It's such a cute pattern, and I really love the shoulder gussets. They are a great detail and they would really shine if they were colour blocked. There are also many fabulous stripey versions of this in blogland and on instagram; but, I never seem to find great stripey fabric myself.
Instead this is an Art Gallery knit called Orni Incandesence. The quality is top, but this fabric is pricey: £18 a metre in most places. I am rather a cheapskate and would normally only buy fabric at that price if I literally worshipped the design! So, I was very lucky to be given this fabric by a newbie quilter who had bought it not realising it was a stretchy jersey (as a thank you, I have given her a great book on getting into easy quilting).
So, one evening I felt inspired to use it for this pattern. Now, this isn't like me; normally when I have expensive fabric I agonise over cutting it out and put off sewing it for fear of screwing it up! This time, I just cut into it and started sewing. It was only halfway through I started to question whether I should have trialed this with a cheapie knit first. Yes, I should have, is the answer!! I fear however I may now be spoilt for using cheaper jersey.
It's fine, but not as neat or as pleasant a sew as if I had had a practice go first. I struggled with some of the instructions, and had to do a bit of unpicking! The instructions have you set the sleeve then sew up the side seam and sleeve in two parts to avoid getting in a mess at the underarm; with the awkward seam allowances catching in the seams. I just could not do it! At one point I had unpicked so many times there was a massive hole under the arm! In the end I just had to abandon and come back a few days later with fresh eyes. I must have misunderstood something because it didn't come easily!
That aside, the finished top is great: nice colour, interesting shape. A real win. I have had so many compliments wearing this top out. Even total strangers have told me how great this top is: made my day and my week! I just wish it came over better in the pics.
Will I make more? Maybe, but the difficulties I had with the instructions have really put me off. Having said that, it uses very little fabric and the resulting top is really fun; I just need to get my head around that underarm seam! In the end, I'm happy with finished top, and feel confident and comfortable in it, and that's what counts, right?
I really love this. The colour is gorgeous on you. I'd forgotten about this pattern, as I chucked my version out - poor quality fabric that shrank unevenly in the wash. I would like to make another though. I don't remember any issues with the underarm seam, but I used the instructions on Marilla's blog, as it was before it was published in the mag. Se had maybe changed something. Thanks for the reminder. This is added to my to see list.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I do think it's worth paying for quality fabric. I'd pay £18 for a similar RTW top.
DeleteYes I have u-turned on cheap fabric. I guess it's true you get what you pay for.
DeleteYou look pretty in pink! I have made the sailor top (its a great pattern by Marilla)in a striped knit. The shoulder gussets really make the top as they are such a unique feature.
ReplyDeleteThank you, have to say I love it. Those gussets just give a fab shape.
DeleteWhat great fabric, and your top looks lovely! I made a T-shirt from this pattern in the summer and I love it. I used the pattern and instructions from Marilla's blog though. Did you put in the underarm gusset? I left that out as I thought it sounded a bit confusing, it still fits really well without it & was easy to put together.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what I did wrong, think it was just one of those can't think straight moments and I should have given up earlier! The next day I followed the instructions on marilla blog. Easier.
DeleteHa I have quite a lot of those moments, I usually don't give up & then regret it later. Like my Brumby skirt, where I attached waistband upside down, thought it looked weird but kept going & put zip in. Now of course I need to unpick it all argh!!
DeleteIt looks like a lovely top - the fabric is gorgeous! Obviously it was worth struggling with those underarm seams!
ReplyDeleteThank you the colour really sings! Well worth the struggle to have a top you love.
Deletelooks great! I think with jersey the more one pays, the better - had a few disasters over the years and finding quality jersey can be tricky.
ReplyDeleteI hear you I feel I am a convert now. Luckily I live near Ditto fabrics and they have lovely jersey there.
DeleteArt Gallery knits is wonderful stuff. Your top looks wonderful on you!
ReplyDeleteAgreed I will definitely be getting more.
DeleteIt looks great!worth persevering for!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely, the finished top makes it all worthwhile.
DeleteIt looks lovely - all credit to you for persevering. Next time you make this everything will probably just fall into place. I hope so, because it is nice and worth making again. I hate unpicking jersey, I always make holes in in...
ReplyDeleteThe holes were huge, I had to increase my seam allowance to get rid of them! Good job the top is loose.
DeleteOooh nice! I just saw one of these on IG this morning and thought I might give the pattern a go as I like the gussets too. Thanks for the tips on the instructions!
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to wear, worth having a go!
DeleteIt came out really well, despite you not having a practice first. I think the colour is great too, especially with the blue camo skirt. Worth a second go - and I agree stripes really make this top.
ReplyDelete