Sewn: Two Hour Top or Boxy Raglan Top

I was lucky enough to be given an overlocker (Janome 9300DX) by my husband for Christmas, and naturally I was itching to sew something. Fortunately, it was already threaded, and after testing on some scraps, I was ready to dive into some real sewing!

The whole project is scrap friendly and the pattern itself is a free download from the Sew Different website - one size only with no instructions (although you can purchase the multi-size pattern and instructions). I set about drawing the pattern from the measurements given on to some old brown paper - it is actually quite a satisfying task.

Interior

Fabric

The main fabric is, I think, a viscose based woven fabric with a contrasting thread feature (it was given to me by a colleague). I may be using the wrong side of the fabric, but there is a very obvious thread pull on one side. The sleeves are from the leftover crepe from the Taffy Blouse which I made last year. I made my own bias binding from the same two main fabrics.

Construction

I am a size 12 so made no adjustments to the pattern. I used my overlocker on the raglan sleeves and the sides. Having never used an overlocker before, I made the fatal error of trying to manoeuvre round the internal corner without thinking about the fact that it is slicing as it goes. As a result, I have taken a chunk out of the underside of the sleeve which I still have to repair ! 

The sleeves are hemmed as normal on my regular sewing machine. Both the neck and bottom are finished with a bias binding hem. In hindsight, I think I should have hemmed the bottom before sewing up the sides as the binding isn't finished as neatly as it could be at the edges. 

I'll be honest, despite my rookie overlocker errors, I think it will be a valuable piece of equipment. I have already got some more project lined up. As far as the pattern is concerned, I can see myself knocking up a few more, especially as they are so good for using up smaller pieces of leftover fabric.

Love Mrs Jones x