I’m so thrilled to show you the first thing I have made with my self designed screenprinted fabric!
I found it incredibly nerve wracking to cut into this fabric. I had too much I wanted to make with it, and the stakes felt too high – what if i wrecked it? I only had 1m!
In the end I realised something I should remind myself every time i make something:
If you don’t cut fabric, you can’t make anything. And if you don’t make anything, you can’t enjoy it.
So i cut it.
I tried to think strategically about what i could fit out of my small yardage, and decided on a Eucalypt tank top and two throw cushions. I still had leftover linen that I hadn’t printed, so I cut only the front of the tank from printed fabric, and cut the back and all the bias facings and hem facing from plain linen. I am really pleased with this choice, i feel like it makes the front print more special that it is only one panel.
In order to conserve fabric and use up the entire length of the print without cutting off the bottom edge, I straightened out the hem of my Eucalypt tank, cropped it a little (just above hip height) and finished with a wide hem facing to add structure (instead of sewing a narrow curved hemline as per the instructions.)
Here is a little look at the inside of the tank – for some reason that i can’t really explain, i really enjoy looking at the wrong side and seeing how the print shows in some places, and how the ink bled through a bit.
My one regret is that i chose the “worst” section of printing for this top. You probably can’t tell, but my obsessive perfectionist streak doesn’t like that one side is printed more heavily, and one side is printed more lightly. I prioritised the best sections for the cushions as i thought i’d use cushions more often. Stupidly, I haven’t actually sewn the cushions yet, and have you ever witnessed me sew a cushion, like ever?
I’ve worn this tank once a week since i made it. So there goes my brilliant plan of using cushions more than garments hahaha. I know, it’s like my brain went on holiday. But please, feel free to call me crazy about getting upset over this, basically everyone I have mentioned it to has told me too chill the heck out :)
Despite my pickiness over print consistency, I’m so happy with how this top worked out, it’s reminded me of how useful basic little tops are in my wardrobe! Now I really need to get my act together and sew up those cushions!! (but don’t hold your breath ha!)
If you’d like to read more about how I designed and printed my fabric, check out this post.
