Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Red Tunic, not a Redshirt

I made this top in February but didn't post about it because it didn't fit quite right on first try, and I wanted to fiddle with the neckline a bit to fix it up. Plus, then I couldn't seem to take any photos any time that I wore it! I cornered my good-hearted coworker in the back room today for some snaps. And, well, it's all here now, and I'm not sure it was really worth waiting for...



I attempted to make Butterick 6134, a pattern intended for wovens & stable knits, using the remnants of the red ponte knit that I used for my Vogue 9022 dress a few months ago. It mostly worked. I left out the centre back zip as my fabric was plenty stretchy, and cut it with very little ease, going by my upper half (might go up a size if I make it in a woven). As it was, even with leaving some 'extra' ease in the waist/hip, I had to unpick and resew my seams at 1/2" each to add a little more ease around the bottom half. Sigh. When will I learn?


In any case I love how the seams look, and I love the fit overall. I love the sleeves, such a nice raglan design, and I love the look of the neck....but not how it fits me. I need to learn how to fit this kind of raglan/high neck combo, as I love it, and I have a couple of patterns with this look, but it just doesn't work on my wonky neck/shoulder area. I took 1/2" out of the right side raglan seam (the front seam going from neck to armpit area) and then added a double layer of interfacing on the right collar bit. That seems to have made it wearable though the collar flipping out instead of standing up still occurs and drives me nuts.


I think I have to accept that I need more fitting in the shoulder area, as my right shoulder is both shorter and more slopey than the left. You can see how there's just more collar on one side; perhaps I have to take the back centre seam in to reduce the collar circumference. I have to figure this out somehow; I've been looking at a discussion on PatternReview that covers uneven shoulders, but I'm not sure I know exactly what the fix is for this problem. Definitely a learning curve.

Anyhow, I am so glad I could use the rest of my red ponte (so soft and luxurious feeling) and everyone who saw my top today commented on how much they liked it...it's just the knowledge of how much fixing I had to do and how it still isn't right that was driving me bonkers all day!

Oh well, can't win them all. This is wearable but I'm not sure how much I'll really wear it because of these issues. Too bad, as the pattern itself is great, and I really, really like the look of the seaming. Just not sure this is the neckline for me.

Look at all those pretty seams
Haha, no. I am not pregnant. The fit is just off!
And I am slouching. Great posture, I know.

5 comments:

  1. First of all, this is your color as you are simply glowing! And I disagree on the collar, I think it looks great. If it were closed no, but the open feature lengthens your neck. I say wear it!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well done! We like this pattern on you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree with Rhonda - it really doesn't look as bad as perhaps you think it is. The shoulders do not look too uneven- many of us have different shaped shoulders. Perhaps tack the seams first next time your sew something. You probably just need to adjust the area a bit. complex alterations sometimes just make things worse. Keep it simple. And every garment that is stretch turns out differently - perhaps cut an extra half inch on the side seams and the corresponding area on the sleeve - this will allow you to alter if need be. You can trim the excess away later.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ooh! I love this shape! I must have one- Id love to look as good in red as you do!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks everyone for your nice comments! Encouraging me to wear this more often after all.

    And thanks Sarah Liz for the good tips. Yes, don't get more complex than you have to is a good point! Maybe if I leave this in the magic closet for a bit I'll like it a lot more the next time I pull it out :)

    ReplyDelete

Share your comments, ideas or suggestions here -- I am always interested in hearing from readers. It's nice to have a conversation!