This `simple ` top only took 6 months - that is three different patterns, four toiles , goodness knows how many trial sleeves and lots ( and lots ) of adjustments to get the final finished product.
I feel almost embarrassed to say all of the above.
The problem ( well two problems) was that the top was for my daughter and we bought the lace in Paris so I have never felt so nervous before in sewing anything - ever .
My daughter is quite petite - the top she wanted me to base this lace on was only size 4 ! None of my patterns get close so I looked at every pattern company and could not find anything suitable. I traced off an old Burda magazine pattern from 2004 and even a Top Kids pattern but for some reason they did not suit .
I settled on New Look 6356- a very basic top pattern and started the long , seemingly never ending fitting process.
In the end I had to take out several cms from the back, fix a gaping neckline, raise the bust darts several cms and work out how to stop the `sleeves that bind` .
Do you know how hard it is to coordinate getting a teenager to try on toiles with a mother who can be bothered to then analyze the fitting problems ? In the meantime while you are doing this my youngest DD has the affrontery to keep on growing so your toiles are then getting too small .
However in the end I did it. I don`t think this top is perfect but we are both pretty happy ( and relieved ) with it.
Cutting and sewing the actual lace was easier than I thought after all the toiles.
I sewed the sides and shoulders with french seams but just sewed the back seam and sleeves the` usual` way. I pondered how to finish the back/armscye seams and in the end thought it was just all getting crazy so just overlocked the edges.We had decided to not line the lace because she has a few matching camisoles.
The final act of madness was to make my own bias binding out of some satin charmeuse which I finished both the neckline and sleeve hems with .
And now guess what. I have to do it all over again for my middle daughter with fabric we bought in Tokyo !
( I know I know - I can`t complain )
Cheers Janine.
What a pretty top - after all that effort of multiple toiles and playing catch up. The binding must have been very slippery to attach and finish - I do not envy you that! It fits her so nicely - lets hope she gets some wear from it.
ReplyDeleteI love your earth wall - makes a lovely backdrop for the colours and texture of this top.
A lovely top - your daughter is lucky to have you make all of those trials to get it perfect. Lovely fabric.
ReplyDeleteAs frustrating as the process must have been, the results are lovely!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! She looks terrific in her new tee.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteA lovely top and so much effort put into it.
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