A Renfrew and a Remnant

I was so happy with the pattern for my recent Minoru jacket, that I decided to buy another Sewaholic pattern, the Renfrew Top. I’ve seen quite a few of these around town, and it was the perfect fast project I needed. I tend to pick projects that take a lot of time, and this pattern only has a few pieces, making it quick and easy. Plus, I made the entire top on my serger, which of course I love!

Now I’m not usually one to do the “cut off my head” shots, but when I take photos early in the morning, whoa. I looked half-asleep, even though it was probably 10:30 AM. I am not a morning person, by any means, no matter how hard I try. I’ll also go ahead and admit that I’d worn this shirt the night before to teach a class in, hence the slight wrinkles. It’s so comfortable, I just couldn’t resist!

The fabric I picked up at Bolt. It’s a fairly soft jersey, and it doesn’t have a lot of drape to it. I didn’t want anything clingy, so I think I chose well.

There are a few adjustments I’ll be making before I whip up  my next Renfrew. I definitely need to do a full bust adjustment to get rid of the “dart” that shows up, and pick up the shoulder seam so my sleeve doesn’t drop. I’ll probably adjust the armscye and sleeve cap as well, so I don’t have extra fabric gathering under my arms. And the hip could use a bit more ease in back (sheesh). Personal adjustments never end with patterns!

After I finished this top, I was looking for another quick project to do. I’d had this particular one in mind for quite a while, and had Instagrammed a photo of its beginning (I’m @amyalan on there, by the way).

I have a very patient dog…

… who just got his very own raincoat.

I used a large scrap from my Minoru jacket, and draped a pattern on Dax to make a coat for him to wear on our wet winter walks. I got reflective tape at Bolt and sewed it down the sides for safety. The coat is lined and attaches with Velcro on the side of his belly, around his neck, and on a flap that goes from his belly to his neck. I am now a crazy lady who walks a dog with a MATCHING COAT.

It’s all in the name of using up scraps, right?!

 

(I secretly love it.)