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Showing posts with label french seams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label french seams. Show all posts

Friday, 27 April 2012

FO: Summer Top - Newlook 6895

So, here is my summer top:

I used the Newlook 6895 pattern, sewing view C with sleeves from view E.  This was one of the patterns that Husband bought for my birthday last year, and I wanted to use it before my birthday comes round again! The fabric I used is some kind of polyester, I think.  It has a pleated crinkly appearance which I rather like, but made it a bit tricky to cut and has possibley made the top a fraction bigger than the size 10 that I cut out. Looking at the finished top, the pleating kind of hides the gathers at the neckline and on the arms.

As mentioned in my previous post, I used French seams where I could. For the armholes, I ended up doing an extra line of stitching in the seam allowance and then zigzagging over that second  line.  I could have used my overlocker but I didn't feel like doing all the adjustments to get the stitch right for the fabric! This fabric frayed like crazy so I hope the armhole finish will work out ok.


I did quite a lot of hand sewing, on the arm bindings, neck binding and the hem. I did the neatest, tiniest stitches as I possibley could, which took a while, but I am very pleased with the result. I think I need to invest in some beeswax, as I did get in a bit of a tangle in more than one instance.

There is a tiny opening in the back which has a button closure, so I did a tiny thread loop, but I can't imagine ever undoing the button as the top is roomy enough to pop on without opening it.  In a future make, I think I may leave the back as one piece and do away with this opening completely.







Work in Progress: summer top

Other than my Burda trousers, I have been sewing a a summer top.  I am currently not sure whether I will be able to wear it this summer or not!
 

I had great plans to sew it up in time to enter it in MadebyRae's Spring Top Sewalong 2012.  As with most things, life got in the way - Easter holidays, family at home, taking on a new allotment, choice of material etc, etc.

It is still not quite finished.  It is quite a simple top, but given my choice of  material, everything has been a bit more complicated than it would otherwise.
 

All the seams are French seams. I was planning to do french seams on the armhole aswell, but when I read Sarai's instruction's for the Taffy blouse in the Colette Sewing Handbook, it said that french seamed armholes need to be done before the side seams.... I was not about to rip out my lovely seams so I'm not sure what to do there yet.  I have sewn all the seams with tissue as a backing to make it go throught the machine a bit more easily. There will be a bit of hand sewing to do to finish it off, as I don't think the fabric will take top stitching.
 

I had a sinking feeling the other day as the hail battered the windows and the wind whistled round the house, that I wouldn't actually like the top when it was done.  With some trepidation I tried it on and was very pleased with it - phew! Now I need to finish it and we need to have some summery weather!