If you remember a few posts ago, I showed you the skinny, cropped leg pants I sewed in a white stretch denim. Well, I finally found a day to sew this comfy top to go with them. This top is definitely a draft and Made in a Day project. (PS That's fragrant star jasmine in the background.)
The fabric I choose was a Nicole Miller colorful knit. I just loved the colors and the bold summery pattern.
It was is a 2-way stretch knit - meaning it stretches both horizontally and vertically.
To test the stretch of the knit, pick up 10" and stretch comfortably. The first photo shows 10" from 'pinch to pinch' in a horizontal (crosswise) direction. The second photo shows it stretching easily to 13". This qualifies as a Limited to Moderate stretch knit. Therefore I sized my pattern down 1 dot.
This fabric also has vertical stretch. See both the following photos where you can see that I'm now doing the stretch test parallel to the selvage (meaning vertical stretch). 10" stretches comfortably to 14". So this means I sized down 1 measurement dot ALL THE WAY AROUND THE ENTIRE PATTERN.
Because the fabric was so stretchy, I definitely used fusible stay tape on the shoulder seams. You can see I used Emma Seabrooke's Stay Tape.
For the design of the top, I used a combination of the diagonal hem Tank Top (which you can find on this page - http://www.surefitdesigns.com/DigitalE-Goods.html ) and moved the bust dart down into the waist fitting dart as is shown for the High/Low Hemmed Swing Top which is on page 38 of the 6th edition Dress Kit Instruction book.
What I did differently? I scooped the neck only 2" at CF and I didn't add the extra flare at CF or the side seams of the High/Low Hemmed Swing Top. The sleeve is a slim, 3/4 length sleeve from the Dress Kit Sleeve for Stretchy/Knit fabrics.
And, in case you like the asymmetrical side seam lengths on my 5'4" tall body, the short side measures 16" long and the longer side measures 24" long finished.
The pattern was drawn and fabric cut out in the morning. The entire top was sewn in the afternoon. It really does qualify for a Made in a Day project.
Happy Sewing!
To test the stretch of the knit, pick up 10" and stretch comfortably. The first photo shows 10" from 'pinch to pinch' in a horizontal (crosswise) direction. The second photo shows it stretching easily to 13". This qualifies as a Limited to Moderate stretch knit. Therefore I sized my pattern down 1 dot.
Because the fabric was so stretchy, I definitely used fusible stay tape on the shoulder seams. You can see I used Emma Seabrooke's Stay Tape.
For the design of the top, I used a combination of the diagonal hem Tank Top (which you can find on this page - http://www.surefitdesigns.com/DigitalE-Goods.html ) and moved the bust dart down into the waist fitting dart as is shown for the High/Low Hemmed Swing Top which is on page 38 of the 6th edition Dress Kit Instruction book.
The pattern was drawn and fabric cut out in the morning. The entire top was sewn in the afternoon. It really does qualify for a Made in a Day project.
A really cute outfit!
ReplyDeleteThank you...it was fun to design and sew.
DeleteSo pretty and the fabric is gorgeous! Thanks for including the length of each side. I'm also 5'4 so I may be able to use that info!!
ReplyDeleteI loved the fabric and it's so comfy on. Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Very pretty summery fabric. Did you make it smaller because of the stretch? Thanks Helen O'Harae
ReplyDeleteYes I did size down - 1 measurement dot all the way around.
DeleteGlenda, I am biggest fan of your unique creation and this time also you did something great. Thanks for sharing this beautiful summer top with us. I loved it most.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Margarita
http://www.margaritasport.com/
Thank you so much Margarita - I really appreciate your comments.
DeleteGlenda, Great looking top. I am a size 46 bust I am afraid if I put all that fulness into the top it will be billowing around all the time. How much fulness is needed to look soft? thank you
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this top. Even though you are fuller in the bust, all the fullness is basically in the asymmetrical hem line. And if you choose a soft drapable fabric, it should hang nicely around your hip level and not visually increase the fullness of your bust. Yes, it might be billowy but soft fabric still should look nice. I guess you could always just move 1/2 dart bust dart down to the hem level and that would reduce the amount of fullness.
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