It's done. Well, almost. I'll get to that later.
I added the topstitching on the pleat seams. It gets a little lost in the print but I think it's better than no stitching at all because it does show, even if it tends to blend in. I also used the 1" binder for my coverstitch machine to create a thicker neckline band/binding. And, of course, it's brown. Were you really expecting anything else? ;-)
The sleeve ruffles are Much. Too. Full. I think I'm going to have to do something about that if I want to wear this top and actually be able to do anything in it without dragging my sleeves through the soup. I like the way they look. But when my arms are in them, they feel too floppy (the sleeves, not my arms). I'm thinking of running elastic through the hem so they stay in place. One of the views of the original McCall's pattern shows something like this.
Here's a semi-profile view to show that by enlongating the pleat stitching, the open pleats don't poof out until below the girls. When worn, it has the look of an empire waistline.
Now here is where I'm stalled. Final length. What should it be? Long? Short? In between? To my eye, the longer length looks better. But I'm just not used to the tunic length so it feels like I'm wearing a dress. So maybe a little long, longer than the pic on the right, but shorter than the pic on the left? Opinions??
Beth asked what I was planning to wear with this. The answer is, I don't know. Most likely long pants similar in silhouette to what I'm wearing in the pic. But these pants are actually purple so it won't be them with this top when I leave the house. (And my hair is soaking wet from the shower so I felt compelled to chop off my head.)
I like the shorter length, maybe 1" longer. I also agree with you the flouce sleeves are cute but not too practical. Cute tunic top.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little partial to the longer length myself -- it's a more streamlined look.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the other lori - I like the shorter length. The longer length cuts you in half, the shorter length in about thirds - which is more flattering, and makes you look taller. Just my $.02...
ReplyDeleteLove the top and might just take a closer look at the pattern based on your version.
Now this is really going to help...
ReplyDelete"little longer than the short version and a bit shorter than the long version"..So I guess that would be somewhere in between..
Great top on you...
I have the MCCall pattern, and your top inspires me to try it out.
I like the shorter one, it makes your legs look longer. Nice tunic! izzie
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shirt! I like the shorter version-better proportion.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the shorter length. And I like the sleeves - and how often do you have soup;) ?
ReplyDeleteI'm agreeing with the crowd... shorter length is better.
ReplyDeleteIt was an immediate reaction for me... I glanced at the photos and was drawn the shorter length first.
Longer has a slimming effect. I love this fabric! And full sleeves are lovely - at least in theory, when you don't have to do anything....
ReplyDeleteI like the longer length BUT only if you wear closed, higher heel shoes that match your pants. At the moment the longer length and open shoes is making your legs look short. As I know you like open shoes :-) go with a shorter length probbaly somewhere in between the two.
ReplyDeleteNice top btw!
I like the short length. Makes your legs look longer.
ReplyDeletelet me add to the confusion. I like the longer length. The shorter one cuts you in half.As someone 5' tall I know how this feels. I think you could wear it with capris (as opposed to those God awful tights that seem to be in fashion)and look sharp!
ReplyDeleteI like it, the sleeves look good to me. I would vote for a length somewhere between the short and long ones pictured.
ReplyDeleteI think the length should be somewhere between the 2 versions shown here. The shorter look reminds me of a maternity top and the long version looks like a mini dress. Somewhere between the 2 would be just right and slims you down. I love the details of the pleats and think it would look lovely with some dark brown pants and a high heel shoe.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I vote in-between BUT I think because on the short version, the hem "flounces" out a bit....that's why. I know it's your pinning. Maybe if it would lie flatter, the short version would look good.
ReplyDeleteI think the top looks good on you, its not what you normally wear (and we all get tired of wearing what we normally wear) but I think the pants really detract from making the top length decision.
ReplyDeleteTry on a lighter coloured pair of pants so you dont get the chopped in 1/2 look. I think you will then know how long the top should be.
2.5 times for the sleeves is a lot. Perhaps 2 times and a little shorter would work. I think it would be more than just dipping them in the soup!
Funny - I just bought a linen blouse in nearly the same design (the sleeves exactly) The top is more a tunic style top though.
The width of the sleeve at the end is 43cm, the width of the sleeve extension where it joins the sleeve is 55cm. Because it is linen they have used a wide hem - 5cm and the width of the sleeve extension here is again 43cm. You can see from those measurements what they have done to combat the soup effect.
Love reading your posts!
Long, definitely. I think it's more slimming. It may feel like a dress because you're not used to wearing long tops, but tunic length is in these days.
ReplyDeleteI first thought the shorter one, but then changed my mind as I looked closer. The longer one gives a bit more weight to the pleats, and stops the pleats from poofing out, but the length in the picture is just a titch too long. Somewhere in between, but closer to long, I think.
ReplyDeleteObviously I have been lurking here a LOT! Had to buy this OTTOBRE mag so I could have this pattern and now you have given me MORE ideas to do!
ReplyDeleteI vote for the long version. I think it is visually slimming plus I think it would be a shame to cut off any more of the "loose pleats" than necessary. I think they also create a nice vertical line and the top looks "current" as a "tunic". I would try to give it a weighty him though so it hangs nice and slim. Great job, BTW--as usual. How do you like that 1" binder? I think I bought one from Sharp for DD's swimsuit top bands. Maybe i will have to play with it more--is that actually ribbing you used for the neck binding?
great finish, not maternity at all.
ReplyDeleteShorter is better, but maybe a little longer than the short photo...however the pinning effect may just be the bit it needs to be perfect.
ML
I vote for the longer version, no question. I think the shorter version distorts the proportions of the tunic completely. I think you look grat in both lenghts, but the tunic benefits from the longer.
ReplyDeleteFantastic sewing/modeling again, very inspiring!
ReplyDeleteDefinitly the longer version, when You have the pleats! With other color/maybe also length of pants like others have suggested, also. The short version is easily like a flapping apron..
Thank You for sharing so much of Your sewing knowledge.
Shorter is definitelybetter.
ReplyDeletePerhaps a tad bit longer than it is.
Debbie - can I be contrary and real? I would add some more brown to the top to give definition to the pattern...maybe add some of the brown from the neckline at the sleeve and the hemline...IMHO it would balance the print out. Now you are free to ignore my suggestion especially if YOU LIKE the top the way it is...but that was the first thing I noticed when I looked at your top...not the length! Hope I didn't offend...
ReplyDeleteOne more...I made a top from this fabric also and I added a brown ruffle to the neckline...since mine doesn't have sleeves and I wear it over brown bottom pieces...I shortened it so that the print was contained. Yeah, I know, more than you wanted to know right?!
ReplyDeleteNeed more opinions?? LOL! They're already all over the chart. But since my bum & tum look pretty much just like yours I thought I'd pitch in too! Plus I know you're dying to know what I think. ;)
ReplyDeleteI like the longer length, and I rarely wear tunic length too. But I think the pleats lay (lie?) better in the longer length, eliminating the maternity-ish feeling. The longer length is also visually more slimming in the photos you took, although your legs DO look longer in the shorter top. But I still vote long (with lighter bottoms.)
angie
Have you thought about curving the bottom edge, so that it's a few inches higher on the sides? The longer length looks really great--it's very slimming and flowing. I've learned from personal experience that curving the hemline really diminishes apparent length of the hem, while an even hem makes it look longer. Doing it with the curved edge would give you both the long and short look.
ReplyDeleteAlso, either you or cmarie were ordering this fabric at the same time as I was, because I entered it in my cart when they had several yards left but when I tried to complete my order, it was sold out. But it looks great on you!