Wednesday 7 February 2018

Saturday's Sailor Top

Saturday dawned with grey cloud obscuring the sun and light rain pattering on the roof. Not a day for sketching and stitching yarrow flowers in the garden as I had intended. Rather, when the chores of the morning were done, I spent the afternoon sewing. A sailor top that I had cut the pieces for months ago and that had been patiently waiting for me to sew them together. Do you get sidetracked from projects too?

My sailor top.

My sailor top, a pattern from Fancy Tiger Crafts, was a step up in the challenge department compared to the simpler tops I've sewn before. The online video tutorial I found over at Creative Bug, detailed step-by-step how to sew it up. I was able to access the tutorial by signing up for  a free trial period at Creative Bug. As long as I cancel my subscription, before the automatic $4.95 per month fee kicks in, it will cost me nothing. For me, it made attaching the yoke so much easier! Well worth it!

Here's the trickiest part of this top:


Gathering the neckline to fit the yoke.

Attaching the yoke to hide the gathers.

Finishing the neckline.
(Here's a tutorial that explains the "stitch in the ditch" technique used.)

The fabric I chose also presented some extra challenges for me when I was sewing. The lovely, light linen slipped more as I was sewing and the deep black colour made it difficult to see (and unpick) stitching in the fading light of the afternoon. Next time, I would also definitely choose a fabric with an obvious front and back so as not to get the right and wrong sides of the fabric confused!

A very versatile top.

I do love the black linen of my top though. It's soft and airy and I know I will wear it often. Its deep black will be the perfect backdrop to the lovely green and brown swirls of the necklace my young son chose for me from the trash and treasure market. It reminded him of a leaf and he thought it perfect for me because I love trees so much!

And ... it looks lovely with yarrow flowers too!  🎕

Meg












22 comments:

  1. Meg your top looks lovely. I agree that it is hard to stitch black though unless you are in a very good light.

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    1. Thanks, Chel. The black linen was challenging but I really like how it's turned out. I am going to make a few of these, in cottons that I have in my stash, a good light top for hot weather. Now I've sewn it up once, I think it will be much easier for me to make. Meg:)

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  2. A lovely top Meg. I'd love to be able to sew my own clothes, but I just don't have the patience for all those fiddly bits.

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    1. I just take it a step at a time, Jan. The neckline was very fiddly but I'm glad I persevered and got it sewn up in the end. The online tutorial did help A LOT with this part of the top. Meg:)

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  3. The top looks beautiful....such a good feeling of handmade and something that you will wear a lot.

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    1. Thanks, Kathy. I am slowly building my sewing skills with projects like these. The linen is soft and floaty and it feels lovely to wear. Meg:)

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  4. Meg this top is just beautiful. Really good quality and a style that will see you through for years. I love it! Clever you!

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    1. Thanks so much, Sally. I think linen is a lovely fabric to use for a top like this because it falls softly from those gathers under the yoke. And black goes with so many other colours so it will be easy to mix and match meaning I'll get a lot of wear out of it. I think it would cost a lot more to buy a good quality top like this at a shop than what I paid for the fabric. Meg:)

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  5. Beautiful job Meg, the top looks fantastic!

    Thank you for the links they will come in handy :)

    xTania

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  6. Lovely top the neckline is perfect, linen is such a good fabric, I have a huge stash of light brown, sound yuck, but it has a brown fleck in it, which I love. I am making a reading wigwam for grandsons 1st birthday at mum's request.

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    1. A reading wigwam sounds such fun! What a lovely gift for your grandson. Meg:)

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  7. It is a lovely top and I agree that black fabric is the pits to sew and unpick even with a really good light. Is the pattern true to size?

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    1. Hi Pip. I am just a novice when it comes to patterns and sewing. The pattern gives clear measurements for choosing size. I went with a large (I would normally make medium) based on the pattern's guidelines. Next time, I intend also to shorten the top. Meg:)

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  8. Goodmorning Meg,
    It looks like you’ve done a splendid job of sewing this top, such a great design, nice and loose for our hot summers while looking tres chic! Love the necklace too. Have a wonderful day.
    Fi

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    1. Thanks, Fi! I have already cut out pieces for another of these tops, in a nice cool cotton that I had in my stash. Perhaps I'll sew it up over the weekend when it's going to be too hot for gardening! Have a lovely day too. Meg:)

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  9. Beautiful top! You did such a great job on it.

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    1. Thanks, Debbie. I am waiting for a chance to wear it now! Meg:)

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  10. Such a clever seamstress! There's nothing like putting your sewing machine to good use. Learning to clothe yourself, is a valuable skill-set to possess.

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    1. It is a process which I am really enjoying. Meg:)

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  11. It's so lovely Meg, you are clever. I got all inspired and found some sewing books at the library.
    I'm not sure I'll get any sewing done but it was nice to look through them and pretend I will! :)

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    1. My sewing skills are improving, Lucy, though I doubt I will ever be as clever as you at creating things with it. YouTube tutorials help me a LOT! I am currently making a wrap skirt for a friend and I managed to sew the trim for the hem onto the waist. It took me ages to unpick it!! Meg:)

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