Friday, January 11, 2013

Four Tops


I went on a top-sewing binge in December, and completed four long sleeved ones. Photography sessions with me wearing each of them haven't materialized, so I snapped some photos on a hanger so I could show them here.

I used an out-of-print Simplicity pattern, 3634. It's one of those wardrobe patterns, and the top has either a high scoop neck or a scooped cowl collar. I used the size 28, and added bust darts from the side seams. I'm really pleased with the fit, especially through the bust, shoulders and upper arms - those areas that can be challenging to get just right. One drawback is the sleeves are set in. I've inserted them in the flat instead, but I used double ease stitching on the cap to get a good fit. Having to do that is a pain, but it does create a better fitting sleeve.

The top shown above is made from a lofty rayon jersey from Marcy Tilton. It is quite light in weight, and almost a sweater knit. The fabric is marled, using black and blue yarns. The knit is on a slight diagonal. It couldn't be straightened without skewing the vertical grain of the fabric. I've chosen to accept the fact that the fabric was simply knit this way, and embraced its off-kilter look.


I used the plain neckline, and I love how it looks with the Trillian wrap I finished last year. I've just begun working on a black vest which I plan to wear with this top.

Needing a basic color tee, I purchased some of Marcy's Harvard Gray rayon/lycra jersey. This fabric is a dream to sew and wear! I drafted a higher, almost crew neckline for this one.


It's not a particularly exciting top, but a great basic for layering.

The third top is made from a beefy cotton/lycra from Marcy. You know I couldn't make 4 tops without one of them being purple!


On this style, I used my drafted crew neckline and added the twisted turtleneck from Marcy's Vogue 8582, which appears to be out of print. I used this collar on a top a year ago, and really like it. It's a tall tube, and one edge is machine stitched to the neck edge. Then the other edge is hand sewn at the seam line, but the key is to move the inner edge sideways about 4 inches. This creates the soft folds you see in this photo. I find it very comfortable on my neck, and it adds a bit of interest where there would be little.

I used this same turtleneck on my fourth top, this wild printed rayon/lycra jersey from Sawyer Brook.


This print is very large, which is not a problem with my size. But I was concerned about the warm tones in it (orange and nearly olive). The black, gray and fuchsia are the standout colors, though, and I'm glad I jumped out of my comfort zone with this fabric. It feels flattering to me.


I wear this with a gray ponte cardigan recently made (blog post to come soon!), and black pants. I get lots of compliments on the combination. It will also look great with the black crepe vest that's on my design table now.

So there you have it - three solids and a print to round out my top-making for 2012. There is one more to show, made from a different pattern, but I'm waiting for the black vest to complete the look. All told, I sewed 15 tops in 2012, bulking my wardrobe up so that I no longer wear any RTW tops out in public. Since I can't find RTW that fits well, I'm thrilled with the TNT top patterns I've tweaked in the past year. Yay!

25 comments:

  1. These are all fantastic - they will work with so many other garments in a wardrobe, great for mix-n-matching. Huge pat-on-the-back for creating your own TNT top patterns...J

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    1. Hi Judith! Thanks for stopping by, and for your compliments.

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  2. Yay for having a sewn, well fitting wardrobe! I love all your your December tops, and you are being a fabric temptress lady! I visited Marcy's site several times recently, eyeing that Harvard Gray Rayon, one of my favorite colors to wear (so is purple), but I am trying to sew more stash/buy less fabric. Your high praise of this fabric is weakening my resolve.

    The last one, while out of your comfort zone, is very flattering. Looking forward to seeing your ponte cardigan and new vest & pants!

    Happy 2013 Dixie!

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    1. A fabric temptress - ha! Believe me, I'll do almost anything to sell quality fabric. I work at a fabric store - Sawyer Brook - but my fabric purchases are split fairly evenly between SB and Marcy.

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  3. Great tops - wonderful additions to the wardrobe. They will work with so much - love the print one too.

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  4. I love these. Looking forward to the photo shoot with you in them.

    You are now my sewing guru. I am on a mission to find/make/alter the perfect t-shirt, because of you. Thanks darling!

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    1. Your sewing guru - those are big shoes to fill, so it's a good thing I have big feet! I do think it's worthwhile to have a good-fitting t-shirt pattern. You can so easily make changes to the neckline, and the way you stitch the hems.

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    2. Not at all, you always make such beautiful t-shirts, and so many of them. Then there is also the fact that I seem to have many of the same patterns as you. Strange, no?

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  5. Cudos to you for sewing that much in December! Those are all terrific tops. Good sewing!

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    1. Hi Gwen! I also sewed a vest and a cardigan in December. It was a whoppin' sewin' month. I had been making handbags for a few months, so my mojo for garment sewing was quite high. Photos and posts of the bags will be coming soon!

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  6. The print is my favorite! Great fabric.

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    1. Thanks, Rhonda. I like the print the best too. And it doesn't even have any purple in it!

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  7. Very lovely "cake" sewing, Dixie! There's nothing wrong with comfy practical t-shirts that are totally different from anything available in the stores.

    That wonky grain would've had me returning it as flawed. Such beautiful fabric too. You did a perfect save there!

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  8. Yeah, that wonky grain thing was wierd. We see fabrics knit like this sometimes at Sawyer Brook, and it just seems to be the way they're made. If the fabric will lay flat, I'll go with the lengthwise grain and move ahead.

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  9. a) It's so nice to see a post from you!
    b) Your tops all look beautifully made (but of course!)
    c) I rather like the off kilter look of the blue knit.
    d) I hope we'll be seeing lots more of you again! xox :)

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    1. Hi Jilly! Thanks for stopping by, and for your comments. I do have pics and plans to show you what else I've been up to. The dreaded blogger's block seems to have moved on. Hurray!

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  10. Jealous! You put in some quality time there, sewing for yourself! And you're right, they all DO fit and flatter you. Congrats on the TNT patterns.

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  11. That is a quartet of very lovely tops! I'm very drawn to the off-kilter one; I think it looks gorgeously funky :)

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    1. Thanks, Carolyn. I wore it today and it was very comfy. It really does feel like a very, very light sweater. I love the angle of the coloration.

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  12. Absolutely loving that print!!! All if your tops look great. So glad you have these lovely TNTs.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Shelley, and for your comments. It's good to have these tops in my wardrobe.

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  13. These are all very impressive tops. I love your eye for colour and texture.

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