You can never have...

...too many tops! I seem to be in a sewing rut of late, top-of-the-tops type of rut - am I able to actually sew anything but blouses, tops and shirts???? Can't quite remember back to my pre-top days of yesteryear, but I do love a new top. Now I am not crazily into the quick and easy tops, though in saying that the Sorbetto did fall into that category.

And I have been known to actually enjoy sewing plackets full of button holes and buttons, with collars coming a close second.

But my wardrobe needs to now make room for it's latest boarder - Simplicity 1886 - yes, a top pattern! A Misses' top with trim variations - go to town on that description!!!

Now I did the usual PR pre-check as to how everyone went with this pattern, and only 2 others have given it a go - I am sure I have had it in my stash for a fair time. Anyway, talk of 'difficulty with the flounce', joined with problems with the 'outlandish facings', did nothing to deter me from giving it a go myself.

The verdict - I love it! No problems with the flounce or facings (though the scissors and bin were on standby if needed), a very wearable top was produced.  

So, down to the nitty-gritty details. Firstly, the fabric is left over from my recent shirt. View F was made, the one with a flouncy bit on one shoulder and partway down the front. All good in the making, but I could offer one piece of advice to others. The front has a small spilt in the top, closed with a button. Simplicity has you cut the loop closure from a minuscule piece of fabric 6cm x 2.5cm, fold it in half lengthwise, then sew a scant 6mm seam to enclose the casing - forget it! After the machine chews it up, try cutting a larger piece, sewing it up, and cutting it down to size - much less stress involved!!!

Simplicity also has you constructing a small narrow hem on the flounce - I opted for a rolled hem. Again, the stress-less variation. 






And again, must be something with the patterns I am choosing lately, the back is only saved from being a huge yawn by the fabric itself...

The basic shell of this pattern is great, and I will be trying a few more. The only downside that I can see is that due to the flouncy detail on shoulder, this top won't be so wearable under a jacket for layering - relegated to the 'summer only' part of the wardrobe. I can live with that!

I think I have given the top half of my body enough clothing to last a few weeks, and realised that the bottom half has been neglected. My confidence this year in whipping up a top, be it a knit, cotton, pullover, or shirt has strengthened. So now I am moving onto skirts. Yes, looking at updating the lower half of the wardrobe. Starting off tomorrow will be Simplicity 2475.
More fitted than ones of the past, plain'ish from the front - but the back has 2 kick pleats to add interest. Fingers crossed as I move from collars and buttonholes, to invisible zippers and linings...

Pinterest motivation...

During the past winter I made up Simplicity 3790 twice ( here ) both with the cowl neckline. So for a change of pace, and flowing along with the  change in seasons, I thought a different view would be good - enter View E. View E is the short sleeved version, with a bodice instead of a cowl neck. 

This time my motivation came from this cute little top I found on Pinterest (aahhh, that's where my time is disappearing to lately!!!) Lucinda Poel has some really creative pins, and this was one of them...

Basically this top of Lucinda's is Simplicity 3790, minus the sleeves. So I fiddled and chopped the bodice piece (not the original) until I was happy, and used up a bit of spare fabric from the shelves.

Front, closeup and the sleeve/bodice detail...

And the best exciting view of all....the back...couldn't get much more exciting than that!!!

I wanted to try this change on the top, but have a feeling it is a bit on the frumpy side of things. So will give it give it a go at work this week, teamed with a pair of black pants (just soooo exciting), then decide if it is a winner stylewise or not. But definitely will be making more as the fit is fine...off to hem one more shirt...

When is a twist not a twist???

When it is described as a 'lapped front', of course! Which is exactly what Butterick 5484 is, though the line drawing does give the impression of it being a twist, not a lap ... obviously I chose a pattern here with my eyes closed, as I was expecting a twisty front...

Not to worry, the lapped front worked out well anyway. Not a bad pattern to whip up, and end result is on par with any of the current RTW tops found currently at the shops...

Talk about a quick top! Only 2 pattern pieces (front and back) to produce this, in about 1 hour from start to finish. And the next time will be even quicker, I'm sure. I used a belt buckle, and just nipped off the prong. But there isn't a huge exciting range of buckles out there in the shops! I do think my buckle gets lost a tad in amongst all the other circles...

The shoulder detail is pleated which gives fall nicely towards the buckle. I did top-stitch down a few centimetres on each pleat just to hold them in place...

The back is plain, with a centre seam which is great for tweaking at fitting...

I will be making a few more of these over the coming months for work, as it is just soooo easy to make, and wear....

Just tell me when to smile...