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Tuesday 16 February 2016

Vogue 8379, the wrap top



Ever since I finished this lace skirt back in 2013 I was struggling to come up with outfit ideas. I love this skirt (Knipmode 1312-04, blogged here) but it didn't go with anything in my closet.

A few months ago I took the skirt with me on a fabric shopping spree and found some fabulous fluffy fabric in blush pink.

Instant outfit! I like the mix of textures and shine!


Now what to make? The fabric came with some challenges: I wanted to make a fitted top with as few seams as possible, preferably without facings to avoid bulk, and no topstitching. When I was putting away Vogue 8379 after finishing my jungle wrap dress it occurred to me this pattern was fitting the bill! I traced new skirt patterns with a skirt length of 15 cm and went straight ahead. Cutting was a nightmare. Pink fluff ended up in my nightgown, on the dog's ears and in my coffee, but other than that it was quick and easy.




I omitted the facings, just turned the seam allowances under and hand stitched them down. I lengthened the sleeves by about 10 cm and made sure my ties were long enough. Ha! A fox is not caught twice in the same snare ;)

I used the double stitched seams again, so no need to go out for matching serger thread. I kind of like this finishs, at least I do on knit garments without lots of negative ease and not too much tension on the seams.

(Slightly out of focus) double stitched seam


Finding the right spot to take pictures wasn't as easy as it is when I'm wearing my usual bold and colourful garments. Suddenly those trees growing out of my head became the stars! Arghh, so much easier in summer when the backdrop is all green. Just as I was about to give up the light changed and the sky turned into a matching shade of pink.






Artistic or what? Now I'm off to de-fluff the premises!
Happy sewing!

32 comments:

  1. Beautiful sweater and it works perfectly with your skirt.

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    1. Thanks, Lori. For me these muted colours work best when worn together. I tried the top on jeans and suddenly it looked way too pink!

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  2. Fabulous outfit. So feminine and very flattering! Oh yes, I remember the fun, and clean up, when working with furry fabrics.

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    1. Thank you. I've always loved the feminine look of pencil skirts and wrap tops. However, the next top won't be furry. Enough cleaning!

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  3. Love the sweater and skirt combination. Looks so beautiful on you!

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  4. Beautiful combination and great photo with the same color sky.

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    1. The pretty sky was well worth freezing at -3C. Why do I always take pictures on the coldest days?

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  5. I just love the whole outfit. You look beautiful in it btw.

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    1. Thanks, Marjorie. I'm wearing this outfit today for a meeting in a nice restaurant!

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  6. Wow, so pretty Marianne! You did a beautiful job. And now you have a fluffy dog to match!

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  7. That is a very elegant outfit. Beautiful. I think those colours suit you perfectly. Yeah.. fluff everywhere isn't good... especially in the coffee!

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    1. This! I can handle pink floors, but don't mess with my coffee!

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  8. Oh, I love this outfit. What a good idea to rework the wrap dress pattern! So much inspiration for me! Your experience with pink fluff everywhere reminds me of a book I read recently...The Pink Suit. It's about the making of the famous pink suit Mrs. Kennedy was wearing when her husband was shot.

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    1. Haha, I read the book last month but never thought about it while this was going on, although I know what you mean. Not much couture vibes or thoughts about Chanel while making this top!

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  9. Ohhhh, gorgeous! Definitely worth the fluffy house. You look wonderful in that color of pink; perhaps you should wear more of it??

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    1. Thanks, Karen. Funny you should say that, as yesterday someone told me that the colour was too pale for me. I had my doubts at first but I really like it!

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  10. Fabulous combination! A very elegant ensemble and suits you so well.
    Susan

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  11. Lovely outfit. I think worth the fluff!

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    1. It is, Anne! Although I hope my next fabric behaves better!

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  12. Beautifully feminine outfit. I love how you have put these garments and accessories together.

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    1. Thanks, Jean. Sometimes sewing one simple top is all it takes to bring everything together!

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  13. Perfectly matched - and the colour looks good on you, especially with the brighter lipstick. I think if you had worn a paler lipstick this top would not have worked as well. This sort of pink is just so flattering. Hope the defluffing was a success - though you are probably still finding bits of it here and there.

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    1. Six days later the sewing room is still a bit more pink than I prefer, one day I will conquer the fluff!

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  14. I'll be honest....I wouldn't have looked twice at that fabric. But it's so beautiful as this top and the outfit is chic yet with a playful twist that I love. Brava to you for seeing the potential!

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    1. It was out of my comfort zone but glad I took the risk!

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  15. You have a wonderful eye for colour.

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  16. Lovely outfit, great work and looks so nice on you.

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