Vogue 8907 Top

Next up in the Italian collection is a draped asymmetric top from Vogue 8907.

I made view B, it was a bit experimental and I really didn't know how it would look on me so I used some cheap slinky jersey rather than cutting into my best silk.  The recommended fabrics for this top are charmeuse, crepe de chine and crepe so it is not designed for knits at all, but I think it works in a very fluid knit, silk jersey would probably be lovely.  The pattern does warn you that the wrong side of the fabric will show so a print is not the ideal thing, but in this pale colour I can get away with it.  I broke all the rules basically!

I cut a small (8-10) at the shoulders and neck merging to a medium (12-14) below the armholes.  (For reference I usually make a 12 in Vogue, but lately I have found the sizing a bit less consistent than it used to be).  It's quite loose fitting and I think needs to be worn with something narrow on the bottom half for the most flattering look.

But, other than the slightly low armhole I am pleased with how this turned out and it is so cool and comfortable to wear.  I might try View A next inspired by EricaB's fabulous version of it in blue silk.  Usually when I make statements like this on my blog they are doomed not to happen, but we'll see, it is a quick top to make and I like that it has a bit of drama.

The top looked mighty strange until I hemmed it, which catches the cape layer and tames it a bit, it does look a bit Superman until you do that stage so a bit of faith is needed!  Like Erica, I omitted the facings and bound the neck edge with a strip of fabric, the armholes are just serged and hemmed.

When it came to hemming this it became abundantly clear that my twin needles were all blunt and it turns out that they are not easy to find here now that Spotlight has closed it's doors.  Luckily my new (probably only!) HK sewing friend, Julie came to the rescue and gave me some of hers so I could redo the hem.  Thank you Julie for saving me & the Italians from this sorry mess....

So here I am wearing the top at one end of the very busy Ponte Vecchio, the oldest surviving bridge in Florence, still lined with jewellery shops as it has been for hundreds of years.  You can see the dome of the Il Duomo cathedral in the background.  One thing I loved about Florence was how easy it was to walk around, everything is pretty close together.