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Sunday 22 February 2009

BWOF 02/2009 - 129 top

Hooray, internet access has been restored!  Trena commented that she would get more sewing done without the internet and I would have thought so too, but I actually found the opposite to be true - I need the inspiration and motivation that I get from the web to get me into my sewing room.

However I did finish the top so without further ado, here it is;

















You may notice that I ended up changing the neck and sleeve treatment from the earlier photos. This was because I had indeed not followed the directions properly and also I had a big problem with my shirring elastic which shredded. I don't know if this was because it was poor quality or if I zig zagged too close to the elastic, but I decided make a casing for some narrow elastic instead which solved both problems and didn't interfere with the overall look of the top.

Here is how you are supposed to do the neckline in case it's confusing (it's easy if you actually read the full instructions, unlike me!)  The instructions tell you to neaten the neck and sleeve edges with closely spaced zig zag stitching and refers you to style 123. I skipped flipping to style 123 (it annoys me when they do that to save 2 lines of type) and just neatened the raw edges with my serger, applied the shirring elastic on the indicated lines and then realised that turning the seam allowance created a wavy mess. If you go to style 123 it says you should neaten the raw edges with closely spaced zigzag, then turn the seam allowance and zig zag again close to the fold then trim which presumably cuts off the neat edge you just made. ?? Then you would also have your two rows of zigzag stitching to attach the shirring elastic. I would experiment with your fabric and see what finish you prefer, like I did here;

Other than that I made no changes, except sizewise I found for me that the given finished width of the neck was too big and the sleeves to small so definitely check the fit before you finish the elastic.

Next I am going to make a simple skirt to coordinate (I know, astonishing for me isn't it!) with this top in this borderprint sheer fabric.

27 comments:

  1. I've been a lurker to your blog long enough so decided to say Hi and say I love all of your sewing projects. Loving that shirt WOW great job so cute. Keep up the great work will totally have to stop lurking.:)

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  2. Well! This top is my favorite from that issue, but I've been thinking I was going to have problems with those ruffles/elastic details. But now you've gone and solved my problem! I'll just copy your method instead. So, thanks! VERY cute top, too.

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  3. Very cute top, I like the neckline.

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  4. Absolutely lovely!

    Pam ~Off The Cuff~

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  5. Wow, that silk looks great in this style :)

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  6. Well now i have to trace this. :D Beautiful little top!

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  7. Oh. Man. I like that. I thought I was over wraps of any sort. But, apparently not.

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  8. Your top looks great --- thank you for the hints re: the elastic. Now I need to find time to make this one too!

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  9. Very cute. I was wondering about that elastic at the edges, and thought if I made it I would do the same thing you did. I think it looks just as good or better than the original.

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  10. Nice work....it looks so lovely...I think I'll go trace it for myself now!!!

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  11. I love your top! In BWOF I thought it looked too romantic/ruffly/cute, but you chose the perfect color, and now it looks really sophisticated.

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  12. I was trying to work out why I like your top so much more than BWOFs, and Uta has done it for me, it is the fabulous grown up colour contrasting with the feminine sleeves and bow. I love it.

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  13. Nice top! I really like this pattern but I doubt I'll ever get around to sewing it so it's nice to live through someone else. Yay for the internet. :)

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  14. Very cute top. It was one of the patterns that caught my eye in this issue of BWOF. I am looking forward to seeing it with the skirt you are planning to make (neat fabric!)

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  15. Allison - you are not alone with missing the internet. I am inspired by other sewists and not having that inspiration stymies me...so I totally understand.

    The new top is great and will look amazing with the skirt...cause I'm loving that fabric!!!

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  16. Alison,
    That is a really cute top! You should post a photo of you wearing both it and the skirt together when the skirt is finished.
    I like how you post pics of the different stages of construction along with your thoughts and ideas along the way.
    Happy Sewing!
    June

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  17. Very nice top. Looking forward to seeing the whole outfit:)

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  18. I think I’m officially in love with this pattern (I’m so making this top for spring)! It looks fantastic!

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  19. So cute! I like your elastic treatment. I wasn't wild about the idea of using shirring elastic. When I get around to this, I'll make casings as well.

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  20. Loving it! Nice work; great fabric.

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  21. Beautiful ! I just traced this pattern and I'll make sure not to skip refering to #123.

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  22. I love this top. Unfortunately, the latest issue of BWOF available in Australia is 11/08. Can't wait to get my hands on this one!

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  23. What a beautiful top, bravo!

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  24. This is just so cute and I think the fabric for the skirt will make for a great outfit!

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