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Wednesday 8 February 2012

Stashbusting by The Four Tops

(That so should have been an album title!)

After an involved project like a jacket it's nice to make something quick and easy so I pulled out some smallish pieces of knit fabric from a stash and found some patterns that I had already traced and made a top.  And then made some more!  These were all very fast and very simple so I am bunging them altogether in one bumper post - forgive the night time mannequin shots.  I will get around to modelling all these for you soon.

1) Burda Style magazine 11/2011 - 114





In my year end tidy up I found that I had lost the instructions for this one because they were in the photo portion of the magazine which I no longer keep after a year.  It was easy to figure out though.  I made my usual size 38 but needed to unpick the side seams a bit on this one as I found that the wrap was a bit sad and droopy looking.  Maybe it depends on the fabric - mine is a very soft drapy khaki cotton jersey.  I experimented a bit and pulled the top of the side seam out a bit as shown below.  I love the double layer front on this top and the shoulder / back design.

Droopy look before adjustment

The back - there is no shoulder seam, the fronts wrap over the back

The adjustment I made to each side seam

The finished top after adjusting.


 2) Burda Style magazine 05/2004 - 111
I'm sure I will get sick of twist tops one day, but not yet.  This was very quick and easy, but the pattern has cut on sleeves so you need wide fabric to make the pattern properly.  I was working with leftovers of a grey jersey so I cut the sleeves as long as I could and added a doubled over band cut from scraps.  It still only has 3/4 length sleeves but I quite like it.  I sewed up the gaps left around the twist after making it and stitched further up the centre front seam as I found it a bit revealing as it was.





3) Jalie 2804 Empire Crossover top
I'm sorry to say this one has been cut out for at least a year, probably 2!  When I finally got around to sewing it up on my serger it too no more than an hour so I don't know why I left it so long.  I have a co-ordinating cotton print from which I plan to make a matching skirt, hopefully in less time than I got round to the top.




4) Patrones issue 300 #29
This is a loose fitting cowl neck top, here made up in a sheer, almost mesh, butterfly print.  The side and shoulders are stitched with french seams and the hems are just left unfinished so this really was a speedy make.  Of course I will need to wear a cami or something underneath it, but because it is sheer it doesn't always need to be worn with a belt as loose tops often do on me - I just thought it worked with this obi belt I already own.






26 comments:

  1. A nice set of tops! That is so interesting that you throw the photo portion of the magazine away after one year!

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  2. Ditto Shams, lovely tops and tres interesting that you throw out the magazines keeping only the patterns. I live in an apartment too, so understand, but would find this hard to do. Good idea though!

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  3. Nice tops! You have been busy.

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  4. That's seriously productive. I particularly like the last one with the butterfly fabric.

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  5. Love these tops! I want to make the twist top for a long time already, just need to designate proper fabric to it! Love that you made it and I can see the result!

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  6. They are all good! I particularly like the twist top. Throwing away the glossy photo part of the magazines is a good idea. It would definitely cut down on storage space.

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  7. great tops! the one in the first photo has been on my to do list for ages. I'll be marking your adjustment into my project log, thanks!

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  8. These are all great tops.

    I've been dithering about the first one, but perhaps I should make it after all.
    Its great to see the twist top. I made this too, ages ago and it really is a lovely top. Like you, my fabric wasn't wide enough for full length sleeves...

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  9. Nice tops! They are all interesting and different.

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  10. In normal circumstances your lovely tops would be quite involved sewing but after seeing your perfectly fitting jacket I can see why you labelled these tops quick and easy - as always your sewing is very inspiring.

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  11. Your collection of tops makes quite an impact! I am in the midst of searching for a knit top pattern that I can make repeatedly and your post was especially timely for my needs. Thanks for your post and I really like each top!

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  12. Lovely tops and inspiring me to try a burda top.

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  13. What great wardrobe builders and what a sense of accomplishment it must be to finish such great tops so quickly! They are all lovely!

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  14. I've cut out that same Burda 11/2011 114 top and worried about it a little because there have been some mixed reviews on PR, but I'll keep your alteration in mind. All your makes look great!

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  15. Smart sewing! I know just what you mean about needing quick win projects now and then. I love each one, and the fact that they are all different.
    I covet the 2nd one but my BWOF issues don't go that far back. I need to stalk EBay for a copy.

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  16. Wow that's a great looking set of tops!

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  17. I love all of these tops. I agree sometimes you just want a quick project with instant results.

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  18. I love each one more than the last. Lovely work!

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  19. wow, beautiful works. all your tops inspired me to make a quick project, since i dont have that much time to sew after having a baby. these is so great!!

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  20. Glad to see a review of Burda 11-2011 - 114. I would really like to make it but feared that it would be a bit too complicated (the instructions are rather daunting!).

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  21. I love each of your new tops. Especially like the twist top and the mock wrap. I have a store bought khaki coloured mock wrap that I have worn and worn. So versatile.

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  22. These are great, and each a different design. Thanks for making that 2004 twist top. I have been meaning to make it for years, and you reminded me!

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  23. Fabulous! You are so productive. Especially love that butterfly cowl, the obi really is perfect for it.

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  24. Very prolific! Sometimes it is so nice to make 'easy' projects.
    Well done.

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  25. Fabulous tops. The first two are my favorites. Love the draping details

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  26. You have a great eye for flattering tops and lovely fabric.

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