It has taken me weeks to write this post. Most of it was written whilst at work in Wellington but I didn't have access to the pictures. Now the world has gone mad and it seems really strange to be posting pictures of us out and about enjoying our Sunday, showing off my recent make and mingling in a public place with strangers.
I have been home nine days now and so far haven't left the house. My beloved is being our designated grocery shopper whilst I am chained to my laptop and phone. It seems frivolous to be blogging but I need the light relief and really hope to become reacquainted with my sewing machine over the weekend.
I have been home nine days now and so far haven't left the house. My beloved is being our designated grocery shopper whilst I am chained to my laptop and phone. It seems frivolous to be blogging but I need the light relief and really hope to become reacquainted with my sewing machine over the weekend.
The finished garment
This top is just long enough to be worn on its own even though I made it to wear as a topper over a plain dress (the Twirling Rebecca Taylor dress). Here it is worn on a sunny Sunday for a trip to the Oxford farmers market with a pair of Kate Sylvester Admiral flared trousers and Camper Twins red orange sandals.
It may be a simple top but I really love it and it has been worn often over the last couple of months since making it.
On a less sunny Sunday but also at the Oxford farmers market here is the top being worn over the aforementioned Twirling Rebecca Taylor dress. It might not have been sunny but I still didn't manage to keep my eyes open for the photograph - must be the half asleep before coffee look.
It may be a simple top but I really love it and it has been worn often over the last couple of months since making it.
 |
| Just to give you an idea of the shape! |
On a less sunny Sunday but also at the Oxford farmers market here is the top being worn over the aforementioned Twirling Rebecca Taylor dress. It might not have been sunny but I still didn't manage to keep my eyes open for the photograph - must be the half asleep before coffee look.
The fabric
This fabric was a pre-Christmas purchase from Gorgeous Fabrics. Ann describes this fabric as "a perfect addition to your spring wardrobe! It's an open weave in a beautiful drapey fabrication, with little birds flying all over it, and it is simply GORGEOUS! This will work wonderfully for a chic topper."
And surprise surprise I used it for a chic topper! The simple design of the pattern used really allows this fabric to shine and it does truly deserve the spotlight.
And surprise surprise I used it for a chic topper! The simple design of the pattern used really allows this fabric to shine and it does truly deserve the spotlight.
The pattern
The Sheer Top and Vest is from Sew Different a UK based pattern company. At this stage I have only made the Sheer top, but do have both the top and vest cut out in a linen fabric. The designer was inspired to create this pattern in 2015 by the sheer clothing seen in RTW so once again I am right up there on the cutting edge of fashion.
This is a free PDF pattern and much as I hate sticking PDF patterns together I worked through my dislike for this free pattern. This is not a user friendly PDF pattern to construct. There are tiny crop marks in the corner of some pages which I drew a line between in order to have a straight line to cut along. As I couldn't be bothered to do this for all seventeen pages I cut multiple pages at a time, which sacrificed a bit of accuracy. For a free pattern I shouldn't complain about this minor irritation but if I had paid for the pattern I would have been extremely disappointed.
The pattern is a single size UK 12 with no seam allowance. There is enough white space between the pattern pieces to add seam allowance.
The pattern alterations
For the Sheer top the alterations were minimal. The size 12 was fine size wise so I made a forward shoulder adjustment and used my French curve to provide more side seam shaping curving back to the original side seam at the hem. The fabric I used was a non-stretch woven so I tapered the sleeve more gently from the top of the sleeve to the wrist to give a wider sleeve hem. The top of the sleeve is fine in a non-stretch fabric without alteration. As the sleeves were too long on the finished top I removed 1½" and also made this change to the pattern piece.
Once I had sewn the top and worn it for a day the front neck edge was lowered by 1". I have also now made separate front and back top pattern pieces to include the forward shoulder adjustment and the neck edge changes. In the new pattern pieces the neck edge is brought in 1" at the shoulder as well as being lowered 1" at centre front.
The sewing
The sewing instructions are printed on the pattern pieces but because of the shaping alterations I made to the side seam some of them were chopped off. This is such a simple top that instructions aren't really needed. This top came together quickly on the overlocker, with the sewing machine only used for the hems. Even the neck edge was just turned over ⅜" and stitched down.
Outfit of the day
On the way back from Oxford we took some photos in Darfield. There was no-one else around as I played. What I really wanted was a swing but there isn't one at the Tussock Square playground.
