Oh look! It’s the 6th 7th top I’ve blogged this month! Happy Jungle January!
Making shirts is my favourite no-fail project when time is tight. This is the second Renfrew I’ve sewn this month (here’s the post with the first!) As I made this one, I realised I was having some of the same issues with the sleeves/shoulders as last time – not sure if the sleeve cap has more ease than I’m used to sewing in a knit, or if I just have troubling taking off a honking big 5/8 seam allowance now that I’m used to serging everything with 3/8! Any thoughts?
The fabric is a lovely light sweater weight that I bought locally. It’s a nice combo of warm based taupe and cool spots, which is good for my colouring. Beige and I do not get along!
Obviously, I went for the cowl option… and only realised afterward that the only other leopard top I have made is also a cowl! Hey, you surely don’t read my blog for the innovation and novelty, right? 😉
I’m more careful to reinforce sweater knits that other knits… but as I ironed stay tape on the neckline, I got curious about how you bend a straight tape around an edge! I do it two ways, as you can see above… can’t say I can tell a difference once the garment is done. What’s your strategy?
Happy Jungle January, ya’ll!
Crafting A Rainbow 
Rawr. ‘Nuff said.
I have a feeling that my Jungle January is going to turn into a Furocious February. Alas.
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I just slammed this post together while taking a break from writing reports, bc otherwise I was going to miss the deadline too! Hope exams are going well and you have good courses next term! The jungle will always be there when you are ready! 😉
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I hope it turns into Furocious Feburary!!! That’s a great idea. I’m behind on my Jungle Janurary make…as usual. 🙂
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This looks great Gillian! I am in awe of your photos! You always look great!
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Do you have a DSLR? These pics are with my 50mm lens – it’s very beauitifying! Hides all manner of sins, and distracts with lovely blurry backgrounds. Also lets lots of light in, because winter photos are the pits!
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I do have a DSLR, but I never experiment with it. I just put it on auto and go. I’ll give a different lens a try. Thanks for the tip!
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Happy Jungle January to you too! It’s so nice to see what animal prints others have come up with!
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I would never have given animal prints a shot if it weren’t for Jungle January! It’s a fun reason to break out of ingrained habits! 😉
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I agree. I felt the same!
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Love your new top! I’m lagging way behind on my Jungle January plans, darn! I’ll undoubtedly end up meowing, growling and purring with the Furocious February’ists.
Regarding the stay tape, I have some bias cut stay tape and it curves nicely around the neckline. I think I got it from Fabric.com. I’m mentally cataloging your technique in case I run out and need to improvise with straight grain type :D.
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Bias cut stay tape??? Why have I never heard of that?! I will look for it next time I order from fabric.com. Thanks for the tip!
(Oh, and there’s a proud tradition of being late for sewing challenges, I think – I am absolutely positive there will be February roundups for Jungle January! 😉
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Gillian, this is the bias stay tape I use: http://www.amazon.com/LJ-Designs-Bias-Fusible-Tape/dp/B000WMCC6Q/ref=sr_1_3?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1422502156&sr=1-3&keywords=stay+tape
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Great top- very sweet colours. Nice cowl too. I use bias stay tape so that it goes around curves easier.
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I have never heard of or seen bias stay tape until you and Ginny mentioned it just now – I’ve got to get some! Thanks for the tip!
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Very nice leopard cowl, looks great against the snow, very wild. I use your first method or nothing at all and hope for the best 🙂 Happy jungle January!
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Oh good, I’m glad we independently came up with the same method. It works, right? That’s what matters!
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It’s skirts all the way for me, but I definitely need more tops, so great inspiration thank you.Ditto the above with regards to your photos, lovely, crisp colours 🙂
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Thank you! I admit I haven’t made or worn a skirt myself in at least a year – I do wear heaps of dresses, though! It’s nice to be able to sew whatever we want, eh?
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What a fabulous top! It suits you well. Happy Jungle January!
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Thanks Elena! Happy Jungle January to you too!
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Another great top Gillian! Wow you can really knock these out fast. I’m in awe.
I can’t wear beige either. It hates me.
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Psst! Gillian, you have sewn a third leopard print top (dark purple and black, for me). And guess what? It’s a cowl-necked Renfrew too!
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Great top. Appreciate the tips on stabilizing the cowl, plus taking photos.
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I love your top! 🙂 Rawr!
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Cute! And I’m a sucker for a cowl too. 🙂
I just pleat my stabilizing tape, but mine is an inch wide, so I don’t need to pleat very much for any curves I’ve ever done.
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You look gorgeous!!!
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MeeYOW! This is great!
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1. Those glasses are really cute! (sorry to start with that but it was my first thought… 😉
2. Those photos are really pretty. New make-up? Or otherwise, the light was really really nice. 🙂
3. Love the top, it looks great on you! And I have no idea why I don’t own *any* cowl Renfrews!
4. I use knit stay tape. It bends around curves very nicely. I got mine at Sunny’s/”A Fashionable Stitch”.
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Rawr!!! Love this top! That fabric looks just lovely. I so need to bust open my Renfrew pattern. And I think I need some fabulous kitty print too. Your post has been so inspiring! 🙂
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I’m into this top. You can never have too many leopard tops, right??
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Such a beautifully draping cowl! When I do reinforce knit necklines, I do just what you did. Also, Jalie has spoiled me with 1/4″ seam allowances and I cut everything down to that for knit tops unless I’m worried about fit.
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Just discovered your blog from Rhonda Buss’ blog. 🙂 Love!
For the shoulder ease, I did the same thing. I serged them in flat, but forgot to take the whole 5/8″ seam allowance. You’re right, it does look like a ridiculous amount of fabric to be trimming off!
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