Friday, May 10, 2019

The Amazing Technicolour Thrifted Fabric Top


photographic evidence that I do sometimes wear pants!
I've met one of my goals for MeMadeMay this year -- to finish up at least one of my UFOs! I've had this project cut and waiting since January. I paired this thrifted Stretch & Sew pattern with a piece of thrifted poly fabric when I was going through my stash in early January, cut it out, and there it stayed. But this week I got busy sewing and this only took a night to sew up. 


I made View B, the straight top in the middle. View A is a blouson top with a ribbed band at the bottom and View C is the dress. I like the fit and think I might try the dress view next! 

The most interesting part of this pattern is the shoulder yoke element. You could really play with this to add interest to the top. In this case, I thought that changing the direction of the stripes would be a perfect use for this fabric. 


It was a simple construction process, with the shoulder yoke stitched on to the front and then the middle hem folded down and everything topstitched, then the same in the back. There is a folded sleeve cuff that is sewn in on the wrong side then folded over to the front, which adds a nice extra touch to the simple lines of this top. 




I did grade out from a 38 at the shoulder/bust to a 44 at the hem -- the sizes are based on body measurement so I had to adjust for my more pear shape figure. But the grading doesn't change the lines of the pattern, and it skims the body well at the right size. I might take a 1/2" pinch out of the centre front bodice on my next try but otherwise I really like this bright, cheery, sample top and am so glad I finally sat down to finish it!





10 comments:

  1. I love it! A little retro, cool colours, and suits you well. I always pass over 80s style patterns as I remember them all being so SQUARE but this is nice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This one has shaping built into the side seams. I have liked every single Stretch & Sew I've ever made; maybe I should make the others in my stash too! This fabric is so fun -- I think of it as my Ukrainian Grandmother fabric ;)

      Delete
  2. Love the neckline and shoulders!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was really taken with the small square of this neckline when it was finished. Think I'll have to make another in a solid colour too.

      Delete
  3. Yeah to finishing a UFO! It is a really cute top. I love those 80's shoulder styles. They make my smaller shoulder look bigger and balance out my wider hips.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly! Maybe that's why I still really like the 80s styles, aside from liking them the first time around, I mean, haha!

      Delete
  4. Switching the stripe direction is a nice touch to this design. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was the perfect use for this fabric! And I was able to fit it all on to the short length with some judicious rearranging so that was good ;)

      Delete
  5. Hi Melanie. Beautiful. Love the whole neck line. We don't often see you in slacks .. this top is perfect for pants. Quite an elegant profile.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, it's an anomaly for me to wear slacks! LOL. I am really pleased with the shape of this top. Simple and clean lines.

      Delete

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