The simplest little top, and it took me 5 days to make it. Well, not really. It took me 4-1/2 days to start it. I just wasn't in the mood to sew over the weekend, but I did make the pattern alterations so that when I was finally ready yesterday, it took about an hour.
After I decided on the pattern, I then realized that the size range in the envelope (20W-28W) was too big for me for the top. Figures, right? Well, I took the easy way out and kept the alterations simple. There are center front and center back seams so I just cut off 3/8" from those cutting lines (which equates to about 3/4" off each front and back) so the neckline wouldn't swim on me or expose bra straps. Since this pattern is drafted for wovens and I was using a knit — low stretch, but still a knit — I figured that would compensate somewhat if I had chopped to much. Plus, I still have about 2 yards of this fabric so if it was a complete wadder, I could always start over.
I altered for my square shoulders as I cut out the tissue and I also made a 5/8" length tuck above the waist (below the dart on the front). That's it. I did not do a FBA and left the dart as-is. A quick holding-up of the tissue to me told me it was going to hit pretty close to the right spot and I was counting on the knit to provide any extra bust room needed.
It worked. (Early AM with bedhead and smeared mascara from yesterday. Lovely!)
What I did NOT measure was where the hem would hit in relation to the jacket. Oops. So I quickly cut and sewed a tie belt so I could blouse the top a little to make its hem shorter than the jacket.
On Zillie:
On me:
Under the open jacket (why does my head look so HUGE in this pic?):
Under the closed jacket. I went a little photo crazy this morning. ;-)
Here's the unaltered dart. Pretty good, right? I wish all tops were this easy.
There are neckline facings, which I understitched and also topstitched to keep those suckers in place. The armholes (on the right in the pic below) are just turned and coverstitched.
The single line of topstitching around the neckline continues down the center front seam, where it echos the twin rows of coverstitching elsewhere on the top.
The center back seam is also double topstitched to match the front.
I like how the neckline slit peeks out of the jacket.
Parting Shot: The Marine driving around on the flight deck in what looks like a toy truck. ;-) Unrelated, today is his annual gas chamber qualification. He went through the gas chamber at boot camp, where the drill instructors made sure to unseal their gas masks so they all got a nice big deep breath of the gas. His letter home after that said it was horrible but at the same time he felt "so macho" afterwards and wanted to do it again. Well, he's got his wish today.
I LOVE it!!!! Such a fantastic outfit! Plus it looks like it will be such great staple separates :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a great outfit on both you and Zillie! :)
ReplyDeleteYou look great! I think you have figured out what colors and styles work for you and don't mess with success! I always, always admire your skills.
ReplyDeleteMy Navy son's DI (drill instructor) in Boot Camp also added: "You will NOT throw up on my deck! If you do throw up on my deck you will be CLEANING my deck!" :)
ReplyDeleteThey were allowed to throw up outside ... after everyone had inhaled and exited the chamber.
And, yes, I heard that it was awful, but that he'd do it again ... just not right away. ;)
The top and the outfit are so good looking. I would rush to order the pattern after seeing your top but it is already living here with its pattern friends thankfully. mssewcrazy
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and versatile outfit
ReplyDeleteGreat ensemble! You did a beautiful job and it looks wonderful on you.
ReplyDeleteThe whole outfit has come together beautifully. I like the addition of the belt. Very flattering.
ReplyDeleteA great outfit for spring!
ReplyDeleteLooks lovely and I too like the belt -- in fact to my eye it looks more pulled together belted. You know, if you don't like the placement of the flowers on the jacket you could add a long chiffon scarf (worn open or loosely tied) in one of the darker colors of the print and no one would ever notice (not that they would anyway...)
ReplyDeleteJust my 2-cents.
Good work on the top, and the outfit. I like how the dart hits just right!
ReplyDeleteNice outfit! Very versatile. I can see each piece going with lots of other things. I like the "design feature" belt too. Happy accident.
ReplyDeleteSewing would be easy if all patterns were like your top. Sadly the reality is different. Sigh...
I really like this outfit. The colur is great on you, too. I love the way the slit peaks out of the jacket. Very stylish outfit.
ReplyDeletethe top & jacket look great together! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the outfit. Looks professional but still appropriate for your warm climate (said an Arizonan!). Having great skills means you know how to do great shortcuts when needed! I had to stop in to tell you!
ReplyDeleteGreat work. I think it looks so much better worn with the self tie belt. It defines and connects the skirt and top really well.
ReplyDeleteGreat outfit - it looks very pulled together and casually elegant. The colours are lovely and adding a belt to the top is an excellent inspiration.
ReplyDeleteGreat outfit. Love the neckline, you should make it in another colour too. I really liked the belting under the jacket when I looked at the first photo, before I discovered it was an afterthought - sometimes those 'design features' really pay off!
ReplyDeleteReally great outfit, the belt was the perfect solution.
ReplyDeleteNice little top. I like it belted. That is a cute outfit that will take you anywhere you want to go.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your weight loss! And all your recent outfits look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteNone of my business, but I don't understand why you and your ds should have to move, unless you're selling your house and both you AND your "dh" have to move.
BTW, what exactly is a gas chamber test? (was it?)
designdreamer
Very cute outfit! I adore it best with the tie, especially with the jacket open. Adds interesting layers and textures! Your topstitching looks really nice, too. :)
ReplyDeleteI really like this outfit. It's very well sewn and looks great on you.
ReplyDeleteGod bless your brave marine!
Lovely outfit, It is very flattering. I like the way the top's slit front looks when worn with a jacket with lapels. I'll hve to remember that combo when I am putting together styles for SWAPs or mini wardrobe.
ReplyDelete