I’ve used two lengths of silk from my stash for a couple of new tops for late summer wear. The first is a silk chiffon, but it’s a bit more opaque than chiffon. The lack of weight to the fabric makes this floatier than the second version, if there is such a thing. (Spell check says no, there is no such thing.)
The second is a lovely silk crepe – exactly what the pattern calls for – and the drape of it justifies the fabric suggestion on the back of the envelope.
This pattern has been sewn, reviewed and posted about hundreds of times in SewingBlogLand, so I have nothing really new to say about it except for the following:
This top can be squeezed out of as little as 1.2m of 140cm wide fabric, which is less than what the envelope recommends. Speaking of which, when I learned to sew using Vogue patterns, I was taught to always purchase a little less than what the pattern envelope recommended in order to avoid having small almost-useless leftover lengths of 10 or 15 cm (instead of cutting scraps). I don’t follow that advice anymore, for some reason, but I can manage to finagle garments out of shorter lengths than what the patterns call for, pattern matching excepted, of course. Do you do this, too? I must admit it sometimes make a project more work, more involved, more mentally challenging (exhausting?) that it need be. Sometimes I wish I just had enough fabric to lay out the pattern pieces without trying to make it a perfectly-fitted puzzle, eking it out of whatever I have decided should work. On the other hand, it is very satisfying to use up an entire length of goods.
Anyway, these two tops have several adjustments:
- Centre front has been raised 4 cm
- Each of the seam allowances under the arms have been taken in by 1.5cm.
- The front has been shortened by 2.5cm in length, along the hem, grading to nothing at the side seams.
Also, for reference, the lower centre front panels (triangles, really) of the green top have not been cut on the correct bias grain, in order to maintain as much of the horizontal dashy design of the fabric. I had cut it out as instructed, but the bias grain looked completely absurd with the fabric’s design. I’ll spare you the photos. Here’s the amended, altered version. Truth be told, I was quite displeased when I took photos of this top the other day, so I dismantled the centre bottom panels, turned them around and put it back together so the fabric’s green dashes were more or less running horizontally.
Each of the necklines has been finished by hand because I feel like I have more control over the outcome than with a machine, as carefully as I know I am capable of stitching. Besides, it’s good practice. 🙂
The pink top’s understitching along the neckline was also done by hand because I just felt like sitting at my sewing table quietly stitching by hand.
Both hems have been hand rolled.
Honestly, every time I try to do a narrow hem on a silk top with the machine I hate how stiff it feels, so I just do them by hand now and don’t bother with machine stitching.
Both these tops have seen a lot of wear over the last few weeks. They’re comfortable and a nice alternative to a T-shirt. And I love how they’ve been made from roll ends I’ve collected over the years.
Are you making up anything from little ‘ends’ in your fabric collection?
Mezzo Couture 
Gorgeous sewing – I love the hand sewn details and agree – it makes the end result softer and more flowy (another important sewing reference/comparison term that should be added to spell check!). I often lament that so much of the act of sewing is not sewing, so like you – love an opportunity to increase the actual sewing time by hand sewing!
This is such a gorgeous pattern – I’ve made it up in charmeuse, and would love to do it again some day. Even though I raised that front seam, it wasn’t enough and I need to wear a singlet underneath my version. I love the idea of making this in a fluttery chiffon.
Looking at the green fabric’s pattern – I would have taken out those bias panels as well!
Floatier is definitely a word. At least in my world. Your tops are lovely!
Beautiful tops and the fabrics are lovely on you! I can certainly relate to the habit of making projects longer and more complicated than probably necessary. It happens to me with almost every project! I thought I was the only one! Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone!
Lovely! I will have to give this top another go sometime. My first was a stiffer cotton voile, and it was too floaty away from the body, never tried again. I love the hand work! I prefer to calm it brings me, though I have yet to do a hand rolled hem…
Both lovely tops. I think I’m one of the few sewers on the planet not to buy that pattern 😉
Haha 😄 There have been several patterns over the years that ‘everyone’ makes and I never purchase the pattern! Good to know I’m not the only one that doesn’t jump on all the bandwagons.
I’ve owned this pattern for years and never yet made the top. Think I shall have to! Yours look lovely.
I often buy a little extra fabric because I worry my length additions will make me run out. And then end up with small bits left over. I’m vaguely planning to make a patchwork dressing gown out of those.
Thank you! Your patchwork dressing gown sounds lovely.
These are so pretty, I especially love the pink. My “new” summer clothes were made from odds and ends ai’d been keeping, except for the skirt and blouse I used that was a Christmas gift. Some of those remnants were 15 years old! I am always trying to use less fabric when I cut, it is usually a fun puzzle. 🙂