Minerva have launched another new kit today and I’ve been lucky enough to get to try it before it’s general release. This was my first time sewing a Minerva Kit and it was most definitely a very easy and stress free way to start a project. I love how absolutely everything you need to complete the sewing project is provided for you, even down to the sewing machine needles and thread. I was very surprised to see that even clear elastic was included for strengthening the shoulder seams (even though this wasn’t listed in the notions), because anyone who sews regularly with jersey, will know how important is to reinforce the seams to stop them from stretching out. Minerva really have thought of everything!
My kit was McCall’s M7975 which is a top pattern for moderate stretch knits. It’s a really interesting pattern as it has an unusual Knot detail on the front and comes with three different sleeve variations. I chose to make view C, which is long sleeved with bell shaped cuffs.
The gorgeous fabric provided, was Bubble Shoal in crushed velvet from Minerva’s exclusive fabric collection. I have admired this print in all the different base cloths, but I think it really comes into its own in the crushed velvet. The depth of colour really makes the turquoise blues pop against the black background.
I started by overlocking the edges of my fabric to stop it from fraying and then laundered it at 30 degrees. Hubby then kindly cut out my fabric for me using a rotary cutter. He cut out the pattern in a single layer to avoid any slippage from the pile of the velvet.
I was concerned that the fabric would fray a lot, but thankfully this didn’t really happen. I have worked with velvet in the past and have been left with fluff all over my sewing room!
The first job is to create the knot detail on the front, which is surprisingly easy to achieve despite looking far more complicated. The rest of the construction is fairly straightforward after that. I followed the instructions faithfully, apart from using my coverstitch machine to finish the hems of the sleeves. You do have to be careful pressing the seams, I found that using a pressing cloth and finger pressing with just the steam from the iron worked really well and didn’t hurt the pile of the fabric.
I love my top, about the only thing I’d change if I make it again, is to make the bell cuffs double sided as you can see the lighter coloured wrong side of the fabric when I move my arms. Maybe if the fabric was darker on the wrong side this wouldn’t be so noticeable. I’m not sure if double thickness of velvet would be too chunky though and ruin the drapey effect.
I think this top will be perfect for the Christmas party season and I would definitely recommend the Minerva kits.
Wheelchair Considerations.
1) This is a very comfortable top to wear due to the stretch in the fabric.
2) There are no fastenings so the top can easily be put on over your head.
3) The neckline is high so there are no modesty issues.
4) The hem finishes on the lap so there isn’t a layer of fabric bundled underneath you.
5) The bell sleeves are fine for me in my electric chair, but I don’t think they would be suitable for a manual chair user as they would likely catch in the wheels.
#MinervaBrandAmbassador, #MinervaMakes, #MinervaMakers,
#MinervaExclusiveFabric, #MinervaKits, #BubbleShoal, #M7975, #M7975Seated, #PennyMcCalls, #SewnShownSeated, #SewingWithCrushedVelvet, , #DisabledSewist, #WheelchairConsiderations, #IWearWhatISew, #SewistsOfInstagram, #Sewcialist
(Image description: there are five images taken from different angles showing Yvonne sat in her wheelchair in her garden. She is wearing black velvet trousers and a black velvet top with turquoise blue and purple bubbles printed on it. The top has a knot front feature detail and long sleeves with bell shaped cuffs)
Leave a Reply