This is a top I sewed up over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend. I used McCalls 9458, which I used for my Claire blouse, and an off cut of cotton shirting from a shirt dress I made last year.
I only had 60cm of the fabric but as it was extra wide, I was able to fit the pieces on horizontally and have a horizontally striped top. I made bias tape for the neckline and armholes, and really like the contrast of the stripe directions.
This was intended as a quick and cheap project to use up stash fabric and to test the pattern again before I break out the Liberty Tana Lawn. It ticked the boxes for 'quick and cheap' but like an idiot, I didn't make the one change I wanted to test out, which was to shorten the bust darts by 1.5". Although I had drawn the alteration on my pattern piece, I still managed to use the marks from last time by mistake. Garrrrhhhhh....
I also think I might need to adjust for a narrow upper chest, as the centre front above the bust is a bit loose and gape-y at the centre front. Can you have a narrow upper chest and wide shoulders? I think I do.
Sorry for the rubbish photos, it was a dull early evening after a rainy day, which also explains my unruly hair.
K x
I love the contrast of the stripes around the neckline! Sorry you forgot the change you wanted to make. I always do that. Or I'll also say I'll remember something that I of course will not (especially with knitting).
ReplyDeleteI've been bad about commenting but your post on a sewing notebook really inspired me to finally start my own, since a random sticky note here and there was not suitable. For my last project I cut out a swatch of fabric, stapled it to the page and wrote up lots of notes. Thanks for the inspiration, I know it's going to keep me on track much better!
So pleased to hear that! It's such a nice thing to look back on.
DeleteThis is superb! I love your fabric and the binding. Just lovely.
ReplyDeleteLove love love ! I am loving the binding too and want to incorporate that into some makes soon rather than facings. Excellent work ! xx
ReplyDeleteThis is really cute! It makes sense that you could have wide shoulders but a narrow chest since you're pretty slim. I wonder what would happen if you cut out a size smaller?
ReplyDeleteStripe binding on the bias is the best, so fun to see the interaction with the body of the work.
ReplyDeletehugs
This is going to be so useful & you look fab in it - the bias is darling!! Hoorah for a weekend make - sometimes we need to whip something up & go wear it. It's lovely, & in terms of other potential alterations - sorry I'm no use!
ReplyDeleteI love how darts manipulate stripes in a bodice like this. Combined with the bias binding, it's really a stunning look for a simple shape.
ReplyDeleteBravo lady! The bias binding really makes the top.
ReplyDeleteI'm not too sure on the narrow chest/wide shoulders question. I'll have to follow up to see if any other commenters offer up suggestions. Have a great weekend!
Yay for stripes! Maybe the looseness at the chest just needs a sba? Gosh I don't know.. this fitting stuff drives me bonkers! lol.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your fab top :)
Yep, I might try a sba - I find fitting really challenging too!
DeleteI love self fabric bias binding - it looks great on this top!
ReplyDeleteI don't think it needs a sba, as the fit across the chest is actually ok, it is the area above it (feel a little weird paying all this attention to your chest!!) Wywhy don't you try cutting a smaller size with and FBA instead?? Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz, that's an interesting idea that might just work! I'll definitely be revisiting the pattern again in the effort to perfect it.
Delete