Starting with the instructions, there is a heap of extra fitting solutions and tips along the way. Some of it was handy, but it also meant a lot more adjustable lines over the pattern. One of the most helpful tips was to make sure you mark every little dot and square - miss one and your gathers are shot!
The collar is meant to be gathered, but I felt that the gathering was very thick and bulky on the back of my neck. So quickly pulled out the gathering stitches (luckily basted in) and folded 2 pleats instead - much more wearable ...
And I used my new Coverpro for the first time on the hem - impressed myself at just how easy it was ...
This now makes top #2 in Faye's 2013 Essential Top Sew-A-Long Challenge ...
... and garment #1 in Vita and Natalea's Sew Your Own Wardrobe for a Year Challenge ...
On a side note, have you ever seen the Manufactures/Maker's mark so far in from the selvedge? This one was over 8cm (3inches) - it was a huge waste of fabric down one side ... maybe I need to be more observant when I go fabric shopping ... J
Hi Judith - yes, the meterage is a lot for one top - presume it was 150 wide. It certainly looks lovely - but very fiddly as well. Looks beautiful. What blend of fibre is it, and where do you get the fabric?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah! It was 150cm wide - the entire front is made from 2 panels. The fabric is a single knit fabric, with a silky/slinky feel to it. And of all places, I picked it up from Bargain Box Fabrics, Capalaba. From a little research, Valance Fabrics is an Aussie Wholesaler, so I would say that this is probably leftover stock from last season ... J
DeleteGreat blouse.. Love the fabric.. I have never seen the fabric marked so far over. I totally agree, a waste of fabric..[I will be doing a watch out for this, thanks for sharing.]
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty top and what you went through to have it! cannot believe the makers mark is so far in, you must have been so chagrined. Good idea with the neck pleats, I'll remember that, am fussy about how things feel - seems you are as well!
ReplyDeleteMust admit I'm a sucker for wrap tops and your top is gorgeous, Judith. Love the print, love the colour.
ReplyDeleteI love a good wrap top, and yours certainly looks a good one! The pleats at the back of the neck look much more wearable than gathers would have been.
ReplyDeleteIt's always decieving how much fabric these type of garments take, isn't it? Once you get gathers and wrap overs you end up with huge oddly shaped pattern pieces, that take huge amounts of fabric.
That's a very pretty wrap. The colors are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteYou are sincerely impressing me! I love this top as well. You have some beautiful knits. Are you a real knit lover like me! I grab a couple of pictures already. Every thing about this screams "I like it".
ReplyDeletelovely looking top - I agree with you on the manufacturer's label - such a waste of fabric.
ReplyDeleteWow, that print is sensational!! I love the wrap front too :) So annoying that the printers label was in such a terrible spot; don't think I've ever come across one THAT far in!
ReplyDeleteLovely top and the colours are beautiful. I, too, agree that the manufacturer's label wasted a lot of fabric.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely top! I've never seen a label that far up, I wonder if it was a printing mistake.
ReplyDeleteJudith, the print is wonderful! I really love it. Great job. I bypassed the pattern the last time I looked at it, but you've done a great job!
ReplyDeleteGreat top - LOVE that fabric and I think it is a great match to the pattern with it's diagonal "stripes?" - and to think you got it from the bargain bin. Love the changes you made to the pattern. Lovely top.
ReplyDeleteAS I am so longing for spring, I forget that you are getting ready for winter on the opposite side of the equator. Lovely top.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous top with beautiful colours in the fabric. I like the wrap tops for cooler weather, those 2 layers come in handy!
ReplyDeleteHow annoying about the printer's mark. I haven't seen it so far from the selvage before either.
What a gorgeous fabric - I think you made a great choice in your pattern selection. Perfect for if this weather starts to cool down.
ReplyDeleteVery nice top - and interesting to see the results of the Coverpro - I'm thinking it would make a great birthday present later this year from Mr. SDSC!
ReplyDeleteIt is also interesting seeing that you are moving towards Winter, and yet here in the Northern hemisphere, we are hoping to see some signs of Spring!
Nice top, especially like the collar feature, and lovely colours, very flattering shape. Ive never heard of Palmer/Pletsch patterns before.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking top! Strange selvedge. Have you ever tried clear elastic for shirring? It works really well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my little blog. Your post title threw me a bit. We are supposed (and I stress supposed) to be in Spring here in the states, but we have been averaging 40-50 degrees since the first day of spring. So I guess our spring/summer here is fall/winter for you.
ReplyDeleteI love the top and the fabric choice. Great job! Will be checking back with you to see how your projects are coming along.
Your top looks fantastic. It has some really nice details and the fabric you choose is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely top! Pretty fabric and beautifully made. I agree it takes quite a bit of fabric, not least when the selvage is marked so far in.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great top and I loooooove that print!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Pattern and fabric!
ReplyDeleteI really love this top! Very nice job!
ReplyDelete