A New Top from a Remnant

On a Saturday-for-sewing afternoon, I was able to clear my son's schoolbooks from our old kitchen table and instead spread out fabric and pattern pieces for a new top. A new York top!

A new blue top.

For my York by Seamwork top, a downloadable pattern, I chose a beautifully soft grey-blue fabric that I bought as a 3metre remnant from my local community centre for $7.50. Such a bargain! Luckily, I already had matching thread and a dark blue bias binding in my stash too.

 A beautiful blue bargain!

While this beginner pattern was very easy to sew, with clear instructions and diagrams too, it was a project where I had to sew darts, stitch cuffs and make an in-seam keyhole all of which I've not done before. When marking up the darts on the fabric, I used a little piece of almost-used-up soap instead of chalk, which was a great tip I learned from a pattern-making workshop. The edge of the soap makes a crisp line and the soap just washes out once your garment is finished. Always nice to learn new skills and a great use for scraps of soap.

Using soap to mark up the fabric.

Dark blue bias binding, which I also had in my stash, was my choice for a contrasting colour for my new top's neckline. This binding meets at the centre back and extends beyond in both directions to make the in-seam keyhole. It's tied with a bow at the back.

A blue bow at the back.

Overall, I'm happy with how this top from a remnant turned out. The fabric is lovely and soft and I adore the colour. Rather than wearing it with my old and faded house-and-garden jeans though, as in the photo above, I think the gentle blue will look nice worn with a pair of deep dark blue jeans. (I am waiting for my favourite op-shops to reopen so I can find desired jeans.) 

As for the remains of the remnant, I think it will match nicely with some other fabric scraps I have to make an infinity scarf. I wouldn't want to waste any it!

Meg