Thursday, February 9, 2012

the summer top

I don't know about you, but pretty, affordable, ethically made summer tops proved to be elusive to me this Summer. So, encouraged by my last project (and thank you for all those top pattern suggestions left in the comments), I dusted off another pattern from my collection.



I went through my stash and came up with just enough Anna Maria Horner voile for a simple top. I'd had this McCalls patterns for quite some time. I had planned to make this into a maternity top while I was pregnant, but I just never got around to it. I've often tended towards tunic and empire lines, as I find them incredibly comfortable and, well, they just feel like "me". If you know what I mean.


It took me almost a week of working on it on and off late at night. Though I did have to re-do one little yoke section, the rest was pretty straight forward.


I made the size 8, but found that I had to take the sides in about a centimeter on both sides. The straps also needed shortening which was not really a problem. This pattern was definitely on the generous side as far as sizing went.



Though right at the very end, just when I thought the project was in the bag,  I went to cut off the excess fabric for the hem (and believe me there was quite a lot of excess fabric - I wasn't after the sack look) and of course you can guess what happened. Yes, I chopped too much off. I can only blame the late night hours involved. Not fancying the belly top look, I found a little more of the voile from the same range and attached it to the hem to lengthen it. And surprisingly, I'm quite happy with how that turned out. Sometimes mistakes can lead to better outcomes. Or at least more interesting ones.


And most importantly (becoming increasingly more important the older I get) it is light and comfortable.

More creative spaces to be seen over here.

30 comments:

  1. Well done, I love your new top. It certainly was a fortunate mistake. The extra border round the bottom is a beautiful detail.

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  2. That is a gorgeous top! I must be brave and learn to make stuff for myself! Thank you for the inspiration
    Sandra x

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  3. It looks great! I might have to find this pattern for myself!

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  4. I love your new top and you're right - the bottom band is a fantastic 'mistake'. I like your previous top too, and am going to pin the pattern for when I get to sewing some clothes for myself - thanks for the inspiration.

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  5. It looks really great! I think I have that pattern stashed somewhere too- I remember making it in leopard print for a friend haha. Probably wouldn't do that again :)

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  6. It looks fantastic. Great job!
    Love the fabric too.

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  7. lovely Tania, I love the contrast in the two fabrics.

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  8. It looks great!
    I've been trying to find some clothes patterns too (easy ones!) since starting the Dottie Angel challenge and NEEDING some new clothes!!!
    You did such a neat job!
    xx

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  9. Looks fantastic! and yes, the "mistake" just finishes it off perfectly!

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  10. I love the top and think it looks just perfect with the contrasting hem. Great job!

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  11. What a beautiful result! Lovely top, and stunning fabric. I haven't used AMH's Voile yet, only the regular quilting cotton, but hope too soon!

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  12. such a cute top! i love the fabric and the extra hem - such a good mistake ;)!!

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  13. well done indeed - this is a fabulous top and I think sometimes mistakes are meant to test our creative license!!! It looks great with the contrast hem! well done and enjoy it xx

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  14. It is great! I love the fabric.

    And you just reminded me that I really need to sort through my old patterns and organise them properly. I have heaps that I haven't gotten around to using.

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  15. It's lovely. Cool and comfortable, but chic and crafty at the same time.

    The Summer maternity tops that I made for this pregnancy no longer fit me! I think I underestimated the size the bump could grow to. And it is still growing... :)

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  16. You look awesome! That top suits you to a T. I have a couple of light cotton voil tops like that that I bought for a song last season. They do make me look a little like a baloon when I'm not pregnant though (I have a sizeable bust) - but I love them anyway! :)

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  17. Your top looks lovely. I think the contrasting piece on the bottom set it off.

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  18. so gorgeous.
    i feel best in a tunic style top too.
    i love the fabric combos.

    ~d.
    X

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  19. The fabric is so lovely, just my colours and I love the triangles in the design. Love it, the border looks better a bit contrasting anyway.

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  20. Gorgeous! Yes i think the 'mistake' turned out rather well in the end

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  21. Lovely, Tania. I love how you've made a mistake into a highlight. x

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  22. I love the "mistake", it does really make the top something else. I have both those fabric myself, I wonder if it's enough to make myself one. Nice job.

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  23. Ah you're very clever Tania:) The top turned out perfectly, it really suits you. xx

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  24. very cool. I really like the contrasting edge...!

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  25. That top is great Tania. Nice and cool an it looks like my kind of design too, I really must start sewing something for myself, maybe to late for a maternity top for me too, with this being my last bub, but I'll be looking for a new wardrobe soon. :)

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  26. Great pattern. That top looks like a handy wardrobe staple. You should whip up a few more!

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  27. I love that style Tania...so flattering. The fabric combo is perfect, it suits you beautifully :)

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