Happy Hummingbirds Part 1: The Top Edition

I just finished the Hummingbird Sew-a-long put on by Cake Patterns. Since I pre-ordered the pattern I got sorted into Anna's House.

I cut out three tops and finished two of them in time to count for the sewalong. I'm going to take them one by one.

Hummer 1

 

My first hummer I made up with some stash knit that was cut crooked off the factory spools or something. It wrinkles and hangs funny and is impossible to get any kind of grain lined up. I LOVE the color though and it is a nice weight so I used it to test the pattern's proportions.

See all the neckline wrinkles.

First, I was worried about the neckline being too low so I cut it higher. It was unneeded. The binding did something funny so I turned it to the inside and topstitched it down. Then it wrinkled after the wash.
The only thing I do not like about this pattern is the sleeve binding pieces are not wide enough. They were super messy and tiny and terrible.

Verdict 1: Proportion, fit and color are good. Change the sleeve band width and leave
neckline alone. Perfect top to wear everyday around the house when I'm feeling
the need for fun casual. I may have already worn it and gotten grease spots on it...

Hummer 2

PINK CAMO!!!! It was a cushy rib knit that made me break down on my stashbusting pledge. I figured what better way to further girlify camo than make it into a peplum top. It was SUPER stretchy but it still came together easily. I love the way it drapes down in the front. I may take it in a bit but I'm waiting to see how it works this fall/winter layered over other pieces.

I decided not to use the sleeve bands on the longer length but just turn up the hem. The neckband went on beautifully and I had fun using a decorative topstitch. I used the wrong kind of stabilizer on the hems and my machine hated to sew through it. I managed to get through the sleeves but ended up hand stitching the peplum hem during The Princess Bride. I would make sure to get some good stabilizer because you WILL need it to keep the rib knit from stretching out of shape while you hem it.

SHH, I'm hiding til fall.
Verdict 2: LOVE THIS!! While it took a bit of careful handling to make sure the rib didn't stretch out of shape, this top
came together beautifully. I can't wait until the weather cools off and I get a chance to wear it out and about.

Hummer 3

Pink for Anna's House!

I made this from a thrifted jersey sheet and it was wonderful. I cut the sleeve bands 2 1/2 inch wide which gave me a finished band of 1 inch. Much nicer than my first top. I haven't decided how I will hem the peplum after the debacle with the last two.

Look, I'm a fluttery bird!
Verdict 3: LOVE THIS! It went together quickly with no problems since I'd already tested everything. Being
a solid color it goes well with everything and the bright color is so cheerful. I wore it for the 4th.

In Summary:

•  Maybe I've gotten more familiar with Steph's sizing but I found this top to be the easiest pattern yet to find and trace to my size and put together. 

• I think everyone has said it but I LOVE the new heavy duty paper it is printed on. It is so easy to trace and fold back up. She also printed all the shirt pieces on one piece and all the skirt pieces on another. This made it so easy to make sure you hadn't missed any pieces when tracing.
• The solid tops are begging for embellishment or jewelry but also work well plain.
• My favorite thing of all is how I feel in them. I live in a ranching community and jeans with tshirts or western button front shirts are ALL YOU SEE. EVERYDAY. I can wear these floaty peplum tops with my jeans and feel fabulous, like I'm wearing a dress without wearing one. That's a win in my book.