This is a top that I've made, and I am really pleased with it. The fabric has not sat around long; it was only bought a few weeks ago at Ditto fabrics open day. I just love how vibrant the colour is, it looks as if the the sun is bouncing off the flowers as I move.
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| Possibly need a sway back adjustment - what do you think? Or is that normal? |
The pattern is from the Sweet Clothes book by Yoshiko Tsukiori. This is a great little book, and I just knew top G would make a good wardrobe staple. It's obviously more of a faff to trace out the pattern, rather than just cut out your size from a commercial pattern. But it's worth it when you get 23 patterns for the same price as one indie pattern. The sizing is usually very generous in Japanese pattern books, but I think that is for style reasons, as many of the designs are slightly androgynous. Not this one, though, it looked feminine and about right size-wise. But I did do a quick bedsheet toile, which taught me I needed to take a small wedge out of the neckline so that the top won't gape; plus, I lopped 10 cm off the length. I was really pleased with the fuss free shoulder - no gathering.
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| Folded a wedge out of the neckline |
The make was remarkably speedy and I think part of the reason is that you put the sleeves in flat before sewing the sides. Maybe that's just psychological, but it feels easier and quicker!
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| Tucked in, probably how I'd wear it with a skirt. |
Anyway long story short: I love it, and there will be more in the not too distant future; though I do have a long to-do list which is threatening to eclipse my sewing time. I shall try to accommodate both!
