles.

My denim jacket has 1 patch and a little extra stitching around it, but since I don't have any other patches at the moment, I decided to add something else to it. Being me I thought a little bit of a pattern would make this denim jacket really stand out. I went through my scrap bin to see if I had any that would work for the under collar of the jacket. Of course the piece that ended up working is a piece from my Senior Collection. The red, black, and white plaid fabric has the perfect amount of stretch to work with the denim (72% Cotton and 18% Polyester). Being me I didn't measure anything out, I just lined up the selvage with the collar, pinned it, and sewed along from the inside of the jacket. 

Pinning the remaining 3 edges.

After attaching the plaid to the jacket I cut a few triangles to give the fabric ease along the neckline. Adding an under collar to an already made piece isn't as easy as doing it in the proper order while making a jacket. Next I pinned the plaid to the collar so I could hand stitch it around the 3 edges. Surprisingly it didn't take very long and it turned out pretty well. You can't see the plaid unless the collar is up or turned wrong but I know it's there and I think it's a pretty great detail to my jacket. 

Finished Collar.

I'm considering adding a different plaid (because I have SO MUCH SCRAP FABRIC) to the cuffs so if I roll the sleeves up and button them you'll get some more pattern and color. Overall I'm pretty happy with the progress of my jacket. Hopefully I'll get some more patches within the next couple of weeks and i can continue adding to the jacket.

Denim Jacket: First Patch Down!

Ironed on, about to start stitching.

First patch on my denim jacket is complete! I started off my denim jacket project with just a vague idea of what I wanted the end result to be but it's already changed multiple times since I've begun this project. After purchasing the denim jacket from work I went to check out the iron on patch selection at Jo-Ann Fabric Store. I was slightly disappointed but ended up purchasing a Wonder Woman patch for my jacket. 

My project has just been in that state until today. That's the funny thing about Christmas time for me, I always get these bursts of energy to finish projects and start new things. So after our Christmas celebrations I figured why not work on the jacket. I ironed on the patch and then, wary of the corners, decided to hand stitch the corners down so it will survive being in the washer. 

Final picture of the patch
with stitching around it.

Originally I was thinking of using thick embroidery thread and stitching a few onomatopoeia words like "POW!" and "BAM!" around it but decided on a simple outline to highlight the patch. I'm putting the comic book references on the back burner until I get more patches for my jacket. I don't think it will be an entirely superhero themed jacket, but it may turn out that way depending on the patch selection when I go shopping. I have found a few online I think I'm going to buy and they're all movie references so it could turn out pretty neat (at least to me).

Denim and Patches

Denim and Patches by brimalotke featuring a denim jacket

I'm trying to decide if I want to go with a theme for my own personal denim jacket & patches project or if I should just whatever patches I like and end up buying. Currently I just have the 1 Wonder Woman patch and I want to do embroidery around each patch. I may just have to roll with it and get any patches I'm able to that I like.

Project Costs so far:
Denim Jacket from 2nd hand store= $7
Wonder Woman Patch from Jo-Ann= $4

A lot of patches I've seen that I've liked are around $8/patch so this may get a little expensive. However, if I get them one at a time over a few months and gradually just keep adding them on it won't feel like I'm spending so much on the project. Plus there will always be coupons, discounts, and hopefully some great end of the year sales!

Embroidered & Patch Jacket

For my job as a buyer at my work we needed to do a mall visit, take notes, read the trend reports, take a quiz, and in general just discuss what we were seeing in the different stores. One of the things I loved was the bomber jackets with patches. I like the variety in the different stores and I like the overall idea. It's fun and can work for different styles. However, I just can't find one that really speaks to me. I want to pick the patches and the colors and so now I'm making my own jacket. I am pretty busy at work so I'm not starting from scratch. Also since I prefer the jean jackets to bomber style, I picked up a dark wash jean jacket from work and am ready to transform it into something spectacular...or at least have a lot of fun trying new techniques. 

I snagged a Faded Glory dark wash denim jacket at work and then proceeded to check out what patches Joann's had in stock. I wasn't a huge fan of the selection but they've been having so many sales recently I don't blame them for the low amount. Plus, I really just wanted one to start with because I want to try and snag some online. I plan on distressing the collar and cuffs and potentially adding a lining (at least to the cuffs so if I roll them there's a pop of pattern). Anyone who has seen my work knows I love patterns so obviously I need to add more to this jacket than just patches. I don't want to go overboard, but I plan on adding some hand embroidery (or machine since mine can do that!) around some of the patches. 

I had a Batman patch but I used it for my graduation cap...so Wonder Woman is the start of my jacket progress. As usual we'll see what happens. I'm just happy to start another project and it'll be fun to wear it around and show off my personality with my jacket. I'll post progress pictures along the way and if I do the distressing I'll share the methods and maybe have a step-by-step guide as well.