I felt so far out of my comfort zone making this. When I started there were no reviews on Pattern Review and then I decided to use delicate sheer silk fabrics, add in the chaos zone that is my half finished sewing room and I'm a little surprised that I even finished it.
This is a Sandra Betzina pattern and the instructions were great with plenty of little tips along the way. It's actually a very simple pattern, it was my fabric choice that upped the difficulty factor. I used two silk fabrics, the body is light weight ivory broadcloth and the sleeves are a slightly crinkled chiffon with satiny 'ribbons' woven in. The sleeve fabric was a challenge to sew with.
I didn't make any changes to the pattern itself, but there were a couple of things I did differently. Firstly, this top is very snug across the stomach. On me it sits very tight across the stomach and then blouses over the top, I'm happy with the way that looks but it is different to the pattern envelope. To be fair Sandra does warn women with a bit of a tummy to make this in a knit rather than a woven, but I wanted to use a woven so that's what I did.
I graded out to the next size from the waist downwards (does that make sense?). It also directs you to hem one of the sleeve sections in two parts, half before you attach it and half later on. I just used a rolled hem on the lot and had no problems. I also simply overlapped the sleeves at the front rather than overlapping and then gathering a very small section. I don't think the minimal gathers really add a lot but they did increase the chance of something going wrong with the fabric.
And Bernice, thanks for keeping me on track regarding my plans to sew with knits after my little whinge a while back :-) I've got quite a few woven projects planned too. I think I'd been sewing too many knit items and I just needed to find a bit of balance. Does that happen to anyone else?
12 comments:
I love your top - beautiful fabric - you have done a great job.
Lovely top and your choice of fabric for the sleeves is perfect.
Gorgeous. Can I borrow this one too please???
I love it. You have worked very hard and achieved a beautiful and professional looking garment. Well done Sis!
Robyn this top is gorgeous. I've been eyeing off this pattern too as I have some silk chiffon in my stash. But now I've seen yours I much prefer the contrasting sleeves. The combination of fabric is just perfect. You get the benefits of a bit of sheerness without having a see-through top. The shiny stripes make it so elegant.
PS. I need to find a balance between wovens and knits too. I mainly sew with wovens as I find hemming knits a bit scary. That said, I'd like more knits in my wardrobe...they're just so stressful to sew with.
It's very pretty! I just love that you have chosen a sheer and contrasting fabric for the sleeves.
I prefer sewing with wovens, but I'm getting more comfortable with knits.
I love your top - it is fabulous!
I had found I sewed too many knits, so went on a mission to sew with more woven. Now I find I look at the woven's in my wardrobe and think 'if I wear you I will have to iron you again after you are washed' and they get left hanging in the wardrobe! Ha!
This is a gorgeous top. I really love your fabric combination. The green shoes are fabulous...did you keep them on 'til Paddy's Day?
I love this top on you. I too purchased this one and it is very much out of my comfort zone. Seeing yours gives me inspiration. Great job
I will go out on a limb here and say, I love working with knits and have too many of them. I think though owning a commercial overlocker certainly helps, it makes everything so neat unlike my domestic one....argh!
I love your top, it has given me some inspiration for a piece of fabric in my stash!
This is awesome. I love your choice of fabrics.
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