FO: Kirsten Kimono Tee Hack

I have been following Aleah from no time to sew for a while now and really like alot of her makes.  A while ago (I just checked, it was almost exactly a year ago) she posted about a Kirsten Kimono colour block hack that she had made, inspired by a Boden top she had seen. The Boden top isn't available any more, but I remembered having seen the same top top and thinking it would be easy to do.

The Kirsten Kimono top pattern is free when you sign up to Maria Denmark's newsletter and I have used it before for me and Eldest. I made a size XS this time as I have lost some weight since I made the last one. Maria describes the top as having negative ease at the bust which mine definitely didn't have, but I think that was partly that my fabric was very drapey.  I had a bit of a brain freeze when cutting this out and it took me ages to work out where to cut for the colour block yoke. Aleah used the paper joint on the printed out pattern but I made my yoke section a fraction deeper, then I added a seam allowance.

This whole top was free, as not only was the pattern free, but I used navy jersey that I got at a fabric swap a couple of years ago, and the stripy fabric was a t-shirt of Youngest's.

 She grew out of it before she had much chance to wear it, so it was in pretty good nick.

Youngest aged around 4

I have made other things from the navy fabric so had a bit of a puzzle getting the main pieces of the tee cut out - I ended up having a seam at the centre front, but as I had to have a seam at the centre front of the yoke I thought it could be a design feature!

Centre seams on the front

I did not use the neck binding - I put it on, then took it off again. I much prefer the neckline on this top without the binding. I overlocked all the edges then used my lovely wonder tape (it sticks fabric together then washes away!) to do the neck, arms and hem. The wonder tape that I have is the perfect width for turning under for a narrow hem, but it does mean that you need to wash the item before you can wear it.

Having worn it a few times during MMMay15 I think it is a fraction too small - I made XS but I am pretty sure that I forgot to add seam allowances to the side seams which would make it even smaller! It is only noticable where the top sits on my hips and the hem rolls up a little, but it is not enough to make it unwearable.

relaxing!

This is another of my catching up posts, I think I only have a few more garments to go then I will be up to date!