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:
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
